<p>Wondering whether this would be a factor in my college decisions. </p>
<p>It depends on the nature of the grad school. But as a general rule of thumb, NO.</p>
<p>for certain schools it is a plus (i.e., North Carolina), but for others (UCs) its a negative – they want you to go somewhere else for grad school.</p>
<p>It depends on what type of “grad school” (PhD, MD, JD, etc.).</p>
<p>For PhD programs, it likely varies by major and department, but there are at least some majors and departments where it is recommended to attend different schools for bachelor’s and doctoral degree study. Berkeley’s chemical engineering department says that right on its web site, and says that other chemical engineering departments have similar opinions on that matter. See <a href=“http://cheme.berkeley.edu/grad_info/faq.php”>http://cheme.berkeley.edu/grad_info/faq.php</a> .</p>
<p>However, some departments (often engineering) at some schools do offer a fifth year terminal master’s degree program for their own bachelor’s degree students.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, no. You should choose your undergrad college based upon other factors.</p>
<p>While some departments and schools have policies or tendencies that encourage or restrict their own students from entering the grad program, I have never heard of a department where such were absolute - you can almost always find a few students in any grad program who did their undergrad at the same school.</p>
<p>As to it being an advantage or not? Well, your own department knows you better and knows what you have DONE better. Depending on what they think of you, this can be a help OR hindrance. In my case, I applied to my alma mater and two other schools, and had an unusual transcript - my own school was the only one to admit me immediately, as they already understood the situation and knew I was a good candidate. My other admit took a lot of work, as they had to be shown that I was more than my transcript.</p>