<p>In the world of grad school admissions elite status is an earned not a perceptual distinction- I dislike the implied slur about elitism in a post. Different colleges/universities have different missions. This means that public flagship U’s generally will have more courses and an outlook that prepares a student for grad school than other state schools. I assume the UWEC student has stellar grades and has gotten to know his/her professors. OP- keep in mind that your professors went to grad school and will be good resources. Pay attention to Professor X"s comments. Good luck.</p>