<p>Honestly, the name brand does count – especially if you want to get to a position at a big- name school. BUT, that does not guarantee success. I can give you one example of a person who (teaching at a dept. I applied to) is world famous for his work, and he went to Univ. of Kentucky. But he is a full prof before age 40 at Harvard…</p>
<p>Check out his resume here:
[Harvard</a> Kennedy School - Amitabh Chandra](<a href=“Page not found | Harvard Kennedy School”>Page not found | Harvard Kennedy School)</p>
<p>Continued success it seems is based on your research and what impact that has ultimately. So I would worry less about brand, but more about what research you want to do and how you are going to make that into reality. Ask big questions, have elegant research, and surround yourself with smart people. Just my opinion…</p>