<p>I’ve got to agree with Brownparent on this point:</p>
<p>Students from top colleges are favored, overall, in graduate admissions. This is because they are better mentored at the undergraduate level, and because their undergraduate departments are known quantities. </p>
<p>State flagships are often better than “directional state universities” in preparing students for grad admissions, often because they offer access to top researchers and labs, whereas the “directional state universities” are less likely to do so. Do take that into account. And LACs with good reputations can be optimal choices as well, particularly in the social sciences and humanities, but sometimes in the sciences, too. (I can think of a number of elite LACs with top-notch science departments.)</p>
<p>All the posts above are terrific. Read them all carefully.</p>
<p>And best of luck to you.</p>