<p>How important is it for you, in your future career, to have a shot at working at a top research university? </p>
<p>If it is, I wouldnt look much beyond Williams and Mudd (Pomona?). Research unis, at least the top ones in math, seem to be populated with PhDs who did their undergrad work at other research universities. I would say that LAC bachelor degrees are under-represented among the faculty at top research universities. </p>
<p>I dont know how far down in the rankings one has to go before you find LAC grads represented in proportional numbers. Maybe other posters have input there. Also, LACs do seem to hire LAC grads, if you dont mind ending up in a job where you concentrate on teaching while doing less research.</p>
<p>So maybe you could clarify how important these things are to you.</p>