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Where you do your undergraduate work will impact where you are able to do your graduate work, though often in more subtle ways than people think – it’s not as though MIT alums get into great graduate programs because professors at the graduate program were impressed that they went to MIT; they get into great graduate programs because the resources and experiences they are able to have by virtue of attending MIT make them outstanding candidates for top graduate programs. Meaningful undergraduate research positions, attention from and relationships with star professors, and intimate high-level classes are all easier to come by at MIT and other elite schools than they are at large state institutions.</p>
<p>Interestingly, I wouldn’t say that where I went to undergrad is irrelevant now that I’m almost done with graduate school. I’m a final-year PhD student in a top lab at Harvard, and I’ve just finished applying for my postdoctoral work. I can assure you that my undergraduate origin at MIT, and the lab work I did with a very well-known professor when I was an undergrad, was carefully noted by my new postdoc advisor. Science and engineering are very tough, competitive careers – it’s useful to have every advantage you can, and having an impeccable “pedigree” is a very good thing.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is that your grad school plans may change between now and college graduation. Grad school isn’t for everyone, and many people decide not to pursue graduate education. My husband, an aerospace engineer, is among those people, so his MIT degree is the only one he has.</p>