Undergrad Options for Grad School

WiscoFeller
Mon, 03 Oct 2016 03:03:51 +0000

Hello,

I am a current college student at a tech college in Wisconsin. I am interested in knowing how important the name on my diploma will be for applying to grad school? I plan on transferring after this semester and declaring a double major in Philosophy and English. My end goal is to be admitted into a prestigious grad program (dream program being at U of Edinburgh or the like). My question comes in because I have the ability to attend a UW system school such as the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, or UW-Stevens Point for free, quite literally. However, I am wondering if these high end universities will even take a look at me if I graduate from one of these colleges? This is of course assuming I do well in classes, and network myself and participate in undergrad research and the like (which is my current goal).

My other options would be possibly attending University of Minnesota, University of Maine, or (preferably) College of the Atlantic, however it would cost me more to attend than the UW system colleges; Madison is out of the question for me because of their required high school course policy.

Would I be okay going to one of these less known UW colleges if my end goal is grad school in a very prestigious university like Edinbrugh, Duke, etc, or would something like UMN, or COA be a better deal in the end? I’ve heard that 1) undergrad schools don’t matter at all and 2) that your undergrad school is absolutely crucial. Perhaps you can see where things can get messed up.

Thank you for your help!