What part does the reputation of my undergraduate school play in an admissions committees decision?
It is often true that when considering candidates of roughly equal qualifications, the committee may consider a candidate’s school, and particularly the reputation of the specific discipline at that school. This is why it is important to take a challenging course of study that includes advanced courses, directed independent study, and where applicable, research experience. Participating in nationally recognized fellowship programs, such as Mellon or McNair, can also significantly enhance an application. The fact is, there’s nothing you can do directly about your school or department’s reputation and ranking, so focus on everything that you can control.
