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<p>I can’t speak for the field you are in. In the world I’m familiar with, its not an issue. We simply don’t get THAT many applicants. We also get applicants from around the world (and consider them similarily); yet we don’t necessarily know the ‘top’ schools at the countries they are from. Moreover, half the time we don’t even know some of the ‘best schools’ in the states (e.g. a top nothc LAC that doesn’t have a business program, none of us faculty may be familiar with it). </p>
<p>Show me someone with standardized tests scores in the 90th percentile range, with research experience and great letters of ref, and I’ll show you someone whose file gets read. </p>
<p>In your ideal world, you know a professor in your undergraduate studies well enough in the field you are applying who can and will write an email or call someone in the dept you are applying to ensure you are on the radar screen. Fields are small enough to make this possible. Another good reason to get a UG where you can work close with some faculty in research if you are interested in eventually getting your PhD.</p>