<p>I disagree with the answer above. Grad school admissions in the natural sciences and engineering is largely a numbers game, and there is little discrimination against the undergraduate institution. Pull in top grades, impress a professor or two to remember you, do a bit of research, pull in a 95%+ rank on the GRE, and you will find yourself admitted to most highly regarded PhD programs in the natural sciences and engineering.</p>
<p>While there is little discrimination against second tier undergrad institutions in PhD admissions, there is a HUUUUGE discrimination against hiring faculty from second tier institutions. The snob factor in academia is tremendous, and even second and third tier institutions will give preference to graduates from better programs over their own students. These people don’t eat their own cooking.</p>