<p>In some ways, I think it makes perfect sense. First of all, GPAs are so variable at different schools as to be virtually meaningless (what's a 3.4 at MIT when compared to a 3.5 at Harvard and a 3.5 at UCLA?) </p>
<p>On the other hand, research shows a level of motivation that simply attending class does not. And really, since a PhD is a research degree (and most BA students don't know research from their wazoos), profs want future research slaves, not grade mongers. </p>
<p>At least that's what I've been told when talking to profs at UCLA and other top poli sci programs. YMMV (your mileage may vary).</p>
<p>It depends what you mean by "grad school." For trade schools like law and medicine, rep of your UG school doesn't matter. For research (M.S. and PhD), UG school DOES matter but in a different way.</p>
<p>Well, I would still argue that she should go to the best school possible, because:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>She may change career goals. I was pre-law until I was a junior, when I realized I had no desire to be an attorney. Good idea to remember that.</p></li>
<li><p>A good school still offers the most enriching program, which may yield a better LSAT. Of course, your mileage may vary.</p></li>
<li><p>The resources of bigger, better schools offer a student a better inroad to law school as far as letters, prep, and knowlegeable people go. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>All in all, it's not that big of a difference for law, but I still believe in the "most freshman change career paths, so why dictate college on an initial major" belief system. It's worked well for me and most people I know.</p>
<p>comprehensive colleges such as the cal states don't aim to get their students into top graduate or professional schools. their mission is to feed their students into the working world after graduation. as such, many of these comprehensive colleges (especially the cal states) don't focus on research, which is a heavily weighted requirement for admissions into grad school. thus, it will make it harder, but definitely not impossible either. but a standout student is always a standout student. i know someone who went to cal state fullerton and is now going to harvard medical school. she is the exception but she is also proof that it is not impossible.</p>