<p>I know it is important for getting into a good grad school, but how important is it that you go to a private university instead of a public?</p>
<p>I think the most important thing is to go to the best school you can, public or private. By "best" I mean the most selective school that is a good fit for you.</p>
<p>There are great publics and not-so-great privates. Schools typically aren't divided that way. They're usually just ranked regardless of whether it's private or public.</p>
<p>"By "best" I mean the most selective school that is a good fit for you."</p>
<p>This is fairly good advice - but notice the very important point of finding the right fit. There is no point to going to a school even 15 spots higher if you are going to be miserable for the next four years.</p>
<p>Anyone from any school can go to the best grad schools. In reality though, the top schools simply send more, increasing your chances. There is NO distinction (that I have ever heard of) that says that private schools do better by definition in grad admissions that public schools. The only variables may be advising and resources. But at the end of the day, personal accomplishments mean a lot more than a name on a transcript (although the weight depends on the school and the person).</p>
<p>Better undergrad schools get you better recommendations and better jobs. They give you greater resources and a much more powerful network. Of course you don't have to go to a great under grad school but it sure helps.</p>
<p>^^^It helps if you are at the top of the heap and have caught the attention of professors who will write stellar recommendations for you.</p>
<p>If you are at the top of the student pool at even a mid-level public, and you have the attention of a connected prof--and there will be many--you can go anywhere. I'm not just speculating, here, BTW.</p>
<p>Very helpful answers. Thanks everyone : )</p>