<p>I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina. If I'm not accepted in a good American university for undergrad studies, which is most likely (acceptance for international students is tough) I will be attending UBA (University of Buenos Aires). UBA was placed 151 in the Shanghai Ranking, so it's not good but not that bad either, considering is a worlwide ranking.</p>
<p>So, if I study computer science in UBA, is there any possibility I get into a high university PhD program like Harvard? What can I do to improve my chances other than getting the highest GPA I can?</p>
<p>Being already in college, would stuff like extracurricular activities still count? What about high school GPA? SAT?</p>
<p>Moreover, if you have a PhD from Harvard having attended other college for undergrad studies, what is the difference for someone who attended Harvard all the way in terms of jobs?</p>
<p>To gain admission to a top PhD program you will need good grades in your undergrad, good GRE (the SAT for graduate school) scores, good letters of recommendation, and it is very helpful to do research as an undergrad. PhD students spend much more of their time doing research than they do taking classes so demonstrating that you are good at research while an undergrad is very helpful. </p>
<p>Extracurriculars, high school GPA, and SAT scores are not a factor.</p>
<p>Job opportunities will depend upon how impressive the research you do as a PhD candidate is. Where you got your bachelors degree will not be a factor.</p>
<p>You should be asking this in the Graduate Studies forum, perhaps, but I agree with all things cltdad says. Your undergraduate institution doesn’t matter too much once you get a Grad degree. </p>
<p>There are many other good grad schools, not just Harvard. You pick your grad school based on the studies you intend and you look for a department with professors you want to work with based on a match with your intended area of study and their expertise, and that’s how they pick you. You don’t just go to Harvard for undergrad for no reason at all except to tell people you went to Harvard. You won’t get in by such a strategy either.</p>
<p>Do research as soon as you can, wherever you go for your undergrad.</p>