<p>this is a kinda random but specific inquiry...
anyone know of folks who were rejected at a 'top' undergrad institution for math but were admitted into the harvard math department as grad student?</p>
<p>Theres no reason in the world this couldn't happen. Tons of qualified people get rejected from schools like Harvard, do very well wherever they do go to, and then get into an excellent grad school.</p>
<p>It's definitely possible. Undergrad institutions focus more on students being well rounded. Graduate admissions care more about how well the student excels in the single department they are applying for.</p>