<p>Hi there! I'm having a bit of trouble sorting out which schools I want to go to. Being in a lab, working on brilliant new experiments, has always held a great appeal to me - specifically working with microorganisms, diseases, and whatnot. I know that nearly all Ivies are notoriously good in this field, but is there a great difference between them? Also, does it matter for an undergraduate degree? For instance, I know I could get in to UF, the top research school in Fla., while it would be a push for Duke, and a real stretch for an Ivy. Would it make any difference in the end?</p>
<p>---and on a side note. My parents tell me that you're 'supposed' to go to a graduate school that's different than your undergraduate school. Is it really expected that you move around a lot? Just curious.</p>
<p>Purple ribbons, I am glad that you brought up these questions. It's awesome that you have the maturity and direction to know at this age that you want to pursue research as a career. Most of us entered college with the same stupid pre med ambitions, a direct result of not knowing about other options.</p>
<p>You are interested in Microbiology (me too, btw). Where you get your undergrad only matters in that it will allow you to get a lab job and ideally do some independent research as an undergrad. All the better if it results in publication. I wouldn't stress out about going to an ivy or something for undergrad to get this. Large public universities will have all of these facilities, and if you're worried, check on the job posting boards for the schools you are interested in, to make sure they have labs that are hiring undergrad research assts. (on a side note, if you are looking at Duke for micro, consider UNC instead).</p>
<p>You will be forced to move to a different institution for graduate school. At most places, you can't even apply to your undergrad (in the biomedical sciences). You may well have to move again for your first post doc.</p>
<p>If you have more specific questions, purple ribbons, please pm me.</p>
<p>^Thank you so much for the insight, it really helped! :D Someone else is into microbiology!</p>