<p>Well you have to take tests for grad school anyway, so if you have a stellar GPA at some school, reputation or without, and don't score accordingly on the tests for grad school, you're gonna have a hard time going where you want for grad. A bad score will only indicate how little learning and work that GPA actually required. So basically you want to prepare yourself for the tests, learn the stuff you love and maybe don't love, and go to an undergrad school that you really like. Going to an undergrad school that you feel lukewarm about just because you think you can get good grades or because you want to graduate from an impressive school is not gonna get you into the grad school of your choice.</p>