[eugenebrooks]

The pedigree of the college you go to, the grades you earn while there, and the activities that you engage in above and beyond your course work all count. The pedigree counts because potential employers know the competition is stiffer, the level of instruction steps up to this higher bar, and you will be driven to work harder and learn more as a result. By the same token, it is easier to "stand out" in a "top 50" school, as opposed to a "top 5" school.

My advice would be to go to the best school that you can get into and can reasonably afford. If you find that you can afford only a state school, you should not worry too much about that. The best graduate schools do pick from the top students available from a reasonably broad spectrum of schools.

I graduated with a BS in Physics from University of Maryland in 1977, without carrying any debt. I had state scholarships that covered about half the costs and I earned the rest by working during the school year (after the freshman year) and during summers. I did some experimental work during my last two years there that was published. The experimental work was likely key to getting an opportunity to go to graduate school at Caltech and I graduated from there with a Phd in theoretical physics, again without debt. The old adage, "be careful of what you wish for," does apply here. Those were glorious, but highly stressful days...

Just as participation in FIRST can generate opportunities with respect to college, participation in research and development efforts while in college can generate opportunities with respect to graduate school and you should seek them out. Potential employers will also appreciate seeing these things on your resume.