<p>What matters is going to a school that meets your needs today and in the future, If you have any expectation about going further than a BS you better go to a school wit grad school connections and a name you can trust in the field. UCSD certainly is and so is UW. To imply that it is a must to work go to school in San Diego, Boston or SF because those are where the largest biotech firms are is absurd and would unduly limit your list of choices. UW provides a far different college experience than UCSD including a real college town next to campus, big-time sports, and a lively social scene. These are things some prospective students find attractive in addition to the academcis.</p>
<p>You have no idea about the diversity of firms in Madison but they are not in one building to begin with. It is a park developed by the university with over 1.5 million sf in 34 buildings. It was so successful thay are opening a phase 2 park
"By early 2007, University Research Park’s Phase 2 development at Junction Road and Hwy M on the far West side of Madison will be complete. This carefully choreographed expansion will:</p>
<p>Add 53 building sites on 270 additional acres
Increase tenant count to well over 200
And add 10,000-15,000 additional employees"</p>
<p>Obviously to most, this is not some puny one horse development. There numerous other companies who have their own buildings in locations all around Madison. </p>
<p>The OP also wanted nanotech--UW is very active in it.
<a href="http://www.news.wisc.edu/13436.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.news.wisc.edu/13436.html</a></p>
<p>You want industry orientation</p>
<p>Now here's a new startup just getting off the ground. The article shows how it works in Madison.</p>