<p>Here’s the link to the placement test website:</p>
<p>[Contents</a> of the Placement Tests](<a href=“http://testing.wisc.edu/contents%20of%20the%20placement%20tests.html]Contents”>http://testing.wisc.edu/contents%20of%20the%20placement%20tests.html)</p>
<p>Also - direct link to math placement test information:</p>
<p>[Math</a> Placement Test](<a href=“http://testing.wisc.edu/math%20test.html]Math”>http://testing.wisc.edu/math%20test.html)</p>
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<p>No it’s actually pretty nice to get glasses for fall during freshman year because the counselors open open typical frosh classes periodically for each SOAR session so even those who go late have decent options. It’s the spring semester that’s annoying because they won’t do that anymore and you really get the bottom of the barrel…</p>
<p>Which dorm do you reccomend living in for freshman year? And which side of campus? I’ve heard that the Southeast dorms are the party dorms, and that sounds fun and all, but I do want to squeeze some studying in there somewhere. How far are the Lakeshore dorms from campus?</p>
<p>The Lakeshore dorms are ON campus. Explore the Res Halls website for a ton of information. Different students have different preferences and the right dorm for you doesn’t need to be the most popular one. Each dorm open to freshmen will be at least 1/2 freshmen. Distance to various places on campus is found under specific dorms. Living at one end of campus and walking to the other is not a big deal- good exercise, in fact. Choose your dorm based on your list of priorities, location being only one possibility.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter what decade it is, if you can’t get B’s or better in your major you are not doing that well in it- this of course excludes that rare course you bomb. This is not the same as a required general course in your school/college, but the ones in the field you choose.</p>
<p>I honestly think I want to live in the Southeast dorms… But what would the noise level be like?? Is it loud? If so, is it loud all of the time?</p>
<p>Hey guys, this thread is heading in the right direction. Thanks for all the help! I was wondering if anyone can post a list of important things to bring to Mad-town. It doesn’t have to be super descriptive or anything, but I would at least like to know the basics! I am also wondering what is included in Liz Waters. The website said something about a fridge, but I don’t know if that is in the actual rooms or not.</p>
<p>I’m going to be a freshman this fall at Madison, but I’m not living in the dorms, I’m staying with a family friend that lives near enough for me to take the bus to campus. I’m super worried about making friends and doing more than just going to class since I can’t meet people in the dorms. I was thinking about joining a sorority but I haven’t heard anything about them in Madison and I don’t know that much about them. Any advice?</p>
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<p>Here is a link to another thread on CC about this very question, though it isn’t specific to Wisconsin, it has your basics and then some <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html</a></p>
<p>Concerning the fridge, each room does have one, but not necessarily a freezer.Mine had a freezer, but most rooms didn’t so keep it in mind. Number one thing I would be sure to have is a futon. It can be bought by you or your roommate, but it’s really important to have if you want your room to be social and I couldn’t imagine not having one. </p>
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<p>Greek life isn’t that big in Madison, but there is a presence should you choose to go that route. I’d say about 4000 students do it so it’s sizable at least. I don’t know a whole lot of people personally in greek life, but I think it’s a great way to find a niche socially especially if you are not able to dorm. Unfortunately I think this will handicap you to a degree or at least make it tougher socially, but as long as you try and make friends in classes and join some clubs you should be ok. People are super outgoing the first few weeks so really make an effort then.</p>
<p>I’m a prospective freshman, and I’m also from California.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to visit UWM.
…and now my concern is how do I get to UWM?</p>
<p>I have yet to buy a plane ticket. I was going to wait until the OC picnic thing and ask around, but since I have the opportunity with you and I would really like to buy my ticket ASAP.</p>
<p>…so it would be helpful, Cryto, to hear from you on how to get to UWM?</p>
<p>which airport should I be landing in?
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) or General Mitchell International Airport?</p>
<p>because SOAR/UWM tells me that Madison is served by Dane, but if I want a transportation (badger bus) directly to the campus, supposedly I should land in Mitchell? </p>
<p>so which is it? and from the airport how should I get to the campus?</p>
<p>Thank you so much(:</p>
<p>Hey underthesea,
Fly to Mitchell (MKE) - to be frank, it’s just cheaper. After you land in Milwaukee, you can head down to baggage claim and walk right out to the curb and take a bus to campus. I live in Milwaukee, and I take Badger Bus back and forth between home and campus quite a bit. They pick you up right at the airport and take you all the way to Memorial Union. There’s not a way to get from Dane County airport (MSN) to campus without taking a cab. I’m not as familiar with Van Galder, but I know they also have a stop at Mitchell - unsure if they go from Milwaukee to campus. Hope you can come visit!</p>
<p>General Mitchell International is Milwaukee’s airport. It’s pretty far but it’s typically cheaper than going through Dane Country</p>
<p>Just so you know, tickets to Dane Country airport/General Mitchell are usually more expensive than going through O’hare. I would guess you could save ~$100 per trip from Cali going through Chicago. There’s a bus that leaves every 75 minutes or so from O’hare and it places you right next to Memorial Union (bus ride is about 3 hours and costs like $30 for students I think? I forget it’s been a while).</p>
<p>I always get picked up when I go through Dane County airport, so I don’t know much about the public transportation back into Madison. But according to their site:</p>
<p>" Madison Metro Transit System (608) 266-4466 TDD (608) 267-1143 Website: [CITY</a> OF MADISON - Metro Transit](<a href=“http://www.mymetrobus.com%5DCITY”>http://www.mymetrobus.com)</p>
<p>Route 20 runs between the North Transfer Point and East Towne Mall via the Airport every thirty minutes during weekdays, and hourly weeknights, weekends and holidays. For service from the Airport to downtown Madison or the UW campus area, passengers should board buses reading “Route 20 - North Transfer Point.” Buses reading “Route 20 - East Towne Mall” would carry passengers to points east of the airport, including the MATC campus area, and eventually, East Towne Mall. "</p>
<p>([Dane</a> County Regional Airport | Ground Transportation](<a href=“http://www.msnairport.com/guide/transportation.aspx]Dane”>http://www.msnairport.com/guide/transportation.aspx))</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the quick responses.</p>
<p>Now I feel better about traveling.</p>
<p>Hey underthesea,</p>
<p>From the Bay Area there are no direct flights to Dane County airport as far as I know and if there are, I would imagine they would be pretty expensive. I personally take Airtran, however they only fly out of SF currently here on the West Coast I’m pretty sure, but maybe you can double check. I get direct flights from them to Mitchell with excellent prices >100 one way. Typically after that I will take Badger Bus to campus which picks you up right at the airport and then drops you off in the heart of campus. It runs every three hoursish so it’s really convenient. </p>
<p>Other option include Southwest which I’m sure you have taken before. Unfortunately, they don’t have direct flights to Mitchell just yet, but I have seen a bunch where they have layovers in Las Vegas and then to Mitchell. Ya it’ll add a few hours to your trip, but if you have frequent flyer miles or something that could help. It also flys into Midway in Chicago direct, though unfortunately Badger bus only goes to O’hare. </p>
<p>Since you mentioned OC picnic it sounds as if you’re from SoCal. In that case Soutwest might be your best bet for a cheap flight if you won’t be departing out of SF. Let me know if you have any further questions.</p>
<p>A cab would be your best bet if flying into Madison. The distance is relatively short and the cab fare not huge. Trying to take a city bus and transferring in an unknown city can result in more hours getting to campus than it’s worth. Flying into Chicago or Milwaukee are worth investigating, especially with a computer to help in planning. Son needed a weekend flight for a wedding in Seattle this spring- flying out of Madison and his first solo taxi trip worked better than a bus to/from Chicago or Milwaukee plus the flight for him (he missed no classes this way). See what the bus plus flight costs work out to be- remember those hidden charges for baggage…</p>
<p>Thanks Cryto!</p>