<p>I did a search on similar threads and found several that were active a few years back. So, I thought they weren't so relevant and decided to start a new one. </p>
<p>I've been admitted to both UIUC and UW-Madison for Fall 2014 as an undergraduate student (applied to both during the respective priority applications). Right now, I'm doing some research on both schools and I find myself still undecided on where to go. I also know that getting a first-hand visiting experience on the campuses is very important. However, this is out of the question for me since I'm an international student (air tix = $$$). So, I would like to find out from people who are studying in either UIUC or UW-Madison to give their opinions, or people who were/are in a similar dilemma as me to share their thought processes on how they arrived at a decision. Or any form of helpful advice is also welcome! </p>
<p>Some additional info: I'm planning to major in Mechanical Engineering in both schools and since I've received a scholarship back home that covers all of my tuition fees regardless of school, I am very fortunate to not include costs as a major factor in my decision making process. That's all, and thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Both are excellent schools, both within reasonable travel distance from Chicago. My son was also admitted to both and preferred the smaller city feel of Madison to the “micro-urban” community of Urbana Champaign (that is what the admissions office called it).</p>
<p>One possible consideration might be admission to Mechanical Engineering program specifically. At UIUC, you are admitted already (I presume, since students apply and admitted as incoming freshman directly into specific Colleges) into the College of Engineering, which is harder to get into than some of the other colleges at UIUC (including Arts and Letters, which is what my son was admitted to). At UW, you are admitted to the University as a whole, and then apply for admission to specific programs within the College of Engineering, typically as a second year student. So there is another step in the process to be a Mechanical Engineering student at UW. Is that enough of a step to dissuade someone from going to UW? Depends on the student. UW and Madison are on all kinds of “top 10” lists for things like best college towns, best football game days etc. </p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptance, you cannot go wrong with either school.</p>
<p>@barrons: I managed to find a BBC article on the best university towns in the world and UW-Madison is one of them! So I guess there has to be a grain of truth in that. In terms of rankings and academics, it appears that UIUC is more recognized than UW-Madison, or at least that’s the case in my country.</p>
<p>@Midwestmomofboys: Thanks! Yes I actually wasn’t aware of the system at Madison until I was admitted, and only when I was reading through the various admissions FAQs that I realized this was the case. I had assumed that it would be like at UIUC, where I will be admitted directly to the College of Engineering itself. </p>
<p>Would appreciate it if more people could input their opinions!</p>
<p>Academically they are fairly similar with UW-Madison perhaps having the overall edge. For Engineering, UIUC probably has the edge. I have not visited both so I can’t compare. My daughter went to UW for grad school in CS so I have been and it is a fantastic location to attend and it is a very nice lifestyle for students. Lots of activity in the college and the town. I loved it and my daughter has a vibrant life, there is a lot to do there. Yes, it is considered one of the top college towns in the U.S.</p>
<p>The winter weather is almost equally awful at both locations. I’m originally from Iowa, so I do know about awful winter weather.</p>
<p>The academics are essentially equal.</p>
<p>Madison is held to be a better city for college life.</p>
<p>UIUC gave you direct admission to the program you want.</p>
<p>Check transportation to each location. It is likely that both will require that you change flights in Chicago. Both also have rail connections [Train</a> & Bus Tickets - National Railroad - USA & Canada | Amtrak](<a href=“http://www.amtrak.com/home]Train”>Amtrak) or bus connections [megabus.com</a> | Now serving over 30 million bus customers in North America](<a href=“http://us.megabus.com/]megabus.com”>http://us.megabus.com/) that can get you to places you might like to visit during school vacations.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you contact the International Students Office at each university, and ask to be put in contact with any students who are currently attending there who are from your part of the world. Those students can fill you in on living and studying there.</p>
<p>Another vote for Madison as a great college town.
UIUC is much better for CS but UWMadison has a relatively better reputation (or perhaps a “more intellectual reputation”) among faculty members in non-STEM subjects.
For engineering outside CS, I’d say the programs are equal.
Weather is similarly bad (well… cold and snowy… you could look which one has the most sunny days).
I’d personally pick UW Madison because of the town and quality of life but ymmv.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the helpful input! Although I can’t say that I’ve already made a final decision, it appears that I have a somewhat better idea on why people choose UW-Madison or UIUC. Actually, when I asked a few friends at UIUC for their opinions, naturally they encouraged me to go to their school. So, I decided to start this thread to find out the pull factors of UW-Madison as well, and it looks like everyone has provided a fair share of such factors. As for now, I won’t bump this thread anymore if there are no new posts, but I definitely won’t say no to anymore opinions about the dilemma I have. Thanks again!</p>