<p>I will be a senior next year and I am beginning to look into colleges. Three universities that turn out to be very appealing are the universities above. I am looking for a school located in a nice college town, great academics (especially in the life sciences), well regarded, nice statistics when it comes to placing students into medical school, social, and a nice campus. As of now cost isn't an issue at all. All opinions will be much appreciated!</p>
<p>I don’t know about the other schools… but I can say that UW Seattle has a nice university district, well regarded (ranked top 15-50 both in the US and throughout the world), most beautiful campus. It is my top recommendation! hahaha…got to admit that it is a biased point of view since I am a UDub student. 1 thing that I often hear from others about UT Austin is its admission selection process, it is difficult to guess what qualities they are looking out for admissions and thus your admission chances become unpredictable (Of course, good grades and/or outstanding achievements will definitely raise your chances).</p>
<p>All three are excellent schools - well regarded nationally and internationally. You wouldn’t go wrong with any of the three. It sounds to me like atmosphere will be the deciding factor for you. I think you’ll need to visit all three in order to make a decision. One thing to consider is that UW-Seattle is known as a commuter school so consider whether that will influence how much you’d enjoy it there. If I were a traditional student (senior in high school), I think Austin would appeal to me the most when I consider the kind of college experience I envisioned in my youth. But, everyone is different. I think U Wisconsin-Madison has the biggest party school reputation of the three so consider how much that kind of a social life a)appeals to you b)would be easy for you to avoid if it doesn’t.</p>
<p>Excellent choices, rholt9998! As PrincipessAnna said, you can’t go wrong with any of them. For life sciences I would give the edge to UW Seattle but it does feel a little bit like a commuter college, espcially on weekends. I think Seattle area has much more to offer in terms of recreation and entertainment.</p>
<p>The fact that UW Seattle is known a a commuter school really is somewhat unappealing to me. Both UT Austin and UW Madison are heavy party schools from the research I just did. I find that I am extremely set on becoming a doctor so I am positive I can avoid parties. UT Austin apparently has many in state students; somewhat of a turn off. Really really confused lol. Thanks to everyone for the help by the way! More opinions would be appreciated!</p>
<p>rholt9998, the situation is not as bad as you think. UW Seattle campus is very beautiful and it definitely doesn’t look deserted on weekends. I think the “situation” has improved a lot in recent years with the construction of new dorms and increase in out-of-state enrollment.</p>
<p>Have you visited any of these places?</p>
<p>I haven’t visited any of these campus; I did visit University of Michigan. Wasn’t too impressed with the visit; campus seemed dry and all over the place.</p>
<p>Hi!
I thought I’d contribute my two cents. I’ve never been to UT, so I can’t comment on that campus.<br>
I have had the opportunity to visit UW-Madison. A friend of mine finished up his PhD in something relating to biomedical research under a NASA Space Grant. He mostly enjoyed his time there, but I would like to mention that he is working on a post-doc now - be wary. He was trying to avoid doing a post-doc but wasn’t able to find a job within 6 months of getting his doctorate. He has great connections, so it may have been the recession. He’s working on stem cell research now (how cool!). Whenever we went to visit him, we usually spent time in Milwaukee (always a barrel of fun)…but more than an hour drive from Madison. Winters are COLD, and summers are humid. </p>
<p>UW-Seattle. A recent Biological Oceanography PhD friend secured a job before her defense. I love the gorgeous campus and the fact that it’s nestled in the city is great. You don’t have to be chained to the UDistrict, a short bus ride will put you in any other part of the city. Somehow I’ve managed to become friends with a lot of Pre-med students in the Seattle area since it seems like all of my classmates are Pre-med students (paired with the engineering & CS students, science classes aren’t a cake walk around here - not that they are at the other schools, just giving you my perspective). My only qualm with Seattle is the weather. My first year here was an exceptionally difficult adjustment. I think there was rain and overcast for eight months straight. Years since haven’t been as bad, and I seem to be more productive when it isn’t nice outside. </p>
<p>If you have the funds, you should visit all three! Good luck! :)</p>
<p>haha thanks so much for the input! really benefited from reading that!! Thank you very much! so if you had to pick one of the schools, which would you pick? I am sure UW Madison being a top party school should be pretty fun too lol</p>
<p>I moved 2000 miles to attend UW-Seattle 
(I’m an Oceanography major though)</p>
<p>The three schools you listed will have different vibes. Check out each campus and go out for a latte and get a feel for the locals. If they all have great programs and connections, it sounds like it would boil down to how much you enjoy being in that area. It’s easier to excel in a place you love than a place that drives you bonkers.</p>
<p>I have had the benefit of living in each town as an adult and/or a student and all have enough to provide a top notch college experience. Austin probably has the best combo of weather and an awesome place to live as a young person. The only drawback is it is very Texan for better or worse. Academics a notch below the others too but UT has money as long as crazy state gov lets them use it wisely. Madison has the most national student body and a very cohesive spirit. Unlike UT and Udub Greeks are less dominant in social aspects of campus life. Between Seattle and Madison the weather sucks at both in different ways. In good weather the Wisconsin campus is the most lively with the lakefront Union acting as a center of activity for faculty, students, locals and returning alums. None of the others comes close in that regard.</p>
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<p>I’ll give you my acceptance to UW for one at Austin haha… lets trade spots.</p>
<p>Seriously though, if its engineering or business you can’t go wrong with UT Austin.</p>
<p>UT>UW-M>UW-S</p>
<p>imo.</p>
<p>Have you looked into UNC -CH ? It seems to fit all your criteria without the others’ drawbacks.<br>
Madison and UT are both the best but I’d rather have snow and a college town than rain all the time and a city - I figure college towns are best enjoyed when you’re in college whereas you can enjoy cities at any point in your life.</p>
<p>I heard UNC-CH campus is very scenic. According to [41</a> Scenic College Campuses That Were Made For Instagram](<a href=“http://www.buzzfeed.com/mattortile/scenic-college-campuses-that-were-made-for-instagram]41”>41 Scenic College Campuses That Were Made For Instagram) it is ranked #6. Wow!</p>
<p>I also see UW madison and UW on the list. no ut austin though</p>
<p>UW @ #4! What a surprise! :rolleyes:</p>
<p>rholt9988, you can live in a scenic place at any point in your life but you can party only when you are in college. :p</p>
<p>I’ve been to all these universities in some capacity or another, and any of them will be an excellent choice. They’re all nationally recognized for their academic excellence, strong research and enjoyable lifestyles. I loved my Seattle undergrad experience and think it would be a fantastic place to live long-term. Austin would be a place I could live for awhile, nice weather, free spirited, smart population, but I don’t think I could handle Texas for too long, even being in the weird anomaly that is Austin. Madison and Seattle are probably sister schools, they’re just about even in all rankings, but Madison feels like it’s built much more around the school, whereas Seattle is an independent city that has lots of other stuff going on and also there’s this pretty great school. Madison is a mid-sized city, but it can have the feeling of being a college town. Take a visit and you’ll understand. There is plenty to do, see and learn in each school and city, this is a choice you really can’t mess up.</p>