<p>Hello all, my son applied early and has gotten acceptance letter from U of Minnesota Duluth ( college of sciences) and University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire for Fall 2015. He is good with math and wants to do something with science and engineering.
I think he will do better in a medium sized school rather than a larger school and so we did not apply to Madison.</p>
<p>He is really also interested in theater and plays the violin and swims. He is from Bloomington MN. Which school is a better fit if he wants to do computer science or engineering. Is one of the above school ranked better than the other?</p>
<p>He also got acceptance letter from Mankato state, St cloud state and crookston... which are not great engineering schools.. so we are not considering those schools at this time..</p>
<p>The schools have similar ranks, but from what I can tell, UMD would be a better choice. 10% of the students there are engineering majors. I don’t think U of W - Eau Claire even has an engineering major (there is a dual degree that takes 5 years and you have to transfer to finish, but I can’t see why he would do that). I believe UMD is ABET accredited, which is important. Plus, I personally would rather live in Duluth on the lake with nearby skiing, etc. than in Eau Claire (but that is a personal preference).</p>
<p>If possible try to re-visit the two schools. Maybe even see if they have programs where he can shadow a student for a day (and attend classes etc.). We did that with my D and after the visits one school became a clear favorite. And if there is a big financial difference that should be part of the equation as well.</p>
<p>Your student has until May to make a decision, right? I would suggest waiting a bit. Some students see things through a different lens as the school year progresses. </p>
<p>Your comment that they aren’t far apart in cost makes sense. MN and WI have reciprocity, so he would pay in-state rates at both. If he went to UMD, you could visit and have Chocolate Stout Cake at Fitgers. :D</p>
<p>Have him apply to UW-Madison anyway. There are ways to make the campus ‘smaller’ -first year interest groups (FIGs), and dorms with learning communities. He may change his mind about Madison.</p>
<p>Rethink Madison, especially for the math, computer science and engineering. He could choose a Lakeshore dorm to avoid high rise living and to be closer to a suburban housing experience. Also- UW-Madison has an orchestra class (1 credit) for those who are not music majors but want to continue playing their instrument (someone from son’s HS tried to get my son to join but he didn’t). There are plenty of club sports as well. If his credentials get him into Madison he is much better off with the caliber of classes and like minded academic peers. </p>
<p>I notice the “we did not” and “I think”. It is HIS life and HIS decision. Is HE at all interested in UW-Madison or U of M-Twin Cities or have you discouraged him from even considering them? Especially for a STEM person the flagships will have the courses he can use and he will meet people in them. Never be afraid of a large campus. There is more room to be yourself instead of falling in line with the crowd. There will be as many chances to party at the smaller schools. There is always the chance he won’t get accepted to UW-Madison. Then he will know he belongs at one of the other schools. I would hate to see him bored at the schools if he is of UW-Madison caliber.</p>
<p>Thanks Wis75 and Madison85… His GPA is not in the range for Madison and that is another reason we did not apply…he is a 3.07 GPA…his ACT is okay at 25… He is involved in sports, theater and orchestra throughout the year… The Madison website said average GPA of admitted students is 3.5-3.9… does it still make sense to apply? </p>
<p>With those stats let him apply to the flagships only if he really has an interest in them, otherwise he is better off with schools on the radar currently. UW-P is where my siblings went- small town, totally good for them, totally wrong for me. </p>