<p>I committed to Madison last Wednesday, sorry to disappoint some of you. I figured it would just be too much money. Sick to my stomach reading and hearing elsewhere about how many people think I should (have) go to Carleton. There’s no going back now, I suppose.</p>
<p>Your decision is your own- don’t worry about disappointing others. Best of luck in the future.</p>
<p>You never even visited Carleton. Other people’s opinions really don’t matter in the end. UW is a fantastic school. Good luck!</p>
<p>I was just reading through this thread and i’d like to first congratulate you on your choice. So congratulations! You’re going to a great school, so I do sincerely hope you’re excited. I’d also like to say, though, that you shouldn’t be down about your decision AT ALL. You made the right choice, don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. I’d hate to think that others are spoiling the commencement of one of the most exciting periods in your life.</p>
<p>I experienced a similar problem, although it’s funny because mine was inverted: I chose to attend an LAC over a big-name research university and I got a lot of unnecessary and negative commentary on my decision. Nobody was excited for me (at first, anyways) and they just couldn’t believe that I could turn down the research university. But just like in your situation, it was MY choice, and I made it based on personal reasons. You decided based on personal and very practical reasons; you made an incredibly mature decision and I have a lot of respect for that.</p>
<p>To put this in short, please don’t feel down about your decision. Be excited for college! You made an amazing choice, and you will be grateful years from now when the financial burden of a Carleton education is not hanging over your head. Best of luck to you : )</p>
<p>Great choice, Carleton wasn’t worth 7k extra in loans a year.</p>
<p>UW’s econ dept is exceptional and like its own small college. Great spirit and offers excellent career help. Get involved-you’ll love it.</p>
<p>Those who are chiding the OP for not visiting Carleton, he said he didn’t go for accepted students day, not that he hasn’t been to the campus at all. He lives in the Twin Cities, so less than 45 minutes away. He may very well have gone a year or two ago for a tour/info session sort of visit. Anyway… his decision is made. Good luck, Isaiah! Pretty sure you will do well wherever you go!</p>
<p>I honestly think people will bloom where they are planted if they have an open mind. Madison is a very good school. Congratulations!</p>
<p>Parent of a UW freshman, just joining in to say – there was no wrong decision to be made between UW and Carleton. They are both fabulous places with lots to offer. UW is an incredible school, and econ dept is top notch. Although I was a little nervous about the whole class size thing at UW, my son has had leading scholars who are great lecturers and smart, caring TAs. And, one of his profs emailed back and forth with him over the weekend about a paper my son was working on – something one thinks happens at LACs but not what you expect at a top research school. </p>
<p>When thinking about classes, take a look at the FIGs, “First year interest groups” – which are clusters of courses thematically linked across disciplines that you take with the same 20-24 freshman. You have 1 seminar, plus 1-2 lectures in which your discussion sections are made up only of your FIGmates. My son found it a great academic and social introduction to UW in the fall. </p>
<p>Congrats on your decision!</p>