<p>Hey guys! I'm a hs senior from WI and I'm trying to figure out what university to attend. I'm looking for a larger, public university in the midwest so naturally the Big 10 is where I'm looking. I really want to hear what students really like about the Big 10 university they attend (or what made them not want to attend a certain one). Originally I wanted to go to Minn-TC but I just was at UW yesterday and really liked it. I'm just really indecisive and was looking for some input (and obviously current students are the best form of input). My stats:</p>
<p>3.2 uw (3.5 w)
top 40% (people at my school take really easy classes, hence higher GPAs)
32 ACT, 10 writing
6 APs
6-7 ECs depending on if i do debate this year</p>
<p>I'm worried about getting into Madison with my awful GPA so I want to hear about all the other great Big 10 schools. I'm sure I might like some even more. As a side note, my reasons for liking Madison are its strong academics and great social life. i want to major in econ so a good econ program is nice too. Sell me on your school!</p>
<p>UW is as good as they get in the B10, Northwestern excepted. I think all of them are really so similar though that you can take your pick and go wherever you get in.</p>
<p>michigan and michigan state are my favorites no doubt. i’m sure with your scores you could get some money at msu, and I know a lot of people with worse stats who have gotten in.</p>
<p>A lot of them are really similar, but they do range a lot in academic reputation, with Northeastern and Michigan being the most prestigious. </p>
<p>I think your GPA is a little low for Madison, but you still have a decent shot, especially in-state – your ACT is excellent. Penn State isn’t in the midwest, but it’s a great school that you would have a good chance of getting into. Great sports, academics, and social life. I know a ton of people there and they all love it. Ohio State is also pretty highly ranked among the big 10 and you would in all likelihood be admitted. I’ve heard excellent things about Indiana and Iowa as well.</p>
<p>I haven’t attended college yet, this just comes from what I’ve learned through my research since I’ve looked into a lot of big 10 schools, so take it with a grain of salt. Good luck with your search – I’ll be interested in reading other replies since I’m still considering a few of these schools.</p>
<p>My cousin who goes to UW was accepted at Michigan and Wisconsin. She said UM felt almost identical to UW (great academics, nice campus, etc.). She chose Madison because it was cheaper for in state, but she really like Michigan as well. I’m not sure if its worth applying there though because of my GPA. I haven’t really heard much about MSU at all other than it has a very large campus. Anything else you can tell me about it?</p>
<p>I’m definitely open to Penn State and Ohio State even though they aren’t exactly midwest. I’m just looking in the general area. Ohio State sounds like a really good fit and kind of reminds me of Minnesota and Wisconsin. I’ve heard Iowa is also a great school. I visited Iowa State and wasn’t too big on it (a little in the middle of nowhere for my tastes) but I guess Iowa isn’t anything like that. I’ve also heard Indiana has a beautiful campus, as does Illinois.</p>
<p>I think OOS should be fine. I’m applying for lots of scholarships and I think it would be fine, though I would prefer in-state tuition at Madison or WI’s reciprocity with Minn-TC.</p>
<p>If you get into Wisconsin, that makes the most sense. I am partial to Indiana. I am not thrilled with the Ohio State campus and I can’t think of any reason to choose it over Wisconsin if you are in-state for WI.</p>
<p>Your 32 ACT is very good but I think that 3.2 uw GPA will keep you out of Michigan and Northwestern. UW Madison is your best bet if you can get in, but it’s iffy. Minnesota-Twin Cities is your next best bet, and as a Wisconsin resident you’ll get in-state tuition there under the MN-WI reciprocity agreement. Both have top-notch econ departments. Barring that, schools like Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan State have higher acceptance rates and you probably have a pretty good chance at admission on the strength of your ACT despite less than stellar grades and class rank, but you’ll be paying OOS tuition.</p>
<p>^ Not sure where you get your “prestige” rankings, danstearns (post #11), but many would disagree with you. Overall US News rankings would be: 1. Northwestern; 2. Michigan; 3. Wisconsin; 4. (tie) Illinois & Penn State; 6. (tie) Ohio State & Purdue; 8. Minnesota; 9. Iowa; 10. Indiana; 11. Michigan State; 12. Nebraska.</p>
<p>“Prestige” rankings among academics would closely track the US News PA score, which would be: 1. (tie) Northwestern & Michigan (4.4); 3. Wisconsin (4.1); 4. Illinois (3.9); 5. Minnesota & Ohio State & Purdue (3.7); 9. Indiana (3.6); 10. Iowa (3.5); 11. Michigan State (3.4); 12. Nebraska (3.1). </p>
<p>Either way, Iowa’s “prestige” ranking is not nearly what you make it out to be, and Minnesota’s is higher. Iowa is generally regarded as being toward the bottom of the pack in the Big Ten. I can’t speak to the “fun” factor, but I suspect people at many of these school would dispute your characterization on that score as well.</p>
<p>Prestige ranking for pure faculty academics and other similar factors would be Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, PSU, OSU, Purdue, MSU, IU, Iowa, Nebraska.</p>
<p>Those prestige rankings are interesting. I definitely figured Northwestern and Michigan were right up there. Does anyone know which Big 10 schools place the best with Chicago jobs. I guess that might be a bit ambiguous since there are so many different kinds of jobs but I would really like to work in Chicago. I hear Madison has good placement there and I would also guess Illinois does as well.</p>
<p>I know Wisconsin and Minnesota have top 20 econ programs which makes them great choices. I think almost all the B10 programs are in the top 50 so thats good. Does anyone think Iowa or Michigan St. would make a good safety for me or would they be too iffy with my GPA? Also, if you score over 255 on the RAI OOS for Iowa, does that mean you have good admission chances?</p>
<p>Also, what makes Iowa so much more fun then the rest? The ridiculous amount of bars hahaha? Just curious.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in econ, keep Ohio State open as an option–I started out there and transferred to Penn after 2 years. Here now; already wish I wish I had returned to Ohio State. I got to know the econ dept faculty extremely easily and had research assistantships handed to me.</p>
<p>Regardless, any Big 10 school is a safe bet (except maybe Nebraska–it’s yet to really make a name for itself academically).</p>
<p>With a GPA of 3.2, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State are most likely chances. Even with an ACT of 32, UW will be a huge reach. The school focuses on class rank. Michigan would be even a bigger reach. You may want to look at University of Kansas. You are an automatic admit with a 32 ACT.</p>