<p>I am interested in Wisconsin and I would like to pursue economics. When looking at Wisconsin's figures, I noticed a low graduation rate of 48% for 4 yr students. Can someone, possibly a current student or a graduate, elaborate on why this number is so low.</p>
<p>Also, on a side note, how is the job placement? Being from NJ, will I be able to get an internship with a NY bank or such with help from Wisconsin- or does it seem like the placement center does not assist you that much and lets you fend for yourself?</p>
<p>You’re going to get a whole bunch of heated responses on this in a few hours, lol. I’m a current student, and as far as I know it’s because several programs (education and engineering come to mind, though I think there are others) actually do take five years or at least an extra semester to complete. They have you get some real-world experience before getting your degree. </p>
<p>Furthermore, MANY students study abroad, and while you do get credit for doing so, it’s definitely not to the level you would if you stayed here. Many students also double major, which is doable in four years but it’s just adding to what you need to get done, which always adds time for some.</p>
<p>I think a final factor (the more negative one) is just that it’s a big school and you can’t always get all the classes you need exactly when you need them. I have not found that to be a big problem, but I know it can affect graduation rates, and it adds to everything I mentioned above. One more thing I thought of is that many students don’t take advantage of advising opportunities (they are there, but I don’t think everyone knows how to use the resources or they just don’t).</p>
<p>Another reason is that most people don’t want to leave Madison! It’s a wonderful place! Yeah, but like I said, there are several posters on this board who feel rather strongly about UW’s grad rates, even though many schools on UW’s level are pretty similar.</p>
<p>Oh, one more thing! Be aware that if you are very focused on it, you CAN graduate in four years. Most of the things I mentioned above are voluntary (studying abroad, doing certain five-year plans) and if that is a priority for you, you can opt not to do those things, take advantage of advising, and definitely do it. You just have to be proactive.</p>
<p>Don’t know anything about job placement, sorry :/</p>
<p>I am glad you posted an unbiased review before the real critics come on.
I did notice that the 6yr graduation rate was like 89% or so, so that correlates with your response.</p>
<p>Like you mentioned, the lack of availability for classes, do you notice that it relates mostly to a certain major or just in general?</p>
<p>It’s going to depend a lot of the popularity of your major. I don’t know exactly which ones are most popular, but I’m a psych major and sometimes I have to do some shuffling around to get the classes I need. It’s more a problem of having them at an inconvenient time than really not being able to take them at all, however, and I think that’s pretty constant for a lot of people.</p>
<p>I also think this problem can be averted by really searching around to see what classes are available, particularly for your gen ed requirements. Lots of times little-known, obscure classes can both be more interesting and fulfill requirements, and this way you aren’t bored in an intro class that everyone is trying to take and you therefore have problems getting into.</p>
<p>Barrons, I appreciate the link and I would assume that some of the internships would carry over for an economics major. I feel an economics major would give me a better base education than attending a business school where a more “liberal arts” education is not stressed. Then if I still want business, I could do that for grad school.</p>
<p>Econ majors are not invited to the SOB internal recruitment which is only for B school students. . The best thing would be to do a 12-15 credit certificate in business to get access. Econ has some connections but not like business–see below. Many dual major it with business. </p>
<p>Barrons, if I wanted to major in economics (I guess that would be in the college of letters and science), is it hard to also earn a degree in another school. In other words, do I also have to apply to the business school or can I just take classes there to earn some type of degree?</p>
<p>It took you almost 48 hours to show up Nova. You’re slipping. Good to hear from you this afternoon and I hope you enjoyed your weekend. But I still don’t understand why you think the graduation rate is a source of embarrassment. Has UW indicated that it would like to see the 4 year graduation rate improve? Yes. So what? Can you explain one more time how wanting to improve is a bad thing and a “source of embarrassment”?</p>
<p>Thanks as always for your contribution. We all look forward to your next Coastie vs. Sconnie diatribe.</p>
<p>It is pretty clear that about a third of the students take an extra semester or two to graduate. As was explained UW has a good number of students involved in programs that take five years either formally (like Pharmacy) or practically (like Engineering) that makes comparisons to schools with a more purely liberal arts focus somewhat misleading.</p>
<p>There is a fairly common tendency, too, for major-switching, which can result in needing more time to complete a degree. I suppose this could be seen as either a liability or an asset.</p>
<p>Thanks, Descartesz, for the most recent numbers and unbiased commentary. As for Humbaba1, it’s not the administration that’s “embarrassed.” They’ve been quite upfront about the need to improve. It’s the UW boosters on this board that I’m talking about, with all of their silly little excuses for the problem. “UW is just too much FUN to leave in four years!” “UW provides too many opportunities to graduate in four years!” “UW students have JOBS and INTERNSHIPS! Other big schools can’t compete!” </p>
<p>Give me a break. Many fine and fun universities – including virtually every state university that UW considers a peer (U-Va, UNC, Michigan, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, Illinois, Penn State) – have not only higher but MUCH higher four year graduation rates than UW.
I guess none of those schools are any fun, have working students, offer lots of majors and degrees, or provide other opportunities along the same lines as UW. That’s right. UW is just so special! </p>
<p>UW should be upfront in advising applicants and their parents that 1/2 of them won’t graduate in four years and that they should plan accordingly. An extra semester or an extra year (or two) means alot to many families – not only in terms of extra tuition costs, but lost income and opportunities – and is an important factor in the college selection process.</p>
Yeah, but like I said, there are several posters on this board who feel rather strongly about UW’s grad rates, even though many schools on UW’s level are pretty similar.</p>