Thank you in advance to anyone who comments. Basically, I’ve been admitted to UW Madison L&S and I’m waitlisted at UMich LSA (both are the letters, science, arts colleges). I’ve visited both and stayed with friends who attend, and had a fantastic time at both. UMich has been my quote unquote dream school for the past two years, and I’ve worked my butt off to hopefully gain admission, but now I’m considering pulling my waitlist offer altogether and committing to UW. For reference I’m OOS (CT) and go to a private school with a number of alums at both institutions.
Wisconsin has the following going for it: Phenomenal college town, great academically, great sports, great social life, #2 real estate major in the country (I would plan on trying to transfer into B School to do that major along with a history major, since I’m very interested in doing real estate but also love history), great outdoor opportunities (I’ve always wanted to learn how to sail and want to improve my golf game as well), good housing options, top notch facilities, the campus is literally on two lakes, and it’d be a weight off my shoulders if I commit. It’s also cold as sh*t, even colder and windier than Ann Arbor. So there’s that I guess.
What Michigan has going for it: My #1 goal for the past two years, Fantastic academics, biggest alum network in the world, also a great social life (Wisco may be even better in this regard, but they’re quite similar), great sports, awesome town (again Madison might have the edge here imo), easier flights, intriguing majors and minors (although Ross is insanely difficult to transfer into and theres no real estate major)
Now, this is all pending admission to UMich which is realistically unlikely, but the question is wether its worth the peace of mind to pull my waitlist offer and commit to UW. have friends at both schools and obviously both claim it to be the best place on Earth. I’m just so torn. I don’t want to throw away my dream, but after visiting UW I can’t say I truly am all in on UMich anymore. If I did get in I’m not 100% sure I’d even go, which is partly why I think it’d be nice to get this over with and avoid that insanely hard decision. But then again I certainly might go. Sorry if this post seems trivial. I know both schools are great and similar in many facets. That’s what makes this so tough. Any thoughts or opinions encouraged. I just can’t seem to come to a decision on this. Thank you very much.
There is something liberating about letting the waitlist go.
There is something magical about UW Madison in a very unexpected way. The campus is stunning - natural beauty and architecturally. Get registered for orientation, take care of housing, and get yourself going in that direction.
I have a question for people that are commenting about madison positively. We visited this past Monday, and I was hoping to see a lively place. Instead we found the town to be dead. Very few people walking around. Even the capitol area had very few people around. Curious what more knowledge people think about this
It’s not trivial at all, you have to send in a deposit right in a few days to UW to secure youe spot right? If there’s not much trouble in keeping yourself on the waitlist, then I don’t see the drawback of that. You should definitely consider yourself all-in on UW though, as others have said.
We’re you on State St? That is the street that runs between the Capital and the campus. As you get closer to campus, the library mall/union area, there is normally a good amount of people. Maybe you were too early in the day. They are college students.
We drove around some parts of the town/school. And walked around some parts. We didn’t walk on state street, but we passed by it perpendicularly. I don’t believe there were a lot of people on it. I thought that people were not out and about because of the cold
Keep your name on the waitlist even if It is highly unlikely you’ll get off it. If you do get off the list, you will at least have the personal satisfaction knowing that you were good enough to be admitted. You might even decide to still attend.
Yep, I’ve put my deposit down at UW and am in the process of figuring out housing and what not, so I do feel “all in” on UW in that way. Probably partly why I’m so conflicted - I already kind of feel like a Badger haha.
Not understanding the thread. You have an acceptance to Wisconsin and you put your deposit down (congrats). At this point your done. If something happens in the future then and only then you have a choice to make.
Well yes, I am technically done in that sense. But the purpose of this thread is wether or not I should pull my waitlist to UMich. That’s the choice I have and the decision I’m struggling with: to gain the peace of mind of being actually done by committing or to hang on and see it through for who knows how many more weeks. And as I said yes it may seem trivial, but I’m just looking for perspective from those who know these schools through and through so I can make a more well informed decision. I hope that answers the question.
I really understand what you are saying and it makes some sense, but I would stay on the waitlist. If you don’t, you may always wonder what might have been.