<p>So I know that national commit day isnt for a while, but I've been thinking about where I could end up when I do have to decide. I got into Wisconsin-Madison, and I got into University of Michigan. Both are great schools, couldn't be happier. I visited both, and I liked Wisconsin more, and can see myself there more than at Michigan. Michigan is ranked higher and is more highly regarded, as according to my parents and others, but I'm trying to throw every excuse at them to help support my claim of wanting to go to wisconsin more. Any thoughts/ideas/advice? I'm basically searching for the little pieces that will put them over the top with wisconsin.</p>
<p>Both universities will give you the opportunity to succeed. You should attend the U that makes you feel most comfortable.</p>
<p>Sit down with your parents and let them know how you feel. They want the best for you and once you clearly state your case, I am sure they will see UW as the best choice. You will need to impress them with your maturity and logical thought process. In order to do that, you need to articulate your thoughts clearly. Do some more research into the departments of UW that you are interested in. If UW has alumni that show a proven record of success in your field, bring that up. Discuss your educational objectives and cite specific reasons how UW will help you obtain them. </p>
<p>Your parents have watched you grow up and they probably still see you as that cute kid on a tricycle. Make them proud by calmly standing up for yourself and rationally stating your case. Show them that you can think like an adult. Nothing will make them more proud. </p>
<p>Let them know that you feel more comfortable with Madison. This is a scary time for them. They are sending you half way across the country for an education, so your happiness will be important to them. Give them a rational explanation and they will support you 100%.</p>
<p>$50,000+ might talk. Which major are you considering?</p>
<p>Yea that’s the thing, I’m interested in the communications major at UW, and if I had a rankings list that compares communications majors at each school, I could really show people. From what I have heard, UW has a much better communications major than michigan. Does anyone have a link that shows that?</p>
<p>And yes I know UW is less expensive, and is definitely a factor, its just that so many people get caught up on rankings and the name of the school. If I get scholarships at UW and I can find that they have a better communications program, there really is no reason to not go.</p>
<p>Sort of depends on what you are interested in. Both great schools with different scenes. Good luck. That said…</p>
<p>For film theory/history Wisconsin is better. David Bordwell wrote the book on film narrative (literally). The State Hist. Society on campus has one of the nations largest film archives and is partnered with the Dept. </p>
<p>After graduation there is a Hollywood alumni group. Michael Mann, the Zucker Bro’s, Doc. Film maker Erroll Morris, Walter Mirisch are grads. They just got a big donation for screen writing too.</p>
<p>The dept. is a powerhouse.</p>
<p>Journalism school is more highly ranked too.</p>
<p>[Ranking</a> of Mass Communication/Media Studies Graduate Programs — PhDs.org Graduate School Guide](<a href=“http://graduate-school.phds.org/rankings/media-studies/rank?w2=-4&w3=4&w17=5&w24=-2&w25=2&w26=2]Ranking”>http://graduate-school.phds.org/rankings/media-studies/rank?w2=-4&w3=4&w17=5&w24=-2&w25=2&w26=2)</p>
<p>[Hollywood</a> Badgers - Connecting Badgers to Hollywood](<a href=“http://www.hollywoodbadgers.com/]Hollywood”>http://www.hollywoodbadgers.com/)</p>
<p>[davidbordwell.net</a> : home](<a href=“http://www.davidbordwell.net/]davidbordwell.net”>http://www.davidbordwell.net/)</p>
<p>[Wisconsin</a> Center for Film and Theater Research](<a href=“http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wcftr/]Wisconsin”>Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research | Wisconsin Historical Society)</p>
<p>I agree, for comm arts overall UW>>>UM.</p>
<p><a href=“http://nanopublic.blogspot.com/2007/12/2007-faculty-productivity-rankings.html[/url]”>http://nanopublic.blogspot.com/2007/12/2007-faculty-productivity-rankings.html</a></p>
<p>Subdiscipline comparisons:</p>
<p>Michigan
[url=<a href=“http://www.cios.org/DEPTDETAIL&LOOKUP=9092_1]CIOS”>http://www.cios.org/DEPTDETAIL&LOOKUP=9092_1]CIOS</a> - U of MI Department of Communication Profile<a href=“9%20top-ten%20areas”>/url</a></p>
<p>Wisconsin
[url=<a href=“http://www.cios.org/DEPTDETAIL&LOOKUP=3895_2]CIOS”>http://www.cios.org/DEPTDETAIL&LOOKUP=3895_2]CIOS</a> - U of WI Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Profile<a href=“15%20top-ten%20areas”>/url</a>
[url=<a href=“http://www.cios.org/DEPTDETAIL&LOOKUP=3895_1]CIOS”>http://www.cios.org/DEPTDETAIL&LOOKUP=3895_1]CIOS</a> - U of WI Department of Communication Arts Profile<a href=“9%20top-ten%20areas”>/url</a>
[url=<a href=“http://www.cios.org/DEPTDETAIL&LOOKUP=3895_3]CIOS”>http://www.cios.org/DEPTDETAIL&LOOKUP=3895_3]CIOS</a> - U of WI Department of Life Science Communication Profile<a href=“11%20top-ten%20areas”>/url</a></p>
<p>Stooge, thanks for that info. My son wants to be a screenwriter. I had no idea that there was such an established network. Even though he may already know, I’ll forward that info to him.</p>
<p>I would also tell my parents that if it is your choice to go to Wisconsin, you will be more determined to succeed there. I personally want my son to “buy in” to where he is going for college rather than resent me when the going gets tough academically–which it will whether you go to Michigan or Wisconsin.</p>
<p>wow thanks guys… all of your input has been really great. this will definitely help me when making my decision</p>
<p>Academically both can be great. The campuses are different. Consider the location of the dorms and campuses. UW is all one walkable campus, I understand Michigan has a split campus where transporatation is needed to go between them. This means your classes could be in one area and your dorm in another. If you favor one place over the other this could be a selling point. Agree with you doing best at your first choice. People from Wisconsin/Michigan don’t usually consider the other school- Lake Michigan typically means a long trip through the Chicago area to get from either state to the other’s flagship (the Lake Michigan ferries are just as time consuming) and both schools are relatively equal- not worth OOS tuition for most residents of either.</p>