If you had the option...

<p>Between UIUC, Wisconsin, and PSU, which would you pick? I've read descriptions on all of the schools and of course, I intend on visiting, but I'm just wondering if there's anything I should know. What is the atmosphere like? How is the surrounding city?</p>

<p>Also, I'm a bit concerned about grade inflation. While I'm certainly not opposed to working hard, I'm a bit shaken after my straight-A-student-sister has come back from her first semester at college with a C average. How difficult is it to keep a 3.6-3.8 GPA at the aforementioned schools, with a major in political science?</p>

<p>Wisconsin by far! As long as I'm not the only non-partier.</p>

<p>Conversation from two jocks at my school:
Jock 1: Yeah! We both got into Madison!
Jock 2: Let's go get drunk together!
Jock 1: I can't wait!</p>

<p>What state do you live in?</p>

<p>I'm from a fairly small town in Northern Nevada.</p>

<p>Are the schools in Nevada bad? what about Arizona? I would pick UIUC since I live in Illinois</p>

<p>I'm from Nevada too, veryworried. The schools in NV are okay - UNR has decent academics and has an almost-california outdoors feel. UNLV on the other had, is larger and located smack-dab in the middle of Las Vegas (which, by the way, is a fast-growing city)</p>

<p>veryworried: Reno, Elko, Wendover, Winnemucca?</p>

<p>Let's just say near Reno.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any information on the grade inflation at these schools?</p>

<p>I am a political science major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have above a 3.5+ GPA. The major is popular and many smart students are in it. If you do the work and visit profs in office hours, I think getting mostly A's and AB's (3.5) is very possible. I've gotten nothing but As, ABs, and Bs so far at the school with one exception in a rather difficult science course. I had a 3.9 this past semest and in response to your grade inflation question, while UW-madison is a state school and does not grade inflate, the average GPA is 3.11. My future plans include either law school or graduate work in a specific field.</p>

<p>Also, UW-Madison has one of the best political science departments in the country, not to mention being one of the best public universities in the US. It is almost 40% out of state and in repsonse to the "jock conversation" post, while those people exist at EVERY SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY (*except Cal tech, MIT, and U Chicago ;) ) there are many programs that offer a more "intellectual" atmosphere. Check out the living communities on the UW-Madison website. Madison also happens to be one of the coolest college towns in the country.... with a state capital and endless (I'm not kidding) internships that are a 5-10 minute walk away from non lakeshore dorms.</p>

<p>fyi- ive met several Nevada students @ UW. One girl was actually Val of her graduating class!</p>

<p>Nevada schools aren't all that great...you should look at some privates too, because schools like Wisconsin for OOS are very expensive and low on financial aid. </p>

<p>Out of those 3, I would probably choose Wisconsin - Madison is better than University Park or Urbana-Champaign from what I hear, and there are parties galore!! UIUC might also be fun too but I don't know much about it.</p>