<p>ahh Desert Fox, I am not really biased at all. The point of this was: I liked Minnesota more than Wisconsin. I usually hear the opposite, but do others believe this. Also, I was asking how much better (academically) Wisconsin is than Minnesota. I am not bashing Wisconsin at all.</p>
<p>For me at this point, it is: Is Wisconsin so much better known/reputation that I should try to go there over Minnesota (a campus I like more). The more I read, the more I think the answer is No.</p>
<p>The education at both schools is equal, probably. But Wisconsin has a significantly larger national and international prestige, especially on the East Coast and probably San Francisco. Plus, like something like USC, Badger pride is something very unique. </p>
<p>But like I said, the education itself at each school is probably equal.</p>
<p>DesertFox- You said the Wisconsin campus is MORE urban!!! Ummm…I don’t know how you came up with that.</p>
<p>^^^ When I went on a tour of the WI campus, I was suprised how much concrete there was – very little green at all. Then on the 2nd half of the tour, we got to the lakeside residence hall area which had more green space. But the actual quad area at MN seems more green and open to me. I actaully prefer the MN campus overall, although the terrace at WI is awesome.</p>
<p>As a current U of M undergrad who was wondering both schools, here’s what I think.</p>
<p>1) Unfortunately, I never got a chance to visit the UW campus. That was a big regret of mine. But here’s what I have to say about the U of M…
the campus, to me, is a couple steps above good. I wouldn’t say it’s spectacular and gorgeous like alot of people may think, but it does have some really nice spots. For instance, Coffman Union and the Northrop Mall area are both extremely beautiful, calm, and relaxing places to walk around. They are the best outdoor areas to be because you have pretty views of the campus, and on Northrop mall, theres a large open grassy area to just lay, relax, do work, etc. I LOVE it. Also, the Washington bridge offers a really nice view of the Mississippi, and of the campus in general. And, the walkways and paths that run through campus are amazing as well. Especially in the fall, when the leaves turn color! But be aware, in the winter, the campus is not so fun to navigate (especially in -30 wind chills). But maybe it’s like that in Wisconsin too? Other than that, the campus really isn’t spectacular. I think people this year are just excited for the new football stadium. But from the stories I’ve heard from my friends, and actually going to a couple football games and such at Madison, campus spirit wise they win HANDS down. As one of the previous posters said, there is more of a full of pride and spirit vibe there than at the U. You really only see gopher pride fans and displays on University Ave. by the stadium if there is any spirit. </p>
<p>2) Academics wise, while UW tends to have a slightly higher rank most of the time, I would say they’re about even. I would say that the U of M actually wins the engineering rank, because we have a fantastic chemical engineering program (I would say one of the best). Also, if interested in study abroad, U of M would probably win just because nearly EVERY country has some sort of program for any type of major at the U. In most other things though, they’re about the same. Maybe the U also has a leg up on business, since Carlson is a top notch business school. </p>
<p>I think with either school, academic wise, you can’t really get screwed because they’re equally good. If it came down to the two, I think the decision (for me at least) would be more about the personal atmosphere, campus, and the community around campus. I feel like U of M lacks in these areas a little bit. But it’s just my opinion!</p>
<p>BTW, your original post was very informative, since I never got to tour Madison myself!</p>
<p>As a UM undergrad and having visited Madison a couple times, I would also say they are fairly equal. In regards to the campus, the U wins - Madison has a lake… that’s it, the U straddles the Mississippi, has a much more ‘college-like atmosphere’ on Northrop Mall, great new 95 acre expansion in the Gateway district around the stadium, and stunning views of downtown Minneapolis. Academics - I think Madison just has a lower teacher/student ratio and a few more famous profs, but when you’re in a class of 300 at the U vs 280 at Madison, does it really make a difference? Research - Madison gets a lot more funding but the facilities are about the same quality and growing at the same rate. Spirit - Madison wins. Finances - out of state tuition much cheaper at U, but reciprocity makes it fairly even for Wisconsinites; the U gives out a lot more financial aid/scholarships (the U offered me ~80 times more than what Madison did). </p>
<p>Also, the U is getting a light rail by 2014 (construction starts next year) and they’re turning the main campus road (Washington Ave) into a pedestrian mall, which will make the campus much more pedestrian friendly. Also, I don’t know where DesertFox got the idea about being trapped on campus. Downtown Minneapolis is 10 minutes away, hop on the light rail to the Mall of America, go watch a professional sports team, or stay around campus. The U just doesn’t have a centralized hanging out area - nearest campus areas are Dinkytown, Stadium Village, and Seven Corners. The entire metro area is full of stuff to do. If you get sick of the green spaces, go to downtown - plenty of shiny buildings.</p>
<p>IMO, Carlson is a very disappointing business school. I’m in IT, but from my Carlson friends I have heard that the classes are very easy and curved on top of that - Madison is probably much better for business students (I must say the Carlson buildings are very impressive - though I haven’t seen Madison’s). </p>
<p>All in all, considering just the colleges: UofM = UW. For the cities, Minneapolis (Twin Cities) >> Madison. From friends who have experienced both colleges, the impression is that there is a more concerted effort at the U to improve - the stadium is not just a push to improve the athletic/football programs, but it is also being used to help with donations for academic scholarships and is a tool to increase student interest. The brand new Biomedical Discovery District surrounds the whole stadium and will the have light rail line right through the middle - should be exciting once it is done. This is all part of a push to become a top 3 public research university. Even though it is getting hit with one of the biggest funding cuts in the Big 10, the U is still expanding and, I think, will soon be ranked near UW, where it should be.</p>
<p>As strange as it may sound, both my daughter and I also felt that UW seemed more “urban” than UM.</p>
<p>… that doesn’t sound strange at all</p>
<p>As mentioned earlier UW is pretty well integrated into the city Madison, while UofM is more of an island in the middle of metro area</p>