Two vastly different schools, but the top two on my list (aside from the dream of going to Germany for free education, haha)
I was wondering if anyone had any input or experiences with either college. I live in Wisconsin, but it would overall be cheaper to go to NAU, since my parents are moving there in a year and I’d therefore qualify for in-state tuition after the first year (I think). I like the campus of NAU much better, as it’s smaller and seems to be much easier to get around, but the academics are lacking compared to UW-Madison. I have an ACT score of 30, and the average ACT score of NAU is only 23. I wish to major in Psychological Sciences or Neuropsychology, and get a 4 year degree.
Is the “brand-name” and superior academics of UW-Madison worth the extra student loan debt, compared to a smaller university that would be closer to my family? Which would you choose, if you had to choose between Flagstaff, Arizona and Madison, Wisconsin?
If you qualify for UWisconsin academically, what about applying to ASU BARRETT and UA Honors?
NAU is small indeed but it’s nothing like UA/ASU which themselves aren’t UWisc. Sure, apply to NAU, but don’t limit your choices.
Also, you could take a gap year and start as a resident right away. It’d also open up all the WUE colleges
Rule of thumb is that it’s generally not worth taking on significant extra debt to go to one school over another. There are exceptions, I guess, and of course it would depend on how much extra Wisconsin would be. UW is in a medium-sized city that also doubles as a crazy college town. The Badgers are typically competitive in Big Ten football, and…I’m sure you know all this!
Flagstaff is gorgeous, though people who have lived there could tell you more. I’ve only passed through. I’ve heard from some that there’s a higher-than-average crime rate. But, yeah, gorgeous locale. Its elevation means that it’s refreshingly cool. Flagstaff reminded me of a CO mountain town plopped down in the otherwise desert-dominated AZ.
But it’s impossible to give you advice without knowing a ballpark idea of finances. If NAU is significantly cheaper than UW (taking into account things like travel), sure, I wouldn’t hesitate to go there.
