<p>I've narrowed it down to these two. I plan on going to med school, so should I go with the easier, gpa padding, UW or be challenged at Northwestern but come out with a better education and possibly lower grades? Also UW has a major called Medical Microbiology and Immunology, which no other schools offer and is basically exactly what I want to study.</p>
<p>You are underestimating UW-Madison, in terms of both quality and level of difficulty. It is an excellent school. The average quality of the undergraduate population will likely be a bit lower than at Northwestern, but a “gpa padding” place it is not.</p>
<p>It would be easier to make a better grade at UW, since there’s much more people, and classes are graded on a curve, so if you think you are among the top of the class, it’s easier to make an A. When it comes to med school, your GPA is much more important at your UG.</p>
<p>UW is also a much more fun undergrad school, with better sports program than NW, better social scene. Not to mention, it’s a lot cheaper, especially if you are from Wisconsin or Minnesota.</p>
<p>The people from the lower end of class at UW are not majoring in biochemistry, medical microbiology and the like. They are in eduction, agriculture, and the like. Think about it.</p>
<p>Go with the money. They’re both great schools, so pick one that’s cheaper. This is ESPECIALLY important for people who are going to medical school and have lots of years of expensive education ahead of them.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, this is very very helpful!</p>
<p>“The people from the lower end of class at UW are not majoring in biochemistry, medical microbiology and the like. They are in eduction, agriculture, and the like. Think about it.”</p>
<p>Excellent point barrons. Once again so many CC posters just assume that the top publics are somehow “easier” than the top privates when it comes to the most challenging majors and cirriculum.</p>