<p>What are the pros and cons of both schools?</p>
<p>From PrincetonReview.com:</p>
<p>Academics - Ohio State students rate it a 69 on a 60-99 scale and say…
The Ohio State University in Columbus is “a great blend of academics, opportunity, and fun.” This is one of the largest universities in the country, and as such, you’ll find “every resource you could possibly need” and “unlimited” academic opportunities. “Everything from music to biochemical engineering and anything and everything in between” is available. “You name it and we’ve got it,” guarantees an English major. “The size of campus can be in some ways intimidating,” though. It’s a “cattle call” here. Classes are often enormous, and it can be hard to get the ones you want. Also, while “the administration seems to run the school fairly smoothly,” “red tape” is a problem. “If you want to do anything out of the ordinary, such as apply a scholarship to the summer quarter, or take a leave of absence, it is very difficult.” “You have to kind of fend for yourself to figure out how the school works.” “OSU is not a school which holds your hand though planning and logistical matters,” cautions a business major. The general education curriculum is unpopular with many students, but Ohio State is on a quarter system and coursework moves pretty fast. Any class you don’t like will be over relatively quickly. Some professors are “incredibly eager to work with students” and are “as interesting and entertaining as they can be when lecturing.” “There are a lot of mediocre professors,” too. Still other faculty members are “too wrapped up in their research” and “don’t pay attention to whether the students are learning or not.” Also, just like at any big state school, there are plenty of teaching assistants here, and they are “sometimes sub par.”</p>
<p>Academics - UW-Madison students rate it a 77 on a 60-99 scale and say…
The resources are phenomenal at University of Wisconsin-Madison. “If you are proactive, you basically have the means and resources to pursue any academic or creative feat,” promises a journalism major. “The liberal arts majors are fantastic.” However, Madison is mostly known as “an amazing research institution,” and the hard sciences and engineering programs get most of the pub. They iodized salt here, after all, and cultivated the first lab-based embryonic stem cells. The school of business is “excellent” as well and boasts “some of the best facilities on campus.” Overall the school runs surprisingly smoothly" despite some “red tape.” Many lecture courses are large and “impersonal.” But class sizes often “plummet” after the intro courses, and the academic atmosphere is “challenging.” Madison “definitely makes you earn your grades.” “Some professors are amazing, and some suck.” Also, “a lot of the classes for the undergrads are taught by teaching assistants who are not so good.” “It becomes clear within the first few weeks which of your professors actually have lectures that are worthwhile for you to attend, which is probably about half,” suggests a first-year student.</p>
<p>Student Body - Ohio State students say…
It’s hard to categorize students here, says a sophomore. The vibe is “middle class” and “very Midwestern,” and just about everyone is either “from small Ohio towns” or from “from a suburban-type setting” around Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati, or Cleveland. Otherwise, “Ohio State is a melting pot,” and “it easy to blend into the crowd.” “There is no real homogenous, average student.” Several ethnic minorities are solidly represented. Many students dress “like they shopped in a department store, albeit a nice department store,” observes a senior. “There is a lot of style and fashion walking around campus,” too. There are also hordes of students clad in “OSU clothing.” A huge contingent of students is “smart, outgoing, athletic, and involved,” but “the stereotypical weird kids at other universities have several hundred like-minded classmates at OSU.” There are “drunks, nerds, overachievers, underachievers,” “artists,” outcasts, and hippies. Many students are “working a job or two.” “The large community provides diversity,” relates a senior. “However, we have our own smaller communities to help campus feel like home.”</p>
<p>Student Body - UW-Madison students say…
Ethnic diversity at Madison is in the eye of the beholder. “If you’re from a big city, it’s pretty white,” proposes a sophomore. “But, then again, I’ve met people here who had one black person in their high school and had never met a Jewish person.” Without question, socioeconomic diversity flourishes. “There is a prevalent rivalry between [Wisconsin] students (sconnies) and the coasties who are generally wealthier and from the East or West Coast.” “People from the Midwest think people from the coasts are stuck up. People from the coasts think people from the Midwest are hicks.” Beyond that, it’s impossible to generalize. “All types of people make up the student body here, ranging from the peace-preaching grass-root activist, to the protein-shake-a-day jock, to the overly privileged coastie, to the studious bookworm, to the computer geek,” explains a first-year student. “There is a niche for everyone.” “There are a lot of atypical students, but that is what makes UW-Madison so special,” adds a senior. “Normal doesn’t exist on this campus.” Politically, “Madison is a hotbed for political and social debate.” “Many people are passionate about many things, and it provides a great opportunity to see things from others’ points of view.” You’ll find conservatives, but “left-wing, environmentally conscious nut jobs” who “stage protests” are more common. </p>
<p>Campus Life - Ohio State students rate it an 84 on a 60-99 scale and say…
For many students, life at Ohio State comes down to “drinking and sports.” The entire campus is fulled up with “a ton of Buckeye spirit.” “Attending the varsity sports events is popular.” “Everyone is obsessed with Buckeye football.” It’s a little bit “like a religion,” and the team is “idolized.” Students also “party a lot in general.” “It’s hard to tell exactly how many people really are partying,” explains a senior. “It just seems like a lot.” For many students, “awesome” house parties “are the preferred medium” for social activity, but there is “always a party, always a bar” “Thursday through Saturday.” “There are other scenes than just the party scene,” of course. The “great” recreation center here is absolutely gargantuan. “There is always an interesting event, conference, or performance,” and OSU brings in plenty of “big entertainment acts.” There are more than 900 student organizations as well. “Greek life here isn’t dominant” but it’s noticeable, and a few thousand students are involved. “It’s impossible to not find something that fits you,” promises a senior. “You’re never bored.” Off campus, Columbus boasts a population of more than one million souls." Many students “gallery hop in the art district” or regularly take advantage of the area’s “great shopping.” </p>
<p>Campus Life - UW-Madison students rate it an 88 on a 60-99 scale and say…
UW-Madison’s “reputation as a party school” is legendary. Halloween and the Mifflin Street Block Party are epic. “The weekend pretty much starts on Thursday night” as the streets of Madison “fill to the brim with drunk co-eds.” There are house parties and frat parties galore. “Getting up at 9:00 A.M.” to “bong a few beers for breakfast” before football games in the fall is common, and “nothing-absolutely nothing-can beat being in the student section at a Badger home football game.” “The stadium is usually full” for hockey games, too. However, “no one looks at you differently if you choose not to drink” or attend sporting events. And, for everyone, “if you don’t have a strong dedication to your education, you will slip up.” Beyond the party and sports scene, UW is “energetic” and mammoth. “No one’s going to hold your hand and point you to what it is you want.” At the same time, whoever you are, “there is a group for you and a ton of activities for you.” Two daily student newspapers “serve as the penultimate example of free speech in action.” UW’s lakefront campus provides “gorgeous” scenery. Many of the buildings “aren’t that appealing,” though, and some dorms are “absolutely horrible.” Off-campus, “having the streets crawling with the homeless isn’t so great,” but Madison is teeming with culture, “live music,” “late-night coffee shops,” and “exceptional” chow from around the globe.</p>
<p>What is your major? </p>
<p>you’re out of state for both schools…have you visited them? If so, what were your thoughts?</p>
<p>Are you a junior and thinking of applying to them? </p>
<p>Or are you a senior who has been accepted to them. If so, is one more affordable than the other?</p>
<p>I’m not positive what I want to do as my major yet.
I have visited both schools and they seem similar. They are both capitol cities and the campuses are beautiful.
I have been accepted to both schools. I got some scholarship money for Ohio State, but not for University of Wisconsin.</p>
<p>Overall you have to give the edge to Wisky, all things equal.</p>
<p>*I’m not positive what I want to do as my major yet.
I have visited both schools and they seem similar. They are both capitol cities and the campuses are beautiful.</p>
<p>I have been accepted to both schools. I got some scholarship money for Ohio State, but not for University of Wisconsin. *</p>
<p>Since it sounds like you like both schools about the same, choice may just come down to finances.</p>
<p>Will your parents pay the full price for UWisc? I think it costs about $36k plus personal expenses and transportation. </p>
<p>how much was your OSU scholarship?</p>
<p>Yes that ultra scientific PR “survey” usually filled out by 10 guys in a frat. Sheesh. You should be ashamed. All 7 homeless guys resemble that remark.</p>