Please help! UMich vs UW- Madison.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>After a long wait, I just got news of acceptance into Umich. I had an extenuating circumstance. However, now im stuck between Mich and Wisco. I will be majoring in Biology with hopes of going to medical school. Cost isn't an issue so its just comes up to which university is best for academics, social life (party scene, etc), research opportunities, sports, etc.</p>

<p>I visited both campuses and Wisco was deff better. The whole lake setting and State Street and Madison has the respect of being names the best college town and college sports town.
Mich is also really nice but didnt find it as appealing as Madison. </p>

<p>However, Mich does have more prestige. Which is the better option?</p>

2

<p>Seems like you have done enough research already and want affirmation from the others. I say go with your heart to UW.</p>

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<p>I guess you can say that. It’s just that it seems as if UMich is considered head and shoulders above Wisco. I see that you are a Wolverine; how is UMich? Also, which is university is better in the sciences? I understand UMich business school is that one college that is always spoken of and mentioned. However, the business school has nothing to do with what I plan on studying. so which is the better school for the sciences, especially Bio.</p>

4

<p>I wouldn’t say Michigan is “head and shoulders” above Wisconsin–they are both great. The overall student body is slightly stronger at Michigan. But in a way that could work in your favor if you are at Wisconsin. For med school admission you want the highest possible GPA as an undergrad. You can’t go wrong with either place.</p>

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<p>Which is the better school, specifically for Biology. I often seem to hear that UW madison is a bit better in the life sciences.</p>

6

<p>I have heard that too but I am no scientist. I do know UW’s research expenditure in the sciences is among the best.</p>

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<p>Go to Wisconsin. You like it better and it is also a bit better in biology. I believe it is also less expensive for OOS. Good luck!</p>

8

<p>I would go where you like it better. Michigan is considered to be a little stronger academically than Wisconsin but not sufficiently so that it would make a noticeable difference for what you are doing.</p>

9

<p>Michigan has a much stronger reputation than Wisconsin as an undergraduate institution. You will get a slight bump from attending U of M over Wisconsin at the top 20 medical schools. Ann Arbor is a great college town in its own right.</p>

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<p>Goldenboy, that is really, really not true. Look at where top medical schools get their students from–you will see every imaginable institution represented. GPA and MCAT scores are much more important than perceived (and relatively minor) differences in prestige.</p>

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<p>I mean there’s no denying that Michigan has a better undergraduate reputation. I’ve been to Madison a few times and I don’t think you could definitely call it a better setting than Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a fantastic college town and absolutely a better college sports town than Madison. If you do change your mind about med school you’ll have better options at Michigan too. It’s up to you but I think Michigan has a lot of advantages. If you’re thinking about going greek Michigan has a more visible greek system than Madison as well.</p>

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<p>“I visited both campuses and Wisco was deff better.”</p>

<p>That’s an opinion. A personal preference. Not a fact. Just as many people prefer Ann Arbor to Madison. </p>

<p>“The whole lake setting and State Street and Madison has the respect of being names the best college town and college sports town.”</p>

<p>I am sure the lake setting is lovely. But Ann Arbor has been rated as highly as Madison in many respected publications, and makes as strong a case for best “College Sports Town” as Madison. Madison is larger and has more to do, but Ann Arbor is quainter and more charming.</p>

<p>That being said, you should go for fit. Wisconsin is ranked #15 in Biology, Michigan is #20. I am not sure that makes Wisconsin stronger in the Life Sciences, but it is at least as strong. Overall, Michigan is more prestigious than Wisconsin, but that will not significantly impact your chances of admission in Medical school. In other words, as most in this thread have suggested, go for fit.</p>

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<p>“Wisconsin is ranked #15 in Biology, Michigan is #20.”</p>

<p>I didn’t realize they were that close. Perhaps it is chemistry where Wisky is stronger?</p>

14

<p>Yes, Wisconsin is ranked #7 in Chem and Michigan #16. In Chem, Wisconsin has the advantage.</p>

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<p>Best college sports town, according to ESPN:</p>

<p>[The</a> Nation’s Best College Town- Madison, WI - YouTube](<a href=“The Nation's Best College Town- Madison, WI - YouTube”>The Nation's Best College Town- Madison, WI - YouTube)</p>

<p>USA Today:</p>

<p><a href=“http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2012/09/americas-best-college-football-town-is/70000833/1[/url]”>http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2012/09/americas-best-college-football-town-is/70000833/1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Sports Illustrated: </p>

<p>[Madison</a>, WI Tops SI’s College Sports Town List - SportsBusiness Daily | SportsBusiness Journal | SportsBusiness Daily Global](<a href=“http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2003/09/Issue-241/News-Opinions/Madison-WI-Tops-Sis-College-Sports-Town-List.aspx]Madison”>http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2003/09/Issue-241/News-Opinions/Madison-WI-Tops-Sis-College-Sports-Town-List.aspx)</p>

<p>Of course, personal preference is everything, and in this case the OP prefers the UW campus to UM’s after visiting both campuses. Combine that with UW’s advantage in the sciences (since people here seem to care about rankings), and it seems like a no-brainer of a decision.</p>

16

<p>Michigan is more prestigious overall but Wisconsin is slightly stronger in biology, especially in biochemistry and microbiology. Both are good for pre-med.</p>

<p>Personally, I think the Madison campus has more natural beauty, with the lakes and the hill, and a more lively party scene, with State Street and all.</p>

<p>-- from a Wisconsin and Michigan alum.</p>

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<p>sally, like I said, Ann Arbor is rated as highly as Madison. Madison is larger and more active, but Ann Arbor is equally as pleasant and fun has its own charms. Also, ESPN is entitled to its own opinion of course, but it is hardly a scientific outcome that should be used as proof. </p>

<p>Also, with the exception of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wisconsin does not have the advantage in the Sciences. My mentioning the Biology ranking was in fact to demonstrate that there is no difference in the quality of Biology departments. #15 and #20 are separated by one-tenth of a point (out of 5.0), which is insignificant. Below are some rankings of science departments at Michigan and Wisconsin. Both are strong across the board. I include peer assessment score in parentheses. </p>

<p>BIOLOGY
Wisconsin #15 (4.2/5.0)
Michigan #20 (4.1/5.0)</p>

<p>CHEMISTRY
Wisconsin #7 (4.5/5.0)
Michigan #16 (4.1/5.0)</p>

<p>COMPUTER SCIENCE
Wisconsin #11 (4.2/5.0)
Michigan #13 (4.1/5.0)</p>

<p>EARTH SCIENCES
Michigan #9 (4.1/5.0)
Wisconsin #13 (3.9/5.0)</p>

<p>MATHEMATICS
Michigan #8 (4.5/5.0)
Wisconsin #16 (4.1/5.0)</p>

<p>PHYSICS
Michigan #11 (4.2/5.0)
Wisconsin #17 (4.0/5.0)</p>

<p>ENGINEERING
Michigan #7
-Aerospace Engineering #3
-Biomedical Engineering #6
-Chemical Engineering #13
-Civil Engineering #6
-Computer Engineering #7
-Electrical Engineering #6
-Environmental Engineering #5
-Industrial Engineering #2
-Materials #4
-Mechanical Engineering #4
-Nuclear Engineering #2</p>

<p>Wisconsin #13
-Aerospace Engineering N/A
-Biomedical Engineering #18
-Chemical Engineering #3
-Civil Engineering #12
-Computer Engineering #14
-Electrical Engineering #16
-Environmental Engineering #13
-Industrial Engineering #7
-Materials #14
-Mechanical Engineering #15
-Nuclear Engineering #3</p>

<p>MEDICINE
Michigan #8
Wisconsin #29</p>

<p>Some would argue that Michigan having a top Medical school that enrolls over 50 undergrads from the University annually, and a massive university-owned and operated hospital where undergrads can intern at gives Michigan the advantage.</p>

<p>When it comes to those two for premed, rankings are not really going to be the deciding factor. Fit is probably a more important determinant here. The OP seems to like Madison more than Ann Arbor, so she should go for Wisconsin.</p>

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<p>Alexandre, NONE of the rankings–whether for “top college town” or “top X program”–are scientific. But if you want to use them, UW is regarded as one of the top teaching hospitals in the nation. Plenty of undergrads from the excellent science programs at the university train there for their MDs as well.:)</p>

<p>[UW</a> Hospital and Clinics Among Top Five Teaching Hospitals, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health](<a href=“News and Events”>News and Events)</p>

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<p>“Plenty of undergrads from the excellent science programs at the university train there for their MDs as well.”</p>

<p>That’s nice sally. Michigan is only one of two medical schools in this country rated in the top ten at US News for both research and primary care. Wisconsin is very good, but it’s no Michigan when it comes to medicine.</p>

<p>[Best</a> Medical Schools | Research Rankings | Top Medical Schools for Research | US News Best Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings?int=85a732]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings?int=85a732)</p>

<p>Michigan does indeed give preference to its own highly qualified graduates.</p>

<p>[Best</a> Medical Schools | Primary Care Rankings | Top Medical Schools for Primary Care | US News Best Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/primary-care-rankings?int=85a732]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/primary-care-rankings?int=85a732)</p>

<p>Btw, I love the Madison area and the campus is very nice as well. Personally, I prefer the size of Ann Arbor and the overall feel of the campus a bit more than Wisconsin. To each his own.</p>

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<p>That’s nice too, rjk. Too bad it doesn’t really seem to matter. From another discussion about prestige of medical schools:</p>

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<p>By the way, I like Ann Arbor too from what I have seen.</p>