<p>I’m a physician at a medical school strong in research and both schools offer excellent pre-med programs; however, even though one can place his or her own weight on the meaning or importance of medical school rankings, the University of Michigan is, overall, a stronger medical school, with the strength of the research faculty as the major reason for the higher ranking. Additionally, this translates into more top-notch pre-med research opportunities for undergraduates. Finally, as has already been pointed out, the med school gives some preference to its undergrads.</p>
<p>Both choices are excellent. Coming from a higher ranked medical school also helps with placement into top internships/residencies.</p>
<p>The OP has two great options, as CALBLAZE and others have pointed out. If he were my kid I would let him choose on fit and possibly cost if there was a substantial difference. Med school/residency/etc. are a long way off.</p>
<p>“Med school/residency/etc. are a long way off.”</p>
<p>however…“the University of Michigan is, overall, a stronger medical school, with the strength of the research faculty as the major reason for the higher ranking. Additionally, this translates into more top-notch pre-med research opportunities for undergraduates. Finally, as has already been pointed out, the med school gives some preference to its undergrads.”</p>
<p>But UW is stronger in biology, which he says–today–he wants to major in as an incoming college freshman. Even you think it would be a better fit for him. :)</p>
<p>I think the more important question to ask is whether he would rather do the Blues Brothers dance between the 3rd and 4th quarter of the football game or that stupid jump around.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for the replies! I really liked the insights and diverse opinions. UMich definitely has higher ranked programs as Alexendre mentioned. However, only Biology and few of the other life sciences are relevant. Also, as Sally mentioned, SI and many other rankings, rank UW madison as the top college town. I’ve seen couple of rankings that has Madison followed by Eugene OR, Athens GA, Austin TX; yet none mentioned Ann- Arbor. Also, I live in the NYC area, around hospitals such as NY Presibiteryian . I was able to engage in a convo with one of the docs and asked him about his background. He graduated from Michigan State and did his MD at Weill Medical School. Although, UMich rather take their highly qualified students, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind a Badger Also, the doc mentioned it doesn’t matter where you do your undergrad. Some of his MSU friends went on to Harvard Med and JHU. Some of his UMich friends also went to Harvard while others ended up in the Caribbeans. As of now, Wisco seems perfect to me. Great sciences, amazing sports, prestige (maybe not as much as UMich), beautiful campus (not too many schools have the setting that UW has), great party scene, not as cutthroat as UMich. another thing was that UMich has many of its first and even second year classes taught by TA’s. All in all, like many of you guys said fit is the most important. UMich might be the more prestige university, but Wisco has many things going for them and are constantly improving. Hopefully, soon they will be right there with UCB, UVA, and UMich. Also, as for medical school I plan on coming back to the East Coast or attending UW Seattle med school since I have peeps there. UT med school is a great option too</p>
<p>EChoudhu, your post is full of errors. Be careful not to make decisions based on wrong facts. You will find out your errors in the future and regret your decision if you based it on faulty or outdated facts. </p>
<p>Top college sports towns are cyclical in nature and are determined by the success football and basketball programs. The last ranking of college sports towns was made in 2011 and was based on the 2008-2010 seasons. At the time, Wisconsin was doing well in both Football and Basketball. Michigan, on the other hand, was averaging 5-7 records in football and its basketball program was non-existant. Those were the worst years since the mid 1960s for Michigan football. In the last two years, Michigan has returned to prominence in both sports, going averaging 9-3 records in the last 2 years in Football (13-0 in the Big House, the largest football stadium in the US) and winning the Big 10 in 2012 and making it to the finals of the NCAA tournament in 2013 in Basketball. Recruiting determines future success and Hoke and Belein are both recruiting top 10 classes year-in, year-out. If a ranking of college sports towns were made today, Ann Arbor would be among the top 5. </p>
<p>Also, your comment that TAs teach first and second year courses is way off. TAs seldom teach at Michigan. TAs lead discussion groups in large lectures that are taught by faculty. The same can be said of any major research university, Wisconsin included. You will not have more access to faculty at Wisconsin that you will at Michigan. </p>
<p>You should inform yourself better when making such a major decision. If you prefer Wisconsin, that’s perfectly fine. Many students do. It is a great university in its own right. But you do not have to rely in faulty information to justify your decision.</p>
<p>Good grief, Alexandre. You scold the OP for making a decision based on “wrong facts” and then write several paragraphs filled with “wrong facts” of your own? </p>
<p>Fortunately he sounds like a smart guy and has figured plenty of things out for himself.</p>
<p>OP: you shouldn’t be surprised by some of the comments here since you are posting in the Michigan forum (I guess I shouldn’t be either). If you have further questions about UW specifically you might want to post in the UW forum or contact someone in the biology department dirctly. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>sally305, can you point the wrong facts I posted? I do not mind being corrected, but I do not appreciate being called a hypocrite or a liar. And where did I “scold” the OP? I merely suggested that he inform himself better before making his decision. He seems to have relied a little too much of cliches and generalizations rather than facts. Also, the posters on this site have been very neutral. There isn’t a single Michigan alum or student on this thread that has said anything negative about Wisconsin. Personally, and you can check my history, I always recommend Wisconsin highly. It is one of my favourite schools. </p>
<p>But I will correct falsehoods. Madison is not a better college sports town than Ann Arbor. It may have been for a short period of time, but that was only situational. It so happens that Michigan was uncharacteristically weak in Football during the Rodriguez years and its basketball program was still in the recovery phase during that time. Things have changed drastically since 2010. Also, Wisconsin is not stronger than Michigan in Biology. I have never seen a ranking that would suggest that Wisconsin is significantly strong than Michigan in the life sciences other than Chemistry. Most of all, TAs do not teach that many classes at Michigan. The OP made it seem like TAs teaching introductory and intermediate classes was the norm at Michigan. It isn’t. TAs only teach 3% of all classes at Michigan. The use of TAs is the same at all major research universities. It should never be used as a reason for choosing one major research university over another. Even private research universities like Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, Stanford etc…use TAs in a similar capacity.</p>
<p>I’m sure that the rankings of college towns are determined by not only success, but also has other aspects put in. Such examples would be, school pride, how much percent of the population attend, tailgating, etc. In many of these aspects, Wisconsin tops Michigan. Thus, being labeled the best college town/sports in America. Check out those videos that Sally previously posted. Michigan football is being hyped right now, and maybe they will be able to stick with Ohio State this year. However, Wisconsin is constant when it comes to football. Three straight BIG10 championships, and three straight rose bowl appearances (although they lost). Also, when it comes to basketball, Wisconsin topped Michigan twice including one over them in the BIG10 championships. We took second in that tournament. However, Michigan did make the finals of the NCAA tournament, but that’s a whole another story and has many factors. ie who they played, seeding, etc. Michigan are getting the top recruits like they always did, but its about developing these players. Michigan isn’t doing that, while the Badgers have made their name by developing players. Montee Ball was a three star recruit coming out of high school, but in college he was one of the Heisman candidates. </p>
<p>However, with all that aside it comes down to campus feel. When you have two great universities, similar in many credentials, it comes to feel. Wisconsin simply won when it came to this. You really can’t beat the Lake setting, the beautiful nature in the Lakeshore area, and also maintaining the Southeastern city feeling. In my opinion, the Wisco campus is a lot better. UW is also located in Madison, the state capital, which should have some perks. </p>
<p>Not really novi. The OP makes valid points, although he is clearly biased toward his school of choice, which is natural. Wisconsin is, by any measure, an awesome university.</p>
<p>Off course UMich has the better history when it comes to football. That is definitely true! However, recently who has been at the top of the BIG10? It’s Wisconsin. Wisconsin never gets 5 star recruits like UMich and OSU get. Yet, with the coaching staff and the nice work done by Barry Alvarez, they are at the top of the BIG10. UMich did have a nice recruiting class but lets see what they do with them. Let’s not forget Tate Forcier was one of the top hs players. How’d he fare?</p>
<p>“The OP makes valid points, although he is clearly biased toward his school of choice, which is natural.”</p>
<p>Fine. Wisconsin is better than Michigan in football and basketball. Michigan just got lucky this year in basketball and really doesn’t do much in football. Jeez.</p>
Also, the doc mentioned it doesn’t matter where you do your undergrad. Some of his MSU friends went on to Harvard Med and JHU. Some of his UMich friends also went to Harvard while others ended up in the Caribbeans. As of now, Wisco seems perfect to me. Great sciences, amazing sports, prestige (maybe not as much as UMich), beautiful campus (not too many schools have the setting that UW has), great party scene, not as cutthroat as UMich. another thing was that UMich has many of its first and even second year classes taught by TA’s. All in all, like many of you guys said fit is the most important. UMich might be the more prestige university, but Wisco has many things going for them and are constantly improving. Hopefully, soon they will be right there with UCB, UVA, and UMich. Also, as for medical school I plan on coming back to the East Coast or attending UW Seattle med school since I have peeps there. UT med school is a great option too</p>![http://photos.uc.wisc.edu/photos/15000/original/Winter_campus12_2082.JPG?1335549761[/url]](http://photos.uc.wisc.edu/photos/15000/original/Winter_campus12_2082.JPG?1335549761%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
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