<p>Hey guys.. I have been admitted to wisc-madison and UCSD as a OOS freshman and I'm really stuck between the two. I am admitted as undecided and will most likely major in a biology related course. Both school offer good academics (especially in the sciences) so it is a difficult choice. I'm leaning slightly towards SD at the mo, seeing as I was admitted there first giving me more time to research about campus activities and the like. BTW I'm not getting financial help from either of the schools.</p>
<p>How do the reputations, quality, prestige of the schools compare?... Which one would make it easier to get in to grad school, look better on the CV, etc..... any opinion or insight would be very helpful.</p>
<p>UWisc is comparable to UCSD in research caliber, but not breadth. I don't think it's as well known-of outside the science circuit; I only heard about it after starting to look around for graduate programs. </p>
<p>And I dunno about you and where you're from, but cold weather makes me depressed. I moved from California to a land where flip-flops are impossible except for a measly six months of the year (April - October). So sad!</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply astrina, you've been a big help to me answering questions and posting pics on here.</p>
<p>Weather probably isin't the biggest factor in my decision... I'm just trying to make sure that I won't regret my choice and that I'll have a good college experience - not all work, not all play. I don't want to be thinking "damn i picked the wrong school" next year (I'm sure you understand).</p>
<p>There's a lot of positives about ucsd no doubt but it's the negatives that worry me. I've been hearing things about how it's not a typical college experience... how people go home and studys on weekends, the lack of parties and the like. Not that i'm a big party animal, I just want a complete college experience. I've also heard about the lack of school spirit, the weird people, etc. </p>
<p>Wisconsin probably offers a more rounded college experience but as you say it's not as well known (although they're similarly ranked). And the bad weather.</p>
<p>I would've visited the campuses before applying but seeing as I'm a US citazen living in Asia it just wasn't feasable... Is ucsd really all about the work? Are there parties and things like that frequently on campus ?</p>
<p>if the school's having a significant asian community is of any interest to you (seeing that you're currently in asia and all), then SD will offer more that's familiar. </p>
<p>people can always find things to complain about no matter where they are, but you have four years to try and get it right. i don't know any graduates who are bitter about their UCSD experience. some love it, some are ambivalent, but i think that's just part of any college experience. </p>
<p>just pick the one that seems like the best fit. and hey, if it doesn't work out, you can always transfer!</p>
<p>Astrina makes a very important point for a person of asian background.</p>
<p>UW-Madison student population is 78% white and 6% asian (per college board website). UCSD is 28% caucasian and 41% asian (per UCSD common data set).</p>
<p>I think you'll find very different cultural experiences at each university.</p>
<p>... and if you're like me, who places food high up on the list of priorities, you might want to consider california for all the asian goodies it offers. you might be hard-pressed to find a decent sushi roll (or xiao long bao, i dunno where in asia you are) in madison (i'd never trust a place that far from an ocean). </p>
<p>i was in a deadlock between boston and new york for graduate school. eventually the caliber of the research won out, and other things started popping up too: the amazing opportunities for new restaurants, new shows, museums, galleries, etc. </p>
<p>there's so much more to school than the academics.</p>
<p>I am actually from Hong Kong... I go to international school here and the city in general is a pretty multicultural place. TBH the ethnicity of the student population doesn't bother me a bit... I've got friends from all over the world so it doesn't really matter to me where the other people are from. </p>
<p>However, food is DEFINATELY important to me lol. I don't really have any special preferences but of course diversity is important. A decent sushi roll on occasion would definitely be nice (don't really like xiao long bao or the other chinese dim sum :P ).</p>
<p>I'm just hoping the admit packs will arrive soon as they may help me make up my mind. Admitted to SD on march 15th but the admit pack still hasnt come!!</p>
<p>What a tough decision... and I need to be preparing for my IB exams as well</p>
<p>If you haven't seen this thread in the UW-Madison forum yet then you should have a look. It gives you one view of the mid-West culture. I doubt you would ever have a similar thread in the UCSD forum.</p>
<ul>
<li>I love winter sports</li>
<li>I love cold weather or distinct seasons</li>
<li>want to live at a less crowded place</li>
<li>want a more 'authentic' American experience (?)</li>
<li>lower cost of living (?)</li>
<li>can't stand the ocean</li>
<li>prefer Canadians to Mexicans</li>
</ul>