<p>I'm going to be a sophomore in high school this fall (class of 2016) and I have started to look closer at colleges. My siblings (all have graduated college) all went to UW-Madison, so my family pretty much expects me to go there. I think that the academics are great, but I don't like the campus or the people. The campus is too big and it has lots of crime, which is something I hate. Also, it's known as a party school; I don't like parties. I plan to be substance free as well, which is something that is not huge in Madison. The people are also often Atheists or other religions besides Christianity. My faith is a huge deal to me, and I have found that when I'm around other Christians, I'm a lot happier than when I'm with Atheists, even the ones that are my best friends. There is a college that I have really started to adore, but the academics aren't UW-Madison quality. This college would be Concordia University Wisconsin-Mequon. My dad went to it, and a lot of my church camp friends go to it or plan to go to it. It's slightly more expensive than Madison (I'm instate), but I have a feeling that I would be a lot happier there. I have had some depression and anxiety issues, so I think that my happiness is an even bigger deal. I have also considered University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. I am not sure what I want to study yet, but I'm thinking Psychology with a minor in Spanish or maybe Communications. I know that my thoughts may change within the rest of my high school years, but I really think these three colleges are the ones that I want to apply to. By the way, I have a 3.875 gpa and I get mostly A's. Which college do you think I should choose?</p>
<p>Michigan and UW-Madison are mirror images of each other though the former is higher ranked. If you do not like Madison you will not like Michigan.</p>
<p>Both the campus/people and education are important. You should not be tied to where your siblings went to college. </p>
<p>I would approach this in two ways. First talk to your parents and let them know what you are thinking/feeling. See how they react to the idea of Concordia University Wisconsin-Mequon and at least try to arrange to visit the school together. See how you feel when you look at it close-up. And if UW is the best answer, find ways the school will work for you. Get into the wellness dorm, get involved with the Christian Organizations on campus and find your social group that way. If you feel anxious, visit the school again and meet with some of the people who run these groups before school starts. UW is a huge school so will a little effort, you should be able to seek out like minded friends.</p>
<p>And I agree, if you don’t like UW, I can’t see where UM will be any better of a fit. But you might look at a Jesuit school like Marquette and see if you could get merit aid to make that feasible option.</p>
<p>tsdad: I was told that Michigan was less of a party school, but thank you!
happy1: I have visited both campuses a few times (well, I’ve visited Madison hundreds of times actually), and while Mequon was appealing to me, Madison just turned me off. My brother and sister both stayed in wellness dorms, and they said that it wasn’t much better besides the lack of alcohol. I have talked to my mom about this, but she always brings up the cost difference (about $3,000/year) and how Madison has better academics. She says college is just about the academics really, so I should go to Madison. I currently go to a high school of about 2,500 and my high school is the biggest in Wisconsin (area wise) and I really don’t like it because of how big it is. I think I would do better in a smaller campus/student population. I will look into Marquette. Thank you for your advice!</p>
<p>You may also want to look at some of the CTCL schools like Bleoit, or perhaps an LAC like Ripon if you prefer a smaller school. Also, take a look at U of Minn-Morris, it might be a good fit for you and and they charge everyone the same tuition rate, which is quie reasonable. Perhaps even cheaper for you than Madison depending upon the number of credits taken per year. Concordia does have a beautiful campus. I grew up about 5 miles from there many moons ago.</p>
<p>If you aren’t comfortable with a specific university, you shouldn’t feel pressure to attend. You want to feel comfortable in your college choice and it should be someplace you are excited to attend.</p>
<p>That being said, I also wouldn’t advise basing your decision to attend a university on your religion. You are young and have taken on the religion of your family. Once you’re out on your own, you will be exposed to a lot more than the small world you currently know and may change your mind on religion generally or your specific religion. You don’t want to be stuck in that situation either.</p>
<p>Have you looked into schools that don’t have a party atmosphere but that also have academics (Concordia is not a good school and will likely hold you back down the road)? There are plenty of schools, particularly nationally-ranked liberal arts colleges, that may have what you are looking for.</p>
<p>Ultimately you have to honor cost considerations since your parents are footing the bill. Keep your grades up and prep for the PSAT/SAT/ACT and if you do well enough many options will open up through big scholarships and some of the Christian schools might become cost competitive. See the christian college forum for more since their are plenty that are academically strong and Wheaton in Illinois is one of the best.</p>
<p>If Wisconsin is where you end up then seek out the campus christian fellowships as someone mentioned already. I suspect they’d have campus crusade, inter-varsity, navigators, and others. You will form your own group of friends out of those groups and have social opportunities that don’t involve partying.</p>
<p>I would definitely apply to both schools and see what happens. Maybe you will get merit aid at Concordia University Wisconsin-Mequon to make up the price difference (although I suspect that still won’t make your parents like the school better). I’d also look to see if there is some kind of an honors program at Concordia University Wisconsin-Mequon which, if you can get in, might make the school academically more appealing to your parents. I do agree that the academic element of a college is important, but a student also needs to be happy/comfortable in order to do his/her best. If you do end up at UW, I agree with the others, go with a good attitude and search for people who share your values through clubs/church services etc. Good luck. (And yes, I also think UM is very similar to UW and it is very expensive if you are out of state).</p>
<p>You might want to take a look at this article about the new chancellor at UW-Madison: [MilwaukeeMag.com</a> - New Madison Chancellor Has Deep Christian Roots](<a href=“http://www.milwaukeemag.com/article/3202013-NewMadisonChancellorHasDeepChristianRoots]MilwaukeeMag.com”>http://www.milwaukeemag.com/article/3202013-NewMadisonChancellorHasDeepChristianRoots)</p>