<p>^^^ Many people would also include art history, comp. lit., and music in the humanities. Michigan has stronger programs than Wisconsin in all those fields. Wisconsin’s always been strong in history, but so is Michigan. In philosophy and classics Michigan is head and shoulders above Wisconsin.</p>
<p>If these two Universities switched names, no one would know. That’s how similar they are in terms of overall academic quality. Michigan’s prestige advantage on the east coast is directly attributable to the fact that it’s an hour and a half closer by air, and dates to the days when it was 9 hours closer by train. You can listen to the advocates for the two schools argue the minutiae and quibble about individual programs (“Our History department is ranked third! Yeah, well our Education department is ranked second!”), but that’s the essential truth. It’s your prerogative to decide whether that’s worth $40,000 to you and you’ll be right whichever way you decide.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, we live in Wisconsin and my son will probably apply to UW. It would never occur to us for him to apply to Michigan because the education is effectively identical. That’s no knock on UM at all; it just wouldn’t make any sense to spend the extra money. If you want a big public University experience, either school will give a student just about as good a one as you can get. These two schools, along with California, UCLA, Virginia and North Carolina, are the creme de la creme of public flagships.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>^agree, well said!</p>
<p>i don’t know if the experiences are identical… but i would have never gone to wisconsin oos, simply because Michigan has a better reputation.</p>
<p>Good point kb10 and I’m sure there are a lot of people who will agree with you, whether it’s justfied or not. IMO Michigan has far and away a stronger professional school program than Wisconsin. Business, Medicine, and Law command a lot of attention nationally and internationally. This is what sets Michigan apart from Wisconsin.</p>
<p>^ Yes, but is the OP going into business, medicine or law? Not right now. The OP can always choose Michigan for those subjects later…and the $40k saved will provide a good financial head start.</p>
<p>I will say UWisconsin. Very strong programs and the money helps a LOT.</p>
<p>I have very good friends that attend and love UW. One of them has already graduated and was already snapped up by a big Chicago firm for a six-figure job prior to even graduating. The opportunities there are certainly nothing to laugh at.</p>
<p>My point being that Michigan has a stronger national appeal over Wisconsin because of those high profile graduate programs. When MilWDad said the schools are interchangable, that is where i find the biggest differences.</p>
<p>I appreciate all your responses. I still don’t know whether my daughter is leaning strongly one way or the other, but I think all the positive opinions regarding Wisconsin are reassuring. As a followup question, is there any grade deflation at either university? Assuming my daughter wants grad school (law is a possibility) will a similar work ethic at each school result in a similar GPA?</p>
<p>Average GPAs are similar as far as I can tell. Somewhere in the 3.1-3.2 range</p>
<p>Although Michigan (where I’m attending graduate school this fall!) has a better overall reputation than Wisconsin, I am a huge advocate of going to the least costly school. OP, have fun at Wisconsin. Both schools have nearly identical undergraduate experiences. Consider Michigan when you decide to apply to professional graduate programs (engineering, education, business, social work, law, etc.). ;)</p>
<p>tenisghs. Just out of curiosity. Did you get a free ride to Northwestern?</p>
<p>Well, let’s just say Northwestern gave me enough financial aid that the cost of attending Michigan and Northwestern were both practically the same. Michigan gave me no financial aid (and I was an in-state resident). Northwestern gave me scholarships, federal work-study, and loans. I made the right decision to attend Northwestern. Now, Michigan gave me better financial aid at the graduate level. ;)</p>
<p>Michigan is a stronger school overall. But if cost is an issue here, I’d recommend Wisconsin. The majority of my OOS friends including me (cost wasn’t a factor) who had the choice between Michigan and Wisconsin handily picked Michigan over Wisconsin back then.</p>
<p>I’m making the same choice and I’m similarly confused! I just visited both and I got a better vibe at Wisconsin. I also liked Madison better than Ann Arbor. BUT I keep getting stuck on Michigan’s reputation - not only in terms of academics, but just in terms of the way people feel about the school. People really love it more than any other university I’ve ever heard people talk about. I feel like most people would think I was nuts to choose Wisco over Mich. The $10,000 + is a very, very nice bonus. I’m so conflicted!</p>
<p>brooklynchick. Go to Wisconsin. It’s a great school and it seems as if it’s the right fit for you.</p>
<p>Yea brooklynchick, Best friend went to Michigan and as tuition continued to rise seriously considered transfering to Wisconsin. The student body is a bit more academic at UM (harder to get in, more Ivy league rejects), but the faculty quality will be about the same. A cousin did transfer from MI to WI and felt little difference. </p>
<p>MI is more diverse with a stronger east coast “type A” feel. if you want a change from NYC, Madison may be it. If you want something more familiar go to MI.</p>
<p>Moreover, IMO WI is just a lot more fun :)</p>
<p>Stooge, although all universities have Ivy rejects, Michigan is not known for attracting many such students. Ivy rejects are far more likely to end up at East Coast PRivates such as BC, NYU, Tufts etc… And I would never use the term “Type A” to describe Michigan students. Michigan students are quite laid back. </p>
<p>I definitely agree that Wisconsin is more fun. Michigan is very intellectual. IT has its fair share of fun, buit it is not known as a party school.</p>
<p>Alexandre, let me qualify that I’m repeating what many friends who are MI grads have done (been rejected by an Ivy) and said about MI compared to WI (described campus as more Type A). I haven’t seen the ranking of schools by number of Ivy league rejects.</p>
<p>The cost difference is nothing to sneeze at given the schools’ similarities. Another wolverine here, saying your daughter should feel utterly comfortable choosing Wisconsin.</p>