<p>But we keep forgetting that the OP’s daughter is from back east and will more than likely head back there after graduation. There is no question that Michigan has a higher overall prestige factor than Wisconsin and that could make the difference in her future career endeavors. I mean seriously, it’s not always about the money.</p>
<p>^ Will the OP be guaranteed a job that pays higher for a Michigan degree over a Wisconsin degree? If so, what is the payback/ROI calculation on that additional $40k investment?</p>
<p>Well, the way the economy is now, it might be the difference between getting a job and not getting one at all. Who knows? My point is that Wisconsin is always going to be cheaper OOS than Michigan. Should everyone go to Wisconsin simply because it costs less?</p>
<p>I hear you Stooge. I just wanted to correct your misconception. Michigan is not an “Ivy reject” school and students at Michigan are among the most laid back among students attending elite universities.</p>
<p>Because of its size, its quality, its popularity and history, and the fact that it has always attracted students from throughout the country, Wisconsin has a huge alumni presence in all the major cities of the east coast (and the west coast, and everywhere in between). There are always regional preferences, and I agree that Michigan deservedly enjoys a great reputation in the east, but a Wisconsin degree is no impediment to great opportunities anywhere in the country, or anywhere in the world for that matter. Last I heard it had still produced more Fortune 500 CEOs than any other school, just as one example.</p>
<p>Cool Alexandre. I don’t have a misconception though; there’s no way to objectively measure laid-backosity. My experience with MI grads, spending time on the MI and WI campuses is that MI is more type A. No one hangs at the MI Union, Hash Bash is a weak version of Harvest Fest, WI is on lakes, MI on a river (it’s always flowing = tense) :)</p>
<p>brooklynchick and OP - I hear you. Son visited UM and UW last summer. Both are excellent schools though I do believe Michigan is better known “prestige-wise,” especially back here on the East Coast. Nonetheless, son immediately knew he preferred the “vibe” and feel of UW/Madison - it was just a better fit for him. I loved both and thought he should leave his options open for both, but he decided not to even apply to Michigan. He thought he’d be happier at Madison and firmly believes that any opportunity he could possibly want in life can be had by going to UW-Madison. Sure, he has to take advantage of the offerings and do very well, but that is true anywhere. Rankings aren’t everything in life. Finances, fit, happiness, etc… also count. I might not say that if you were considering a “great” school and a “not so good” school, but both of these are excellent top-notch public universities - among the top 7-8 in the country. How fortunate to have such a problem. Good luck with whichever you decide is right for you. </p>
<p>And, if you choose UW, we’ll see you there. :-)</p>
<p>^^^^Actually Michigan is among the top 4. ;-)</p>
<p>I understand - I suppose my point was…is there that much difference between #3-4 vs. #7?(assuming that USNWR rankings are gospel, of course). Michigan is an excellent school! It was actually one of my final 2 choices when I was an undergrad. Son and I both loved it. I was simply saying that if either cost or personal preference was for one (either) over the other, they are both fantastic schools.</p>
<p>Stooge - The two unions made the difference for me! At the Wisconsin union, students sit on a terrace overlooking a beautiful lake drinking pitchers of beer. The Michigan Union was very formal and covered in ivy. The feelings were sooooo different. </p>
<p>It’s hard to pass up game days at the Big House, but I have a feeling games at Wisco are similar.</p>
<p>So brooklynchick, is it Wisconsin for you? My D is still on the fence. By the way, we are New Yorkers ourselves and, if your screen name accurately describes your place of residence, we only live about 20-30 miles east of you.</p>
<p>Yeah, inquiring minds want to know! hehe!</p>
<p>^^^ Good gravy, the Union?!?! How shallow one’s life must be to have a decision as to where to attend college turn on the Union. Look, I’m a Michigan grad and a proud alum, albeit from the distant recesses of history. But back in my day, no one thought the choice of a college should turn on which one had the better Union. That’s a kind of “reductio ad absurdem,” as we used to say back in the day when Latin meant something.</p>
<p>Not to say that Unions mean nothing, John F. Kennedy announced the the creation of the Peace Corps from the steps of the Michigan Union. So it has historic significance. But the Michigan experience wasn’t about drinking beer at the Michigan Union, for Pete’s sake! It was about the town. It was about your classes, and the sheer brilliance and profound insights—or not—of your professors. It was about the intellectual caliber of your friends, classmates, and peers, people who would challenge you and make you think new thoughts, and defend what you believed–or switch to a new belief, and defend that against the same relentless scrutiny. And if you wanted to drink beer, well there were times and places for that, too, but it sure as Hell wasn’t the Union—there were far more interesting places for that (as I know there are in Madison, having spent fair bit of time there).</p>
<p>Look, I’m actually a big fan of Wisconsin. I think it’s a highly underrated university. I don’t think it’s as good as Michigan, but I think it’s good, really good. But don’t make a decision on the basis of which school has the better Union. That just trivializes the process to the point it’s hardly worth talking about. Go for the academics. Go for the social scene. There are points to be made for Wisconsin over Michigan. Not many, IMHO, but some. But don’t make it about the Union. That would be sad and trivial, and you just don’t want to go there.</p>
<p>I’ve got a kid right now at Wisconsin and another one at Michigan. The two schools are more similar than different, so my guess is most people who’d be happy at one would be happy at the other. That said, if I were to think of the main difference, it would be that Wisconsin is a bit more laid back, and Michiagn is a bit more intense. Madison the town has remnants of the hippie days, whereas Ann Arbor is a bit more upscale. Although one poster made fun of looking at the two unions, they do reflect, to some degree, the small difference in the culture of the two schools.</p>
<p>Thanks for your observations, mythreesons, as they sort of validate what my son seems to think and feel. He liked both very much, but felt more comfortable with the slightly more “friendly, laid-back” feel of Wisconsin - his impression of Michigan was that it was a bit more “intense.” Again, that was HIS impression, and Wisconsin seemed to match his style - he just felt more connected and at-home. Others may feel just the opposite (or just had a different tour guide and admissions speaker leave a different impression).
He is interested in life sciences (bio and chem for possible pre-med path) and social sciences ( political science, IR, econ and history) so, again, Wisconsin seemed like a great place to do those things - Wisconsin’s strengths match his academic interests. </p>
<p>“Worth it” questions are hard. If you don’t have the financial resources, it seems clear that it is better to save the money. I would really discourage my kids from taking on debt whenever possible, especially for undergrad. But, if son had REALLY wanted Michigan or some other more expensive, highly ranked school, we might have stretched even more to make it possible. For us, he turned down a private mid-sized LAC which would have been much more expensive - I can’t say I’m not happy to spend less. On the other hand, he did not choose one of our many in-state options so we are spending much more than we might have. We found a balance that worked for us. Each family is different. Luckily, he actually wanted UW over the private LAC in the end. </p>
<p>To the OP and brooklynchick - I think the bottom line is to go with what feels “right” for YOU based on personality, finances, area of academic interest, how much “prestige and rankings” matter to you, etc… Both are great schools where you can get an excellent education - the opportunities are there. What you do with those opportunities is up to you.</p>
<p>Hopefully hearing different folks’ thoughts and impressions helps you think “out loud” in order to make the best choice for you. Good luck - you really can’t go wrong!</p>
<p>bc, I’ll bet dollars to donuts 20 years out from graduation people have more distinct memories of things outside the classroom than what they might have studied. Place like the UW Union build memories that last and it’s one unique thing about UW that brings people to UW and keeps them coming back after 20-30 years. There are good educations to be had many places. There is only one UW Union where profs and students can talk about things other than class over a pitcher of Wisconsin’s finest. And you don’t need a bunch of hired guns and an overpaid coach to make it happen. </p>
<p>[Wisconsin</a> Union: Experiences for a Lifetime](<a href=“http://www.union.wisc.edu/terrace/]Wisconsin”>Terrace at Memorial Union » Wisconsin Union)</p>
<p>“Good gravy, the Union?!?! How shallow one’s life must be to have a decision as to where to attend college turn on the Union”</p>
<p>Some of my fondest memories of college take place on the terrace (back porch for the student union). I remember dozens of concerts, including the violent femmes out there. They sell beer and food. I also remember courses that met there for discussions. The union at Madison really is something incredible.</p>
<p>A university facility selling beer does not sit well with me. There are plenty of places within 3 minutes walking distance from central campus where students and faculty can converse over a a pint of beer.</p>
<p>“That’s a kind of “reductio ad absurdem,” as we used to say back in the day when Latin meant something.”</p>
<p>Just like a MI grad to quote in latin :).</p>
<p>Honestly, using the Union example is a fun way to highlight the difference between the schools. Though, as Barrons mentions there is some truth to the comparison. </p>
<p>Ask a Badger about their favorite place in the world and many will say the Union Terrace or the Rathskellar. It isn’t only the beer - in fact most people are in the building during the day - but the regular serendipitous social/academic interaction.</p>
<p>If you could bottle that place you’d be rich rich rich.</p>
<p>Live cam at union–what a scene!! Priceless</p>
<p>[Wisconsin</a> Union: Experiences for a Lifetime](<a href=“http://www.union.wisc.edu/webcam/index.html]Wisconsin”>http://www.union.wisc.edu/webcam/index.html)</p>