U of I Urbana-Champaign, UWMadison, or UMN-TC for materials science and engineering

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Wisconsin
1

Hey all,
I am currently deciding between these 3 schools for Materials science and engineering. I have an interest in biomaterials, and all 3 are great schools with great research opportunities, and I don’t really care that much about rankings but they are all good enough. What do people know from experience/stories/etc in this major in these schools? I know that UIUC has a huge department for materials science, and I feel like that translates to less professor contact, and I know UMN is the exact opposite of my theory. What can you tell me about these departments? Also, what is the average GPA weighted to for the programs at UW-Madison and UIUC? I know that at UMN it is weighted to a B- average (2.7), so any and all information on these departments is helpful. Horror stories, anything, and everything. I would like the full enchilada of information.

Thank you all who can help me out!

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Aside from the academics you mention be sure to consider the campus culture. Figure out where you want to spend your outside of class time. U of M is in a big city. UW is a great campus with a lake. UIUC is in the middle of cornfields- check on the campus itself. Do some research on lifestyles. See if any of the three excite you more than the others. Check on dorms/food, activities you may be interested in. Sometimes it is the little things that make/break an experience. Even the most studious person will do a lot more than just attend classes and study.