<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I was admitted to both UCSD and UW-Madison. My intended major is Biomedical engineering. I was admitted to UW-Madison for this major, but for UCSD, they accepted me on the basis of my alternate major: Undeclared. Will it be easy to change my major to Biomed engineering at UCSD?</p>
<p>I have received ample aid from UCSD to ease the burden off my father, i.e. he will be able to afford it and there aren't many loans. I havent received my aid offer from UW-Madison, but using the estimated aid calculator, it seems affordable, there are more loans, but it's possible, and again, this is just an estimate.</p>
<p>Looking at weather, I guess I don't really mind either, although the beach would be pretty awesome. However my mother is only a 4 and a half hour drive away from Madison, so I could go home much more often than if I were at San Diego.</p>
<p>Please help me in choosing between these two schools, May 1st is fast-approaching!</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch! :)</p>
<p>Umair</p>
<p>Are you considered instate for BOTH schools? </p>
<p>How much are the loans for UWisc?</p>
<p>Does one parent live in Calif and the other live in Wisc?</p>
<p>Nope, I am out of state for both schools.</p>
<p>The loans amount to about 8300 dollars per year, but again, this is just by using the financial aid estimator.</p>
<p>No, my father lives outside the United States, and my mother lives in Iowa.</p>
<p>UCSD is currently ranked as the #3 or 4 BioMedical Engineering program in the nation - they have 5 Nobel Price winners on staff and have lured essentially the world’s first professor to combine these disciplines to head the dept. (U of Taiwan/Columbia NY) because they are committed to be #1…</p>
<p>a degree there is already prestigious - I anticipate it becoming more so over time…</p>
<p>UW (WI) is a great school - but you have a choice to get a sunny atmosphere (but on the water so not too hot) AND a primo education that is virtually un-equalled…</p>
<p>your choice seems pretty easy from this prospective…but remember, the #1 factor for your success is happiness…what will you respond best to? - answer that and your decision will take to to the ideal University…good luck :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the input oodadoo, it’s making me see things a little more clearly.</p>
<p>another thought - San Diego, being located near MX and on the Pacific Rim offers an international flavor…if that interests you, that is a worthy consideration :)</p>
<p>I’ll keep that in mind when I make my final decision, thanks! :)</p>
<p>Btw, I dont understand what you mean by MX :P</p>
<p>Mexico…San Diego has a big Asian and Latino populations…in La Jolla (UCSD’s campus location) is a very safe, wealthy area…right on the beach…pretty irresistible…</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>SD is the biotech center in the US. Had you been admitted to BME, this program would win hands down. However, I think it will be very hard to get into this much sought after major. I’d call the department and ask them what it will take.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m going to call them today to figure this out. Thanks for making me realise that!</p>
<p>Does anyone have any more input on this? </p>
<p>Any help is much appreciated :)</p>