<p>I like both schools sooo much. I applied as "major undecided" because I think that college is a brand new start and I want to explore what interests me as a major when I'm actually THERE(I'm from China btw). So I've been back and forth. I like the weather of California, you know, sunshine, palm tree, ocean breeze... and the weather of Wisconsin is harsher.. and I think the "academic atmosphere" of these two are similar... but I heard that UW-Madison has a higher privilege as a public school... and of course there are other factors like career options but should I take career to consideration? I mean this is undergrad school... Can anyone give me some constructive advice or just personal point of view? Thanks a million! (HELP.)</p>
<p>What do you mean by higher privilege as a public school?</p>
<p>I mean the rankings. No offense. I did see people here ranking UWM higher than UCSD. They are both great, no doubt.</p>
<p>It depends on the major, what’s your intended major.</p>
<p>I applied as “major undecided”. Like I said, I want to decide the major when I’m there, after exploring the courses. I don’t even have a clear idea of the general field now. Everything seems possible because to me it really means a new start in college.
Even if I decide my major now, I will probably change it in the future. So yeah it’s really a headache</p>
<p>And SORRY I meant “higher prestige as a public school”, I just realized… </p>
<p>UCSD(#39) ranks higher than UW(#41) on US news so I’m not sure what prestige you are referring to.</p>
<p>I know that. They are close on US News though. I mean the rank of public schools. Here: <a href=“Top Ten most Prestigious Public Universities - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/921926-top-ten-most-prestigious-public-universities.html</a> </p>
<p>hmm that links is what people on CC ranks them. UCSD has the most Nobel winners out of the UC system, only second to Berkeley so I’m not sure I give a lot of thought to the rankings in that link, plus it’s a little bit outdate as in 2010, we’re now in 2014. UCSD has most programs in the top 20, for bio/biochem/ etc some are in the top 5. </p>
<p>Ah yes… True. And undoubtedly UCSD is an excellent school. It has really strong science & engineering majors etc. </p>
<p>From what I’ve heard Madison is a lot better at Humanities and Econ and if you are pre med you should go to UCSD of the two. However, UWM is considered a lot higher on the ‘fun’ meter for most, I believe. On the other hand, Wisconsin gets serious snow and if cold is a issue for you, you should take that into account.</p>
<p>UCSD has a small number of impacted majors: <a href=“Capped Majors”>https://students.ucsd.edu/academics/advising/majors-minors/impacted-majors.html</a></p>
<p>Wisconsin also has some majors which you must apply for: <a href=“Guide < University of Wisconsin-Madison”>Guide < University of Wisconsin-Madison;
<p>Depending on which majors you are most likely to be interested in, you may find it less risky to attend one or the other school.</p>
<p>“Fun meter”? I like fun in college. Academic & fun is great combo. </p>
<p>Yeah, majors. I thought about it, but still haven’t come up with a clear idea. I think probably engineering though, but things change… you know. So it’s still up in the air…</p>
<p>I think you should go to UW because UCSD is known as social dead, as in no fun.</p>
<p>Did you get into any other UCs, like UCSB? How about USC? Those 2 schools probably better fit for you.</p>
<p>Nope. UCSD is the only UC campus I applied to… </p>
<p>Aw too bad UCSD is social dead… </p>
<p>You only apply to UCSD? I’m surprised you didn’t apply to any other UCs and your main concern was too have fun at college. Did you research other colleges with the fun factor in mind? It’s odd an too bizarre. Why did you apply to UCSD in the first place?</p>
<p>Oh. I mistyped. UCSD is the only UC campus that admitted me. I applied to UCSD, UCLA. Actually UC schools were not on my initial school list to apply to. It was a last minute decision. I decided to apply the day before deadline. Because I thought I should try applying to some UC schools, they are great of course. I intended to apply to UCLA, UC Davis and UCSD, but back then I already applied to 8 schools. So I narrowed it down to UCSD and LA. I didin’t even expect to be admitted. Because, as I said, it was a last decision, I rushed writing the essay, trying my best. And it turned out it was the most inspirational application essay I ever wrote. My initial list of schools I wanted to go to had UW and U of Washington.
I might have sounded like “all I want is fun”. In fact, I’m hesistant to make a decision is because these two are both academicly great, equally great to me. And spending my next four years there, I want to experience the culture and community and really “feel” the place, and most importantly, my major is undecided yet, I think it’s better if the school provides more options, more strengths, a great environment to explore and figure out my path.
Sorry for the misleading comment. </p>