<p>There have been a lot of threads discussing this but none of those really works for my case so I have to post another thread. </p>
<p>I'm an international student and I've got admitted to the Business school of UIUC and to the College of Letters and Sciences in UW-Madison (because I will have to transfer to Business school when I become a sophomore). I'm still undecided but I might major in Finance.</p>
<p>UIUC is more expensive than UW-Madison for an international student like me and I don't think it would be easy to get a scholarship from either schools. </p>
<p>What do you guys think? All advices are highly appreciated...
Thanks... ^^</p>
<p>Hey shinycutestar,</p>
<p>both schools are excellent, and according to US news report, they are neck to neck with each other in overall ranking, tied at 39th, and at 13th for best undergrad business programs.</p>
<p>But, if you do decide to do finance, I actually have an account from US news report so I can look at more extensive rankings, and the U of I is ranked 12th for finance while U of Wisconsin is ranked 21st.</p>
<p>Plus, there’s no guaranteeing you can switch into the college of business for Wisconsin, as it’s probably quite hard since it’s somewhat prestigious, so there’s the risk factor.</p>
<p>Mind you that these are just rankings, and I don’t know much about the business programs (i’m a new engineering student for UIUC). Of course other things would be the weather (I believe Wisconsin is colder…haha) and the city, the sports, the culture, etc.</p>
<p>I guess visiting isn’t really an option since you’re international?</p>
<p>@sehui04:</p>
<p>Thank you so much for taking time looking into it for me.
Actually I’m transferring after attending an US university here for one year so I’m in the states right now. I can possibly manage a trip to UIUC but I don’t know if it will help. I mean I don’t know if visiting the school for a few days really tells me anything about the school. It might tell me about the environment but it’s summer time so I don’t know if it will be the same as in the Fall. I mean I don’t know what to look for when visiting the school
About the weather, I love cold weather so it’s not a problem.
I also have an account in US News and I have taken notice of the difference in the rankings for Finance but when I looked at the methodology they ranked the schools, which is asking the school faculty to rank other schools, I think the difference between 12th and 21st is not too large.</p>
<p>Your tuition at UIUC is fixed for 4 years. It increased by 9.5% for incoming 2010 freshman which is an approximate annual increase of 3.7% per year over those 4 years. Conversely UW-Madison raised tuition 8.5% this year. While they are relatively low in terms of their big ten piers now, four years from now the tuition will be comparable. The bottom line is that (1) you’re admitted directly to your program of choice at U of I. At wisocnsin, you apply to your desired program at the end of your freshman year, and your grades are considered against other applicants to the program. (2) You know what your tuition will be at U of I for the next 4 years. At Wisconsin, that is a variable. (3) Although at USNWR, the difference between U of I finance and Wisconsin-Madison is close, U of I still has a reasonable lead.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that both schools are excellent institutions. The differences are small, and only you can determine which ones are more important to you. Visiting both, even if only for a day or two, might make all the difference in the world. If I were you, I’d take the time to do so.</p>
<p>@Balthezar: Thank you soooo much. You’re so knowledgeable. </p>
<p>What do you mean “they are relatively low in terms of their big ten piers”? Sorry I tried to read it over and over but I just couldn’t get what you mean in this sentence.</p>
<p>You mean UW-Madison doesn’t have a fixed period of time for raised tuition? That’s a very interesting point to look at. </p>
<p>I will try visiting it before making any official decision. ^^</p>
<p>Wisconsin-Madison’s 2009-2010 out of state tuition and fees were $23,063, ranking them 7th overall in the “Big Ten” University Grouping. About $3,600 less than the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, but the Illinois figure is fixed for 4 years, which skews the difference.</p>
<p>This year, for example, Wisconsin raised their tuition and fees for those 2009 OOS Freshman 8.5%, so in their sophomore year they’ll be paying approximately $25,023, while the 2009 Urbana freshman’s tuition, which is fixed for his four year career is unchanged from the previous year. Extrapolating the 8.5% increase forward, the difference in tuition and fees between the two universities is only about $1,900 over a four year period, or less than $500/year. So, the difference in overall tuition and fees between the two institutions over a given four year period in which a student will obtain a degree (hopefully) is minimal. The other factors that I mentioned above should be given greater weight, and the most important factor is your overall impression of the university after talking with students, touring the facilities, sitting in on a class or two, and talking to admissions and college faculty and staff.</p>
<p>Sadly, it’s not $3600 less than UIUC, it’s $11000 less than UIUC per year… UIUC’s tuition and fee gets up to $32,500 for international (OOS) business students: <a href=“http://admissions.illinois.edu/pdf/transfer/intl_finance.pdf[/url]”>http://admissions.illinois.edu/pdf/transfer/intl_finance.pdf</a>
That’s why it’s a big factor in making my decision.</p>
<p>Yes, Shiny, your right. I was just going by the fees on the big ten comparison of universities. I’m past the point of concern over tuition as my son is instate, but I see what you’re talking about given the sheet you’ve linked to, but I’m not sure why they’re quoting 34,200 figure, since a look at the tuition and fees rate page for business quotes $27,944 for Business Tuition and Fees. So, forgive me for relying on the ‘Big Ten’ comparison rates.</p>
<p>At any rate, if at all possible, do visit both institutions in order to determine the better fit, and good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>Also, shiny, I’m not sure the tuition is fixed for transfer students. You’d be better off confirming both schools tuition and fees by calling each institution and asking. They’ve both set their rates for the 2010-2011 academic year at this point. You can also ask UIUC if your rate is fixed.</p>
<p>@Balthezar: Thank you for the valuable input… I’ll be sure to double check it with the schools…^^</p>
<p>shiny, the UIUC tuition is fixed. I am an international student and I am now in the CoB. When I check my transcripts/records it says my Undergrad Tuition rate is still 2009-2010 (the year I entered). You can check again to make sure.</p>
<p>As for which college to choose 
I really do not have any input. I cannot say UIUC is better because I do not know anything about UW.</p>
<p>@rainyswish: no your input is also very helpful… What’s your major? May I ask what is your overall impression with the teaching quality in the College of Business as well as the environment there? In other words, do you like studying there? Do you notice anything that you think I should know in making my decision?</p>
<p>I might be able to come to UIUC this week though…^^ I’m still asking my friend to drive me there…</p>
<p>I’m majoring in Finance. I think because UIUC is such a big school, there are bound to be bad professors and good professors. So the teaching quality varies, you should look for suggestions from students who already took the courses you are going to take. I.e. for microeconomics people say Gottheil is a toughie. As for the students, some of them are not motivated at all, UIUC is definitely not a school that has only highly competitive /overachieving students (which may affect your motivation as well).
First year is really easy to be honest, but once you start taking actual business courses it’s not easy at all. You do not need to worry about the course load though, most courses only give you 2 assignments and 3 exams per semester unless it is econ or math which requires more practice.
I do enjoy studying at UIUC, I think it is a great place to make friends. Especially if you live in a dorm, you will form a close bond with the students who will be practically living with you for a year. Students at UIUC are very athletic,like to keep in good shape, and they are really into leisure activities. People tan on the main quad often during good weather and just relax. I believe I became a lot healthier since I arrived at UIUC; I lost over 10 lbs just by walking a lot on the big campus and engaging in a lot of ECs rather than using a computer all day.
One thing to be careful of is to pick the right classes on time. You do not want to be left behind! Picking class is tedious at times especially if there is a limited space. There are some courses that you should never skip a semester especially the business core courses. Some of the higher level classes require prerequisite courses, so do not miss out on those! I will list a few that you should take as early as possible: econ102/103, the two math courses, and CS 105 are the courses that you should not miss freshman year. ACCY 201/202 , Econ 202/203, and FIN 221 are courses you should not miss sophomore year.
Finance is a lot tougher than Accounting so be prepared!</p>
<p>@rainyswish: oh gosh thank you so so so much for your information… I really appreciate it. (I hope I can help you back in some ways). I think I heard someone complaining about the prerequisite system at UIUC…>"<… I’m transferring so I had probably already missed some of the courses that you mentioned I should take in first year. Luckily, I’m done with those math courses. I’m not sure Macroeconomics at my school transfers to UIUC so that’s also a worry.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m quite ambitious but not too much as a overachiever… I’m not studying all day obviously so it’s good to hear that.</p>
<p>I just checked the tours that I can go on when I come to visit and sadly, there’re no business information sessions from June 28th-July 5th so I’m not sure if I should come this time since it’s not easy for me to get there… (I don’t have a car)</p>
<p>I have a question. Do you think not having a car at UIUC is a big disadvantage for the student? Can you give me some description about the transportation system there (I heard the campus is huge so is it easy to get from one class to another? What building do Business students usually take class at? How do you get around in the cities? Is it convenient? Do you have a car? Do you live on-campus?)</p>
<p>And may I ask where you’re from?</p>
<p>And really?.. You lost over 10 pounds? I sooooo need to go there…</p>
<p>If you have a lot of credits to transfer that is even better. That means you can finish up your gen ed requirements freshman year and will not worry about it in your later years. In fact, if you have a lot of transferred credits it might be possible for you to even get a double major or graduate early.
Having a car is convenient, but definitely not needed. I do not have a car, and the MTD bus service takes me just about anywhere I want to reach. One of the disadvantages about the bus is the waiting time to go to the mall. It takes about 30 minutes for the bus to go from campus to the mall because there are several stops. If you want to travel around campus the bus route is really convenient (the same bus comes around every 10 mins and plenty of other buses overlap the destinations). The campus is indeed big, students tend to pick classes that are located near one another. Even if you have a car, I do not believe you can get any further than a bus in 10 minutes (the amount of time between the end of one class to the beginning of the next class). For your Freshman year, the classes are primarily located around the main quad because everyone is trying to fulfill their gen ed requirements. Since you already finished math, the Macroeconomic (I suggest Esfahani over Baer for professor) courses are usually located at Foellinger Auditorium. Communication 101 is usually located at the Armory. Business 101 is usually located at the Business Instructional Facility. Computer Science 105 is usually at the Main Library. The business courses (Accounting, Finance) are at the Business Quad (David Kinely Hall, Business Instructional Facility, and Wohlers). Science courses are located at main quad. I think you are most likely to stay around the main quad and the Business quad. I doubt you ever need to take a course on the Engineering quad.
Urbana/Champaign is really small. If you really want to go anywhere near Chicago, you can take the Greyhound/Amtrack by riding the normal MTD bus to the station. Or you can take Illini Shuttle or LEX Express to Oakbrooks or something and then transfer to another transportation (I’m not really familiar).
I live on campus but not in dorms anymore. I’m from many places haha lets just say I’m Asian.
And yes…I lost quite a bit of weight and grew an inch as well :D.</p>
<p>I’m sooooo excited… I’ll come to UIUC tomorrow… I hope to see you there…</p>
<p>Thanks for the information… I have printed it out to look for all your directions tomorrow…^^</p>
<p>Wait… you also grew an inch? Oh my…</p>
<p>Right now I’m at home , so you won’t see me. I’m pretty sure you will meet a lot of other people that can help if you ever get confused. I suggest visiting the BIF…other places on campus are rather old haha. Oh and get some frozen yogurt/bubble tea from Coco mero (I hope I’m not too late telling you this )</p>
<p>Haha… I just got here today at 12PM… Anyway… I just visited BIF. IN fact, it’s the first building I visited… And then Krantner…>"<… I got out the wrong door and got completely lost… The campus is huge…</p>
<p>When r u coming back?</p>
<p>I’m having difficulties finding a place to stay here… Apparently, there’s no on-campus housing that provides a kitchen. And I don’t want to risk staying outside since I’ve heard all the complaint (such as no hot water, slow Internet,…)</p>
<p>Do you know of any decent housing options?</p>
<p>No hot water…where did you hear that? As far as internet access goes, if you get an apartment off campus, trust me, you’ll be able to get high speed internet.</p>