Hi guys. I’m a huge college confidential fan and being that I have about 2 days left to decide where I wanna go to college I decided to make an account and post myself for once to see what people have to say. I narrowed down my college search to Umich and uw Madison but am having the hardest time picking. I have family at both and have been to both campuses several times. I have about 7 good friends from summer camp n school n whatnot going to Wisconsin and no one going to Michigan. I want to study something in the sciences and would love to volunteer in a hospital during my undergrad time if possible. My mind wants to go to Michigan because of the logic that comes with the fact that it’s a better school, more known universally, and would force me to go out of my comfort zone. It’s also more competitive and focused on academics though I do think Wisconsin people are too. My heart wants to go to Wisconsin because I love the campus and the people are so easy to get along with right off the bat. I know I’d be happy from day 1 since I know people going where as at Michigan it’d take time but again i don’t know which is a better scenario. Any thoughts would be awesome
I don’t know much about Michigan, but I live in Madison and the University Hospital and VA are walking distance or a Metro bus ride from campus, so it would be easy to arrange working there. There are also other large community hospitals (Meriter, St. Mary’s) close by. I don’t know how academically engaged the students on campus are though - probably a wide range.
If it helps, my son’s decision two years ago came down to these two schools. He also had numerous friends going to Wisconsin and one to Michigan. He chose Michigan(as had his older brother who had just graduated.). He absolutely loves it there. He isn’t in the hard sciences but the medical school and university hospital are right there with great undergraduate research opportunities (UROP).
Good luck with your decision. Challenge yourself.
I assume money is no issue as there is an obvious difference between the two schools otherwise. They do share a lot of similarities, and yet there are many difference between them. You should put that on a list for each school the pros and cons sorted by weight. Then cross out each one with similar weight on the two list to see what you have left. As you have been at both campuses several times, you should know the areas pretty well. You may want to look for those less obvious things too like 4yr graduation rate, clubs you would like to join, potential majors (not just one), etc. The good thing is, whichever one you choose, it is a good choice.
WI resident and UW alum here. I feel this is not a good time for UW. The governor and legislature are very hostile to the school and have made numerous changes, including doing away with tenure, which has caused many faculty members to leave, and those who remain are stressed and on edge. Aside from the fact that U Mich is higher ranked, I feel it is on more stable footing right now. Thus, I’d pick U Mich. 10 years ago, my answer may have been different.
As the Michigan state government has very little financial contribution to the school, UMich is pretty much untied from the state government. With the second largest endowment in public university, it has a rather stable financial environment.
Actually few faculty have left UW and even fewer for the reasons stated. They did not abolish tenure either. The change is more related to periodic tenure review requirements. The tone this year from the state is far less hostile and more supportive. A decent budget and more control over tuition for instate appear to be on the table.
http://host.madison.com/uw-madison-faculty-retention/pdf_b3b66115-6369-590f-9dda-111c2b7f5277.html
@NolaCAR STOP with your hostile remarks about Madison. Enough is Enogh with your remarks throughout CC. I agree with @barrons
@4highkers I’m not trying to be hostile. I am a proud UW alum who has given to my school every year for the last 10 years. I am very saddened by the current state climate with regard to UW, and I feel students who are considering it have a right to know what is going on. @barrons It does appear I overstated the # of faculty who left. One of the articles below says only 9 actually left.
Sorry your daughter got waitlisted at Madison. I’m sure she will be successful n her future endeavors.
Your link about the budget is from last year. The governor has reinvested in the University of Wisconsin system. Biennium Budget !!!
UW parent here – UW is about $10k less year than Michigan, which would have been reason enough in our family to chose it over Michigan (though my son did not get off the waitlist at Michigan so we did not have that choice).
If you are thinking grad school, UW vs. Michigan will not have an impact on your acceptance as that will turn on research and recommendations and either school will prepare you well. If you are thinking med school, gpa and MCAT matter most, plus shadowing and research, so Michigan does not have an edge over UW there.
Good luck in your decision!
Sara was in the process of dumping her faculty spouse and burning bridges at UW in so many ways. Her new friend happens to live in Philly–where Temple also is. She had few supporters around UW and attacked rather than worked to improve when things did not go her way. A pariah.
http://isthmus.com/opinion/tell-all/uw-professor-sara-goldrick-rabs/
And, though I haven’t studied the differences carefully, as I understand the Legislature’s action on tenure in the UW system, the Regents can elect to close a program and, even if there are tenured faculty, they can be let go as part of closing the program. However, the Regents cannot say, “Prof X, we don’t like her so fire her, even though she is tenured.” It is a program or department, not individual faculty.
That is similar to what can happen in private university systems, when an institution closes a program or department. As long as the entire department is shuttered, I understand tenure is no protection there either.