<p>Out of state for both, so Michigan is a little more expensive but I get the feeling that Michigan is suuuuuch a grey area and really depressing. I loved the campus and what not though. I'm going to do something like Chem or Econ, which Michigan is probably a little better for that, but I don't know! Please someone help me decide!!!</p>
<p>UMich is surely a more prestigious and well-known university. This factor, sometimes neglected by students, may affect the number and quality of opportunities you have during your college period (seminars, research work, etc.).</p>
<p>Based solely on this (I have never visited them), I’d stick to Michigan.</p>
<p>I did a quick internet search and Madison vs Detroit are about the same sunshine days. Ann Arbor was not listed, but it is 30 min from Detroit. Climates look pretty similar.</p>
<p>UW and UM are virtually tied in research spending and both over $1 Billion (tops of any state U’s in the uS) so the claim that one has any advantage in that area is false. The ARUW rankings which essentially measures research productivity to rank world Us also have the two very closely ranked. Sandro does not appear to know much about the facts and appears to rely on some nebulous concept of “reputation”. </p>
<p>[United</a> States Universities in Top 500 - 2010](<a href=“http://www.arwu.org/Country2010Main.jsp?param=United%20States]United”>http://www.arwu.org/Country2010Main.jsp?param=United%20States)</p>
<p>whammy3, you might want to check out the US News Public Schools ranking: [Top</a> Public Schools | Rankings | Top National Universities | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public]Top”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public). Still, remember that your own productivity is what will mostly affect your college experience; don’t make a decision by only looking at numbers. On this thread, you asked for opinions and I gave mine just like other members did. Ponder those and see what’s best for you.</p>
<p>barrons, I appreciate your contribution correcting any mistake I’ve made, but I sincerely hope you can be more polite than that.</p>
<p>I just expect people that post in serious threads for serious students considering good schools provide more trenchant comments than blindly stating as fact something you heard somewhere, usually from other uninformed people. Sorry if I ruffled your feathers but making such sweeping claims without much basis ruffles mine.</p>
<p>Academically, particularly in the fields you are interested in, Michigan and Wisconsin are peers, with the two being equal in Economics and with Wisconsin having the slight edge in Chemistry. As such, choosing based on academic excellent where those two schools is concerned is pointless.</p>
<p>As some have pointed out, Michigan is more “prestigious” than Wisconsin. However, this will only truly make a difference if you wish to enter a superficial and pretengious circle. Where it matters, prestige is not that big a deal.</p>
<p>Weather is a non-issue, with Madison being slightly colder than and just as cloudy as Ann Arbor. If I recall, Madison’s average daily low in winter (November-February) is 10 degrees lower than Ann Arbor while the average high is roughly the same.</p>
<p>Cost of attendance favors Wisconsin to the tune of $50,000 over 4 years. That is no small amount. </p>
<p>Madison and Ann Arbor are both equally great and fun college towns, and campus life on both campuses is hard to match. </p>
<p>You cannot go wrong, but there are subtle differences to consider. Bottom line, if cost of attendance is more important to you than prestige, go for Wisconsin. On the other hand, if prestige means more to you than cost of attendance, then I recommend Michigan,</p>
<p>I am also pondering b/w UM and UW. I’ve got accepted by UW like a month ago, but haven’t heard anything from UM yet. The waiting is driving me nut. Anyways, due to the fact that i would choose to major in physics, so how would you guys evaluate the physics (esp. theoretical physics) course of these 2 schools?</p>
<p>Using Alexandre’s words, I believe UM has a slight edge in Physics. UM Physics department has been concentrating a lot of effort and research work in the development of theories related to atomic and quantum physics and has been often quoted in science newsletters.</p>
<p>Looking at the ranking ([Best</a> Physics Programs | Top Physics Schools | US News Best Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/physics-rankings]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/physics-rankings)), you will find that both universities aren’t “too far away from each other”, which should encourage you to make a decision based on your own needs and expectations.</p>
<p>Michigan.</p>
<p>10 char</p>
<p>So if I can afford it, I should go to Michigan you guys think?</p>
<p>eh anyone???</p>
<p>My OOS D also is weighing the two schools. Her dad is a Michigan alum, but not pushing. We are off to Madison tomorrow for her to see the campus and decide for herself.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about your programs of interest, so I can’t offer anything there. They’re both great schools, though. I’m from Wisconsin; my brother goes to the UW as do many of my friends. I’ll be attending UMich though. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t call the UMich campus gray at all. Ann Arbor is really incredibly vibrant and definitely a college town. Madison and Ann Arbor are very similar to me. However, Madison also functions as the capital of Wisconsin and thus the city serves a lot of purpose aside from being home to the UW Campus; I don’t think it has the same college town feel as Ann Arbor. I’d rather be in Ann Arbor than Madison, but I’m biased because I grew up in Wisconsin and want to get away.
You’re going to have cold weather at either one. The difference in weather between the two is so so small it’s not even worth considering, imo.</p>
<p>Both schools seem to have the work hard, play hard mentality. Maybe a little more play at Wisconsin…It’s the #1 binge-drinking state for a reason haha.</p>
<p>I’d say Michigan has the edge in diversity. As far as undergraduate goes, the UW mainly hails kids from the midwest, especially Wisconsin and Minnesota. Of course there are exceptions, but in general it’s a lot of midwesterners. UMich, while there are still a great deal of instate kids as it is a public university, gets OOS kids from all over the country. </p>
<p>I’d say school spirit is even with the two schools. Both have incredibly amped-up football games and you really can’t go wrong with either as far as school pride. </p>
<p>Michigan has the edge in prestige & ranking, and I think that it’s prestige will only be increasing in the coming years. Michigan also has one of the largest alumni networks in the world, which will help you out post-grad.</p>
<p>As others said, Wisconsin is definitely cheaper. I’m not familiar with UW OOS costs, so I can’t number crunch or anything. Really consider your program and your ideal college setting and how that compares with the cost difference between the schools.</p>
<p>I don’t know if any of that is helpful; just tidbits of information I’ve gathered about the schools. I’m sure you’d have a great time & education at either school though!</p>