<p>Hi, I am an international transfer student, and as the topic says, I am trying to choose between Michigan and Wisconsin. I plan to major in Economics and then work either as a banker (Investment/Wealth Management) or a financial consultant.</p>
<p>As per US News, both the programs are identically ranked and both seem equally rigorous from the description on the website. While I do know Michigan (as a whole university) has a slightly better recognition both nationally and globally, it will cost me around $ 30,000 more to attend Michigan (for 2 years). Being an international, I am not sure if Michigan is 15k annually better than Wisconsin. </p>
<p>Which one would provide better prospects for employment and grad school (M.Sc. Finance or MBA)? Also, is the Michigan economics really really hard (as per some of the threads) and are the Economics students regarded as a bunch of Ross rejects by employers. Is it really hard to get a good GPA in Michigan Economics? I have read that Wisconsin as a whole is much more relaxed and getting better grades is much easier. </p>
<p>The $ 30,000 is surely a significant amount and I don't want to end up with a degree that doesn't give me any advantage over Wisconsin degree.</p>
<p>Hope you guys can help since no one in even my distant network knows the US education system well enough to help me.</p>
<p>U W Madison, all the way. The cost for UM is just too much for the benefits, especially when you can get just a great experience in your field at Madison.
Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Go to Madison. The difference between the two is negligible, despite what some umich boosters on this site may say.</p>
<p>UMich is a better school academically, however, it is not a big enough difference that paying an additional $30k would be worth. Go to UW-Madison</p>
<p>If you were an incoming Freshman with a shot at Ross, I would have recommend Michigan hands down. But LSA students do not have a significant advantage over Wisconsin students when it comes to IBanking and Wealth Management jobs. The only advantage, and it is a small one and often overstated, are the alums. Michigan has far more alums on Wall Street than Wisconsin. But that advantage is truly not that significant. </p>
<p>In short, in your case, I recommend Wisconsin, and that’s coming from a “Michigan booster”!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your responses. It was a really tough decision with such contrasting comments – but since I am hard bent on breaking into the banking industry, and being an international, most people in my extended network suggested to go with UMich because of 2 reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>Better global brand</li>
<li>There will not really really be an urgent need to go for Master’s since Michigan brand name itself will open many doors, both within US and globally.</li>
</ol>
<p>Additionally, it seemed difficult to complete Wisconsin BBA in 4 semesters while I can most certainly complete AB Economics (and a business minor) from Michigan in 4 semesters (due to the much lower GE and other degree requirements). So yes, I ended up choosing Michigan to complete my undergraduate degree (albeit it will burn a larger hole in my parent’s pocket)! Keeping my fingers crossed for the next 4 semesters in the cold Ann Arbor!</p>
<p>GO BLUE! :D</p>
<p>How exciting, I’m sure you will love it. Wait to buy your outerwear until you get there so you can get the right stuff to keep you warm.</p>