<p>So, I need to make a decision for the Fall. Out of the 6 possible schools I have to choose from, UW offered me a a great scholarship, healthcare and a stipend, so its definitely in the running.</p>
<p>Is it a good campus for creative types? I'm a born-and-raised Californian going for my PhD in English. There are some things I worry about:</p>
<ol>
<li>general creativity: I know the English program is phenomenal, I'm excited about that. How about the arts in general on campus?</li>
<li>mixed population: I'm suuuuuper nervous about this factor. Will UW be unlike my undergrad at Duke which was segregated and pretty homogeneous? I'd like to be surrounded by a blend of ethnicities and a sizable black population in grad school, this doesn't seem possible.</li>
<li>the weather!! (I mean, I'm used to random 80 degree winter days here, can I really adapt?)</li>
</ol>
<p>Appreciate any thoughts you have! Thanks for your help</p>
<p>Arts in general are good but not fantastic and that has become the next focus area for improvement. The art museum is nearly done being doubled in size and with an excellent expanding collection. Also the art school just got a new building and is adding more space.
Next is the music school which is currently fundraising for their new building which was just approved for construction. </p>
<p>They also have a great film studies major and a major film collection plus an annual film fest of note. Despite the lack of a film production major there have been a significant number of major directors and producers out of the UW.</p>
<p>Madison itself has a good arts scene in theater, classical music, poetry and art. Here
are some links to major assets.</p>
<p>As a grad student you will be most involved in the department you applied to. Go to the school where that department, as you say, excites you. You did your homework on the UW English department and like it so go for it. </p>
<p>UW is a very liberal campus so you will see all types of life philosophies among the students. Madison is a very liberal city as well. You can’t have everything in any one school. The demographics of Wisconsin mean few blacks, but then being at Duke with many more blacks did not seem great to you. Keep in mind that you will not be an undergrad student anymore- the grad student lifestyle is much different. btw- there is creativity in the sciences as well- never be so foolish as to think only the humanities harbor creativity. Perhaps you are thinking about whether a school will advocate freedom of ideas outside the box. If so- UW definitely will let you be avant garde.</p>
<p>You can handle the weather. A relative from southern CA did his Masters in Syracuse, NY recently- they get tons more snow. You do not need to stay forever at the place you do your grad work. You may actually feel more productive without warm weather distractions. It is also a good way to learn about a different climate before you commit to what you hope is a permanent job somewhere. You also get exposure to a different culture than the one you are used to- a broadening experience that may help you understand the literature from different places. A good time of your life to add to your own knowledge of the world.</p>
<p>As a grad student you may find that you and your fellow grad students have more time/money to visit Milwaukee and Chicago for their arts- performances and museums. A day trip can be done. This is something you can ask your potential UW English department about. Their response will either reassure you or make you rethink how great you think it is.</p>
<p>No place is perfect. You have a case of the decision making jitters. Think about what is most important to you. You will regret giving up the department you feel is a best fit for you because of outside factors. Do you want to give up studying with the professors at UW because of the outdoor weather? Do you feel their academic offerings are diminished by the people you wouldn’t be interacting with? Get the answer to what they do for their arts experiences- i suspect it must work for you or you wouldn’t like the department so well.</p>
<p>As someone who went to grad school at Chapel Hill let me tell you that Madison is a 1000 times better than Durham. </p>
<p>Make no mistake about it, it will be cold here. The cold comes early and it stays late. The lakes (Monona and Mendota) only completely unfroze this week. You’ll get used to it although you’ll never be thrilled by it. Summers are great. If you are an outdoor type person Wisconsin is a great place.</p>
<p>Good cultural stuff here. A drama department that offers MFAs means high quality student productions. The Overture Theater downtown gets lots of traveling Broadway-type plays. Chicago is fairly close and relatively inexpensive to get to by bus.</p>
<p>It just so happens that I went to UNC for my graduate work as well. My S has decided to attend UW Madison. To be honest, we are not a fan of the Wisconsin weather at all. S was born in Austin TX, lived at Northern Cal before moved to WI. It was truly a shock for him living in this kind of weather. But, he is now over it. </p>
<p>In terms of Duke vs. UW, they are both great schools. RTP area is just as liberal (or conservative) as Madison. There is very little differentiation there. The only difference, IMHO, is the weather and the preference of near the lake or “near” the ocean/mountain. For guys coming from CA, I bet he/she will like RPT area better.</p>
<p>I’m not sure it is Duke ("Dook’) vs. UW-Madison. I think Duke is his undergraduate school. He didn’t say if Duke was one of the six schools he is considering for grad school.</p>
<p>I spent 30 years in the DC area, and while we have cold and lots of snow (occasionally) the cold was no where as bad, for as long, as in Madison, and we’re in southern WI. There are days here when 15 feels balmy, but you get used to it. If you want real cold go “Up North”. Lord know what it’s like in Bayfield on Lake Superior in January.</p>
<p>Yes. I read it wrong. Speaking of snow, we did have a 3-4 inches of snow at Chapel Hill back in the 80’s. That was quite an event for Chapel Hill. While a 120 inches (cumulative) snow in Wisconsin is considered norm…I am trying to scare the CA guy here…Weather here is no joke in winter. On the other hand, summer is really nice, for a couple of months.</p>
<p>Fall is nice. Ice skating outside is nice. Maybe you are not up to date but they had much more than one snow in CH the last few years. Madison averages under 50 inches a year. Raleigh 7.5. Get up to Charlottesville and you get at least a couple feet already. For me more the cold than the snow took getting used to.</p>
<p>Scenery in northern Wisconsin is beautiful in Fall. Fishing in summer is great. Cross country ski in winter is fantastic. I am sure there are a lot of activities you would be enjoying here and draw inspirations from. If scholarship is good, then UW is a good choice for you.</p>
<p>After living in Southern California for 10 years I moved back to Madison - it doesn’t take long to get used to winter - OP - don’t let the weather scare you away! You are trading earthquakes, mudslides and fires for thunderstorms, tornados and snow. Enjoy!</p>
<p>btw- 40" of snow per season is a closer norm, there were a few winters in recent years with exceptional amounts- maybe 80" or so. They clear things fast, especially on campus. Scenery around Madison is great- the arboretum is so close. Day trips to Devils Lake, Wis Dells… No need to go up north to enjoy nature.</p>
<p>Make your decsion on the English department- that is most critical to your enjoyment of any place and your future.</p>