<p>Hey guys! So I am having the TOUGHEST time deciding what school to attend in the fall. I think I have narrowed it down to Indiana and Madison, but I don't know how to pick between the two. At Indiana, I received direct admit into the Human Biology major, and I am in the honors program. At Madison, I was accepted as a Biology major. Cost-wise, I received $11,000 a year from Indiana, making tuition $19,000 a year for me. At Madison, I did apply for scholarships, but haven't heard back yet (I probably won't get anything), making the tuition $26,000 a year. My parents will be paying, so I will not have to take out any loans and they are more than happy to pay for Madison. I am currently planning to follow the pre med track, so obviously med school is the end goal for me. I just revisted both schools and loved both of them, both of the campuses and the programs are amazing. I have no clue how to decide between the two so any advice/experience with the schools would be very helpful!</p>
<p>Just for some more info:
-34 ACT, top 10% at a competitive high school in IL
-Also accepted to: Umich, University of Washington-Seattle, Marquette, University of Iowa and U of I.</p>
<p>All science majors at UW are unrestricted and probably better than those at IU. If your parents don’t mind the extra bill go for UW. If you can find a bio related major you like in the CALS they have better scholarship money.</p>
<p>If money is no object definitely go with UW instead of IU. A few years ago the IU website had the rankings of research funding of various types for Big Ten U’s- IU was near the bottom, UW near the top for several categories. Presuming you are from IN it is also good to experience another state and the differences in demographics. Plus, Madison is much better than the small town of Bloomington.</p>
<p>It sounds like your parents can afford the extra costs- you’re lucky.</p>
<p>Regarding being premed. That, of course, is an intention, not a major. You can do some excellent science for Honors at UW- Chemistry and Biocore come to mind. Most students who start with the intention of going to medical school will change their minds- due to various factors. Any school will do for premed and going to UW won’t hurt your chances at your instate medical school. Go for the best fit/education regardless of medical school wishes. You can major in anything as an undergrad for medical school admissions- you just need to take certain prerequisites, usually easier with a science as some courses overlap with major requirements. You were admitted to the university as a whole at UW and can change your major without any problems any time the next couple of years (changing late may mean more time to get required courses in the new major). Once you are in college you may discover interests you never considered while in HS.</p>
<p>You have some great choices, good luck.</p>
<p>@barrons I did not know that CALS has more scholarship money, I was admitted to L&S but wanted to change to CALS anyway so thanks for the good tip!</p>
<p>@wis75 I am actually from IL, so both will be new experiences to me! That fact about the research is a good point, I would love to get involved with some sort of research and it seems like Madison may facilitate that better. I know many premeds major in bio, but I am truly interested in it, so I see no reason why not to, especially as it already covers a lot of the requisites!</p>
<p>One of my family members brought up to me that it may be easier to maintain a higher GPA at IU which would therefore be beneficial if I do make it to applying to med school as that is one of the main factors. Would you say this is true and should I be considering this? Are the classes at Madison known to be harder?</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>Wisconsin is more competitive for entrance and for grades. Many more top out-of-state students attend - attracted by the outstanding life science programs and the dynamic research environment. Frankly, from Indiana, I think Purdue would be the better choice for life sciences than Indiana. But, your grades alone will not get you into medical or graduate school. Its going to be your standardized test scores (MCAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.) that are the determining factor. At the same time, you should be able to find undergraduate research opportunities if you are a good student at Wisconsin, given the activity at the university and elsewhere on and near campus. In the end, you will either play up to the competition, or find a field less demanding anyway. </p>
<p>Also, in Bio at Wisconsin you have the challenge of qualifying for the BioCore program. Instead of showering you with “honors” coming in from high school, you have the opportunity to qualify for acceptance into a truly rigorous undergraduate program beginning with your sophomore year that will fully qualify you graduate school and build your resume of achievement by the end of your junior year. Check it out and good luck.</p>
<p>What I like about CALS bio over L&S is being in CALS you are part of a smaller college that is very undergrad friendly. They have their own advisors and placement office that are both more personal than the larger L&S versions. You take essentially the same classes from same profs with slightly different requirements. I don’t know why they have two versions of some of these majors but they do so might as well take advantage. </p>
<p>[Building</a> Your Career | College of Agricultural and Life Sciences ? University of Wisconsin-Madison](<a href=“http://www.cals.wisc.edu/students/undergraduate-programs/career-development/]Building”>http://www.cals.wisc.edu/students/undergraduate-programs/career-development/)</p>
<p>I am biased, as my son is a freshman at UW, even though we are in-state in Indiana. From his search, and current experience as a freshman – UW has a more consistently rigorous academics, at least in humanities, which is his area of interest, than his friends at IU. He has met more high-achieving kids at UW than he knows went to IU from instate. Also, UW seems more geographically diverse than IU, even though I know IU takes about 40% OOS. He is friends with students from all over east and west coasts, as well as instate. </p>
<p>Both are college towns, though I could never get past how small Bloomington is – really about 8 blocks and then done. Madison is a busy small city, with lots to do on and off campus. </p>
<p>From a parent’s perspective, UW is just more professionally-administered than what we have seen at IU. My son ran up against a number of mistakes and unimpressive representatives of IU – now, just like you can’t judge a school based on the tour guide, you can’t judge it based on a few representatives. Still, it created an impression that it was not well organized. UW just came off more professional, more “finished.” </p>
<p>Presumably, pre-med is going to be tough at either school, and the challenge will be to keep up your gpa.</p>
<p>If cost is not a concern, I would recommend UW.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the further information! Midwestmomofboys, that was a very informative post, it was very helpful. I am not completely decided yet, but you have all made my decision a bit easier :)</p>
<p>barrons is a business school grad. L&S is just as small and friendly at the departmental level for your major and the L&S Honors program is great. Once you are at UW you can choose one of many biology related majors, some in L&S, some in CALS. Each school/college has slightly different graduation requirements, hence a major or two has both secondary to its roots historically. Easy to switch once you are in college and get more info. OOS at both- no brainer to choose UW.</p>
<p>As usual I have heard that directly from higher up at UW very recently. And several friends with kids now at UW. CALS has been doing things for years that L&S is just getting off the ground in advising and placement. Total college enrollment is just over 3000 vs 16,000. The state ag folks and industry make sure CALS is taken care of. L&S has no such general political support. Which is going to have a more personal touch??</p>
<p>I’m not talking about the very first semester. I’m talking about later. Entering Honors program students will have the extra personal touches. You need to consider the whole 4 years, not just the first one. It is presumed that a UW student can thrive without a lot of hand holding. Most don’t need a “personal touch”. Choose the college/school with the major and courses you want most, don’t compromise on that. Students who have specific goals are always ahead of those with no clue as to their major, even if they change them.</p>
<p>Advising, post college placement, and scholarships impact over all 4 years. CALS also has a full honors program including biochem, bio, and microbio–3 very popular science majors. And as to my point on scholarships-CALS lists well over 200 undergrad scholarships just in CALS. L&S less than 100 for about 5 times the students. That’s why I like CALS if it fits the needs of the student. It’s a hidden gem.</p>
<p>[Honors</a> in the Major | College of Agricultural and Life Sciences ? University of Wisconsin-Madison](<a href=“http://www.cals.wisc.edu/students/undergraduate-programs/get-involved/honors-program/honors-in-the-major/]Honors”>http://www.cals.wisc.edu/students/undergraduate-programs/get-involved/honors-program/honors-in-the-major/)</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at UW in the CALS. He is a genetics major. His advisor is not only part of CALS, but he is also a specialist in genetics, so he is able to advise my son specifically about the genetic curriculum. My son says that friends who are in L and S have a more generalized counselor and one who is not specific as his. Also, I can speak to the CALS scholarships. He has only been at UW for less than one year and he has already received two scholarships from them, one for his freshman year and one for the upcoming sophomore year.</p>
<p>Exactly what I was trying to convey. Nothing bad about L&S but for some majors CALS is best of both worlds. Really run as a smaller undergrad friendly college in large university setting.</p>
<p>If you declare a major you can get an advisor in your major. Check on this first semester if it doesn’t happen during SOAR. Visit your advisor as recommended as well to get the most out of the system. Most entering students, however, don’t know which major to choose yet. Go with the school/college that seems to offer the fields that most interest you. A declared L&S math major or chemistry major is likely to get an advisor in their major as easily as someone in CALS would in theirs. There are undergrad events in some departments and professors do get to know those in smaller classes (for example those majoring in math, chemistry or physics taking entry Honors courses in their major).</p>
<p>I’m in the exact shame shoes… Wisconsin LSA or Kelley DA? I already gave up USC because of the 62k/yr tuition…</p>
<p>Frankly, you are in different boat from me, but I would go with the Kelley DA. It is a great business school and having the DA goes a long way with the business schools. You might not get in later on a Madison!</p>
<p>Think of the overall college experience, not just the business school. Think of your college peer group for classes and social life. Different atmospheres.</p>
<p>Yes and the B School acceptance rate at UW is over 60% is it not?</p>