<p>I got into these universities and I'm so confused! I'm going to study mechanical Engineering. Please help me anybody?</p>
<p>I’d go with the cheaper one. </p>
<p>Well, why did you apply to them to begin with? Are you a resident of either state? </p>
<p>They’re both great schools for engineering but also both expensive for an out-of-state student. Are they your only options? </p>
<p>If the cost is the same, go with whichever one you feel most comfortable at and consider where you think you may want to work after graduating. </p>
<p>Do you like a big city or small college town, and cost - that should be your two deciding factor. UW and PSU are both very similar socially and academically. </p>
<p>Fortunately, Cost isn’t a factor for me.
I am an international looking for a good university where I can have academic experience PLUS have a good college life.
I’m not into drinking. So apart from that, I would like to have fun instead of feeling alobe
And I would like to work in USA as a whole.
Thank you for replying 
Pleeease help me out with deciding :(</p>
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<li>alone</li>
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<p>Also, i wish i knew personal experiences from these universities.
Will a resume with mechanical engineering degree from UWMadison look better to employers than a resume with the same degree from Penn state?</p>
<p>You should check the name recognition in your country to see if it matters for jobs. Here it likely wouldn’t matter they are held equally. I have visited Madison for a reasonable time and only had lunch in the town where Penn State is. That town seems quite small, so the social life is going to revolve around the campus life and there will be all kinds of things going on and you can hang out with the friends you meet or go to parties or not. There will be all kinds of events. Same with Wisconsin, but it is a small city with a bit more going on. There are lots of music venues and street fairs and the state capitol is there. It is always on the “best college town” lists.</p>
<p>Did you read every single thing on the websites for the departments at these two schools? Get some clues about how the department is run? Special features? Read about what research might be available? </p>
<p>PA resident here. I have a close friend who is a Wisconsin grad and has a kid at PSU. Based on her descriptions of the two schools, both of which she loves, I’d choose Wisconsin in a heartbeat. But if money were no cost, I would not make a decision without visiting both. Have you done that?</p>
<p>Since cost isn’t a factor, I’d choose Wisconsin.</p>
<p>@LucieTheLakie Why would you pick Wisconsin? Is that just based on personal preference?</p>
<p>Both schools are great for Mechanical Engineering. Both will look very good on a resume. Both Big10 schools. Madison has a more urban feel with busier streets running through the campus. Though it isn’t urban-gritty. It’s urban-pretty nice. The lakes really enhance the experience. </p>
<p>Penn State is rural, in a college town. As stated above, activities at PSU revolve around the school, and the small town But, it’s a very big school so there’s a lot to pick from. Wisconsin has a harsher winter, though Penn State weather in the winter is not exactly inviting. It is snowy and cold, just a slightly less so than in Wisconsin. </p>
<p>You really can’t go wrong. </p>
<p>One thing I would check into is how you declare a major at each school. I believe at Penn State, you declare spring of sophomore year. Some engineering majors are limited, meaning they don’t let everyone in. The decision is made based on GPA at that time. I think you can request a top choice and then 2 more. I don’t kow what the enrollment situation is at Wisconsin.</p>
<p>UW is similar as you declare Eng major as rising soph. Mech eng is not one that has limited enrollment. Bio and Chem E do. You also need to pass some pre-eng classes.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much
UW-madison seems fun-er to me since it’s more urban, but coming from a tropical country I don’t think I can bear the cold for too long. </p>
<p>And Major is declared on the second year, just like Purdue where my brother is studying.
I would like to settle in US so I wanted to know which university has better job prospects.
And, my cousin already accepted her offer to Penn state. So that is one bonus point for me as she could be with me and we could have a great time.
But there’s another thing, I got into UCL, and I LOVE LONDON. But UK has very low job prospects for international students.
I just hope i get enough advices to not make a decision i will regret.</p>
<p>Weather between Madison and State College not that different. Both have cold winters with snow.</p>
<p>I love PSU dearly, but if money is no cost and you want a great college life instead of a good one, go to Madison. </p>
<p>@VMT, Madison is the state capital and just supposed to be a great city in general. State College is a neat town, but it’s in the middle of nowhere. Both places are very cold in the winter, so not sure it will make any difference for someone used to a tropical climate! These schools are very expensive for someone out of state. OP, how much will each cost you when you factor in travel, etc.?</p>
<p>I am familiar with both. I attended Penn State, and my husband attended UW-Madison. I have family there, been there many times. Madison is a great city. And yes, the weather comment is splitting hairs. </p>
<p>I was wondering if you had some insight into their engineering programs, recruiting, etc. that would steer you towards Madison. Husband and I both graduated with engineering degrees - though that was a long time ago. So I am always interested in updates. </p>
<p>@VMT, no, my understanding is that both schools have excellent engineering. I think this is a choice between which locale one prefers and final net cost.</p>
<p>I would see which college has more name recognition in your country. I really like both schools. My personal preference is UW, but my one son did not like the feel of that school. Just too big, too city, . Loved PSU and it will be on his list next year. Another son preferred UW by far. So it’s really a coin toss, IMO.</p>
<p>And,yes, it was -C-O-L-D for a very long time in Madison this winter. That I guarantee you. But PSU is not the tropics either.</p>