<p>My friend from China has been accepted to both of these two institutions. She wants me to help her decide, but I really can't pretend to know much about either school, except that UW Madison is more well known. Money is not a concern for her and both schools charge the same amount.</p>
<p>To offer my opinion, I think she, as an international student, would fit in better at UWM than at a small southern college, if only for the larger student body. Can anybody tell me more about the atmosphere and student life at both? Also maybe about the academic rigor and perceived prestige at both. Thanks</p>
<p>This is not even close. Univ. of Wisconsin at Madison is one of the best large public universities in the country.</p>
<p>Not even really worth a discussion.</p>
<p>depends on the program…music program incredibly strong…not in the best part of Birmingham…I am from Birmingham…love the city and have gone to wonderful programs at Birmingham Southern but haven’t been there in 12 years so I am probably a bit dated with my info…</p>
<p>I would also have your friend consider the climate in both locations - Bham rarely gets bad winter weather. Bham Southern is a beautiful campus and probably smaller than UWM. Like crossroadsmom I’m from there but haven’t lived there in 25 years.</p>
<p>UW Madison is a world-class university. I would definitely go there. There certainly are a lot of international undergrad and grad students there. It will open up many opportunities.</p>
<p>Madison for the win. Much better reputation and more diversity on campus.</p>
<p>I’ll just restate what has already been said. UW-Madison is a world-class university, and one of the best public universities in the country. Birmingham Southern is…???</p>
<p>Birmingham-where? I had to look it up on wikipedia. There is no upside (84% freshman retention; 69% graduation rate!)…and I doubt if more than a handful of people in China have ever heard of this school.</p>
<p>The UW-Madison campus is one of the most beautiful I’ve been to. Here are some good links for your friend:</p>
<p>[UW-Madison</a> Campus Slide Show](<a href=“http://www.uc.wisc.edu/slideshow/slideshow.html]UW-Madison”>Office of Strategic Communication – UW–Madison)
[UW</a> pictures from college photos on webshots](<a href=“Desktop Wallpaper: Free Trial!”>Desktop Wallpaper: Free Trial!)
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/228916-tell-me-about-uw-madison.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/228916-tell-me-about-uw-madison.html</a></p>