<p>Iowa seems nice and everything, but for stronger alumni network (madison > 400,00) and superior academics, madison seems the better option. Also, wisconsin football and a great city....crazy student population and we all know they have fun up there. So, as an OOS for both schools, which do u think is better? Iowa is cheaper by a tad bit and I feel like Madison far overcomes that with what mentioned above and reputation and elderly insights. I am obviously in favor of UW but still what about Iowa?</p>
<p>I graduated from UW in 1983 and my son is starting his second year at Iowa. So I know something about both schools. First, have you been accepted by UW? Admissions there have become difficult, almost comically so for a large public institution.</p>
<p>The real question is, which school is better for YOU and what YOU plan to study. I strongly suggest you compare your chosen program at both schools rather than try to judge the academics overall. </p>
<p>UW has a better rep overall, there’s no disputing that, but that doesn’t make it the better choice. For engineering and business both, you are not admitted into your chosen program until - hopefully - second year. At Iowa, you are directly admitted. For us this was reason enough to pass on UW. Only 1/3 of biomedical engineering sophomores are admitted into UW’s program. The others wait another semester or two and try again. </p>
<p>I personally believe strongly that UW’s academics have a rep that really exceeds the reality. It calls itself a “public Ivy” but I don’t remember thinking for one second when I was there that I was in the Ivy League. Not saying it’s not a great school and a fun one, I just think it’s overhyped.</p>
<p>Iowa has a similar vibe, in my opinion. Great college town, great sports environment, friendly surroundings. I recommend Iowa to a lot of families whose son or daughter liked UW but didn’t get in, or who find UW just too spread out. Iowa’s campus is much more compact.</p>
<p>As for alumni network, I wouldn’t assume that just because there are a lot of us that we are an active network. I don’t believe UW’s alumni network has any particular rep for being tight, or active. I’ve never done anything as an alum in 25 years, nor have my friends.</p>
<p>FB4, I’ll try to build on bit on Beast’s comments. Although I have not visited the UW campus, our(now) Hawkeye briefly considered schools like UW and UIUC (where I attended) but did not apply to either. Reason is that for her, the size of Iowa and the level of admissions competition simply made Iowa appear to be a better fit for her on paper. Knowing UIUC very well, I felt it was not a good fit, and by extension, UW and UIUC are about the same size and always ranked very close. </p>
<p>UW is bigger than Iowa, both physically and in terms of population, perhaps modestly more choice of majors, etc – but for many, bigger is not better. Also, at UW admissions is a notch more competitive, again, good for some, not good for others, depending on where you slot in. </p>
<p>Before I saw Beast’s reply, I was thinking along the same lines as what he indicates – - if bigger, more competitive and a little more prestige is important for you, UW may be a better fit. Otherwise, you may prefer Iowa. And as you indicate, you also will likely find Iowa less expensive. You also need to consider your major. </p>
<p>And most importantly, you need to discover which campus is more comfortable to you if/when you visit. I have known people who attended both, and everyone who attended either school speaks highly of their alma mater. So the right school is, as Beast indicates, the one you feel most comfortable and the one that is the best fit for you. </p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Checked some of your previous posts, Fball4, and see you’re already admitted & planning on UW-Madison in September. Congrats!</p>
<p>Beast & rwe are correct–different strokes. Wife & I both graduated from Iowa, and so did D1. All three of us had a wonderful time in Iowa City. You really have to try NOT to, but too much of a good time will have you packing for home. It can be a very tough school, especially in the sciences & business. But when D1 attended, wife & I just grooved on visiting our alma mater for football games & frequenting out old haunts from the '70’s.</p>
<p>D2 almost picked Iowa but chose UW-Madison two years ago, so we’ve had ample opportunity to A/B the campuses, cities & schools in general. She LOVES Madison, it is now politically to a certain extent what Iowa City was 30 years ago, very left-leaning. Nothing wrong with that. And it’s hard to compare anything in IC to State St. in Madison. I suppose UW-Madison has a better rep & higher ranking than Iowa, but like others in this thread have commented, that sure doesn’t make it a better fit.</p>
<p>Enjoy your Badger life.</p>
<p>FBall4 - our son is a junior in engineering at UW and our daughter is sophomore in health studies at Iowa. They each love their choice and are very happy where they are at. Strongly agree with Beast’s, RWE and JNM posts. Have little to add. Each school offers many opportunities both academically and socially. Pick the school that has the strongest program(s) you’re interested in and the one that “feels” right to you. Can’t go wrong either way. Good luck.</p>
<p>I like both schools but find myself happy at Iowa. As for prestige I will disagree with previous post in that both schools are strong academically. I personally would suggest Iowa, but if your literally torn between the two then visit both. </p>
<p>To post jnm123, I do not know about State street in Madison, but Iowa City is still very liberal.</p>
<p>Interestingly enough I am considering both uw and iowa as an OOS as well. I’ve visited and done lots of research on both and basically my consensus comes to match yours. Iowa would be a fun school in a cute, small town, but quite frankly I prefer Madison. Madison is gorgeous and more alternative - wider range of people and activities as far as I could tell.
Both were super friendly.
For me, these schools are pretty much tied, because while I loved the atmosphere of Madison a lot more, Iowa has the better (#1) writing program. I want to be an English major and while I understand that the program is for MFA only, undergrads do have the opportunity to take some classes taught by those professors or MFA students. Overall, I’d say both are a good choice.
Depending on what you want to major in one might be better than the other academically. Overall I’d say that Madison might have better academics but if you want to be in the Iowa Honors program you’d get the same level of academics - small, intense classes at a higher level. So when thinking of UIowa, consider the Honors program.</p>
<p>Iowa City is one of the best places a writer can study, and many famous writers have/ do study here.</p>
<p>I agree - Iowa is obviously the best place for a writer to study - at least for their MFA. It definitely could be a great place for undergrads to study too. And the town itself is quite fun - it’s smaller but it’s a good college town - lots to do…</p>
<p>ChesterBelly wrote, “Overall I’d say that Madison might have better academics” </p>
<p>Not true. They might have a better reputation, whether or not it’s deserved is debatable. My husband and his entire family graduated from Madison and there are several who would agree with my statement. </p>
<p>Yes, it’s harder to get into Madison than Iowa, but, it’s just as difficult to stay in Iowa as Madison. Slackers will not survive the rigorous academics at the University of Iowa. The difference between the admissions policies of the two schools is that Iowa gives B and even C high school students the opportunity to prove themselves, and many of them do. </p>
<p>If Madison feels like a better fit for you then that’s the place for you, but don’t discount the quality of academics that Iowa provides. That’s not a fair or valid argument.</p>
<p>I wasn’t discounting the academics at iowa. I’m applying to iowa and its actually my number one right now. Many people do think of madison as having better academics. That’s all I’m saying.</p>
<p>Thanks for the clarification ChesterBelly. You’re right, many people think that if a school is highly selective in admissions then it must be a better school, of course that’s not always true. </p>
<p>When I graduated from high school the top 50% of kids from WI high schools were admitted to Madison. It was considered a great school back then but not the elite school that it’s thought to be today. Many of my WI friends who were B students in high school who went to Madison were much brighter than their grades reflected and they learned the hard way that to succeed at the university level they had to change their study habits. Those who did graduated, those who didn’t transferred or dropped out. </p>
<p>My point is that kids mature a lot their senior year of high school and their freshman year of college. The U of Iowa recognizes that and Madison doesn’t. Kudos to Iowa!</p>
<p>LM2K is right. The idea that UW has superior academics - what does that mean, exactly? Do the profs teach Psych 101 at UW do a better job at UW than Iowa? Will you have a better prof for your upper division engineering courses at UW than Iowa? When you really drill down, how is “superior academics” measured; how is it made real to a given student? It’s a highly personal thing, that’s my thought. UW has its share of research-obsessed profs who don’t give a lick for teaching. I know - I went there and rented a room from one who was quite up-front about it. Hated teaching. UW’s new rock star status as a “public Ivy” is really a joke, IMHO. Go where you’re happy, and that’s where you will be successful.</p>
<p>I would go with Wisconsin</p>
<p>my son just attended a summer session at Iowa for high school students, and decided not to apply to Iowa, because he says he can’t imagine being there for 4 years</p>
<p>What is the price difference for both for out of state? I know UW doesn’t give any type of OOS aid but was wondering if Iowa gives any OOS need based or merit aid.</p>
<p>where did it say that UW doesn’t give oos aid? I’m applying there and I never saw that…hoping that’s not true…</p>
<p>A Fiske ‘Best Buy’ for 2012
We are one of the 49 “Best Buys” in the country, according to the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2012. The UI is one of only 24 public universities on the list.</p>
<p>Go to UI’s website and click on “first year” under admissions. In the left column you’ll see a link to financial aid and scholarships.</p>
<p>Not sure about UW.</p>
<p>I will tell you that UW-Madison is far stingier than Iowa for OOS scholarships as an incoming freshman. As lovemykids2 said, for Iowa check the financial aid webpage for stats needed to get their Scholars Award. UW has no such award, BUT within departments, once the student proves his/her worth, there are small scholarships to be had. But unless you’re an URM (under-represented minority), don’t count on anything upfront at UW-Madison.</p>
<p>PRICE difference: UW is only 1-2k more expensive baseline. However, it is easier to receive academic scholarships, at madison, good luck receiving that. But, what many are unaware of, is that madison has adopted a new grant that really lowers tuition a couple grand. I was accepted into both and received at 17k scholarship at iowa and Nothing from Madison. But after Madison’s new initiatives and grants there was only 2-3k difference.</p>
<p>And the better academics, of course it is difficult to measure…I guess I meant that yes reputation. But, that reputation of a more selective college and so forth is worth more than everyone is saying. How about applying to grad and school and jobs? A school with a better rep may be lead one candidate an advantage. I actually would agreee with similar academics…however, reputation is an important factor.</p>
<p>UW’s better reputation goes back over 100 years–not just some recent “public ivy”. Every college ranking done from the first in the 1920s to the last real NRC ranking in the 90’s had UW as one of the Top 20 schools in the US. UW’s faculty are far more accomplished than Iowa’s. The most recent ARWU world rankings also confirm that where UW was #19 in the world and Iowa was only above Nebraska. UW also is #3 in total research funding at over twice Iowa. Also UW was 8th as the undergrad for future Phds while Iowa was not in the top 50. UW is also the leading public as the undergrad college of major company CEOs. UW UG business majors average $10,000 more in their first job placement. </p>
<p>Outside of creative writing UW>>>>Iowa.</p>
<p>ARWU 2011 Conference list:</p>
<p>19 Wisconsin
22 Michigan
25 Illinois
28 Minnesota
30 Northwestern
45 Penn State
61 Purdue
63 Ohio State
82 Indiana
92 Michigan State</p>
<p>101-150 Iowa
151-200 Nebraska</p>