I am having a very hard time choosing between UW and U of M. I really want to have a new experience in college next year. My biggest problem is that if I lived anywhere else, UW would probably be my top choice. However I currently live in downtown Madison and I just don’t know if life next year will provide a big enough change for me.
it may just be my biased friends and family who want me to stay in Madison but i have always associated UW with having better academics and sports (both of which are important to me) as well as just having a better party atmosphere. Minnesota on the other hand is very tempting because it would be new and possibly allow me to branch out more and have more new experiences. overall I’m very stuck because i can’t decide what I’m more willing to sacrifice by committing to one school or the other. Help!
If you haven’t been to dorm room or house parties in Madison (houses with UW students…), that social aspect will be new.
If you haven’t spent time in the Camp Randall or Kohl Center student sections, or stayed for a 5th Quarter, those experiences will be new (and awesome).
Those are just a few examples of new experiences you might enjoy as a UW student that you might not have witnessed as a member of the non-UW Madison populace. Obviously, going to classes will be another new experience at UW.
I think you’re right about academics, sports and party atmosphere: advantage to UW. The Twin Cities offer more off-campus entertainment, of course, but Badgers do not lack one bit in the fun department.
All this said, go to the place that feels more like home, cooler, more like your vibe, etc.
@prezbucky although I agree that UW does have better athletics and academics, growing up as a teen in Madison is a little different than you think. Going to frat/ house parties downtown, tail gating football games, sitting in the student section for games, going to the union and state street all come with being a teenager in Madison, so I understand why Meg wants to branch out.
You may want to check if your major us a competitive admission one at each school, and how competitive.
@bumblebee333, that’s why I said “If…” before listing those experiences – we don’t know exactly what the OP’s experiences have been. 
College is about far more than just your classes. Go away to school unless the finances strongly sway your decision.
I’m also curious the OP wants to study and whether the OP has been directly accepted into a major or it that might matter.