So I’m in a tough position and would appreciate lots of honest replies. I have been accepted to both UW madison (engineering) and university of manchester (aerospace engineering) and cant choose between both. I am an international student . What I like about UW madison is its campus, opportunities, and how it is a well rounded university and from what I have heard is that the US is generally better in engineering. But university of manchester is generally ranked higher and more notable with a better reputation. At first I wanted to go to UW madison but after what I have heard about university of manchester I am leaning towards it. Please state what you think of each university, student life, safety, academic reputation, classes, and which is better in employability. Thank you!
What would you study at Madison, mechanical, computer science or electrical engineering?
Madison is a good choice, but if you want all the specialized aerospace classes, I would choose Manchester in England.
Madison is particularly strong in electrical and chemical engineering, as well as computer science.
Mechanical engineering probably, but my choices keeps shifting.
What are your plans after graduation?
Are costs about the same?
Ranking generally won’t matter (but in any case, even the Times, which has a UK bias, has UW-Madison #43 vs. #57 for Manchester). Reputation in the country where you can work would.
Probably get a master’s degree and costs are not an issue
Master’s where?
What are plans afterwards? Work in your home country?
The educational styles would be pretty different. Continuous assessment with project-based work vs. marks mostly coming down to big tests.
More potential to work on research projects at UW-Madison as an undergraduate.
When it comes to research, even American public flagships like UW-Madison tend to have better resources than the top UK unis.
You’d have the opportunity to switch majors and take other classes at Madison. In fact, are you guaranteed your major? But if you are undecided, that is a big item in favor of UW-Madison.
Madison is a quintessential American college town with lots of school spirit and parties. Many students are passionate about the Badgers in sports (American football, basketball, and ice hockey). It is absolutely gorgeous in the summer (really, the entire year) but winters are brutally cold.
I know less about Manchester but it is a major city. A lot of students become ManU or City fans. I think Manchester is more of a city uni. Not sure it has a real campus like UW-Madison does.
I will be studying for the master’s degree in either the US or UK. And I will be working in my home country
I’d go with U Wisconsin because your degree would be more flexible and have more professional opportunities - aerospace engineering is very specific and has fewer job openings.
(Also, I’ve heard EADS is thinking of moving its plants to continental Europe due to Brexit so the situation for aerospace engineers may be problematic in the coming years).