<p>Hey guys! I live in Madison, Wisconsin and have lived there my whole life. I recently have been accepted to both UW-Madison and UW-Seattle. I will be a coxswain on whichever team I go to and I will also be going pre med. My issue is that I love UW-Seattle and would love to go there, but find it hard turning down UW-Madison due to the fact that I would like to go pre med and it is in-state tuition. I would rather attend UW-Seattle, but it will be close to twice as expensive if I do. What do you guys think I should do? I have nothing against UW-Madison, but I have lived there my whole life. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>If price is an issue, and it sounds like it is, go to UW Madison. Is there any reason you’re not considering University of Minnesota - Twin Cities? Seems to have many of the same characteristics as UW - Seattle, but with a much lower cost of attendance.</p>
<p>Med school is REALLY expensive, you want to keep your undergrad debt as low as possible. If cost is an issue, agree that U of W-Madison or U of MN-TC is the way to go. You can always move to Seattle later in life if you want to.</p>
<p>Both these schools are great academically, overall and for pre-med specifically. If you really want to go to Seattle, I’d recommend doing really well at Madison (for a low price!) and then try to go to UW’s med school.</p>
<p>Why in the world would you pay OOS rates for a comparable U?</p>
<p>Definately choose UW!</p>
<p>Thank you all for the advice! I have considered university of Minnesota-Twin Cities as well, but they do not have a division 1 rowing program so it is lower on my list of colleges.</p>
<p>Seattle is fun. So is Madison but it is nothing new for you. But most people don’t have money to burn. Where are you getting the money you will be burning and will they miss it? Try a summer in Seattle. Plan a semester abroad if you can.</p>
<p>Assuming you are male, then (it is a varsity sport for women at U of MN, but not men). Too bad, the river is a pretty great rowing venue at U of MN! But if it important to compete at the varsity level (not just club), then Madison could be the better choice.</p>
<p>If you’re recruited for D1 rowing, then you should have a scholarship, right? Of course, a partial one, but UW wouldn’t be full price.
Are you looking for a scholarship to make up the difference between EFC and your parents’ budget, or are you lower-income with a low EFC?</p>
<p>Really, only top schools ask for them as far as I know. And that score can only hurt you. Better to send NO score than a 21st percentile score.</p>
<p>Unfortunately there is a very low budget for mens rowing at the division I level due to title 9. Since my parents are also currently putting my older brother through college, finances are tight for college. When I visited Washington I got a strong sense of belonging and support, which I don’t sense as much in madison. The rowing program at Washington would definitely give me much more opportunity to succeed at the highest level, but at a very high price.</p>
<p>Do you really think you can row D1 AND get good enough grades to go to med school?! Wow. My hat’s off to you. </p>
<p>Coxswains don’t row, but that’s still a lot of time for a sport.
However, what does “more opportunity to succeed at the highest level” mean?</p>
<p>Being a D1 athlete and premed is generally thought of as incompatible, but OP may be an exception. If he isn’t, then he’ll have to spread his premed coursework over 5 years, or switch majors (as most premed freshmen do).</p>
<p>OP: what’s your budget situation? Could you apply to excellent for rowing/meet full need D3 schools? Or do you not expect any aid and would thus depend on “merit” for rowing?</p>
<p>When did you get your acceptance notification…and when did you apply? Still waiting to hear.</p>
<p>@PurpleTitan, plenty of coxswains row in practice and on ergs. They certainly run with the rowers. I can’t see the difference in the time commitment.</p>
<p>The two UWs have comparable men’s rowing programs. If you can compete at a high level you will be exposed to that at either place. </p>
<p>You’d be crazy to go to the “other” UW if money is a consideration and you have hopes of going to med school. Travel costs will be significant too. I understand wanting to get away but your college years will go quickly and I’m sure you’ll find the rowing environment very welcoming in Madison.</p>
<p>For the OP: </p>
<p>When I arrived at UW-Madison many years ago, I was also recruited as coxswain. As I was already committed to another high-level, very time-intensive activity, I declined. Yet I considered it an honor to be solicited for crew – that coach was one intense dude! – and the UW teams (male and female) typically finish strong almost every year. Check team rankings in the national contests if you haven’t already. I had friends who did row for UW, and I also have a female friend who rowed for UW-Seattle, another very good rowing program. </p>
<p>I was told to be at practice at 5 am if I committed to the UW team, and coxswains are expected to run and practice the same as all the other members (not necessarily strength training, etc. but basics and “team spirit” exercises are essential). </p>
<p>As others have commented, you may indeed have difficulty doing med school prep and rowing at either institution, but something maybe not mentioned yet: if you choose Wisconsin, the significant money you save may allow you to take fewer credits per semester, row most years, and maybe take some additional semester(s) at Wisconsin with lower course load. All while you keep your studies and grades at a high level (you’ll need them). </p>
<p>Do not go into debt for undergrad! Especially when the institutions are so comparable. This is my strong, and admittedly subjective, opinion. </p>
<p>One thing I learned from high level extracurricular activities, re: academics: if you are really dedicated and willing to absorb and “cross train” your abilities, the discipline you experience at the D1 level can – this is only a potential, you have to engage the difficult work yourself – translate into disciplined and successful study habits. </p>
<p>I admire UW-Seattle as an institution, but: in your situation, I would choose Wisconsin, and not because I’m an alum (I’ve been at several institutions for grad school / teaching; I was out-of-state; and I don’t consider myself particularly biased either way). I’d also beware the “grass is always greener” syndrome, particularly when you are fortunate to live in a state with an outstanding flagship. </p>
<p>Hope some of these insights helps you. Wherever you end up, do try to balance studies (most important) with crew. Be prepared to not have much free time outside of these, but it is a very worthwhile combination to pursue. Crew will provide great friends and support, but the remainder of your life will depend primarily on your academic success. </p>