<p>I'm trying to decide between the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Madison. I'd be attending the "liberal arts" college of each and most likely be studying social sciences/humanities while pursuing a career in law.</p>
<p>Now, why should I pick Madison over the U? I'll be visiting Madison next week, but...</p>
<p>1) How nice are the facilities and surrounding areas? Honestly, I don't like the surroundings of the U. Really big urban areas don't appeal to me.</p>
<p>2) Madison, overall, is ranked a lot higher than the U in academics. How about in the social sciences/humanities in particular? How big of a hand over the U does Madison have in those areas?</p>
<p>3) In particular, I'd like to, if I could, take language courses in Persian and Arabic and study abroad, possibly in the Middle East. Is that feasible?</p>
<p>Any thoughts/comments/questions? I would greatly appreciate your guys' spin on the matter... I know it may seem, from what I've posted so far in this thread, that I'm heavily leaning towards Madison, but the U has offered to give a very nice scholarship (I could be going to college for virtually free). Madison, on the other hand, has only covered about 40-50% of the tuition costs with grants. I'd like to know if Madison is worth taking out the loans.</p>
<p>Much thanks in advance.</p>
<p>On the languages front Madison is excellent. I was on a tour there yesterday and they said that they teach 61 languages which is supposedly the most in the nation. They have a pretty varied assortment of study abroad, so one in the ME might be possible.</p>
<p>Madison is one of the best in the country in Social Sciences and Humanities. I'd say overall UW has a pretty huge advantage in comparison to Minnesota.</p>
<p>The campus is, to put it succinctly... the best I've ever seen. Incredible.</p>
<p>I got to the capitol at about 10 am. First I walked around the capitol and then down state street (state street is an absolute 100% must on your trip. You're not seeing the college completely if you're not seeing state st.... plus try the coffee/food at fair trade coffee.. it's amazing). From there I walked up Bascom Hill and checked out the stuff that people were up to. Lots of kids just hanging out with friends or what looked like classes or groups of something sitting in a big circle and having a discussion. There was a huge white banner students had made with the Virginia Tech logo that people were coming up and signing to give their support. From Bascom I hung a left and walked all the way out to picnic point (which is AWESOME btw, I <em>highly</em> recommend it if time allows), then I walked back through the medical complex, past kohl, all the lake shore dorms, the social sciences buildings, etc. After that I went to South Hall on Bascom Hill for an information session on the L&S Honors program. Following the lovely little info session, I went on a nice walking tour. The walking tour really only shows you the heart of campus. It won't show you the lake shore area as much. The tour does, however, take you through the southern dorms (where they show you a dorm room), the Business hall, all sorts of different math, physics, astronomy, agriculture, and science buildings. You get a glimpse of the football stadium and then you round about through the Lake Shore area VERY quickly.</p>
<p>Overall the campus is so great. After the tour was over I turned in my $100 enrollment deposit in person. I wasn't 100% decided on UW until I'd visited. But when I finally had, the decision was so easy. Then I went and paid my $250 housing deposit.</p>
<p>Overall the experience has been incredible. The city is so impressive, the kids seem really happy, the campus is beautiful in almost every aspect, and, most importantly the academics are some of the best in the nation.</p>
<p>Oh! I should ask...</p>
<p>When is the deadline to pay the $250 housing deposit?</p>
<p>PS: I opted for University housing... If that matters...</p>
<p>Thank you for your answer... I'm really looking forward to visiting next week.</p>
<p>PS: How early should I schedule a visiting tour? I haven't gotten the chance to do that yet...</p>
<p>May 1st I believe is the deadline for the $250 deposit.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.visitbucky.wisc.edu%5B/url%5D">www.visitbucky.wisc.edu</a> <--- You can book online</p>
<p>The letters and science honors program was a neat experience but not 100% necessary. I found the walking tour to actually be the most informative.</p>
<p>I don't think I have the form for the $250 deposit... Oh well. I'll just turn it in during my visit, I guess.</p>
<p>fndrplayer8, I am so glad that you had a great visit. I still have fond memories of walking along the lakeshore to Picnic Point. Welcome to the Badgers' family! BTW, why don't you post a vist report on College Visits section? <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visits/%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visits/</a></p>
<p>Sulaymanshah, based on your interest, I am pretty sure Madison is a much better place than Twin-Cities.</p>
<p>First there is the Middle East Studies program (a certificate program) that forms the core of your study. See <a href="http://mideast.wisc.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://mideast.wisc.edu/</a></p>
<p>I heard great things about the UW-Madison Arabic & Persian Summer Immersion Program (APIP) (<a href="http://global.wisc.edu/apip/%5B/url%5D">http://global.wisc.edu/apip/</a>) which should be a central point of your study. </p>
<p>Then UW has two formal study abroad programs in Cairo and/or Jerusalem. Both are two great gateways to further your study in Middle East (on the ground).</p>
<p>Plus the number of languages offered, library collection, indepedent research opportunities and most importantly a core group of students and faculty members who share your interest.</p>
<p>As far as I can tell, UMN offerings do not even come close ... in your case, I have little doubt your time spent in Madison (as well as Middle East countries) will be very rewarding.</p>