<p>so i'm in these two schools. i would prefer going to wisc because i hear the surrounding area is much better than uiuc's cornfields.</p>
<p>however, the academics are my first priority and i'd like to ask the advice of those who currently attend uiuc as to where i should go. i'll either be pre-med or pre-law, though im leaning more towards pre-law.</p>
<p>as for my major, i will definitely not doing a science major, or a math major at that. im much more verbally oriented and capable, and so im thinking about majors in areas that will help me learn more about legal subjects, society, perhaps econ? i dont know for sure yet.</p>
<p>so, where does everyone suggest i lean towards? i posted a similar post in wisc madison forum so that i could see perspectives from each side.</p>
<p>let me know, thanks</p>
<p>I think U of I is the better school academically. I went to UW Madison...but left after a semester because of out of state tuition (make sure you place some weight on that in your decision....what your family can handle, what you can handle..it's not cheap) and now go to Eastern Illinois University and submitted an application this semester, after i finished 60 credits, to get into U of I. (UIUC doesnt take transfers with less than 60 credits very often, had to wait.)</p>
<p>I think you really need to go to each school. You might rule out one of them immediately based on the atomosphere. Madison's quite urban, no quad, beautiful lake. Yeah, Champaign's got corn, but not ON the campus. Sample both, see what you like and dislike. You are right to put academics first, but consider what is going to make you the happiest, thats the most important!</p>
<p>Also, meet with somone to tell you more about your major at each school. This is a big decision, don't wanna miss anything. But relax, no matter which one you pick, i bet you are gonna love it.</p>
<p>Well, I would have to say Wisconsin is a better school overall. IF you go to pre-med definitely go to Wisconsin because for starters, it actually has a medical school unlike UIUC. However if you are going for law, it is truthfully just comparing where you would LIKE to go. Their ranks for pre-law are fairly close if you look online. Obviously, Wisconsin is a better campus for social life and has a well rounded sports team. So in my opinion, you should go for Wisconsin. That is probably where many people would go if they had to choose between the two, at least in my school.</p>
<p>If you are thinking of law or medicine you really need to take the cost of undergrad into consideration. However, if you were to go to Wisconsin and could somehow establish residency, their law school would be a bargain, and it is located in the state capital and largest city in the state which the law school at Illinois is not. It you want to go to law school in Chicago and practice there, save the cash for your tuition and go to Illinois. You will also meet lots of fellow future law students there and these connections can be very valuable in the when you start practicing</p>
<p>denquist, good point. my parents are always saying dont worry about the money, but when i do think about it, i should worry about it! so thanks for that point.</p>
<p>since science and engineering are out, the academics factor almost melts away. both are very comparable in reputation and (from what the other posters say; i haven't checked them out for myself) in rank. being away from large cities shouldn't matter too much at an undergraduate level; if you were applying to law school it might be wiser to go to madison. in state tuition is a boost for u of i, and the social life isn't hampered by the location at all. oh and contrary to what krbarrett says, there IS corn right on campus (the morrow plots are right next to the undergraduate library, between the main and south quads), but it doesn't put a damper on anything. after all, with around 30,000 undergraduates, how can there NOT be something to do? anyway, i'm drifting from your main concern. academically both schools are very similar. unless you have a specific program in mind where one school may outdo the other, i'd call them nearly (again, excluding sci, eng, and bus) equal. i guess i haven't been of any help, sorry. good luck deciding!</p>
<p>yes, i purposely excluded the marrow plots because they aren't what he or she was worried about: having corn everywhere you turn. Go to northern, western, or eastern (havnt ever been to souther, but its a safe bet) and you will find nothing but corn for miles. Champaign is a big enough city. You are not going to find yourself cow tipping for something to do on a friday night.</p>