<p>Daughter was admitted to UT and is postponed at UW-Madison. I am told both are great college towns. She is admitted into the Communications college at UT and will likely be a Communications major at Wisconsin. Other than the obvious differnce in the weather-any thoughts on choosing between these two fine schools is appreciated.</p>
<p>Well, when you have two schools that are academically reputable and surrounded by a entertaining college towns, it should now come down to a visit. See which one she feels comfortable with for the next 4 years or so.</p>
<p>But just for bonus points, Texas does have the better sports. If she is going this year, there’s a good chance she can witness Texas winning it all in football this upcoming season on campus. That would be great to experience the atmosphere on campus when your school is receiving alot of media attention for football. Just some thought.</p>
<p>Daughter already visited Texas and fell in love with Austin. She is visiting Madison (and U of Minnesota- Twin Cities) next week. Unlike her father- who went to a college- site unseen- she needs to visit before making this important decision.</p>
<p>Here’s another thing to consider and I’ll establish why I might be an individual you want to take advice from.</p>
<p>First, I am currently a Plan II Honors and Government Major at the University of Texas @ Austin. Secondly, I am from the Twin Cities so I know the area. I am also very familiar with comparing UW and UT beyond the weather.</p>
<p>While UT is mostly in-state students (94% this year) the diversity in a pure sense is still very high. This is only so because the diversity in Texas is that way, there are many tans-plant families from all over the country.
The city of Austin is located on the eastern edge of Edward’s Plateau (AKA Texas Hill Country) This geographic feature as well as the Colorado River, which zig-zags just south of Downtown, create a unique environment with plenty of outdoor activities and attractions(the golfing is fabulous). Austin is the capitol of Texas and is often referred to as the blue dot in the center of Texas known for its progressive and liberal attitudes. Tech Companies like Dell have sprung up over the last 15-20 years so the area just west of the city has earned the reputation as “Silicon Hills”. Real estate is also huge and Austin is one of the few areas in the country where pricing is increasing as demand stays high with a growing city. UT’s campus is beautiful and the athletic teams are amazing. All of my professors have been out of this world awesome, but thats partly because I am in a unique program. There are, at least I’ve heard, some hellishly large intro classes.</p>
<p>UW-Madison is in many ways similar to UT. Both schools are located in progressive capitol cities known for great academics and athletics. UW is smaller on almost all accounts. Madison is slightly more homogeneous with the rest of Wisconsin although it is still regarded as progressive. Austin is unique because Texas, traditionally speaking, is dominated by Republican ideals. Wisconsin is more moderate overall and therefore a city like Madison doesn’t quite have the eccentricity to garner a saying like, “Keep Austin Weird”. One thing is for sure about both schools, graduates from both do tremendously well after graduation and both schools have balanced programs ranging from strong math and science programs to highly esteemed liberal art programs. UW Madison is without doubt a Midwestern university where Austin feels southern and yet retains a uniqueness that is like no where else, in some ways fusing a liberal California independence with a clear Texan identity. What better symbol than a burnt orange flag flapping in the warm wind in the foreground of the Texas hill country and Austin skyline? UW Madison doesn’t quite command that iconic status as it is sometimes compared and overshadowed by the Minnesotas, Michigans and Penn States in relative proximity. Because Texas is arguably the best public school in the south (UVA UNC are far enough away) its hard to ignore the respect it garners, especially with a name like Texas imbedded into the whole notion. Some people like this bold independence while others may find it arrogant, but needless to say, Longhorn’s are damn proud of where they go to school. The same can be said about badgers, but if we were for a moment to metaphorically compare the mascots as true representatives of each school, which would you rather be, a stoic longhorn on the Texas frontier projecting, “Don’t mess with Texas” or a badger in the plains and forests of the upper-Midwest, where it’s so cold you have to burrow into the earth for warmth and comfort? </p>
<p>OK, I’ll admit, I’m biased, but once you come to Texas, and live and understand what its about the whole experience is contagious.</p>
<p>Thank you for your thoughtful and eloquent response. My daughter loved UT Austin before and I know she will think even more highly of the school once she reads your post. Since she is from NYC and has attended public school her entire life she has concerns about diversity and whether she will fit in at Texas. I’m sure your response will make her feel more comfortable about the school.</p>
<p>UT-Austin is very diverse. As quoted from the Princeton Review…</p>
<p>“In a school this size, there is bound to be immense variety, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at UT. Other than the understandable Texan quotient, there’s “a fairly substantial Greek population,” a “big sports following,” and then “hipsters, hippie co-op kids, Bible groups, a big musician community, bicycle kids, stoners, student government types, you name it.” Basically, playing these numbers, a social group awaits pretty much anyone, and “even the so-called weirdoes will find people similar to them.” As for fitting in, “whether you’re a Taiwanese poker-playing lesbian or a Latino tap-dancing Buddhist, you’re sure to find someone else who shares your interests!””</p>
<p>I went to UT and lived in Madison for work. Of the two cities, I actually liked Madison a bit more. Because that’s because I wasn’t as involved with student activities at UT. Ironically, I was more involved with student activities when I was not a student anymore. The two cities and colleges are very similar. Same type of students, although Madison is probably more liberal than Austin. Both are state capitols, both have lakes (UW is right on Lake Mendota, and Hoofers Sailing is awesome); Austin has its 6th street, Madison has its state street (probably more comparable to the Drag/Guadalupe St); Austin has great live music, Madison has great farmer’s market. Academics is very similar. Although, despite the US News rankings, I would say UT is a better school academically (if you are not doing liberal arts or natural science-except computer science). The drawback for UW is that it’s cold as hell during the winter (-17F with -40F wind chill). Most of the academic year is cold, starting around September. This makes going to class a chore. My roommate, a grad student, cross country ski to class on some days when the snow is heavy. I’d say UT has better facilities. UW’s buildings are a bit run down, although one of their engineering building is new and more impressive than UT’s.</p>
<p>I think the best way to settle this is to visit. And make sure your daughter doesn’t mind the cold if she choose to go to UW.</p>