<p>Thanks, Linsey. Your review has really helped fill out my impression of Wisconsin. If you have lived there during h.s., it is really understandable why you would want to get away. We are intrigued by the happy feelings most people seem to generate about U. of Wisconsin. However, the size and drinking, sports and carousing climate (though evident at most schools) seems like it might be quite overwhelming at Wisconsin if you are not into that sort of thing, as my daughter is not. Do you think being part of of the (can't remember the acronym for) the Intense Liberal Arts focus program might have a climate more like a small liberal arts college?</p>
<p>Wisconsin is a pretty good school. To the average person though, it's just another large Big Ten state school. Doesn't really come close to the level of prestige of Berkeley, Michigan, Virginia.</p>
<p>As with any big school, the top quartile at Wisconsin is going to be full of bright students. More than a few probably passed up Ivy League schools to get out of paying $45,000/year. These students will be able to take full advantage of what Wisconsin has to offer, and they'll get their money's worth.</p>
<p>The Gourman Report ranks UW-Madison as the third best public school in the country, behind Berkely and Michigan.</p>
<p>I'd say that's pretty darn prestigious!</p>
<p>GO UW!</p>
<p>It is terrific that Madision is a prestigious school However I am more interested in learning about how serious students themselves experience being at such a big school in terms of feeling that there is enough sense of community and attention from profs. I have never quite understood the hype that small colleges deliver about your prof inviting you to dinner. I do not think students or profs necessarily need to interact outside of the campus.</p>
<p>I just wonder if you feel that you are getting enough individualized attention to your work , that you are able to interact on an academic level with profs--in class and during office hours. And is the pervasive partying about which one reads intrusive to your own sense of quality of life? That is, to the many many very intellectually and politically engaged students at u.w., do you feel that the quality of your education is of a high caliber and, more importantly, satisfying and enjoyable? Do you sometimes or often wish you had attended a small liberal arts college. THANKS to all responders.</p>
<p>Well hello there,</p>
<p>First of all I am a second year Madison student. I'm a political science/econ double major. I intend on going to law school or graduate work in public policy. After high school I narrowed it down to Michigan and Wisconsin, picking the later because it saves me almost 9K a year for a nearly identical school. It boggles my mind how anyone from the state of Wisconsin would pass up UW-Madison for any other public university in the country, unless there was a very specific program, reason, or scholarship (I'm shocked when Wisconsin students go to Michigan and vise versa) although for students FROM madison and ann arbor, it seems to be more common.</p>
<p>I agree with a lot that has been said. I think that most people think of Big Ten schools are just their sports, however those "in the know" or academia/business world understand the quality of student coming out of Madison. I base this off the graduate placement records in law, business, and medical school. </p>
<p>As an underclassmen, you have more large into level courses. However, almost half of my classes so far have been "small" (like 20 students or less) including an 8 person political science course with one of the top professors in his field. That was really cool. The key is being SELF MOTIVATED. Go search out the reserach, classes, opportunities, and you will find them. UW-Madison is an internationally known research university, so it has numerous advantages for academics (not to mention culture/social life) over LACs.</p>
<p>As for the partying atmosphere, I think it's what you make of it. There are specific learning communities and less, um, "loud" dorms for freshmen. Just plan it out correctly and you'd be alright. I agree that there is a lot of partying, but that is true for all universities, especially a large midwestern one. Not to mention being in a state which is culturally accepting of beer and alcohol. </p>
<p>The general theme about Madison life is that it is what you make of it. You can study all the time, party all the time (although they don't make it past freshmen year and many people are great at balancing work/play, so don't expect UW to be a cake walk of unprepared students), or whatever you want. The BIG-NESS of the university can be a plus, ya know.</p>
<p>Thanks for that full picture.</p>
<p>O, btw, "transfer "or other enrolled students at Madison, please advise about the Honors Program. How does one gain admission? Invitation after initial acceptance? Also, I have heard Chadbourne is a great learning/living environment. How difficult is it to get in? Please suggest living arrangements that are good for the more "serious" non-drinking student. How difficult is it to get first choice as a freshman? Once again, you guys are so helpful.</p>
<p>Here in California Wisconsin evokes absolutely no prestige. If someone were to mention Wisconsin here, most of us would say that's in the middle of nowhere.</p>
<p>Thanks for reflecting the sinkhole that is California. Dumb and Dumber.</p>
<p>Haha yeah, that sinkhole with the 6th largest economy in the world. Who cares about that place anyway?</p>
<p>Enjoy paying your insane taxes and watching companies leave because their employees can't afford a decent life there. One of the few states to allow deficit state budgets.</p>
<p>I know that you apply to business after your 2nd year, but how hard is it. I plan on doing accounting, so how difficult would it be to apply to get into it.</p>
<p>Reason I am asking is because I was accepted to both UIUC business and UW-Madison, and I'm not really sure where I want to go. I want to get as much info as possible about both schools.</p>
<p>I would also like to know if the recruiting for business is good, preferrably to Chicago since that is where I live.</p>
<p>Barron's, I'm really enjoying it, thanks for sending your love from so far away.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned Madison's buisness program...and I know this is a bit off topic, but:</p>
<p>Although Madison is the most prestigious of the UW schools (by leaps and bounds), UW - Whitewater has an outstanding buisness program. They have very good job placement rates after graduation, and a very comprehensive education</p>
<p>I only know this because I live in-state, but it's something to look into if you are considering buisness. It doesn't have the prestige, though...so dismiss this advice if you plan to live outside of the Midwest.</p>
<p>Also, one of my friend's ended up at Madison, and LOVES it. She lives on the Lakeshore dorms - there are a few dorms that are a bit removed from the whole big party scene and they are right next to one of the lakes. (Madison is SO beautiful. It's amazing in the summer.) It's less crazy, and she has only been to State Street a few times. (State Street: bars, shops, coffehouses...pretty much awesome during the day, but it gets crazy on weekend nights. Also where the infamous Halloween celebrations usually go down.)</p>
<p>higher taxes means more public services. Think about those in Brown county or whatever, they will be getting some nice high taxes soon to pay for fixing green bays stadium. States implement taxes from different programs in different ways. To say our taxes are high is stupid unless you know all the public services that we are getting that you dont, or the taxes that you have to pay that we dont. Texas has no sales tax, but they tax you on other crap that you would never get taxed for over here, so all in all it evens out</p>