wisconsin versus michigan

<p>im planning to study political science. michigans program is ranked higher, but only by a few spots. and i get the impression that a couple ranking spots really wont make a difference in getting my undergrad anyway.
im from out of state (nj) so either way its ridiculous tuition. just a bit more ridiculous @ umich.
obviously, sports and school spirit is important to me, and im really intereted in the social life. so which of these schools would be a better overall experience, taking into consideration my desire for a top-notch education along with a busy social calendar?
im so afraid of making this decision, because obviously these 2 schools are very alike. im guessing this is neutral territory over here, so any help is appreciated =]</p>

<p>Michigan overall has a better reputation, so that will be the most important criteria when you apply to grad schools or go into the work force - not departmental rankings. Departmental rankings are more relevant to grad schools, not undergrad. Its a large enough gap that its worth it to go to Michigan. As for social life, Wisconsin is a little nicer (prettier), but UM is far from boring and has a similarly active campus and social life.</p>

<p>Michigan is my vote.</p>

<p>Go visit both. :)</p>

<p>I visited both...Wisconsin's social life is amazing.</p>

<p>Go Badgers</p>

<p>I'd say if your absolutely 1000% positively sure bout your major then go wisconsin...cuz the dif between teh schools is soo small you might as well just save some money...but if your choice isn't so rock solid sure...which is like many freshman in college...than go to uofm...its other programs are also top notch...either way you win...</p>

<p>What do you want to do with your degree? Do you want to go for aPhD in Political Science later or find a job in the Midwest? If that's the case, both will give you a similar end product. However, if you want to go into Law School or find a job on the East Coast, I'd say Michigan will give you an edge. But is it worth spending an additional $10,000/academic year for that edge? Only you can answer that. </p>

<p>On a side note, I love both Ann Arbor and Madison. Along with Chicago, they are my favorite Midwestern towns.</p>

<p>Michigan will travel nationally, while Wisconsin will stay in the midwest.</p>

<p>I guess that's why Wisconsin ties Harvard for most CEO's?. Wisconsin has ten of thousands of alums on both the east and west coasts. It "travels" fine.</p>

<p>Wisconsin has lots of CEOs because of the sheer number of fortune 500 companies in the midwest (P&G, Target, Limited Brands, Federated, Wendy's, McDonald's, the list goes on and on...). I would bet over 80% of Wisconsin CEOs are located in the region.</p>

<p>Also, Ivy grads tend not to want to live in the midwest (The big midwest companies barely recruit MBAs from the Ivies because the yield is so low...I experienced this first-hand) and also are much more apt to take the more lucrative, elite, and prestigious jobs in consulting and banking. </p>

<p>Wisconsin to most people is no better than "X state." I agree it is one of the better state schools out there, but many are not aware of this.</p>

<p>It depends. As Alexandre pointed out, if you plan to go to grad school there is little different between the two schools, especially in science and social science fields.</p>

<p>About getting jobs outside the midwest. Slipper you might be right about i-banking and consulting. However, Wisconsin engineers have no problem getting jobs on the coasts as well as anywhere in the country.</p>

<p>Slipper-I'd be pleased to take that bet. The actual breakdown is CA-4, Midwest-5, TX-3, CT,CO,NC 1 each. Thus only a third are headquartered in the Midwest (Big 10 states).</p>

<p>I personally respect Wisconsin a great deal. The reason I say that Michigan is probably a better choice for those interested in working in the East Coast or going to Law school is not because Wisconsin isn't great (Wisconsin is extremely strong in the traditional disciplines), but rather, because Michigan's professional schools are the best in the Midwest at the undergraduate level, and as such, attract more employers and opportunities. </p>

<p>Like I said, if the OP wishes to go into academe or find a job with a midwestern company, it really doesn't matter which of those two universities he attends. However, for pre-professional students or if he intends on working in the East Coast or internationally, I think Michigan gives their students more options.</p>

<p>Michigan's rep - on both national and international levels - is > Wisconsin's.</p>

<p>Period.</p>

<p>Mich is arguably the 2nd (or 3rd behind UVA) best public Uni in the States (Cal being the clear No. 1)</p>

<p>put another way, how many times have you heard people say that Wisonsin is the 2nd best public university in America?</p>

<p>i do plan on getting a pHD in political science...and just throwing something else out there: what if it were wisconsin honors versus michigan (non-honors)? would that make much of a difference?</p>

<p>Yes, that always accurate and convincing "people say" stat. At the undergrad level I might be willing to give UVa an edge over UW--unless you want to study engineering or science or social science. As an overall university and research institution UVa is well behind UW by most real measures--and UW is very close to UM with a slight edge to UM. In fact UM is very busy trying to copy UW's success in bio research and the transfer of research into useful technology.</p>

<p>Here's one well known international analysis based on factual data that ranks UW quite highly.</p>

<p><a href="http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005_TopAmer.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005_TopAmer.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You are comparing based on graduate performance. Undergrad UVA is clearly better than Wisconsin. Peer Assessment, selectivity, alumni giving, etc all show this. I know you are in love with the Big ten Barrons, but be realistic.</p>

<p>i love it when people quote the "World" list by Shanghai Jiao Tong University - huh??? anyone heard of that academic powerhouse?</p>

<p>Any list that has UC-San Diego no. 11 and University of Washington (SEATTLE no less!) no. 15 - all ranked above UVA, UNC and UCLA by the way ... AND then goes on to rank the following schools outside the TOP 50: Brown, Dartmouth, UVA... etc.</p>

<p>has about as much credibility as you'd expect from a university that no one has ever heard of until they publish a random list of schools - basically anyone can make a list - my dog can make a list.</p>

<p>I said I would give UVa the edge undergrad except in certain areas where UVa is quite weak.</p>

<p>However it is pretty clear that UW>Uva as an overall academic institution when grad school rankings, faculty quality and research are measured. This is backed up by numerous studies. Uva is at this moment trying to hire 10 "National Academy" quality faculty to shore up it's weaknesses in this area. They also are pushing faculty to get more into the research funding game. (where, BTW, UW and UM are virtually tied with UW pulling ahead this year)
When it comes to faculty winning major awards and such UW is at the top of the group of state schools clearly exceeded only by Berkeley.</p>

<p><a href="http://thecenter.ufl.edu/research_data.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://thecenter.ufl.edu/research_data.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I guess I don't understand why graduate school rankings and prowess are even being mentioned on an undergrad forum.</p>

<p>How can you even ponder whether it be better to wear the cheese head and eat a brat???</p>