<p>haha sounds like this is getting intense... but how about wisconsin honors vs. michigan?? (UNDERGRAD) with plans to move on to graduate school after 4 years...</p>
<p>Whoaaaaa.</p>
<p>You people really ought to relax...seriously, it just can't be good for your blood pressure.</p>
<p>Honestly, I think you will be pleased with either one. They are both excellent universities and they both have their strengths and weaknesses. But...yes, Michigan probably has more national recognition.</p>
<p>However, I think you should do a lot of research into the student life on both campuses, because I would think that would differ more than academic calibur between the two schools.</p>
<p>I don't know much about Michigan, but I do know that the social life at UW is awesome. It is such a beautiful city, and there is something for everyone. I am a bit biased to U-Mad as I grew up around it, but I really think it's a good school. (Not for me...but that's just because it's too close to home.)</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm a cheesehead, and Madison seems like the school everyone goes to. (Madison first, then Lacrosse, if not there then Eau Claire. When in doubt, go to Stout. If things dont work out like they should then just head on down to the local Wood.)-or something like that.</p>
<p>Slipper, Wisconsin and UVA have similar peer assessments. And alum donnations have nothing to do with satisfaction or quality. It is a fact that alum donations depends on two factors. </p>
<p>1) Alum size. The smaller the alumni student body, the easier it is to reach their alums and the more likely the school is to get a high alum donation rate. Is it any wonder that tiny LACs have the largest alumni donation rates? An alumni donation rate under 40% at a LAC is considered terrible. Not a single top 25 LAC has an alumni donation rate that drops below 40%. Among the top 50 LACs, 22 have alumni donation rates that equal or surpass the 50% mark. Only 4 universities in the top 50 manage that feat! But do not confuse alumni donation rate with alumni satisfaction and alumni loyalty. I can tell you that no university on earth has more satisfed or loyal alums than Michigan and Michigan's alumni donation rate sucks!
2) Historical dependence on private donations. Let us face it, public schools never needed money from their alums because the state and federal governments used to give them more money than they needed. In the 1940s and 1950s, State schools were considered rich. Private schools on the other hand, always depended on alum donations for financial survival. </p>
<p>That's one of the many reasons why the USNWR alumni donation rank is a joke. It gives a statistic that is completely meaningless and incorporates it into a ranking that pretends to be acurate. </p>
<p>Overall, I agree that in terms of undergraduate focus and student selectivity, UVA is better than Wisconsin. However, overall, I'd say that they are equal.</p>
<p>kathendrickson, see what you have done! Opened a can of warms you have! hehe</p>
<p>Anyway, like I said before, if you are fairly certain that you wish to pursue a PhD in Political Science, I don't think it makes a difference which of those two fine universities you go to. Go for fit.</p>
<p>Sounds like either place would be a promising fit for you.</p>
<p>Let me throw a different question at you-- you said both tuitions were "ridiculous." Do you feel like you wouldn't be getting your money's worth? I feel like that's a fit issue, too--if you feel like the price is unfair, then it can make any annoyance on campus (and there will inevitably be some!) worse. It's demoralizing to feel ripped off or cheated. </p>
<p>Few would call out-of-state tuition a "bargain" (at least not at Michigan) but I'm always a little concerned about nonresident students who deeply resent the cost. That may or may not be you, of course.</p>
<p>As to fundraising, the UW may be lower in % of alumni giving than UVa but the total is outstanding. These are 2004 #'s from the COHE.
2005 data will be out in March or so. </p>
<p>That said, I would go where you feel most at home. UW is fine, UM is fine, and yes, UVa would be fine too. All are excellent in slightly different ways.</p>
<p>Top institutions in total support
Harvard University $540,333,491
Stanford University $524,213,993
Cornell University $385,936,235
University of Pennsylvania $332,829,949
University of Southern California $322,090,595
Johns Hopkins University $311,573,165
Columbia University $290,618,180
Massachusetts Institute of Technology $289,838,445
Yale University $264,771,841
University of California at Los Angeles $262,148,586
University of Wisconsin at Madison $260,976,384
Duke University $254,999,006
University of Texas at Austin $252,175,348
Indiana University $248,458,068
University of Minnesota $245,682,841
New York University $214,863,578
University of California at San Francisco $213,996,780
University of Michigan $206,165,782
Ohio State University $203,273,515
University of Washington $195,762,442</p>
<p>at either of these schools i know i would definitely be getting my moneys worth.. i guess that part was my inner parent coming out... but i do realize that each of these schools has a lot to offer, and i have a big decision to make =] thanks to everyone for ur help</p>
<p>I picked Wisconsin over Michigan and several of my out of state friends did as well.</p>
<p>Why for me?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>10,000 dollars a year times 4 years = 40,000 dollars. Almost 2 years of law or grad school.</p></li>
<li><p>My majors are political science and communications-- Both have top poli sci departments (and to argue that at the undergraduate level one is better would be just filled with bias and unscientific arguments) with research opps all around. However, for communications, Wisconsin has a better reputation with specific focuses on communication theory and top graduate programs with top professors. I am a soph. and I'm taking classes with professors who are some of the top in their field (private message me for more info).</p></li>
<li><p>I was unconvinced that Michigan has better law placement and had that even more proven to me as I have spent time here. First of all, you will graduate from a top public university either way that prepares you for the LSAT. Second, Wisconsin does not release their data on what law schools people attend. However, I knew of people attending Chicago, Columbia, Michigan, Illinois, etc. There is zero consensus (from people I have spoken with) that law school admission cmtes are completely aloof when it comes to public schools in the midwest. They know about Wisconsin. It's an international powerhouse research university. This thread makes it seem (from some posters) that you're comparing a small liberal arts college to Michigan in the regional vs. national debate.</p></li>
<li><p>I liked that Madison had a bit more going on than Ann Arbor. Both are cool towns. Don't forget, if you're poli sci, Wisconsin is in Madison. Madison is a state capital. The Capitol Building can be seen from campus... internships anyone? Within walking distance? Real world expierence? Please.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I do agree Michigan has more reputation points, but not so much in the academic community. Also, this thread is about poli sci, not business.</p>
<p>So save 40,000 dollars and go to a peer institution. It's an easy and economic choice.</p>
<p>Edit.</p>
<p>Again, this is 40,000 dollars. 40 Thousand. Dollars. </p>
<p>CC often glosses over this and focuses on petty disputes like the size of alumni (when comparing two very smiliar universities) or comparing schools seperated by a handful of spots on the US News.</p>
<p>$40,000.</p>
<p>Wait I want to post it again</p>
<p>40,000 dollars.</p>
<p>If you go to Wis, head west on 12/18 to the Mazomanie state game lands. Just before the entrance is a crushed stone road leading off to a beach on the Wisconsin river, a clothing optional beach...</p>
<p>Unfortunately you don't want to see the majority of the locals naked.</p>
<p>seriously, to the OP</p>
<p>go to both schools, SPEAK FOR YOURSELF, so you will not regret.</p>
<p>u will regret a lot, if you choose the wrong school based on an internet forum.</p>
<p>Alexandre might be a machine (i know he's not). he might, tho.</p>
<p>I have the same dilemma. I'm most interested in business, but also have a slight appeal for medicine. I, too, am trying to decide b/w Mich and Wisc. any help??</p>
<p>
[quote]
u will regret a lot, if you choose the wrong school based on an internet forum.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Seems to me a lot of people here are saying neither would be the utterly wrong choice, and she is unlikely to have regrets at either place.</p>
<p>And I think that's pretty sound.</p>
<p>I know what you're saying about internet advice, but you're being too alarmist when you consider the circumstances--she's making a choice between two good schools that are strong in the areas that she cares about.</p>
<p>Wisconsin would have a stronger undergraduate poli sci program.</p>
<p>I'm a political science major at michigan and researched this extensively before I made my decision. I can assure you, the poli sci program at michigan is a top 3 program. wisconsins is not. undergrad included</p>
<p>UW is generally regarded as a Top 10 poli sci program with lots of emphasis on undergrads. The most popular major in liberal arts at UW. UM is fine too.</p>
<p>Barrons and PosterX, your guys are downplaying Michigan's excellence in Political Science. Wisconsin is indeed excellent in Political Science. Definitely top 20 and arguably top 10. Michigan on the other hand is regarded as one of the top 3 or 4 Political Science departments in the country, regardless of the ranking.</p>
<p>There's never been an easier choice. Michigan.</p>