The University of Wisconsin - Madison
“Most (2/3) of the undergraduate students and prettyNot so bright
Most (2/3) of the undergraduate students and pretty much all of the administrators come from small town Middle America. They tend to be middle class, white, and slightly conservative in practice (while paying lip service to progressive values). They're friendly, but can be a bit xenophobic. If you're from a privileged background, try to hide it (reverse-snobbery is rampant). If you're a minority, you'll stick out like sore thumb (next to no diversity), though they do really try to make you feel welcome.
The rest (1/3) of the class consists primarily of relatively well-off out-of-staters from major metro areas (usually NY/NJ, Chicago, or somewhere out in Cali). They don't normally get along too well with in-staters (again, there's the reverse-snobbery, but I must concede some obnoxious out-of-staters take a condescending attitude towards the entire Midwest and won't stop complaining about Wisconsin the moment they step off of the plane).
The professors and grad students come from a wide array of backgrounds. They tend to be pretty liberal (some are kinda socialist/quasi-communist IMHO). Most are very research-oriented, so it's basically teach yourself, though there are a few gems who really do enjoy teaching undergrads.
The school is somewhat competitive, but nothing like what you'd see at a Michigan or a Northwestern, both of which are a bit more cut-throat (I'm just naming schools that don't have grade-inflation).
If you're into bar-hopping and that whole weekend morning walk-of-shame thing, you will absolutely LOVE this school. If not, you'll be kind of bored during the weekends. A lot of in-state kids go home Sat-Sun.
Madison is quaint with friendly locals (w/out the UW the population is probably around 250,000), but if you're from a bigger city (I'm from Chicago), you'll find it to be kind of small (but it's still nice!).
The school "name" will command a decent amount of respect (but not Harvard-level mind you) for the more ambitious members of the class who wish to attend a good graduate/professional school.
Overall, UW-Madison is a good school. You can get a lot out of it and still have fun if you put in the effort.
view full review→Feb 12 2010
4th Year Female -- Class 2004
Social Life: A+, Faculty Accessibility: C
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“I liked the school a lot academically; IQuite Bright
I liked the school a lot academically; I can't fault it from that perspective. Socially, however, the UW is a "party school" in a small Midwestern city extremely lacking in diversity (this probably won't bother you at all if you're from a small town).
The first year was nothing more than an extension of high school in my opinion. It was good for the bell curve (if you were taking your education more seriously compared to the rest), but it was rather annoying listening to people gossip over who hooked-up with who or having small packs of sorority girls (I know not all sorority girls are like this, so don't think I'm trying to stereotype) sit in the back of the lecture hall perusing J. Crew catalogs while talking, texting, and giggling during class.
Additionally, if you don't care for Greek life or bar-hopping on State Street (i.e. - Midwestern drinking culture), then there is really nothing to do during the weekends.
I transferred to NYU (doesn't have a traditional campus life) after my sophomore year and have been deliriously happy ever since.This review isn't meant to bash the UW; it is a very good school. Just try and determine whether or not BOTH the city and the school (BOTH socially and academically) will be a good fit for you before matriculating. If you're originally from a bigger city (I grew up in Chicago), you may not like it so much in Madison, WI.
view full review→May 04 2009
2nd Year Male -- Class 2011
Education Quality: A-, Individual Value: F
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Recommended: What college is right for you?
“I liked the school a lot academically; IQuite Bright
I liked the school a lot academically; I can't fault it from that perspective. Socially, however, the UW is a "party school" in a small Midwestern city very lacking in diversity (this probably won't bother you at all if you're from a small town).
The first year was nothing more than an extension of high school in my opinion. It was good for the bell curve (if you were taking your education more seriously compared to the rest), but it was rather annoying listening to people gossip over who hooked-up with who or having small packs of sorority girls (I know not all sorority girls are like this, so don't think I'm trying to stereotype) sit in the back of the lecture hall perusing J. Crew catalogs while talking, texting, and giggling during class.
Additionally, if you don't care for Greek life or bar-hopping on State Street (i.e. - Midwestern drinking culture), then there is really nothing to do during the weekends.
I transferred to NYU (doesn't have a traditional campus life) after my sophomore year and have been deliriously happy ever since.This review isn't meant to bash the UW; it is a very good school. Just try and determine whether or not BOTH the city and the school (BOTH socially and academically) will be a good fit for you before matriculating. If you're originally from a bigger city (I grew up in Chicago), you may not like it so much in Madison, WI.
view full review→May 04 2009
2nd Year Male -- Class 2011
Education Quality: A-, Individual Value: F
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Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful
Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful
- #1 Top Sociology School Ranking in Wisconsin
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Rankings WISC-Madison appears in
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