(WISC-Madison) I liked the school a lot academically I can't

How this student rated the school

Educational Quality	A-	Faculty Accessibility	B-
Useful Schoolwork	A-	Excess Competition	C
Academic Success	A-	Creativity/ Innovation	A-
Individual Value	F	University Resource Use	B
Campus Aesthetics/ Beauty	B+	Friendliness	A-
Campus Maintenance	A-	Social Life	F
Surrounding City	F	Extra Curriculars	F
Safety	B-

Describes the student body as: Describes the faculty as:

Male

Quite Bright

Lowest Rating Individual Value	F

Highest Rating Educational Quality	A-

He cares more about Surrounding City than the average student.

Date: May 04 2009
Major: Unknown (This Major's Salary over time)
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.

Responses

Hey there, I'm going to be transferring colleges, and I have been accepted to both NYU and UW - Madison. However, I'm having a tough time deciding between the two. You seem like the perfect person to ask, as you've been to both schools!

Regarding social life and location, I am 100% confident that the non-traditional NYU experience is for me. I spent my first year at the University of British Columbia, which seems to have an atmosphere similar to that of UW - Madison, so I can safely say that I'm over that lifestyle.

However, how do the academics of each school compare? I'm going to be an English major, possibly double-majoring or minoring in Philosophy—and I know in terms of Philosophy, NYU has the best undergraduate program in the world. But I've also heard good things about UW - Madison. Academically, is Madison worth sacrificing my affinity for urban life and internship opportunities?

Thanks so much!

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