You'll Love UW-Madison If You Let Yourself!
Written: May 09 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great education/social life, opportunities are great!
Cons: Madison is an alcohol sink like none other.
The Bottom Line: UW will be everything you allow it to be. Learn how to use UW - Madison and I guarantee satisfaction.
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| GoalSAH86's Full Review: University of Wisconsin-Madison |
I'm a Freshman at UW-Madison and I can perfectly describe to you the freshman experience. But first, a little background about myself:
I was a crappy student in high school. I was in the BOTTOM 3rd of my class. The only reason why I am currently at UW-Madison is because of my 34 ACT. However, I'm not just someone who's wasting their time. I'm doing much better in college than I did in high school and it's not because they're easier. It's because UW-Madison facilitates an environment that inspires me to do well!
ACADEMICS:
Since I'm an engineer, I may have a somewhat biased idea of the academics here at UW. I have found my engineering classes to be very challenging (and from my 34 ACT you can be assured I'm not just some idiot who never understands anything.) I am expected to do quite a bit of learning on my own since I attend large lectures with hundreds of people in them. This is not a bad thing, however.
Small private schools love to claim that you won't get any attention at a big public school. This, frankly, is a flat-out lie! If I EVER has any trouble with my academics whatsoever, there are COUNTLESS resources I can use for help. Let's say I'm having trouble with the Mass Moments of Inertia Chapter of my Statics class.
I can go to my professor during his office hours or e-mail him and make an appointment (by the way, if I do this, I will be working 1 on 1 with an engineering research professor who is very nice and KNOWS HIS STUFF.)
I can also go to my TA for help. He also knows what he's doing. All TAs are graduate students and they have been through everything I have plus way more.
GUTS tutoring service has sessions I can attend to get help. A variety of engineering clubs also hold open tutoring for students. The engineering fraternities also have tutoring that anyone can go to.
SOCIAL LIFE:
The social life here depends largely on whether you drink or not. This doesn't mean people who go here are stupid - they're just stupid on the weekends. Drinking here is huge so if you like that, they you have absolutely nothing to worry about at UW in terms of social life.
I'm a non-drinker and I still enjoy my social life at UW. Everyone is 100% accepting that I don't drink and they don't judge me whatsoever. I still go to parties but I also hang out with friends (who may or may not drink) and just have a good time. Everyone here is always looking to meet new people, not just if they're freshman. Freshman year I was worried because I wasn't meeting as many people as I had hoped, but I learned that I had to take initiative to make friends. It's all about the initiative.
CLUBS:
Not much to say here. The clubs/organizations at UW are excellent. There are so many people that go here that EVERYONE can find something to do and there are hundreds of clubs to choose from. They are all run very well and backed well by the administration.
MADISON:
Madison is a GREAT city. It's often underestimated because it isn't very large, but it really is great. The city respects the campus a lot and all over Madison you can see symbols of UW pride. There is always an active political scene in Madison (it's the state capitol of Wisconsin.) There are tons of bands that come to Madison all the time and as a huge music listener, I can say I'm satisfied with the choice in concerts. There are so many great eats on state st. and everywhere else.
MY GENERAL TAKE ON COLLEGE:
No matter where you go, you'll find people who don't like it there and people who do. This is because no matter where you go, there were people who are simply disagreeable. At UW, if you want something, you have to go and get it. The administration makes it that way on purpose. They are teaching you what life is like. After college no one tells you what to do anymore. You have to take the initiative to change things yourself. It's the same way here. Not satisfied with your academic results? It's your fault, not UW's. You have endless academic opportunities if you want to take them. Not satisfied with your social life? You're either looking in the wrong places or not looking at all. Not satisfied with the Clubs/Orgs.? You can always make one on your own!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
GoalSAH86
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Member: Scott Hollander
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me:
I don't review a lot but when I do I mean what I say.
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