Lifetime Love of UW Madison
Written: May 30 '07 (Updated May 30 '07)
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Pros: One of best cities in country, high academic standards, national alumni connections, lakes, activities
Cons: Big first, then becomes small. Two months of winter weather. Partying is big, but avoidable.
The Bottom Line: UW Madison is a fantastic university and highly recommended. Go in with a take charge attitude, and you'll be rewarded for life.
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| uwalum's Full Review: University of Wisconsin-Madison |
UW Madison has gotten even better and tougher academically since early 80's when I attended. But I regularly hire interns from UW as a business owner and speak at student organization on campus each year, and can offer some good perspective. Also have season football games, and have a MBA from Univ of MN for comparison. Other perspective provided from touring college all over the country for my daughter. Here's the pros of Madison:
- One of the greatest cities in the country with the popular Saturday morning farmers market around the square, located on two huge lakes (like one big resort in the summer months), great restaurants, good food both on and off campus for all types...good organic restaurants/stores or brats/pizza. (Madison has been ranked as the #1 city in America awhile back.)
- Truly challenging college academically with strength in most majors and high rigor.
- Vibrant city revolving around campus life with Ironman Wisconsin working its way through campus in the fall, tons of athletic runs/races, great sports events, all concert series, bike paths everywhere. Students using motor scooters.
- Safer now than 25 years ago as the city has become more upscale with high end condos and housing blossoming everywhere. Less low end spots on State St. sans porn/peek show places that were once there in the 80's. Much better housing options off-campus, but really part of the campus.
- Still lots of social life revolving around drinking..it is WI and beer is the thing..and it is darn fun..football games, hockey games and Halloween being just huge. Probably less heavy drugs than 20 years ago. But here's the deal...you party too much, and you'll flunk out...plain and simple cuz this is a tough academic school, where you will study non-stop. You'll be behind before you go to the first class, so get ahead on your syllabus. Bell curve grading is big, and with the tougher admission standards as of late, you're competing against really bright students across the board.
- Lots of organizations/greek/clubs for everyone.
- Great alumni connections throughout the country, and good job/career prospects as the business and academic world respect UW students...even more now as it has a become so tough to get in. (My daughter's prep school says if you don't have a 3.7/4.0 (top 20%) and up and over a 28/29 on ACT along with lots of academic extras and AP courses, you might as well give up and try some of the state schools, which actually are also getting tougher to get into. Admission is even tougher if you are coming from a public high school as they tend to take only an allotment from each high school, even though that may not be a written rule. However, if you are an under-represented minority, you'll have a much better chance as Madison is really looking to increase their diversity. Also, certain majors are easier to get into like AgEcon vs. the pre-Business School.) Madison has reciprocal instate tuition exchange with Minnesota students, so there are students coming in from the Twin Cities.
- Businesses come on campus to use the new and beautiful Fluno Center including GE, SC Johnson, etc. so business is constantly involved in the campus scene. Good on-campus recruiting. With the capital and state office buildings at the top of State Street, Madison is connected to commerce/politics.
- Great dorms including the older/classic lake shore dorms, Liz Waters, and now the new Smith and Ogg dorms which are like living in a new office building.
- Liberals and conservatives meld nicely at UW, as do all types of religions from Christian to Jewish students.
- No need to have a car on campus as busing around is easy, and the Badger bus provides a great way to get to Milwaukee for a get away, and on to Chicago via train.
- Even with the big WI student population, Madison is vibrant on the weekends, and if students go home for visits, it is not at all noticeable for those from out of town or who stay. (I.e. it is not abandoned on the weekends.)
- And, it is just unbelievable to live in Madison during the summer months, and many students opt for this after their Sophmore/Junior years, with all the lake activities, and great summer school class schedule to make up some credits. The Hoofer Sailing clubs is very popular in the summer, and festivals all summer long.
Here's the challenges, and I hate to call them cons cuz it depends on you:
- If you are not a "dig in" kind of person, you may have a hard time adjusting to being away from mom/dad if they did everything for you. You have to take charge of your academic path, and really crank on grades as many times you are not actually accepted into your major until after your Sophmore year...this is true for the Business School and Engineering. You will also have to maneuver the social scene to find your niche or ways to feel connected if you are not the social butterfly, whether through your job (which I'd suggest for a great way to meet people), through Frat/Sorority, through clubs in you major, or just by connecting with a group of friends like you. With the vast types of kids at Madison, you'll find your group, and they'll be lifelong friends.
- Be prepared for some clicks left over from high school as up to 70% of the students are from WI and many from the bigger Madison or Milwaukee high schools already have a network, and it can be tough to bust in. You'll see this more in the Greek community. Coasties (as they are called)become almost a separate group of students, especially if using some of the alternate university housing if they were late for housing apps. But, with the variety and size of the student body, this may never bother you, or not be apparent in your social circles.
- Can be tough to get access to your advisor, so use any help within your major you can get including TAs and Professors, or set up an appointment. Upper classmen are more than happy to provide guidance.
- Study right from the start with a group of people. The bigger intro lecture classes can be really bears to get good grades, cuz often material for test is taken from supplemental reading materials as a way to differentiate the students.
- If you want to do study abroad programs, you'll have to plan that out yourself. The University encourages these and offers many and help, but you'll have to take the initiative, and make sure you can work your coursework around it. You may need to stay an extra semester if you disrupt your course schedule. (This is typical of most big universities.)
- The weather can get cold for the month of February, but usually starts warming up right after Spring break in early March. The coldest period is often when students are on Xmas break in early January. The great fall and spring weather make up for any winter suffering.
- Madison is by no means a violent city, but being smart on campus is needed just because of the integration of the campus into the city life. A police officer says it this way about his job: during the day, I protect the students from any problems - during the night I protect the citizens from the students.
- Wisconsin by nature of the outdoor lifestyle is casual and citizens in Madison are true to that. A good pair of Nike sweat pants work just great for most, so you won't find a lot of upscale clothing stores beyond a smaller Macy's in Madison, if this is important to you. As an employer, I see it as a problem in that students do need to shift style gears from the laid back Madison lifestyle to the real world. State Street has a GAP store, Urban Outfitter, and ShopBop for some variety, but to do more shopping, a bus trip to the three area malls is in order, and an easy trip. But remember, Chicago is just about 2.5 hours away, and Milwaukee about 1.25 hours.
- UW can seem a little big and impersonal at first, but once you get into your major, most if not all classes are taught solely by a professor, and your universe becomes very small, supportive, for life long connections. Dorm life provides a great way to be connected and make friends. Madison becomes a small town eventually, and many will never leave and live there for life which is a nice option.
-Sorority/Fraternity Rush starts right away in Fall which can add to the craze of your Freshman year if you are going Greek. The UW Greek website has good information. Some do wait till Sophmore year to pledge.
Hope this helps everyone. Truly Madison is the kind of college that stays with you for life, and the memories are always fond, and the impact on your success in life can be profound.
Recommended:
Yes
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