Thoughts on U. Wisc. Madison (for out of state student)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does it compare to Indiana University or university of Illinois?

Colder, temperature-wise.

[Anonymous]

More liberal than IU. Much easier to get to than UI.

OP, you ask how Wisconsin compares to UM or UVA. I'd say the prestige issue is not what's important, but which the student prefers. UM and UW have greater similarities.

For an out-of-state student, I'd suggest apply to all. I wouldn't spend too much time on the choice until you know the student has a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s actually easy to make a mathematical comparison in this case because Madison is twice the size of UVA (28K v. 14K, rough numbers).

Among 28K undergrads, the 75% is the student who has 7,000 students more qualified (by score).

Among 14K undergrads, the student who has 7,000 students more qualified (by score) is the 50%.

Compare the 75% of Madison to the 50% of UVA. Apples to Apples.

75% of ACT scores for Wisconsin Madison = 30
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/state-act-scores/a/wisconsin-colleges-act-scores.htm

Average ACT score of UVA = 29
http://colleges.findthebest.com/q/4437/2550/What-is-the-average-ACT-score-at-University-of-Virginia-UVA

One factor to consider is that Wisconsin students are second (only to Minnesota) in ACT scores: http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/wisconsin-ties-for-second-nationally-in-act-test-scores-b9980125z1-220432501.html so the higher in state scores are a factor.

Honestly, the biggest factor that would push me to UVA would be the 4 year graduation rate, 87% vs 53%. That's a huge difference.

holy shit why is it so low at UW-Madison?

even PSU-University Park has a higher 4 year grad rate.

Madison partisans would argue that it's so much fun people don't want to leave after just four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can’t compare the scores 25/75 of schools that are not about the same size. Here’s why: schools admit from the top down. In rough numbers UVA has 14K undergrads and Wisconsin has 28K undergrads. I’d wager that the top half (14K) of Wisconsin’s undergrads have better stats than the top 14K of Virginia’s undergrads (essentially all of the undergrads). Simply put, larger schools attract more top students AND more mediocre students.

The top students at Madison are second to none. The school has a large number of knuckleheads too. You can whatever college experience you want at Madison.

[Anonymous]

To PP's point, the big schools have as many or more top students as the smaller schools, but if you want to avoid contact with the "knuckleheads" then go to a smaller school that only has elite students.

I think learning to thrive in an environment with a wide variety of people of different capabilities is valuable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To PP's point, the big schools have as many or more top students as the smaller schools, but if you want to avoid contact with the "knuckleheads" then go to a smaller school that only has elite students.

I think learning to thrive in an environment with a wide variety of people of different capabilities is valuable.

Not to mention the plenty of knuckleheads at elite schools. They just have nicer shoes. When they wear them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To PP's point, the big schools have as many or more top students as the smaller schools, but if you want to avoid contact with the "knuckleheads" then go to a smaller school that only has elite students.

I think learning to thrive in an environment with a wide variety of people of different capabilities is valuable.

Not to mention the plenty of knuckleheads at elite schools. They just have nicer shoes. When they wear them.

I don't think i've ever met a knucklehead MIT student.

[Anonymous]

I am from Madison. Love it. I think a lot of out of state students end up loving it too. I don't think it is for absolutely everyone, but there are definitely plenty of people who end up thinking it is a great place and great school. So probably won't be a bad choice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To PP's point, the big schools have as many or more top students as the smaller schools, but if you want to avoid contact with the "knuckleheads" then go to a smaller school that only has elite students.

I think learning to thrive in an environment with a wide variety of people of different capabilities is valuable.

Not to mention the plenty of knuckleheads at elite schools. They just have nicer shoes. When they wear them.

I don't think i've ever met a knucklehead MIT student.

Madison has four times the enrollment of MIT. A perfect SAT math loving nerd could find compatriots at Madison, but they'd have to sift through a lot of normal kids and knuckleheads. The library on Friday night is a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To PP's point, the big schools have as many or more top students as the smaller schools, but if you want to avoid contact with the "knuckleheads" then go to a smaller school that only has elite students.

I think learning to thrive in an environment with a wide variety of people of different capabilities is valuable.

Not to mention the plenty of knuckleheads at elite schools. They just have nicer shoes. When they wear them.

I don't think i've ever met a knucklehead MIT student.

Madison has four times the enrollment of MIT. A perfect SAT math loving nerd could find compatriots at Madison, but they'd have to sift through a lot of normal kids and knuckleheads. The library on Friday night is a good place to start.

will those normal/knuckhead kids make youtube videos regarding 'asians in the library' a la what happened in ucla?

What're the race relations like at UW? Honest question. For all I know they are really good because from the outside it does seem like a really progressive place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To PP's point, the big schools have as many or more top students as the smaller schools, but if you want to avoid contact with the "knuckleheads" then go to a smaller school that only has elite students.

I think learning to thrive in an environment with a wide variety of people of different capabilities is valuable.

Not to mention the plenty of knuckleheads at elite schools. They just have nicer shoes. When they wear them.

I don't think i've ever met a knucklehead MIT student.

I have (sadly…)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To PP's point, the big schools have as many or more top students as the smaller schools, but if you want to avoid contact with the "knuckleheads" then go to a smaller school that only has elite students.

I think learning to thrive in an environment with a wide variety of people of different capabilities is valuable.

Not to mention the plenty of knuckleheads at elite schools. They just have nicer shoes. When they wear them.

I don't think i've ever met a knucklehead MIT student.

Madison has four times the enrollment of MIT. A perfect SAT math loving nerd could find compatriots at Madison, but they'd have to sift through a lot of normal kids and knuckleheads. The library on Friday night is a good place to start.

will those normal/knuckhead kids make youtube videos regarding 'asians in the library' a la what happened in ucla?

What're the race relations like at UW? Honest question. For all I know they are really good because from the outside it does seem like a really progressive place.

There may be outliers among the 40,000+ students, but Madison is one of the least bigoted places I have ever experienced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To PP's point, the big schools have as many or more top students as the smaller schools, but if you want to avoid contact with the "knuckleheads" then go to a smaller school that only has elite students.

I think learning to thrive in an environment with a wide variety of people of different capabilities is valuable.

Not to mention the plenty of knuckleheads at elite schools. They just have nicer shoes. When they wear them.

I don't think i've ever met a knucklehead MIT student.

I have (sadly…)

wow. I mean i've met knucklehead HYPS students. reeally pretty much from every school except from MIT and Wharton. Mind you this has nothing to do with quality of person etc. just their intelligence and drive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To PP's point, the big schools have as many or more top students as the smaller schools, but if you want to avoid contact with the "knuckleheads" then go to a smaller school that only has elite students.

I think learning to thrive in an environment with a wide variety of people of different capabilities is valuable.

Not to mention the plenty of knuckleheads at elite schools. They just have nicer shoes. When they wear them.

I don't think i've ever met a knucklehead MIT student.

Madison has four times the enrollment of MIT. A perfect SAT math loving nerd could find compatriots at Madison, but they'd have to sift through a lot of normal kids and knuckleheads. The library on Friday night is a good place to start.

will those normal/knuckhead kids make youtube videos regarding 'asians in the library' a la what happened in ucla?

What're the race relations like at UW? Honest question. For all I know they are really good because from the outside it does seem like a really progressive place.

There may be outliers among the 40,000+ students, but Madison is one of the least bigoted places I have ever experienced.

cool thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So how do the Midwesterners treat the kid from Bethesada or McLean?

What about regarding frats - is is much harder to pledge if you are from out of state?