Another UW Alum, though I am decades removed and grew up in DC.

I cannot think of a better collegiate experience anyone could have. Madison is the quintessential college town, with great academics, offering majors in just about anything a student could want or need. Student clubs in just about any area and interest imaginable, and a wide variety of social opportunities.

Often voted one of the best places to live, best college towns, and a top public research institution and strong Alumni network. Oh, and the varsity sports save Men's Hockey are about as good as it gets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - can you full pay @ UW? Makes no sense for BME over UMD (BioE, no BME)

OP: yes, we can afford the tuition plus DS is sure to get several scholarships.

Public state schools are pretty tight with merit money to OOS students. I don't know how certain you are about the scholarship but I wouldn't assume it unless it's guaranteed $ somehow. Also, BME means your DS will (most likely) have to get masters/PhD after college which may or may not be fully funded. So you need to factor that in your calculation. Congrats to your DS!

DS also wants to take student loans. Not sure if he wants to go into a PhD, but med school is another option.

No, no, no!

If your son wants to go to med school, he should ABSOLUTELY NOT take loans to go to undergrad. NO, NO, NO!

THIS X100. For aspiring med school attendees, this is CRUCIAL. The goal should be to minimize debt and go somewhere that strikes a balance between getting a good GPA and an education adequate enough to score high on MCAT. If he's going to have to do loans to go to UW-Madison (or anywhere for that matter), I'd nix it.

Sorry, I can't square:

"Yes, we can afford it"

with

"DS also wants to take student loans."

OP, which is it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - can you full pay @ UW? Makes no sense for BME over UMD (BioE, no BME)

OP: yes, we can afford the tuition plus DS is sure to get several scholarships.

Public state schools are pretty tight with merit money to OOS students. I don't know how certain you are about the scholarship but I wouldn't assume it unless it's guaranteed $ somehow. Also, BME means your DS will (most likely) have to get masters/PhD after college which may or may not be fully funded. So you need to factor that in your calculation. Congrats to your DS!

DS also wants to take student loans. Not sure if he wants to go into a PhD, but med school is another option.

No, no, no!

If your son wants to go to med school, he should ABSOLUTELY NOT take loans to go to undergrad. NO, NO, NO!

Anonymous wrote:So DS just got his first college acceptance letter last night. While we are all mega excited, DH and I know little to nothing about this school. I am looking for the good, the bad and the ugly feedback. FWIW, DS' major is biomedical engineering.

Congrats, it's a large school with the full four seasons of course. Big 10 sports always fun to watch, many "coasties" there (and foreigners) so don't worry, saw many grads at my investment banking interviews in Manhattan. Very good engineering school too.

It is one of the highest ranked public universities in the US. But, if your child gets into his State U, why not go there and save the OOS monies he would have spent for grad school?

UW Madison has really excellent biological and chemical research. I'm not going to comment on the relative value of a BME degree from UMD vs. Madison, but the graduate programs/research programs are much much stronger at Madison.

Congratulations! I (hope) to welcome your son to the Badger family! There is a very active alum org in DC. Perhaps you could attend a few events with your son to get a better feel for the school?
http://chapters.uwalumni.com/washingtondc/
https://www.facebook.com/DCBadgers


The campus is picture perfect college town, really great. It is a big school, but it's so friendly that it's easy to find your community. Plus because it's so big, there are groups - organized or not - for nearly any interest.

Cost of living is cheap - my most expensive rent was around $300/month, and I can't imagine it's gone up that much more. Summer and Fall are amazing. Winter is cold and long, and students hit the books hard then. Sports are huge.

It really is a great school. Congrats to your son. I hope he picks Madison!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - can you full pay @ UW? Makes no sense for BME over UMD (BioE, no BME)

Having to go to school in College Park would totally have ruined college for me.

I disagree. UMD is awesome for CS, but for BME UW is much better. And the college experience does matter. I agree with the PP's UW/UMd comparison.
Especially if finances are not a major concern, as the OP states.

Yes, the college experience matters. That's why I'd have been despondent if I'd had to go to Maryland. There's just something about leaves me totally underwhelmed every time I'm there. DS feels the same way.

It's typical of the big state school experience (bigger classes as freshman and sophomore, need to find something to get involved in, etc.) but if that's what your kid wants, it would be an awesome choice. I agree with everyone else in that Madison is an AWESOME city. It's very progressive but still has the hard-working, friendly, Midwestern vibe. If you can afford it, go for it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - can you full pay @ UW? Makes no sense for BME over UMD (BioE, no BME)

Having to go to school in College Park would totally have ruined college for me.

I disagree. UMD is awesome for CS, but for BME UW is much better. And the college experience does matter. I agree with the PP's UW/UMd comparison.
Especially if finances are not a major concern, as the OP states.

Anonymous wrote:OP - can you full pay @ UW? Makes no sense for BME over UMD (BioE, no BME)

Having to go to school in College Park would totally have ruined college for me.

I cannot comment on the BME program and it's value, but I can comment on the general happiness of the kids who attend. My DC's good friend started at UW-Madison and is VERY happy. Absolutely loving the town and blown away by the nice, Midwestern attitude of people. Doesn't love the cold weather, but knew that going in….

UW-Madison is popular school now so congratulations to your DS. I also read that the students there are voted the happiest college students in the nation - so that's a good thing!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - can you full pay @ UW? Makes no sense for BME over UMD (BioE, no BME)

OP: yes, we can afford the tuition plus DS is sure to get several scholarships.

Public state schools are pretty tight with merit money to OOS students. I don't know how certain you are about the scholarship but I wouldn't assume it unless it's guaranteed $ somehow. Also, BME means your DS will (most likely) have to get masters/PhD after college which may or may not be fully funded. So you need to factor that in your calculation. Congrats to your DS!

DS also wants to take student loans. Not sure if he wants to go into a PhD, but med school is another option.

Probably the best college town in the country. State Street alone blows virtually every other college town out of the water. Going there is a no/ brainer for WI kids, just like going to Michigan is for Michigan kids.