In every other respect UW-Madison is in a very different class. UW Madison is ranked higher both as an undergraduate institution (which should be your child's main interest at this point) and as a world class research institution (important for some grad programs). Madison, WI consistently ranks at or near the top for quality of life (the main negative being the winter cold). Wisconsin is far more progressive than any other Midwest state - Milwaukee was the center of the American Socialist movement and Madison was the birthplace of the Progressive Party (La Follette). The UW Madison campus was second only to Cal Berkley in anti-War protests. UW-Madison is among the top 10 in the nation in terms of population of Jewish students and I think you'd be hard pressed to find an evangelical on campus.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone with knowledge, non-snarkily compare/contrast UW-M, U Illinois and U Indiana? (Because I can admit here that I couldn't tell them apart on a map or on game day but DS is starting to show some interest in these colleges). Thanks.

Illinois has a very strong engineering program, especially EE

Indiana is among the best in the nation in music

In every other respect UW-Madison is in a very different class. UW Madison is ranked higher both as an undergraduate institution (which should be your child's main interest at this point) and as a world class research institution (important for some grad programs). Madison, WI consistently ranks at or near the top for quality of life (the main negative being the winter cold). Wisconsin is far more progressive than any other Midwest state - Milwaukee was the center of the American Socialist movement and Madison was the birthplace of the Progressive Party (La Follette). The UW Madison campus was second only to Cal Berkley in anti-War protests. UW-Madison is among the top 10 in the nation in terms of population of Jewish students and I think you'd be hard pressed to find an evangelical on campus.

In total, I'd say Illinois is quite different and Indiana is a "poor man's" Wisconsin.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not equal to U-Michigan or UVA for prestige, but it is a great school, and the town of Madison, WI is truly beautiful. A lot like Ann Arbor, MI, actually, but prettier.

UVA may be considered more prestigious with college rankings but UW Madison has a more diverse social scene and less Greek influence. Madison is not lacking for anything for any type of college student. So much right on your doorstep in Madison and great academics. Any type of student can fit in and be happy.

UVA definitely has much more prestige in this region, but not in the Midwest where UVA is not at all well known. I think the schools have comparable reputations in NYC, but Wisconsin has a far larger Alum base.

BS...there are a hell of a lot more UVA grads in front office wall-street positions or strategy consulting positions than UW-Madison alums.

Not true - you are talking out of your rear end

If you think UW-M is considered a 'target' school like UVA is for IB, trading, HF, PE, MBB consulting during the last 10 years you are sorely and I hope you do not give false info to your children.

I'm not saying UW-M is a bad school. I think its a really good one actually. However if you think it places anywhere near as well as uva for certain industries that happen to dominate the NYC white collar professional scene, your the one chatting shite.

Anonymous wrote:

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

Very favorably in all the academic measures quantified by national lists (US news being the most infamous of this type)

Not on the radar of the Whitman crowd though. Indiana sounds "Midwestern."' Madison evokes lakes and adorableness and not farming -- so it is acceptable to people from the east coast, and in particular, Jews and self-described intellectual parents. That's not an anti-Semitic swipe: try an experiment today. Ask a practicing Jewish parent which school they'd pick for their teen, Ohio State or UWisc? Uillinois or UWisc? UKansas or UWisc? Even U Minnesota vs U Wisconsin, and they're about two feet away from each other and "ranked" about the same.

This experiment would probably work with any parents in Bethesda and Ward 3, of any faith. For some reason, Wisconsin gets a pass on the "flyover country farm boy hicks evangelical" perception. Maybe it's the lakes and the fact that there is a sailing team. Hm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not equal to U-Michigan or UVA for prestige, but it is a great school, and the town of Madison, WI is truly beautiful. A lot like Ann Arbor, MI, actually, but prettier.

UVA may be considered more prestigious with college rankings but UW Madison has a more diverse social scene and less Greek influence. Madison is not lacking for anything for any type of college student. So much right on your doorstep in Madison and great academics. Any type of student can fit in and be happy.

UVA definitely has much more prestige in this region, but not in the Midwest where UVA is not at all well known. I think the schools have comparable reputations in NYC, but Wisconsin has a far larger Alum base.

BS...there are a hell of a lot more UVA grads in front office wall-street positions or strategy consulting positions than UW-Madison alums.

Not true - you are talking out of your rear end

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone with knowledge, non-snarkily compare/contrast UW-M, U Illinois and U Indiana? (Because I can admit here that I couldn't tell them apart on a map or on game day but DS is starting to show some interest in these colleges). Thanks.

Illinois has a very strong engineering program, especially EE

Indiana is among the best in the nation in music

In every other respect UW-Madison is in a very different class. UW Madison is ranked higher both as an undergraduate institution (which should be your child's main interest at this point) and as a world class research institution (important for some grad programs). Madison, WI consistently ranks at or near the top for quality of life (the main negative being the winter cold). Wisconsin is far more progressive than any other Midwest state - Milwaukee was the center of the American Socialist movement and Madison was the birthplace of the Progressive Party (La Follette). The UW Madison campus was second only to Cal Berkley in anti-War protests. UW-Madison is among the top 10 in the nation in terms of population of Jewish students and I think you'd be hard pressed to find an evangelical on campus.

In total, I'd say Illinois is quite different and Indiana is a "poor man's" Wisconsin.

Do you think an athletic, outgoing, rich white girl from a not great Catholic HS could find UW-M a fit (assuming strong enough scores to be accepted)?

Anonymous wrote:If you're wealthy and you plan to give your child ample funds to enjoy college, have them live in a private dorm. They will meet likeminded people. If your child is down to earth, will work in college, and can relate to anyone, have him or her live in one of the southeast public dorms.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone with knowledge, non-snarkily compare/contrast UW-M, U Illinois and U Indiana? (Because I can admit here that I couldn't tell them apart on a map or on game day but DS is starting to show some interest in these colleges). Thanks.

Illinois has a very strong engineering program, especially EE

Indiana is among the best in the nation in music

In every other respect UW-Madison is in a very different class. UW Madison is ranked higher both as an undergraduate institution (which should be your child's main interest at this point) and as a world class research institution (important for some grad programs). Madison, WI consistently ranks at or near the top for quality of life (the main negative being the winter cold). Wisconsin is far more progressive than any other Midwest state - Milwaukee was the center of the American Socialist movement and Madison was the birthplace of the Progressive Party (La Follette). The UW Madison campus was second only to Cal Berkley in anti-War protests. UW-Madison is among the top 10 in the nation in terms of population of Jewish students and I think you'd be hard pressed to find an evangelical on campus.

In total, I'd say Illinois is quite different and Indiana is a "poor man's" Wisconsin.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone with knowledge, non-snarkily compare/contrast UW-M, U Illinois and U Indiana? (Because I can admit here that I couldn't tell them apart on a map or on game day but DS is starting to show some interest in these colleges). Thanks.