Difficulty in Choosing University for Undergrad

[Screwtape]

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[Depakote]

Hello everybody. I'm a high school senior and I'm having a hard time choosing between two colleges to attend for my undergraduate degree. University of Wisconsin- Madison and Marquette University in Milwaukee. Now if you don't know much about these two universities, that's fine. I'll basically sum them up for you. I plan on going into healthcare...most likely going to go for dentristy, but medical school is always a possibility too. The reason Wisconsin is pulling me is because it is a lot larger with more opportunities, has a lot of great sports including football, a great city, lots of research oportunities, seems that I would have more fun there, and is highly respected in the science field and as a university, and also has a great medical school. However I would major in General Biology which would not be nearly as interesting as Marquette's major. Marquette is pulling me because of its great Biomedical Sciences major. It is focused on human anatomy and physiology...it even includes gross anatomy as a major requirement! I think i would be alot more interested in these courses and they would better prepare me for a healthcare profession. It also has a great dentristy school and a few pre-dentristy courses in undergrad. However, it is smaller, in not as nice city as madison, less opportunities in research, not as many sports including NO football. I know the typical response would be just follow your heart or something like that. However I am asking this because I have thought about this for sometime, and still cannot makeup my mind. I would like some insight from people who had to make a choice like this or someone who has just experienced college or beyond and can help enlighten me. Anyways...thank you for reading this. lol it is a lil long. But I would appreciate any responses. Thank you

One of my classmates went to Marquette. I'll make it a point to ask him if he had this dilemma.

 

[Depakote]

One of my classmates went to Marquette. I'll make it a point to ask him if he had this dilemma.

My friend sent me the following via Facebook:

I went to marquette, but had plenty of friends that went to UW. So let's break it down.

MU pros:
1) Catholic University means strong philosophy and theology if you pursue it... it doesn't confront you with religion often if you don't look for it (I would have liked more of a religious presence on campus).

2) A premier basketball team in the Big East with a focus ONLY on basketball (no football) gives an electric atmosphere at the Bradley Center, the PRO venue where we play.

3) Very strong programs in Law and Engineering.

4) Smaller student population actually translates into smaller class sizes, especially early on. The only classes I had with more than 30 kids were intro classes for generic science courses that everybody has to take.

5) You will not be bored in Milwaukee if you put out even a small amount of effort. With the Kala Trava (art museum), college and pro basketball, pro baseball team, malls, opera, orchestra, public museum and zoo, plus university events, a nearby RAVE, and a short jump to Chicago, you're only bored if you guilt yourself into staying in and studying.

6) several close by hospitals if you feel the need to volunteer. As well as volunteer organizations on campus.

7) The campus is well maintained... expensively maintained, but well-done.

MU Cons:
1) the religion thing for me.

2) No pro football

3) As a chemistry major, the chem department was very small student-wise (I was one of 3)

4) The Med College of Wisconsin is historically related, but only historically... no favored admissions link between the two.

5) Occasional brewery smell in the mornings is not a good smell when you have a hangover... but is fondly reminiscent if you're not.



UW Pros:
1) You live in a college, so everything is focused on the university.

2) Having gone to several UW football games, there's nothing like a good tailgate in which everybody is partying on their lawn before moseying over to Camp Randall Stadium.

3) Good football & basketball teams in the Big Ten. And as my sister's say, Bo Ryan is so cute.

4) Since UW owns their med school, they have direct admissions programs where they guarantee admission if the student performs to a certain level... (year early too?)

5) Larger student population and cheaper since it's a public university.

UW cons:
1) UW is one of the most liberal campuses in the nation if that's a problem for you.

2) Class sizes are very large until upper level classes and graduate work.

3) Less to do in the city outside the university and the nearest major city is Milwaukee (vs. chicago)

4) No major religious presence... though you can involve yourself if you look for it.

5) Alternates with the University of Colorado for biggest partying university. If you don't go out for Thirsty Thursdays, you will likely be an irregularity.



Hope that helps. Just remember, at every level, you determine your own success. The opportunities are there to succeed to the degree you want to at both universities.

 

[ylrebmik]

I'm from Wisconsin... and I know both schools really well.... I have bias because I'm not a fan of Madison just for the fact that everyone puts it way up there and its overrated. But looking at everything else and looking at what everyone else said... I love Marquette still... I'm not going there myself but I know some very good students going there next year.

Milwaukee is amazing. Bradley Center is AMAZING! I'm sad I won't be around here to go to any Admiral's games this year. haha last night I saw the Bucks game. 🙂 Had to leave early but I'm pretty sure we won. But there is always something to do down there and Marquette is highly respectable, and nice programs of course.

Flip side, Madison is considered "our best school"... kinda. It has all the resources you need too... academics, internships, volunteer... and it is a med school right in itself. The campus is hugeee.... a city itself.

Do you have any specific questions about either of the schools? I'm just sorta biased but if there's a specific question, I'd love to answer it!

But if you are coming to Wisconin... bring like 10 coats! haha jk but its so freezing. It was like in the 20s before halloween then it went back up... and now we're really getting into winter. I had to break out the winter jacket a month early this year! haha.