I know there is a thread called "Factors when picking a school" but only one person posted there about UW-Madison and they never actually attended. I am wondering what all of you think the pros and cons of UW are. And if there is a student reading this that is currently at UW, I would LOVE to hear from you. The only real negative I have read (beside it being quite chilly) is that the facility is old. I am also particularly interested in knowing what the teaching is like. I read that a con for some other schools was that profs may be more interested in research and not as interested in teaching and that students do not feel like professors get to know them. Anyone have a sense of this at UW? There are several reasons why I think UW is wonderful, but I have yet to visit. I will name a couple MAJOR reasons here, though. Madison is a great place to live!! Another HUGE plus is the relatively low tuition compared to other schools. I do not have an In-State school and UW appears to have the second to lowest OOS cost when everything is considered (tuition, fees, room, board, etc.). Further, from my understanding, students in their fourth year have very good size case loads as opposed to other schools that may have less access to food animals (my interest), for example. Oh and another big bonus (not to be doom and gloom), but with the current economic crisis a lot of schools are hurting. (I'm just assuming the following, I do not know it to be fact, so don't quote me.) A lot of schools have endowments that are in funds which are tied to the stock market; therefore, many schools are seeing their endowments go down. I am fearful for what this may mean for the private schools (Tufts, Penn Vet and Western). On the other hand, the University of Wisconsin (not just the veterinary school, of course, but the whole university) received about 1 billion dollars in funding and government grants. I am sure that they will experience some cutbacks, but even a percentage of 1 billion is still a lot. If not having the newest facilities means that they are less in debt and can keep their doors open for a long time, I will take that over the alternative any day. Please share your thoughts.
I am in the current round of OOS applications, so I don't know what it is like to go to school there, but I did get the chance to tour the school this past fall. I pretty much came up with the same list as you as far as pros and cons.
Pros:
1) For me, research is pretty important, since that is the specialty I am leaning towards. They have high funding, and the type of research I am interested in, so that is a plus.
2) When I went to visit them, not only were they the nicest people I had ever met (maybe in my entire life), but they really just made me feel like I wanted to be a part of their school. It's a relatively small class size, I felt they were personable. I don't know how the teachers could NOT know your name, with classes that small. And the student that toured me around just went on and on about how much she loved the school and loved wisconsin, etc. She even answered questions I had later through and extremely detailed email. The people out there just seemed like they cared (unlike some other vet schools I toured who wouldn't give me the time of day)
4) Low OOS tuition.
5) My fiancee is interested in agriculture/dairy, so what better place for him to get a job also?
6) Can possibly establish in-state residency after 1 year if you can prove you live there not just for education, etc.
Cons:
1) Not as high-tech as some other places, but that doesn't really mean too much.
2) I think it is a newer program than most schools, so maybe it's not as established yet?
3) Parking appears to be expensive. $450-500/year for lot parking that is 10-15 mins away.
4) Snows a lot. But they sure know how to plow roads out there, and should be fine getting to class. They barely cancel class, but they seem flexible... obviously they don't want you to risk your life to get there.
So that's all I can really come up with. For me, it is the perfect place, even though I know it is a long shot to get in there. My plan B (if I don't get into any vet schools this year) is to actually move to Wisconsin and apply the next round as IS, that's how much I loved it there. I am from NJ, and I think I am just done with the east coast mentality. I need some good ole Midwest hospitality!
HORRIBLE DREAM!!!
I have one. 
Are they calling from home or are they seriously staying in the office that late?
Good luck to those still waiting 
