University of Wisconsin-Madison Top Questions

I love UW Madison! I have had the most amazing experiences during my four years here. I've met amazing friends and have been challenged academically. I have received a well rounded education and as I interview for graduate school admission I find that I am prepared and knowledgeable and can speak confidently about my career area.

It's sorta kinda perfect. As Ders from Workaholics (a Wisco alum) put it, "I had the perfect college experience". FYI, he is the commencement speaker for the graduating class of Spring 2013.

The vast majority of stereotypes for the University of Wisconsin-Madison center around the "Bro" stereotypes for the boys and the "Coastie" stereotype for the girls. When I say BRO I mean your average white, young man who is often seen at parties any day of the week. He is loud and obnoxious and loves to get with as many 'easy' girls as possible. Or he stands around holding a red cup, waiting for something to happen where he can start screaming. He typically wears a baseball cap or a Print T-shirt with something like "Mount and Dew me" on it in the font/color scheme of the Mountain Dew soda company. On the other side of the spectrum are the Coastie girls. These young ladies are from New York or California and not only do they think that they are the best things to happen since spray tan, they also cling to one another like the well-known "Plastics" from the hit movie "Mean Girls". Typical "Coastie" wear includes sweatpants or leggings, coupled with UGG boots and topped with a very messy bun located on the tops of their craniums. Also, many Coasties talk with a very thick Valley Girl droll and they assume that the tanner their skin is the better. Some of them will wear Bucky Badger T-Shirts and cut the sides out revealing their waists and neon colored bras. These two categories of stereotypes have definitely been the most prevalent that I have heard from everyone I talk to; including the students from other states and sometimes even other countries. I am pleased to inform you that, while these stereotypes most definitely DO exist, they are not nearly as profound on campus as I was led to believe. I'd say the vast majority of students here are really individuals who don't fit into any category or stereotype completely. Of course there are those that play those stereotypical parts, there will always be those, but it's not something to worry about here, at least based on my experience.

Madison has it all! I absolutely love this university. It has a lot of school pride; the whole state of Wisconsin loves the Badgers! Game days are a must--the city is flooded with red attire and everyone is always in a great mood. One of my favorite places on campus is State Street. It has many ethnic restaurants and cute clothing stores and is always bustling with both locals and visitors.

I love UW-Madison. I grew up 20 minutes away but never understood the magnitude of the school's overall amazing impression until I became a student. Everyone is very nice and even though the school is giant with over 42,000 students, it is a very tight nit community. There is always something to do with events and clubs for anyone and everyone. The party life is great but not bothersome, if you wanna go out you will have the time of your life but if you wanna have a chill night in, its possible. There are plenty of student centered areas and buildings around campus including two rec facilities, student unions, student centers, and state st. State St has restaurants, bars, shopping, and all around a fun atmosphere. Madison is both a college town and a general urban town. If you are downtown, it is a complete college town but the city expands out west, east, north and south with neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants, and much much much more. There is so much school spirit, GO BUCKY, and students often get involved in political movements. Seriously the best place to go to school, if you have any doubts, check out the UW-Madison memes Facebook page! If you wanna be a badger then come along with me :)

UW-Madison is awesome. The camp is is beautiful and the people are beautiful. Te academic standard is amongst the best in the world, but the social life is also amazing.

I absolutely love having the privilege of being a student at the University of Wisconsin Madison. I can't imagine feeling more comfortable, stimulated, or accepted at any other college or university. Madison may seem intimidating because of its size, but once you get the hang of the campus, it is very easy to maneuver, and you really only attend certain areas that apply to your field of study or interest. Madison is so diverse and holds a vast amount of opportunities for every single student that attends the university. The whole city has a unique college town feel of school pride and acceptance. As a prestigious university, I am proud to tell people that I am a student here, and I can tell by their equally impressed reactions that they automatically see some sort of promising quality that I must have if I go to such an established school. The campus has so many cool areas that attract all different kinds of people, from the well known Union Terrace on Lake Mendota, to the great Camp Randall stadium that radiates school pride on gamedays. UW Madison is one of the most fun, inviting, challenging and diverse campuses in the world, and I can't imaging going anywhere else. It is so easy to find where you belong, people to fit in with, and opportunities to pursue that apply to each and every unique talent and interest. The students are well informed of current issues and encourages to contribute opinions and make their voices heard. The university is very research oriented, but every field has so many experienced staff members that it is a privilege to attend a lecture with such prestigious professors. The school pride here is unbelievable, and its easy to tell that every student is proud of where they have made it to, and even more driven to make the most out of their college experience.

The overall best thing about UW-Madison is the opportunities you have here. Nearly any major, club, or sports team you can think of exists on this campus. If I could change one thing about the university, I would change its advising system. Advising is something you have to be really proactive about, no one is going to chase after you and get you to come into an appointment. Overall, however, the campus has a great atmosphere, game days have to be seen to be believed, and any opportunity you can think of can be found here.

Let's get into it: Wisconsin. Cheese. Beer. Brats. BADGERS. These things were all a bit strange to me. I come from southwest Florida, so the whole cold thing was a shock too. The best thing about this school, hands down, is the academics. UW was recently ranked 17th in the WORLD for scientific research. That's some heavy stuff right there. My chemistry professor is actually a theoretical chemist and leading expert on chemical bonding. He just teaches intro chem (103) for fun. Clark Landis: he's the man. Let me tell you a secret. There's no such thing as a "big school" where everyone is just a face in the crowd. There are way too many ways to make this university smaller for yourself. There's a greek system. There are hundreds upon hundreds of student organizations. There are religious organizations. The school has so much to offer that one should never feel alone. The best part about a large student body is that there are definitely people just like you. People usually act with surprise when I tell them I go to this school, but that's mostly because I'm from Florida. They usually follow up their surprise with a "have fun being cold" or "that's a really good school." I prefer the second one. Weather shouldn't steer anyone away from this campus. I spend most of my time in the library. I'm a biochemistry major on the pre-health (med) track so I'm plenty busy most of the time. There's a great student activity center (SAC) where I also study. I'm also in the chemistry building a whole lot. If I'm not at any of those places or asleep, I'm at the SERF (South East Recreational Facility) working out. It's a fantastic gym and it's open to any student with a wiscard (our student ID) This is the best college town of all time. Ann Arbor is boring. Gainesville is a dirt road. State College is sequestered in a valley, and Berkeley is straight up strange. Madison, WI is the place to be. It's a very real place. This is a center of political activity (very liberal), there is a financial district, there is a large professional community, and above all Madison is home to a lot of regular citizens. On top of all that an exciting state capital can offer, there is an amazing sense of school pride and spirited atmosphere that surround this campus in the heart of downtown Madison. Game days are unreal and wild, but during the week there is a true environment of learning. I don't quite know how to explain it, but it just feels like you're in a place where big things are happening. Whether the music school (which is excellent) is putting on a concert, or the engineering school (that out-ranks Harvard) just created something that would make your head spin, something academically amazing is happening. The administration is very friendly and helpful. This is characteristic of the entire state of Wisconsin. People look for reasons to trust you rather than not to trust you, and they truly help you when you are in need. The recent political rallies over Governor Walker's stupidity were pretty outrageous. That's some campus controversy. The most unusual thing about this school is, I think, that it exists. The probability that such a fine institution of learning would exist in America's dairyland is just unusual and delightful. When most people think "Wisconsin" they don't think engineering or big-time business, skyscrapers, or particle accelerators. They think farms and cheese and cows that go moo.

UW--Madison is a well-established, well-balanced part of the community, and is a source of love and pride for its students and alumni. Since we're the biggest UW campus, we contribute a tremendous amount of research to many academic fields, and we're known to be a rigorous, well-rounded school. Overall, I personally love Madison. School spirit is everywhere--when I was studying for finals this semester, Bucky came dancing through the library late at night, and lots of clapping and cat calling accompanied him. I love the social atmosphere on and around campus; I can't imagine a better college city than Madison, which is consistently named one of the best cities in the country in terms of health, crime, unemployment rates, happiness, etc. I also love the academic opportunities here, which are broad and varied for each major. There's an atmosphere of ambition and determination that applies not only to academics but to life in general. The time I spend in the library is substantial, but so is the time I spend with friends, whether it's at a party or the Union or the terrace in the warmer months. Madison is definitely a large school, which might be intimidating to prospective students, but I've never felt overwhelmed or lost in the crowd here. The more time you spend on campus, and the more people you meet, the more it feels like home. In spite of the large campus and the large student population, there are definitely ways of making it feel smaller. Personally, I like that there is always someone new to meet and always a group of friends to go back to--it seems like the best of both worlds. One thing that surprised me after I started classes here was how, despite how many students there are here and the high expectations we have for ourselves, we aren't cutthroat or competitive. The atmosphere is one of collective determination, and collaboration and individual effort are combined to make classes fun, not scary. I always know, going into a difficult class, that my classmates and I will get through it together and I will probably make friends because of the effort we put in. Overall, I think Madison's size and reputation work for it, rather than against it. Badgers know how to party, study, and make their way in a big school by working together and staying focused.

You will never run out of opportunities to explore, absorb experiences, and get informed. UW-Madison is a big school filled with people who love to learn, and this really fosters a community of enthusiastic educators! The flipside, however, is that you need to make a space for yourself amidst this sea of people; without some self-motivation it can be easy to get lost among all these undergrads. The social scene is practically the quintessential college experience. State Street has tons of great coffee shops, restaurants, and little shops for meet-ups and hangouts (not to mention the epic Halloween FreakFest). Frat Row is always available for those interested, Mifflin Street serves as the alternative party scene. Badger Football is a phenomenon hard to miss out on--even without tickets you still inevitably wake up excited on those Fall Saturday mornings. Finally, you can really tell that the Madison community loves its college kids, accommodating us in every way imaginable.

One thing that distinguishes UW-Madison from many other colleges are the extensive opportunities offered for the aspiring undergraduate. I am double majoring in Zoology and English Literature, two fields that do not often coincide. Both departments have made me feel extremely included and well-informed about my present and future options. Some of the hours I have spent in my TA or professors' office hours have made me very confidents about my academic choices. Upon enrolling at UW-Madison, I was overwhelmed by the size of the school. However, I have come to believe it is that very aspect that offers such a unique and full experience. Not only are there students from all different backgrounds and cultures, there is a strong sense of unity among us. Additionally, the citizens of Madison often come onto the campus for football games, visiting the lake, etc., so we have a sense of oneness with the city as well. It has been interesting to interact with older people who live in the town, not just college-age students. Another great thing about Madison is that it is the perfect haven for the aspiring politician or revolutionist! Most of America knows the reputation Madison had during the Vietnam War for protesting. The Humanities building was even built to withstand riots! That reputation is still well-earned today. I had a great time protesting the educational reforms last year at the Capitol, making signs and staying the night in sleeping bags. Even if you're not someone who loves to "rise up against the man", it's still exciting to be where change is happening. There are downsides to this school. It's a fairly big city, so it's not safe to walk around at night or attend many of the parties without a fairly clear head and some protection. UW offers many assistances such as the Safe Walk program and Safe Ride buses, but it's definitely not always a quiet, relaxing environment. Although I have grown to love the school and prize it for its academics, I did not have a great first semester due to the fact that the social scene of freshmen is largely partying.

One that that some students may dislike at my school is the size of the campus. If you are looking for a small school, this is definitely not the one for you. That being said, due to our big campus, students at this school have access to amazing facilities and a very wide range of major options. Additionally, professors and TAs go out of their way to make sure that they are available to have one-on-one time with students if they need it. One really great thing about my school is the location. Although Madison is the capitol of Wisconsin and the UW-Madison is considered to be part of the downtown area, my campus would definitely be considered part of a college town. Just a short walk can get you to a gym, restaurant, capitol building, our amazing football stadium, or any of the halls. Additionally, if you are looking to venture out, all students at UW-Madison get a free bus pass that gives you access to the entire Madison Metro bus system to get you anywhere you need to go! Last but not least is our overall school spirit. Everyone in Madison loves their school and loves where they are. There is a great sense of pride and camaraderie at Madison that really makes it an enjoyable place to study.

I love this school. It is the Goldilocks of colleges, not too much of anything but just right. I have attended two other colleges, one large (U of M Minneapolis) and one small (UW River Falls), but Madison falls squarely in the middle. It is a fairly large campus, with around 42,000 students, that manages to feel like a little community town. You can see the Capitol from pretty much anywhere, and places like State St. with it's independent shops and restaurants lend it a unique, personal charm. You can meet new people every day, and yet never go too long without seeing a few familiar faces. It fosters a positive atmosphere which encourages students to branch out from their comfort zone and try something new. I spend most of my time in a coffee shop near campus, where I study and chat with whomever is behind the bar or sitting next to me. One of the best things about UW Madison is how friendly everybody is- you can strike up a conversation with just about anybody. One thing you can't do on campus though is root for the other team- Madison students are fierce badger fans. There is some controversy on campus, however. The school is facing budget cuts due to Governor Walker's policies. Students have risen to the occasion though, and followed the controversy in the papers as well as live, as they protested at Capitol Square. Students have also taken part in the petition to have Walker recalled by signing it and volunteering to collect signatures. Our school is proud and driven, and inclusive.

There aren't many things I dislike about UW-Madison. Above all, the university is the perfect sandbox for any sort of academic interest and is very attached to its students' success. Madison itself is enough of a reason to go to UW; the city is full of great cultural and historic heritage and is one of the great mid-sized cities in the United States. UW has national recognition and in Wisconsin is the center of higher education; many professors are the leading experts on Wisconsin-related issues and are well-known throughout the state or the country. The city of Madison perfectly toes the line between the average Big Ten college town and a large city. The campus itself has a small college feel to it (it's one of the smallest schools by area in the Big Ten) but other areas around the city have dense and wonderful neighborhoods which could fit in great cities like Chicago or San Francisco. Many people complain about the winter weather, but if that's going to stop you from attending one of the nation's best public schools you probably wouldn't fit in at UW anyway. The university's administration is currently facing one of the most difficult periods in recent memory following the departure of a chancellor and a very large budget cut coming down from the state government. The entire political process associated with this budget cut, the Board of Regents and university's leaders has led to the largest campus controversy recently. The Board of Regents still hasn't selected a replacement for our former chancellor, so currently the chancellor who led the university through most of the 1990s is at the helm. School pride is impressive and contagious. Football is an obsession, especially after two consecutive Rose Bowl appearances, and despite the state's political differences just about everyone can agree on their love for the Badgers. The traditions at home football games are ancient, wonderful and will become the one of the things about Wisconsin you miss the most. Many of these same traditions, including one particularly profane chant, give UW a bad name. This is one of the university's drawbacks. Although many students here are smart, engaged and driven, there is also a pocket of students who only are interested in partying and football at the cost of their education. Overall, Wisconsin will offer incredible experience to any type of personality. The future of the university's financial situation remains unclear because of the uncertainty with Wisconsin's political situation, but this should not deter students from attending college in one of the nation's most unique, intellectually-stimulating and vibrant cities.

I love Wisconsin! My favorite thing is the setup of school itself, a midwestern city school in the capital of Wisconsin, Madison. The school itself is so big and has so many students yet really does not feel that big because of how close together most of the school buildings and living facilities are. Madison is a very spirited college town and the best days are game days when everybody is so happy to be wearing their red badgers shirt and showing their support walking up and down state street. When the badgers win, the whole city celebrates together through the streets and in the bars. There is a ton of school pride and everyone is always in their bucky t's or badger hats in summer or winter.

Madison is a very prestigious school academically, and in my experience that's a reputation that is well deserved. I'm of the belief that, ultimately, it is the person doing the teaching that you learn from, not the course, or the resources, or anything else. You can learn more from a good professor teaching about, say, canine orthodontics, than from an average person teaching astrophysics right out of a book. And in my areas of study at least, Madison's faculty has been simply awesome. I do take issue with the university's claims of being so "multicultural." It's true that there is a huge diversity of cultures represented in the student body and the faculty. But I'm not sure that says anything about the university, besides the fact that it has a very lucid admissions process. It seemed to me that marginalized (i.e., non-white) students and organizations tended to stick together, and it was very easy for a student to avoid Madison's "multiculturalism," if he or she so chose. And this is exactly what happens--students who have no interest in understanding other cultures do just that. The university's all-encompassing multicultural organization (the MCSC--Multicultural Student Coalition) was always at odds with the student government and the campus newspapers, struggling to receive sufficient funding or to make themselves heard by anyone besides the choir. So it feels a little dishonest to me that the university claims such progressivism. That being said, there truly is a lot of diversity on campus, and just by enrolling, you put yourself in a potentially very enlightening environment.

Personally, my two years at UW-Madison has been the best decision I've made yet. Coming to UW-Madison from a small town in Minnesota, I have been exposed to some of the best opportunities available for my personal growth and development, and also my future career of Journalism. Madison offers so many new and exciting activities for students and their college lives. I can't imagine going to school anywhere else and I would definitely recommend Madison to any incoming college student.

I love Madison! The only thing that would be bad is that it is really big. Extremely big. It's hard to make friends. I came from a town of 4,000 people, so making the change was pretty difficult, but it was definitely worth it. I was in a FIG (First Year Interest Group) as a freshmen, and that made all the difference. You take 3 classes structured around a core concept with the same group of about 20 students. It's a great way to meet friends and to ease your way into Madison. Another thing I love about Madison is the school spirit. If you didn't know, we're pretty good at sports. Our football team is going to the Rose Bowl for the second year in a row. Going to football and basketball games is awesome. It feels great to be surrounded by everyone there, and to participate in the same traditions as hundreds of people have before.

Attending the University of Wisconsin was the single greatest decision of my life. This is a great school in an amazing city with the best people. We've got a huge football program (Rose Bowl two years in a row) and the school pride that comes along with that. We've also got a thriving art and cinema community. Campus is big, but I think it's the perfect size, especially within Madison. Located in the state capitol, Madison is often the center of political discussions. Every single person I talk to who've gone to Madison say they loved the school and never want to leave. It's easy to get involved on campus by joining the hundreds of student organizations. I'm on a long-form improv team, the Film Committee, and have two radio shows. I love all my professors and classes. There's a social scene for everyone here, I can't stress that enough.