When I say this I mean this: the University of Wisconsin is by far, with no competition, the superior university across the board. Madison is the better college town, it has a much more academic prestige, the sports and athletic program success and culture is far better, and student life is superior as well. Additionally, it is much more safe and has a larger national brand. If you look at the statistics, Madison consists of 50% out of state students whereas Minnesota is just under 25%. Additionally, it is much harder to get into Madison as a Minnesota resident than it is to get into Minnesota as a Madison resident because the demand and the acceptance rate is much lower. If you have the choice, Madison is the way to go. However, most people (at least from what I have heard) use Minnesota as their backup school if they do not get into Madison- because it is still a decently solid school.
Its interesting to me how you view the Twin cities as a smaller metro area. I know you thought of it as 1.2 million but is actually closer to 3.5 million. Madison is much smaller with a metro population in the 600k range. Great Video btw
I'm currently deciding between these two schools. Would you recommend that oos students (I'm from Pa) have a car on campus at UMN if possible? It's not much of a concern at UW because you said everything is walkable which is nice. Also how do winters compare in both cities that you've noticed? As you said, most students commute at both universities, so would I, being someone living on campus, still have like the same college experiences as if I went to a college where most people live on campus if that makes sense at all. I'm sorry for all of the questions, but I don't know which college to choose and it's stressing me out bc I only have like 4 days to decide. Thank you so much for this video!
Hey, I’m glad I saw this comment right away. Having a car at the University of Minnesota is definitely nice to explore more of the city and surrounding area, but not completely necessary because there’s lots of housing right close to campus and you can just stay around there… and there is always the city & university bus systems too which are both fairly easy to navigate and are included with your university card (same a madison). As for the winters, you’re going to get more snow in Minnesota, but in Madison, the wind is what’s more noticeable. Since the campus in Madison is between two lakes, it seems like the wind never stops, but but overall there is less snow there. Temps are pretty similar both places. Hope this helps! Honestly most major difference is living in a bit bigger of a city (mpls/ st paul) or smaller more college-town type city (madison). And the wind vs snow 😮💨
Interesting - also very familiar with both campuses, have had covid experience on both campuses (have a kid on each) and this hasn't fully reflected our experience. I definitely felt UW Madison as a University did a better job with covid. I have seen mixed flexibility on both campuses with profs accomodating hybrid options, etc. I also think you can run into super friendly kids and super rude kids on either campus (or any campus for that matter). I really like both schools, it's a win win choice if you are chosing between the two. It's clear you prefer Minnesota which is great. Ski-U-Mah.
Love this input. You're spot on about being able to meet any type of person on either campus, and everyone has their own super personalized and subjective experience! Maybe you're right about COVID too- theres much to consider, and I was definitely feeling biased against Madison in the height of it all as a student attending there at that time... perhaps Minnesota felt better because I was at a distance from it until a little later on. Happy we are past the highest intensity time of it now regardless!
Hi! I currently do PSEO at UMN and I really love it because everyone I've met is so welcoming and nice, but I'm still considering Madison. Just curious, why did you transfer schools? Was it because of covid?
Hey! I made the switch because of my major (better program opportunity at the U of M for developmental psychology), and because I wasn't loving the environment in Madison. I think it can be a great place for so many people but just wasn't feeling the best for me during covid times (I transferred after taking Spring semester of 2021 off)
