mom2collegekids

25k for Wisconsin and 42k for USC but I'm pretty sure I can get USC lower via filling out the financial aid form or through the transfer merit scholarship. I live on the west coast so USC is definitely preferable in terms of location but which program is the strongest and will set me up better for grad school


Are you talking about tuition only? The COA for USC is more than that. And the COA for UMinn is more than that.

When will you get your FA packages? I think much will depend on affordability if money is a concern. How much will your parents pay?
How are you planning on paying for school?

Are you saying that you haven't filled the FA paperwork yet?

If you don't get good aid for USC, the UMinn will be your best deal....great for ChemE and lowish cost for OOS. But, you'll still have a decent amount to pay. Will your parents pay for UMinn?

BrownParent

I am confused too. You applied for UCS without filling out financial paperwork that might get you an offer and think that you can still do it at this late date?

Also you should be comparing COA with EFC. Are you saying EFC for you for all of these is full tuition and cost of attendence?

btw, my daughter has attended grad school at Wisconsin for 3 years now and absolutely loves the area.

BigBadDad

Having visited both schools with DD, I can say that we left UWisc unimpressed. UMinn has a better program, a new Nanotechnology & Physics center to be completed in 2013 and in our experience, more hands on opportunities. UMINN's honors college appears to be an amazing opportunity if you are interested/qualified for it.

noimagination

Minnesota and Wisconsin are both top-notch for ChemE. I don't think there's really much of an academic difference.
More importantly, Minnesota claimed the 2011-12 McNaughton Cup and advanced to the Frozen Four. Wisconsin? Does the phrase 'losing record' ring any bells?

Go Gophers!

grabbit

Haha, I'm going to USC for free. PhD yo!!!!

I would pick based on location.

barrons

Do the terms two straight Rose Bowls, nationally ranked top sports atmosphere, Sweet 16, and a social scene that is off the charts mean anything?

The Top 20 College Football Atmospheres in the Country | Bleacher Report

Campus Connection: On-field success helps UW cash in on new media rights deal

rjkofnovi

Wisky all over Minny for the whole collegiate experience.

UCBChemEGrad

FIFY

But I shouldn't be talking... Haha!

barrons

Sorry, but it is not a homer comment. For undergrad experience not even in same league. Pretty much every survey done says that-not just me. Maybe for grad school in ChemE being in a larger city would have an advantage.
According to recent NSSE studies only 30% of UM seniors said their education was excellent. 59% of UW seniors said it was excellent. 66% of UW seniors said they definitely would go to UW again, only 42% of Uminn said that.

You only do undergrad once. Don't blow it.

At least for UW fans the act of just making the Rose Bowl is reward enough. We are not USC with 500 good athletes within a short bus ride. Unlike Oregon our guys are not the best Nike can buy. Most were not highly recruited and were developed by the coaches and their own hard work into future top NFL draft choices. Anyone can polish a diamond. It is a much tougher trick to turn a lump of coal into one.

BigBadDad

Since DD's interest in sports is pretty much pegged at 0% - UWisc's prowess does nothing for her. The impression/feel was something that all three of us felt on the two campuses - but didn't discuss until on our way home from visiting various schools. I had to hold my tongue and not say anything throughout the trip because I didn't want to sway DD's opinion. It just was something that felt "right" for her at UMINN. She's applying to five schools so her mind isn't made up - but in terms of Wisc & Minn - hands down, she liked Minn's campus visit experience better. She's pretty much a lock for the honors program and is really interested in going for it - if she goes there.

barrons

Her loss. It goes way beyond sports.

packattack23

I've lived in Wisconsin for most of my life and I will be attending USC next year. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, the people that go to Minnesota weren't accepted to Wisconsin. Madison is one of the best college towns in America. I love Madison, but I chose not to apply because it was too average for me. UW Madison has a great campus, but the cold weather renders the campus a a hardship due to its expansive size. I'm particularly excited to move to LA and experience some nice weather. Personally, I prefer USC's campus to Madison's. If you plan to live in California after you graduate, it would be best to attend USC. They are both great options. I wouldn't recommend attending Minnesota however.

Sam Lee

^Even if you plan to live in California after graduation, Wisky is still a better choice than USC for chemE because:
1. Plans change all the time
2. Wisky's reputation in chemE industry is nationwide; even pharma and biotech companies in SoCal know Wisky and know it's better than USC by pretty good margin. If USC's program were in the top-15 or top-20, maybe the proximity would make up the difference or may even give it the edge but unfortunately, it's further down the list.

UCBChemEGrad

^ I doubt packattack's major is ChemE.

The campus is nice but an island in an urban concrete jungle surrounded by two freeways, wide boulevards and 7 story parking structures. Madison at least is a college oriented city.


Nearly 18 years of Wisconsin winters hasn't toughened you up yet?

Sam Lee

A friendly warning: lots of people look forward to it and quickly realize how overrated (& ugly) it is and even hate it. A good friend of mine and I are examples.