University of Wisconsin-Madison Visit Report by Cryto

Visit Activities:

Information Session: Yes - This was probably my least favorite part of the experience. I mean it wasn't anything bad, but just a standard dull presentation about the campus. It included statistics, and various facts.

Campus Tour: Yes - I'll go into more length about this below, but it was excellent and the best I have been on so far.

---

Campus:

---

All students were extremely nice as the Midwest stereotype told me they would be. Whenever my family and I needed directions or something, everyone was happy to help.

---

I didn't really have much contact with staff, but the adults around were also happy to help answer questions.

---

Overall I felt like the landscape was beautiful. The fact that its on an isthmus between Mendota and Menona made it a really cool and unique atmosphere. It was also awesome with the white snow cover.

---

One of my first impressions that stuck out to me was the old style architecture. Honestly, it felt to me a lot like what a campus should look and feel like.

---

I only saw inside some SE dorms and they were small as expected, but close to the libraries, Kohl Center, food, and the Terrace. Overall about what I expected.

---

Overall it felt safe I guess. Yes its a city, but sort of a small town feeling. Plus they have the blue phone poles all over you can use if needed.

---

Was better than I expected and really beautiful. I can really see myself going to school there.

---

Off-Campus:

---

Madison seems like a cool city and State street is awesome. The only problem I guess is that there's lots of construction going on. At least there making it better though is how I think about it.

Campus Visit Notes for University of Wisconsin-Madison

Visit Description:

Well, I am a senior from California and was really excited for my trip to Madison; also my first trip to the Midwest. I attended the "Admitted Student Day" which had an extended tour and presentation. I'll skip the presentation because it was pretty dull. So out tour was starting in the Red Gym.

As part of the day for admitted students, we were lucky to be able to eat at one of the Res Halls with current students. It was nice to be able to chat with a current student and here honest opinions about campus life and academics. Also I will add the food was pretty good at Gordon Commons in the SE cluster.

Next we met up with our tour guides. Probably one of the most unique and great parts of the tour was how it started. They split up the kids and parents between the guides so we could ask questions and what not without parents hanging over our shoulder. So we were already in the SE area so our first stop was a demo dorm room in Sellery. It was pretty small and dark w/o natural light, but seemed fine overall, nothing special.

Next up we went over to the Kohl Center and checked out the arena. It was very big, and I could tell a lot of fun was to be had there on gamedays. Also on a side note, I checked out Camp Randal the next day and that was pretty sweet too.

Next up we went to Grainger Hall (Business building). It was a very nice building and recently built I guess. They had cool swivel chairs too hah.

On the tour we were able to see the Physics building as well and the tour guides were very helpful in pointing out all the various buildings on the walk. Up next we went over to the Lakeshore side. There was a beautiful view of the Lake over there which I can tell is awesome in the Summer. Later we went over to Bascom Hill and Hall. It has awesome architecture and looks like a nice area to study in warmer parts of the year.

Overall, I thought the campus was amazing! People put down the weather, however coming from California, I love the four seasons atmosphere and welcome some cold. The architecture is so cool and it really feels like a college town. The basketball game was a lot of fun and I can tell its awesome in the Grateful Red section (Student section) The people there are really really nice and helpful always willing to answer questions. The lakes are beautiful and make the campus really cool and unique. SE dorms are pretty nice and I hope to stay there, but Lakeshore look nice as well for those looking for some more quiet. There was quite a bit of construction going on that took away from the ambiance, but I know that's only good for the campus. Again, I again recommend the Campus Inn for the location, and State Street is really cool.

If you are on the edge about the visit just go, its now my number one choice and I will more than likely attend this fall!

(Also for a more in depth review of my visit check out the UW boards I wrote a lot more there haha)

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

I stayed at the Campus Inn and I would highly recommend it. They have free breakfast/snacks/desert and is pretty nice. Best of all is its location is in the heart of campus.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

Anywhere on State Street is pretty good. I liked State Street Brats Tavern for before sporting events.