First year student, trans woman, wants to major in chem or computer science. Options: Beloit College, Lawrence Univ, or starting at either UW Milwaukee or UW Eau Claire and using ‘guaranteed transfer’ after 1 year to move to UW Madison. The two privates are only about $6K more per year. Please share your thoughts.
First, I would narrow each category down to one school, and eliminate the other.
So, between Lawrence and Beloit… I’d say, if you’re also a musician and a rich musical culture on campus is important to you, then Lawrence. Otherwise, Beloit, because I think it’s slightly more progressive (both the school and the surrounding area). But it’s a close call between these two so other factors could swing the decision, especially your personal impressions if/when you visited.
Between Milwaukee and Eau Claire, what would be your pick? Do you prefer a city?
Once you’ve identified your LAC of choice and your UW branch campus of choice, then weigh which path you prefer. I’m assuming that if you had direct-admit to Madison, you’d be choosing it over Beloit or Lawrence… otherwise, I feel like you’d have ruled out the transfer pathway already, correct? So… do you want Madison badly enough to deal with the whole transfer scenario? Or would you rather attend a single LAC for 4 years, possibly with a study-abroad change of scene along the way?
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