My student can’t decide. Has been to both campuses hoping to “just feel it” but left feeling the same about both.
Both are OOS (UW is a 2 hour plane flight, UMD is a 2 hour train ride). Both are about the same in cost.
Admitted directly to the school of Education at both for Elementary Education. Of note, my student is male and knows he will be in the minority for this major. But also not 100% sold on this major. Maybe psychology, maybe something in business, he really doesn’t know.
One thing different between the two schools, at UMD, he was invited to participate in one of their Living Learning Communities which includes a specific dorm and class his first semester.
Thinks he wants Greek life, doesn’t mind the cold weather (actually kind of likes it), wants lots of school spirit and plans to attend all the football and basketball games he can. Will likely choose to do intramural sports.
He applied to these schools because they check a lot of the same boxes. Now he is struggling to really find the difference between them in order to choose.
Anyone’s student decide between these two schools? What did they choose and why?
If he does major in elementary education, which university’s elementary education curriculum aligns best with the elementary teacher credentialing requirements in the locations he may want to teach in?
Fortunately this is a hard choice in a good way since they both seem like great fits. I will admit I am partial to Madison, which I think is a fantastic college town. But I agree a train ride for travel is very appealing.
You could try the coin flip trick. Assign them heads and tails and then see how you feel when it lands. If you feel a bit disappointed, that points the other way. If you are happy, maybe listen to the coin! It sounds kinda trivial but the point is when everything looks good on paper, you might as well go with your intuition.
My son went to school two hours away by train (St. Joe’s in Philly) and it was wonderful for him to pop home once in a while freshman year. Also, Madison is COLD!!!
School spirit around sports will be higher at Wisconsin if that matters. The Ed school at Wisconsin is a premiere Ed school. The area around Wisconsin is considered by most to be much nicer than around umd. Madison is a super nice college town/city. But umd has access to downtown DC, if that matters.