The University of Wisconsin - Madison

I transferred here from a very small, uptight private university, and UW-Madison is by far the better experience, both socially and academically, of the two. People who expect to have life neatly handed to them on a fancy platter probably won't do very well here, but if you make even the smallest effort to meet new people and explore the city there is no end to the possibilities. Yeah, the faculty are self-absorbed, but without that passion for their own work they wouldn't be as interesting and inspiring as all of my professors have been. Yeah, the winters are awful, but if anyone was conscious during geography class in elementary school they would have realized that's just the way it is around here. I've learned to adapt to and even love the winter weather and activities now. Mostly, I love the thousands of opportunities surrounding students on this campus. It is so easy to walk out your door and join a new club or interest group, become a volunteer, become active in politics, make friends with that cute guy in your chem class or find a new hangout you'd never considered before. If you have an open mind and can make the effort to make your life what you want it to be, then I'd say Madison is a great place for you to be.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2005

Social Life: A+, Campus Aesthetics: C+