University of Wisconsin or Texas A and M

[beast]

I am from the UK and next year my university course in Economics has a study abroad component. I have the option of the following universities within the states: Boston College, Boulder, Wisconsin (Madison), Texas A and M, McGill (Canada), Richmond, Nebraska, Montana State, Minnesota and Missouri (Columbia).

Through looking at rankings I have found Boston College, Wisconsin (Madison), Texas A and M and McGill to be the highest ranked. Entrance requirements are not a problem for me, as my university, Warwick just has to apply for me on written recommendations.
Therefore I am unsure which to choose? Academically they are very similar, however as I don't live in the states what would be your opinion on any of these universities? As their costs and academic rankings are so similar, it would also be great to have your opinion on the area as well? This may well be the deciding factor.

Personally I would prefer not to go to Canada so this really rules out McGill. I also thought that the problem with Boston College is compared to the Ivy League universities surrounding, it may be overshadowed. I may be wrong though? Therefore it leaves Texas A and M and Wisconsin, Madison. From what it appears Madison seems to be a prettier city to College station, and it is located within a two hour drive of Chicago which would be useful for job opportunities in the following year. This is because my course is four years unlike the three most English universities have, so my third year is a job placement year. Although most people in the course will work in London where the salaries are the highest, I was thinking that I could work in the states on my third year. So it would also be useful if anyone has any opinions on which areas have the most jobs in Banking sectors and so forth? I am also aware of the visa situation; however after discussing this with my tutors it is possible if I arrange a job before the visa application process.

Thanks

Adam

[Santisua]

For what you are saying, do Wisconsin. I've heard good things about college station but i've heard great things about madison

[drlvegas]

Madison is an awesome college town. The football(American) stadium holds something like 100,000 people.

I've never been to A & M, but it is in Texas. Bound to be lots of pretty girls.

People from the midwest and Texas are both some of the nicest in the US.

It's cold as hell in Wisconsin on the winter, otherwise a very tough choice.

[Sal Webber]

beast if you are looking for banking opportunities...those are really in New York (Manhattan) or Charlotte, NC. Chicago has some but all of the HQ jobs are in NY and NC. It's just better to be near HQ if you have a choice.

I'm a southerner so I'd pick A&M and Charlotte for work.

Madison is also an awesome place. The cold weather would get on my nerves though...I've heard spring doesn't really start until May. I would not cross off BC if you are looking for financial services...you've got Fidelity right there in Boston(but I've heard it's a strange family owned biz situation)...and Manhattan is just a short train ride away. The ivy leaguers I know are too self interested, ambituous, and insular to even ask you what school you went to. Your accent will make them think you are smarter than they are...so they won't bother you. They only pick fights they know they can win...there aren't many B grades handed out at Harvard.

[Tiburon]

Personally I would prefer not to go to Canada so this really rules out McGill. I also thought that the problem with Boston College is compared to the Ivy League universities surrounding, it may be overshadowed.

Montreal is awesome, don't rule it out because it is in Canada.

Boston is a wonderful city. The comment about overshadowing doesn't make any sense.

[Sgsolberg]

I live in Saint Paul, MN and graduated with an economics degree from a local university 3 years ago.

Both Wisconsin and Minnesota have great programs. If you are interested in applied or mathematical economics or econometrics then you will be pleased with either school.

To be honest, you should be looking at determining which school you will attend based on the focus of your economics degree (econometrics, IO, Game Theory, or pure theoretical).

The one extra draw if you come to Minnesota is the beer culture locally. You will not be disappointed.

[beast]

I have nothing against Canada, it's just I've always wanted to live in America and see what it is actually like compared to all the films and media and such. Canada also seems to be more similar to the UK with things such as free health care and other policies. Sorry if I am trying to make generalizations.

What I meant regarding Boston college is, wouldn't having the worlds best universities nearby like MIT and Harvard mean employers and people wouldn't treat you as well and regard you on a lower standard . In the UK there are universities (not mine) around Oxford and Cambridge and if you go to them you are treated like shit by all the students and residents, despite the fact they are good compared to the rest of the country.

But then I suppose I am looking at this from an English prospective and the whole state of Massachusetts is about the size of England.

Thanks

[mstrofbass]

Being a University of Texas-Austin grad, I could never, in good conscience recommend going to A&M.

[Raskolnikov]

My vote is definitely Boston College. Academically, the school ranks right up there with America's best. Just because it has some more illustrious neighbors doens't diminish that in the slightest. Furthermore, New England is a beautiful part of the country and absolutely full of history -- Boston, in particular. IMO, you couldn't pick a more interesting place to visit, and the school looks, to me anyways, to be the best choice on your list.

[icooley]

beast if you are looking for banking opportunities...those are really in New York (Manhattan) or Charlotte, NC. Chicago has some but all of the HQ jobs are in NY and NC. It's just better to be near HQ if you have a choice.

I'm a southerner so I'd pick A&M and Charlotte for work.

Madison is also an awesome place. The cold weather would get on my nerves though...I've heard spring doesn't really start until May. I would not cross off BC if you are looking for financial services...you've got Fidelity right there in Boston(but I've heard it's a strange family owned biz situation)...and Manhattan is just a short train ride away. The ivy leaguers I know are too self interested, ambituous, and insular to even ask you what school you went to. Your accent will make them think you are smarter than they are...so they won't bother you. They only pick fights they know they can win...there aren't many B grades handed out at Harvard.

No great schools in Charlotte though.

Can't go wrong with any of the other schools IMO. Boston may be the best location job wise.

[Dave76]

I'm a bit biased as I have an engineering degree from Texas A&M. I don't know much about the economics department execpt that my son has an economics degree from A&M and I paid for it. ;)

My son lives in Houston, about an hour from College Station. He's been out of school four years now and has had no problems finding jobs. He has voluntarily changed jobs a couple of times with no problem.

Sorry, that's about all I know.

[Sami]

Can't comment on the programs of either of those schools, but as for living... I might be inclined to say Texas. Though I haven't lived in Wisconsin, the weather is most likely worse than the UK. I've lived in the UK long enough to know that I hate the weather here. It's too depressing and it's even colder in Wisconsin than it is here.

Yes it's hot as fuck in Texas, but A/C is literally EVERYWHERE. Cost of living is pretty pretty cheap in Texas, but I don't know what it's like Wisconsin.

I don't know what sort of social life there is in Wisconsin, but I will guarantee you right now, it is better in Austin. Austin is pretty kick ass with a great night life, especially if you like live music.

The downside is that you'll be going to A&M; and that school gets a lot of shit from other schools. Just google Aggie Jokes. :(

I'd probably choose Boston though, I think it probably still has better job prospects. They actually have seasons over there.

All of these are just my opinions, except that Texas is a better state that Wisconsin. Just look at the state slogans:

http://www.txmemories.com/img/p/177-299-large.jpg

VS.

http://rlv.zcache.com/funny_state_slogan_t_shirt_wisconsin-p2358680562441282403g73_400.jpg

[Guido]

^ Sami, that's all well and good, but Texas A&M is in College Station, NOT Austin. BIG difference.

To the OP, I'd go with Wisconsin-Madison. Great town, very scenic, among the best schools in the Big Ten, and close enough to Chicago. BTW, I'm from Chicago, so I can tell you there are plenty of banking opportunities there, too (Chicago Board of Trade, LaSalle, all other major national banking branches, etc. etc.). Great city, too.

[Sami]

^ Sami, that's all well and good, but Texas A&M is in College Station, NOT Austin. BIG difference.

To the OP, I'd go with Wisconsin-Madison. Great town, very scenic, among the best schools in the Big Ten, and close enough to Chicago. BTW, I'm from Chicago, so I can tell you there are plenty of banking opportunities there, too (Chicago Board of Trade, LaSalle, all other major national banking branches, etc. etc.). Great city, too.

Ah yes, I forgot how far away College Station was Austin. I just remembered seeing a lot of Aggies at some of the Austin parties I went to.

[Jamie J. Skibicki]

" what it is actually like compared to all the films and media and such"

okay, now I'm curious. How is the US portrayed in movies and such.

[mstrofbass]

I just remembered seeing a lot of Aggies at some of the Austin parties I went to.

Not a surprise at all, particularly if the people thought they would get any kind of culture in College Station.

[Sami]

" what it is actually like compared to all the films and media and such"

okay, now I'm curious. How is the US portrayed in movies and such.

I tell everyone high school is exactly like Dazed and Confused. Because in Texas, it is.

[beast]

Firstly thanks for the opinions so far,

I am now going to reconsider Boston college since it appears my preconceptions were wrong. It is really useful for me to hear peoples opinions as the universities are all quite similar academically and offer all the areas I am interested in pursuing.

Jamie- Regarding American portrayal, the things to me which America are portrayed in films and such are good things to me. For example in films all the houses and suburban areas seem so pretty despite being seeming to be the average. The way of life is also made "romantic" as you either see places which are thick in snow in the winter (a good thing for people in England) or really hot and sunny.
I am also interested in what the wealth distribution is like in America not just from statistics? According to English people which have visited the US there is large upper class and large amounts of lower class people but nothing really exists in the middle. For example I am told if you are half rich you send your children to private high schools as most state schools are supposed to be terrible, whereas in the UK even rich people go to state school.

For me it is amazing what you can get for your money out there in comparison to England. I have grown up in a town about 45mins away from London and the houses which are all on average very expensive when compared to the US are shit. For the same price of a mansion in the states you get a 4 bed semi-detached back here in the UK.

Obviously the states gets a lot of shit here in the UK, which I'm sure the UK does in the states. George Bush is commonly referred to, and "fat obese Americans" is a common theme, despite the fact when i went to America a few years ago I didn't really see anyone obese. I think there are more fatties in UK. Actually what I think the problem is; the super fattest appear to be in the US whereas as in the UK there are more just chubby/overweight people.

Obama is treated like a god here in the UK and many people were wearing "vote Obama" badges in my school, despite the fact it had nothing do with the them. The thing was it became almost a social thing here in the UK, where if you didn't say you supported Obama you were considered a racist or something. (It is going to be quite interesting in the future as Americans have voted for Democrats after republicans have been in office for a number of years, whereas as in the UK labour the equilvilant of the Democrats have been leading for the last ten years, whilst in the next elections it is virtually certain the Conservatives an equivalent of the Republicans will get in. I think therefore it really shows that with things like politics people are voting for change for the sake of it, give the next party a chance even if they will be no better off).
The other thing which may surprise you is American footballers are generally seen as pussies to the English with all the protection, despite the fact that if they watched a game they would find it quite brutal.

Another thing is if they think of America the immediately think New York, California and Florida. Any other state with the exception of maybe Texas it is likely they haven't heard of. So basically a lot of perceptions come from shows which are aired by MTV and Disney.

Sorry this is bit long and badly written!

Thanks

[Sami]

I am also interested in what the wealth distribution is like in America not just from statistics? According to English people which have visited the US there is large upper class and large amounts of lower class people but nothing really exists in the middle. For example I am told if you are half rich you send your children to private high schools as most state schools are supposed to be terrible, whereas in the UK even rich people go to state school.




My experience from state schools in Houston, was that there was a very wide range of socio-economic representation. I think it's rarer to send children to private schools in the US. Where I lived in Houston, I don't even know where a private high school/boarding school was. I knew of about 1 or 2 private elementary (primary) schools were, but that's it. But at my high school, we had SEVERAL kids drive BMWs, Mercedes, Suburbans, Mustangs, Camaros/Trans Ams... all late model new vehicles. Some even had classic muscle cars they would drive. We had a few kids whose parents were professional athletes.

Then you've got the apartment complexes where it takes 3 buses JUST of kids that live in that single complex. Kids that where the same pair of jeans the entire year, hoping nobody will notice. And every shade between. I lived in an apartment, but I had plenty of normal clothes, my own car and several musical instruments.

This may only just be where I lived, it is probably different in other areas.

You've probably watched too much Gossip Girl. ;)

[beast]

Sami- I hardly watch tv and had to search on the internet what gossip girl was!

I suppose when people visit countries they often only see the best and worst of a country, not noticing what's in the middle.

[Sami]

Oh, forgot to compare to my experience to the UK!

Private school seems to be MUCH more prevalent in the UK, and state schools really seem to be looked down upon. I can think of about 6-7 very expensive private/ boarding schools within 15 minutes of me right now (I'm not strictly in London, just outside the M25). Several parents I've seen so far will put private education above a bigger house or newer car; it's really something to strive for here. And even if they go to private schools their entire education, MANY will go to those little private tutorial colleges just to get good GCSEs/A-Levels (high school type stuff) for Uni.

And I think it makes more of a difference here. You can tell (in a lot of cases, but not all) within seconds if someone went to private school or a state school. There's such a huge difference in the accent. You don't really get that as much in America. As long as someone is not a thug in America, you can't really tell by the way they talk so much, if they went to private or state school.

[George Noble]

The fact that you live 15 minutes away from 6-7 very expensive private schools rather skews your perspective on this. Even in the affluent area I live in there is only really one that I know about (granted, it's Rugby). Nottingham Uni has among the highest proportions of privately educated students but I have never really seen anyone looked down on for being state educated.

[Sami]

Yeah, probably. 'Looked down upon' was probably too strong a word... but I didn't necessarily mean about how private:state students feel about each other. But I get the feeling that in London it's a factor. Or at least in my experience, where some medics (especially the old school dr's) can be a little elitist. I think it may have skewed my perspective observing how some of the Old Boy medics/consultants talk to some of the 'normal' students.

There are some very very clever medics in our year, yet their accent gives away they didn't go to Harrow/Eton etc, and it's a sometime a stark obvious contrast when they are speaking to consultants. I can't say this significantly influences how they are treated, maybe because it stands out to me more, I think about it too much.

[beast]

Sami where abouts are you located, because i'm from St Albans, I didn't expect there to be so many people living in England around here!

[Sami]

I was in London (Chiswick) but I recently moved to Buckinghamshire.

[Smack]

The only difference I noticed between private and state students is that private ones played rugby and state ones played football.

[Tiburon]

What I meant regarding Boston college is, wouldn't having the worlds best universities nearby like MIT and Harvard mean employers and people wouldn't treat you as well and regard you on a lower standard .

The only people who will look down on you for going to Boston College are people who went to Notre Dame.

And deservedly so, IMHO.

[Sami]

The only difference I noticed between private and state students is that private ones played rugby and state ones played football.

In my experience, the most notable difference between a private and state student, was the private 'Harrow' boy voted Joe McElderry and the state student (well, everyone else really) voted Rage Against the Machine. The Harrow boy was actually 'offended' by the RATM song. :/

[mcsquared]

To the OP, I almost went to UW-Madison. I have family that lives in Madison and throughout Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is a GREAT school. Positives are:
- Solid sports teams, basketball and football, which means there practically always something to do/go to on the weekends. The Big Ten is a great conference to play in and Wisconsin is pretty competitive there if I remember right.
- Great town. Madison is a HUGE party town and every there drinks and loves to drink. I've heard legends.
- Great academics. The entire University ranks pretty high in nationwide rankings typically. I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed there.
- Madison is beautiful in the summer, and the girls...are beautiful to match. At least from what I've seen.
- Good fraternity/sorority scene if thats something you're interested in.
- Cheap beer. It is Wisconsin, after all.

Negatives:
- Weather. Winters can be vicious.
- Social atmosphere can be distracting.

My opinion on A&M is that its a school that is dominated by the military. The Corps of Cadets makes up a large segment of the student population and, in the words of a graduate, "the largest frat on campus." I don't know much about the school other than that.

Good luck!

[Jamie J. Skibicki]

"The other thing which may surprise you is American footballers are generally seen as pussies to the English with all the protection, despite the fact that if they watched a game they would find it quite brutal"

That funny because here it's the exact opposite; American Footballers are men and soccer players are upper middle class pussies who couldn't play a real sport (kind of like Crossfitters). Beckiham is not doing anything to help this image. Rugby players are looked at as mad men.

There is a lot more to the US than the coasts (the rest of the country sometimes refered to as the "fly over states"), but I"m not suprised you don't know much about it the UK, our politicians don't seem to give it much mind.

ANd I'm guessing you won't find much love for Obama on this board. Personally, I like to keep the money I make. Social programs in general piss me off.

[beast]

Yes I agree, I'm not an Obama fan either and never have been. From what I gather he has pissed off quite a few Americans as well the Chinese and Russians.

[Sami]

Yeah, high school in America is exactly like the video for Smashing Pumpkins' - 1979.

[Guido]

Yeah, high school in America is exactly like the video for Smashing Pumpkins' - 1979.When my mother saw the movie "Dazed and Confused" she basically said that WAS her high school (of course she was also in high school in the 70's). My experience in high school in the early 90's was more like "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" or "My So Called Life".