Jared

The stereotypical Wisconsin student does not exist. We come from all over (UW's out of state population comes out to 40% of the student body) and are here to one real reason: to learn. The stereotypical mentality; however, is that everyone parities non-stop. There are kegs in the dorm bathrooms and that all anybody does in Wisconsin is drink.

These stereotypes are true depending on where you live and where you put yourself. Obviously, UW is a GREAT school. The people that party non-stop first semester eiher drop out quickly or come back second semester a "changed person." It's big time academics and it takes people a little while to realize it. The stereotype exists... but it goes away. That's the real answer.

Let's get into it:

Wisconsin. Cheese. Beer. Brats. BADGERS. These things were all a bit strange to me. I come from southwest Florida, so the whole cold thing was a shock too.

The best thing about this school, hands down, is the academics. UW was recently ranked 17th in the WORLD for scientific research. That's some heavy stuff right there. My chemistry professor is actually a theoretical chemist and leading expert on chemical bonding. He just teaches intro chem (103) for fun. Clark Landis: he's the man.

Let me tell you a secret. There's no such thing as a "big school" where everyone is just a face in the crowd. There are way too many ways to make this university smaller for yourself. There's a greek system. There are hundreds upon hundreds of student organizations. There are religious organizations. The school has so much to offer that one should never feel alone. The best part about a large student body is that there are definitely people just like you.

People usually act with surprise when I tell them I go to this school, but that's mostly because I'm from Florida. They usually follow up their surprise with a "have fun being cold" or "that's a really good school." I prefer the second one. Weather shouldn't steer anyone away from this campus.

I spend most of my time in the library. I'm a biochemistry major on the pre-health (med) track so I'm plenty busy most of the time. There's a great student activity center (SAC) where I also study. I'm also in the chemistry building a whole lot. If I'm not at any of those places or asleep, I'm at the SERF (South East Recreational Facility) working out. It's a fantastic gym and it's open to any student with a wiscard (our student ID)

This is the best college town of all time. Ann Arbor is boring. Gainesville is a dirt road. State College is sequestered in a valley, and Berkeley is straight up strange. Madison, WI is the place to be. It's a very real place. This is a center of political activity (very liberal), there is a financial district, there is a large professional community, and above all Madison is home to a lot of regular citizens. On top of all that an exciting state capital can offer, there is an amazing sense of school pride and spirited atmosphere that surround this campus in the heart of downtown Madison. Game days are unreal and wild, but during the week there is a true environment of learning. I don't quite know how to explain it, but it just feels like you're in a place where big things are happening. Whether the music school (which is excellent) is putting on a concert, or the engineering school (that out-ranks Harvard) just created something that would make your head spin, something academically amazing is happening.

The administration is very friendly and helpful. This is characteristic of the entire state of Wisconsin. People look for reasons to trust you rather than not to trust you, and they truly help you when you are in need.

The recent political rallies over Governor Walker's stupidity were pretty outrageous. That's some campus controversy.

The most unusual thing about this school is, I think, that it exists. The probability that such a fine institution of learning would exist in America's dairyland is just unusual and delightful. When most people think "Wisconsin" they don't think engineering or big-time business, skyscrapers, or particle accelerators. They think farms and cheese and cows that go moo.

Academics at the University of Wisconsin definitely vary. There are programs that are stronger than others. From what I see, the sciences, education, business, and school of agriculture are the true strong fields that this school serves, but any degree from UW Madison will look great on a resume to be honest.

Students DO study here. It's a big boy school and the degrees don't come without a little bit of elbow grease. Libraries are ALWAYS brimming with students studying and working. Just a tip: College Library is cool, but it is also overrated. Memorial library is a great place to study, and most large buildings (chemistry, education, business) have libraries of their own. The Grainger (business) library is fantastic.

Although there is (somewhat of) an academic vibe at UW, students tend to be laid-back and encouraging rather than cutthroat and competitive.

My FAVORITE thing about the University of Wisconsin is that students do have intellectual and meaningful discussions outside of the classroom. Hearing conversations about agricultural techniques and quantum mechanics on the way to class is great. Above all, when I talk to a current student of alumnus of this institution, they always sound, and are, educated. Even our athletes, an academic gray-area for a lot of big schools, sound educated. Current Badger star running-back Montee Ball is always well spoken and polite during interviews; however, I can't say the same of all of this year's Heinemann candidates.

Regarding student diversity: if you are looking for diversity at your university, this school may not be for you. There are a TON of white people at the University of Wisconsin.

With that said, there are student organizations (black student union, multicultural learning center, hispanic/black fraternities/sororities) to help minority students feel at home.

Religious diversity is also negligible. The school is mostly Christian; however UW is 14% Jewish and there is a small, but active, muslim student population.

To describe the average UW Madison student would be very difficult despite this lack of diversity. The political slant of the University is DEFINITELY left, but there are plenty of active Republicans to go around. The economic backgrounds vary from need-based scholarship to super-rich out-of-stator. The unofficial uniform of the UW student is none other than anything with Bucky on it and sweats.

One controversy that does divide the student body (kind of) is the Sconnie (Native Wisconsinites) vs. Coastie (From the East Coast ). It does exist, but honestly, people from Wisconsin are, on the whole, WAY too nice to acknowledge this rivalry as anything but just fun. It's not something to worry about.

Wisconsin, I feel, really spoils us as a student body when it comes to activity outside of study. There's just SO much to do.

Sporting events, for me, are number one. The badgers are pretty much good at every sport. That makes going to games fun and exciting.

The girls at UW are GORGEOUS. It's almost unfair. There is a strong dating scene here. Even Freshmen who get paired up early are happy about it because Madison is a dating-friendly city.

Greek life is NOT that important, but it's something that I enjoy. Give it a shot if you want, and if you don't, you'll probably have a friend who will. Once they're in, you can go to their parties.

This IS, as much as I hate to say it, a party school. People party. A lot. In the beginning it was almost disturbing. Welcome Week is the week after move in and before classes formally begin. Needless to say this week is the birthplace and manifestation of regretful decision-making, but it also was a lot of fun.

There are things to do that don't involve drinking. I don't know how popular they are because of my living situation.

On that note, and in ALL caps: IF YOU DON'T LIKE TO PARTY, PLEASE DO NOT LIVE IN THE SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD. I cannot stress that enough. Lakeshore and southeast are your living options for public dorms. Lakeshore is quieter and tends to be more academic whereas southeast is overbearingly social at times.

Lots of partying for the party-goers and studying for the people who have projects due during the week. Weekends are also a time to kick back and enjoy, what I call "sober fun," with friends. Walk on state street (our down town Mecca), go to a bar if you're of age, or just kick it in your dorm floor common room and watch a movie.

The greek scene here is prominent but small. I'm involved and enjoy it, but the majority of people still have a great time even without it.

That one school who're really good at sports every year but rarely seals the deal... kinda like Spain in soccer. Their time came, though! So shall ours. We're also pretty smart and junk. Yup. Wisconsin.

Welcome week, day 7. It was the opening football game against UNLV. Tailgates and streets covered in red ALL day. Music playing. Frat parties. Block parties. Dorms blasting music. Pure game-time insanity. I love Wisconsin sports!

There's no right answer to this question. The best place to get word done varies from person to person. Some people like where they live. Some people like the libraries. Some people like spots in certain educational buildings. I tend to like studying in Union Library near the Scandinavian card collection on the second floor. It's nice with good chairs.