UGA vs UW Madison (Poli Sci, Pre Law) (Deciding today)

[near furnace]

University of Georgia Athens vs University of Wisconsin Madison

Intended major: Political Science with a potential double major or minor in econ, philosophy, or finance (Law track)

Similarities: big state schools, good student life, good sports, and people love it. They are also both top 50 schools

University of Georgia

School 1 Pros:
-LOVE the campus (buildings, nature, layout, EVERYTHING)
-The weather is great
-People seem very nice
-Good sports
-Good law school connections in southeast (Duke, UNC, Texas, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, Georgia, etc according to them)
-Top 7 public policy school (idk if this matters)
-Athens is an awesome town, and a perfect

School 1 Cons:
-Far from home (10 hour drive, would have to fly)
-Less reputable for poli sci (around 35)
-Overall a little less reputable/prestigious
-Might force me out of the Midwest for rest of my life (idk if that’s good or not)
-Pretty Greek (on the fence on joining frat)
-Idk if I’m built for the Southern culture
-Don’t know anybody going
-Not that big of a deal but it’s pretty hilly

University of Wisconsin

School 2 Pros:
-Number 15 for poli sci
-Public Ivy
-In Madison (good gov connections)
-The lake and surrounding natural area is really nice.

• dorms look nice
  -Less Greek
  -Closer to home (5 hour drive)
  -Midwestern culture/vibes is familiar and good
  -Get winter sports like hockey
  -Probably good law school connections in the Midwest
  -Know a few people going

School 2 Cons:
-It’s COLD (I can handle it, not ideal)
-Not really in love with the campus, some cool parts but seems spread out and Madison takes it over.
-Madison seems big to me
-Everything seems scattered and walking around in the cold doesn’t
-Seems a little dull

Tiebreaking considerations:
-How much does a poli sci or really any program/school ranking/school reputation play a factor in law school admissions?
-How do others who go to school far away feel about it?

[ashen merlin]

@near furnace as for program reputation it doesn’t really matter for law school, but the opportunities you get as a result of it’s reputation somewhat does if that makes sense

i think madison will open a few more doors for like internship opportunities especially being in a state capital

but at the end of the day GPA and LSAT are most important

[near furnace]

Yeah that makes sense and it’s the only thing that has me apprehensive. To a sense I think it’s also regional and both have good law school opportunities. I understand the access to Madison but also Atlanta isn’t too far from Athens. I feel like I’m dealing with apples and oranges to a sense with a slight edge to Wisconsin in terms of academics and career.