Before you were officially a Badger, what made you fall in love with UW–Madison? We asked, and you answered! Here are some of the responses we got. You can read more here.
I loved the architecture and the variety of majors offered. I felt honored to become a UW Badger. I still feel honored and grateful that I graduated from the BEST University!!
Robin N.E.
The marching band. I went there for high school band day, and the band was practicing. They were so athletic. I threw away a scholarship to UW-Milwaukee and went to Madison so I could be in the marching band.
Paula H.
I attended music camp two summers in a row as a middle schooler. I loved how free-spirited and quirky Madison was, and knew I'd feel at home there. Best decision of my life.
Sarah K.R.
There were so many things—the campus that flowed into State St. and up to the capitol—it's not isolated like other campuses. It had energy and excitement. The lake and the terrace, the beautiful campus buildings—it made me feel like anything was possible, and it truly was!
Courtney O.M.
The vibe. The buzz of activity around campus. The feeling you got standing at the bottom of Bascom Hill, looking up in awe. The goosebumps that surfaced while standing by the lake at Memorial Union Terrace.
Jennifer P.N.
Attending a Badger football game when I was 12 with my dad, a Lawrence University alum.
Ellyn W.
My weekend visit during fall of senior year in HS (1974). Loved staying at sorority house, getting into the Pub, Rocky’s, the beautiful Memorial Union terrace, and —oh yeah— the opportunity to get a great education!
Katherine B.K.
The write-up from the “Insiders Guide to Colleges” by the Editors of the Yale Daily News. They cited the loyalty of the fan base and commitment to have fun whether the team wins or loses. Then, Real People did a segment on The Pail and Shovel Party featuring The Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota and Toga parties. The high ranking of the School of Business and then I was all in!
Dave R.
So many things. One of my sisters went to UW, and I remember visiting her with my parents and thinking it was awesome. I grew up in a small town in WI with no diversity, so I wanted to experience a place full of different cultures and ideas. The education was awesome, and being a Big Ten school for sports was great for a kid from a small town. On Wisconsin
Dan V.B.
Big 10 tour with Dad (Northwestern, UW, Michigan, and Michigan State) in 1972. New Yorker, arrive in Madison on a sunny August day and see the campus, Mendota, and State Street vibe. Academics and reputation were already a given. Best decision and the “opening of my world!”
Susan F.
Christmas 1967: My Freshman brother brought home a Bucky Badger stuffed animal and T-shirt as a present. I have been told that 3 year old me slept with that stuffed Badger and wore that T-shirt to bed until I wore both of them out.
Joe C.
A couple of reasons I decided UW—Madison was right for me include: 1) Camp Randall and campus experiences during visits to WIAA state football tournaments while I was in high school. 2) The encouragement of two good friends who were already students at UW.
Sean B.
My parents' friends had graduated from the UW decades before and still went back to campus every year for Homecoming (from the Twin Cities). They still wore Bucky gear all the time. I wanted to know what kind of school made people love it that much so many years later, so I visited and saw for myself.
Heather J.F.
My grandfather’s stories about his days at UW. He had so much love and nostalgia for his time in Madison. I worshipped him. I promised myself around age 5 that I would be a Badger, too. He accompanied me as we traveled from NJ to Madison for freshman orientation. Talked a lot about history. His favorite professor was the great Professor Babcock.
Arpi H.
My father attended UW on the GI Bill after WWII. He attributed his success as a businessman to his UW education. He became president of the UW Alumni Association. When it came time for my sister and me to go to college, he teased that he would only pay if we went to UW!
Susan M.
I grew up in Madison, so I looked at several other colleges in the Midwest. Ultimately, nothing measured up in atmosphere or spirit to Madison, so I officially became a Badger.
Lisa O.M.
It was in my hometown, which I loved. Why would I go anywhere else for college?
Amy S.
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