New guide names UW-Madison ‘Hottest Big State School’

A national college admissions guide published by Kaplan/Newsweek called “How to Get Into College” has branded the University of Wisconsin–Madison as the nation’s “hottest big state school.”

UW-Madison was one of 25 “hot” campuses identified in the 2008 publication, which will go on sale Aug. 20. While the criteria for “hotness” isn’t specified, a news release from Kaplan states that the publication recognizes colleges and universities that all offer top-flight academic programs, “but are also generating extra buzz this year,” which could be related to recent attention-grabbing events or trendsetting moves.

The guide references the great breadth of opportunities at UW–Madison, which has 41,000 students, 140 undergraduate majors and nearly 700 student organizations. “The university has a formidable record in science, ranking fourth among U.S. research universities in total research and development expenditures,” the guide points out. “But it is the old traditions and favorite campus locations that stick with its graduates.”

So who else is hot? Boston College is called “hottest for business,” Cornell University is the “hottest Ivy,” Queens College in New York is “hottest for first-generation students” and Harvard University is “hottest for rejecting you.” Other bastions of hotness include Fordham University (hottest Catholic school), Morehouse College (hottest men’s college), Smith College (hottest women’s college) and the University of Florida (hottest for sports fans).

The 264-page guide, published jointly by preparatory test company Kaplan and Newsweek magazine, provides an overview of the college admissions landscape, reviews current issues in higher education and offers insights on how to make the right college choice.