Undergraduate Admissions

Academics

The University of Wisconsin is a major research university, nationally and internationally renowned for its academic excellence, resources, faculty, and commitment to undergraduate education.

 

You'll quickly discover that academic expectations are high. You will be challenged by your classmates, inspired by your professors, and supported in your desire to learn. At Wisconsin, today's experts train tomorrow's leaders at a university that is committed to advancing knowledge in innovative ways.

Schools and Colleges

The University of Wisconsin is comprised of nine specialized undergraduate schools and colleges offering 160 majors and 4,200 courses. Each school and college is distinct and provides unique academic communities, facilities, resources, professors, and academic programs. All are committed to the university's fundamental mission—to provide knowledge and opportunities that advance learning.

Academic Advising

Academic advisors are available in each school and college and offer a network of guidance and encouragement. Your first advising appointment will take place during SOAR, our summer orientation and registration program. From there you'll be assigned an advisor in your area of interest—someone who will help you consider major options, plan your course work, and progress toward graduation.

Honors Programs

Since 1958, when Wisconsin was one of the first schools in the country to introduce an honors program, we've been offering our most academically talented students unique opportunities to challenge and surround themselves with others who love to learn. Each school and college on campus offers an honors program, in addition to learning communities, service learning courses, and research opportunities geared for those who have a desire to accomplish something special.

Learning Communities

Learning Communities give you the chance to live and learn with other students who share your interests. Choose from a wide variety of residential communities, including Women in Science and Engineering, the Multicultural Learning Community, Chadbourne Residential College, the Bradley Learning Community, the International Learning Community, and more than 25 First-Year Interest Groups.

Undergraduate Research

Students who want to push the frontiers of knowledge have the opportunity to do so from the moment they step foot on campus. Undergraduates work side-by-side with world-renowned researchers, assisting with ongoing research or designing and directing their own projects. The annual Undergraduate Symposium gives students in the biological, physical, and social sciences, as well as in the arts and humanities, the opportunity to present their work to other students, faculty, and potential employers.

Overseas Study

UW-Madison students study abroad in record numbers, with more than 1,600 students participating in 100 programs offered around the world. In fact, Wisconsin ranks eleventh among U.S. colleges in the number of students who study overseas. You can study abroad for a summer, a term, or the full academic year.

Service Learning

Wisconsin has a vibrant academic service-learning program, allowing students to integrate course work with hands-on community service and research. In fact, our 80 service-learning courses, prestigious awards to students who engage in community service, student-led service initiatives, and the presence of the Morgridge Center for Public Service earned UW-Madison acclaim in the Princeton Review guidebook titled Colleges with a Conscience: 81 Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement.

Libraries

Wisconsin has one of the largest research library systems in the country, including two dozen major campus libraries and more than 20 specialized libraries. Holdings total more than 7 million volumes. The libraries offer computer labs, study rooms, document delivery, late-night service, digital collections, live online help, E-reserves, and a coffee café.