Search/Ask a Question Entry Text

Application Tips

Your application will receive a thorough review from a professional admissions counselor. Remember that admission to our university is holistic, competitive, and selective. In reviewing your application, we consider your performance in rigorous course work, written statements, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities and an optional letter of recommendation. We are also looking for sustained involvement in activities in or out of school, leadership, community involvements, research or any special gifts or talents that you would bring to our university.

Here are a few tips to help you get started, but contact our office if you have questions along the way.

PROVIDE A CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS

Email communication from our office is critical. We need to have an accurate email address on file for you to share important reminders and deliver your admissions decision. Our office prefers to communicate directly with applicants throughout the admissions process, so we ask parents and family members to sign up with the Parent Program to get information about the university.

APPLY ONLINE

We strongly recommend using the electronic application. You can begin the application once it becomes available after September 1st, and save your progress as you complete each section.

KNOW YOUR DEADLINES

Keep track of admission deadlines and make sure required materials arrive in a timely manner. Any application complete by the deadline will be reviewed, so be sure to plan accordingly using the dates posted for freshmen and transfer students. If all required materials are not received by the deadline, your application may not be reviewed.

DEVELOP STRONG WRITTEN STATEMENTS

As part of our holistic review, we refer to the written statements you submit to understand more about you. This is a required part of your application for admission and may also be used for campus program and scholarship review. What you choose to share gives us an idea of who you are and what you want to accomplish as part of our community. Remember to stand out from other applicants and help us to know you beyond your GPA and test scores.

In the summer of 2012 we revised the application statements. Both are required for all domestic and international applicants. We recognize that due to a technical issue that these new questions might not have been posted on the international application.

Statement One:
Consider something in your life you think goes unnoticed and write about why it's important to you.

Statement Two:
Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, share with us the academic, extracurricular, or research opportunities you would take advantage of as a student. If applicable, provide details of any circumstance that could have had an impact on your academic performance and/or extracurricular involvement.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you work on your writing:

• Think first, then begin the writing process
• Organize your thoughts in an outline
• Develop your draft using word processing software
• Remain clear, focused, and concise
• About 400-500 words is sufficient for each statement
• Allow time to develop and revisit your writing
• Don't forget to check for spelling mistakes
• Ask someone to proofread your final version
• Be genuine and honest in your writing

REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS EARLY

When you apply, we require official transcripts for all high school and college-level work you completed. Students applying for fall 2013 will also hear from us in spring about submitting midyear grades. Read more about what is required for transfer students, homeschooled students, and reentry students.

REQUEST TEST SCORES TO BE SENT

Freshman applicants must submit test scores from the ACT or SAT, with scores from the standardized writing test. Transfer students are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores, but they will be considered if submitted. International applicants should review our requirements for submitting either a TOEFL or IELTS score.

Our test code is 4656 for the ACT and 1846 for the SAT. Do not send your results rush (SAT) or priority (ACT). We receive all scores electronically on a daily basis so there is not an advantage to rush or priority delivery.

GET A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Though not required, students are encouraged to submit one or two letters of recommendation. It can be helpful in our review process to know more about a student from the viewpoint of a counselor or teacher. Recommenders can use our online form to submit it instead of sending it by postal mail or fax.

CHECK YOUR APPLICATION STATUS

Once we receive your application for admission, we will send you an application acknowledgment email with instructions on how to monitor the status of your application. This online system will allow you to:

• Check that we have received all of your application materials
• Update your mailing address, phone number, and email address
• View your admission decision
• Monitor the status of your financial aid application
• Accept or decline an offer of admission

If you do not submit an email address, you will receive the acknowledgement letter in the mail. This acknowledgement will include your campus ID number, which can then be used to activate your UW NetID and ultimately check your application status.