The Wisconsin Admissions Volunteer (WAV) program, which includes the Wisconsin Real host opportunity, is a vital component of UW–Madison’s student recruitment efforts. This group of undergraduates extends the reach of the Office of Admissions and helps us as we work to contact, connect with, and enroll top-quality students from across the country.

If you love Wisconsin and would like to share your UW experience with prospective students, here's what you need to know:

Qualifications and Training

Wisconsin Admissions Volunteers are the voice, face, and image of the Office of Admissions and the University of Wisconsin. It’s important that they have certain qualifications and proper training.

Qualifications

Wisconsin Admissions Volunteers must have:

• An outgoing personality
• The desire and ability to promote the positive benefits of UW–Madison

Training

We will provide you with the training and resource materials you need to be a successful recruiter. Volunteers are expected to:

• Become familiar with all information and materials provided, including the WAV Handbook (PDF, 451K)
• Abide by ethical recruiting standards

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Recruitment Events

Our student recruiters participate in a variety of events, ranging from our overnight visit program to Call-Out Nights to national receptions. Students are asked to assist with at least one recruitment event each semester.

Wisconsin Real Overnight Visit Hosts

Wisconsin Real is the university’s overnight visit program for top admitted students. Wisconsin Real hosts are asked to host one student from approximately 4 p.m. on the program’s first day (Sunday) until noon on the second day (Monday). During this time, hosts show the student around campus, eat in the dining halls, host the student overnight in their residence hall room, and take the student to their morning class. Hosts get a free Wisconsin Real t-shirt, two complimentary meals in the University Housing dining halls, and the opportunity to share their Badger pride. We ask Wisconsin Real hosts to participate in at least one of the two Wisconsin Real dates, which are scheduled in March and April. You must live in the University Residence Halls to serve as a Wisconsin Real host.

Call-Out Nights

We conduct 4–5 Call-Out Nights each year. During the events, which take place in the Office of Admissions, Wisconsin Admissions Volunteers phone recently admitted students to offer a personal connection and campus contact. The purpose of the calls is to answer any final questions the students might have about academic expectations, campus life, financial aid, housing, etc. Our Call-Out Nights last for two hours and we provide complimentary pizza for volunteers.

Admitted Student Visit Days

The Admitted Student Visit Day is a full–day program designed to give admitted freshman the information and campus perspective needed to make a final college selection. We host approximately ten sessions during the months of January through April. We utilize Wisconsin Admissions Volunteers to accompany the visiting students and their guests to lunch in one of the University Housing dining halls. During this time, volunteers share their UW experiences with the students and their guests. Lunch typically lasts for an hour–and–a–half, and volunteers are provided with a complimentary meal.

High School Counselor Tours

The Office of Admissions occasionally hosts large groups of high school counselors who visit campus as part of a national or regional bus tour. Oftentimes, the counselors have never been to UW–Madison, or the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Admission Volunteers typically dine with the counselors and share their UW experiences. The dining experience typically lasts about an hour, and volunteers are provided with a complimentary meal.

Student Panels

Throughout the year, we host large groups of campus visitors—often high school counselors or groups of high school students. While we as admissions professionals can provide a good introduction to the university, our visitors always want to hear from current students. As student panel participants, Wisconsin Admissions Volunteers are asked to provide an overview of their own Wisconsin experience and answer any questions the group might have. A typical panel lasts for one hour.

Event Support

The Office of Admissions needs volunteers for numerous on-campus events held throughout the year. Duties range from helping with registration and check-in to guiding visitors to event destinations. The time commitment varies from 30 minutes to two hours.

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Apply to Become a WAV or a Wisconsin Real Host

If you are interested in becoming a Wisconsin Admissions Volunteer or Wisconsin Real host, complete our online Volunteer Interest Form.

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2009 WAV Handbook

Learn about your role as a student volunteer and the expectations therein, as well as the opportunities within the WAV program in the 2009 WAV Handbook (PDF, 451K).

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Contact Us

For more information, contact:

Emily Henken
Associate Recruitment Events Coordinator
Office of Admissions
Armory & Gymnasium
716 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706-1481
Tel: 608-262-4324
E-mail: eqhenken@admissions.wisc.edu

Bob Manier
Student Director of the Wisconsin Admissions Volunteers
E-mail: manier@admissions.wisc.edu

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