Undergraduate Admission Resources
There is a UW for you. We understand that applying to college can feel overwhelming. That is why we are here to make the process easier—with clear information, helpful resources, and real people ready to support you. Start here, ask questions, and take your next step with confidence.
Prepare for College
The best way to have a smooth college admission process is to plan ahead. Choosing to attend college and deciding which college to attend are big decisions. The earlier you start considering, exploring, and preparing, the easier the process will be.
First-Year Students
Use our Prepare for College Checklists to guide your steps through high school. Share them with your family, friends, high school counselors, and supporters.
One of the best ways to prepare for college and ensure success in college is to Earn College Credit in High School. Completing college credit in high school can also shorten the time it takes to graduate and might even save you money. We encourage you to take advantage of AP and IB courses as well as college courses.
Transfer Students
As soon as you decide you want to transfer, connect with advisors at both your current institution and the UW you hope to attend. You want to make sure you are taking courses that will transfer and apply to degree requirements and that will get you on a path to graduation. Check out our Transfer Student Resources for more information.
Find Your Fit
With 13 UW universities, your opportunities are wide open. Start exploring by using the Find Your UW and Find Your Academic Program search tools and exploring all the information available on this website. If you are unsure about your academic or career interests, check out the MyMajors Assessment. Search campus websites.
A campus visit really makes a difference! Visit information can be found on UW Admissions Office websites.
Admission Requirements
Most UW universities have common admission requirements, but some also include additional campus-specific or program-specific criteria. Some UW universities admit students directly into a major, while others have a second, program-specific process after general admission.
What Are We Looking For?
Beyond our minimum admission requirements, we are focused on academic performance (such as type of coursework and GPA) and preparation for the college experience. Outside of academics, we look for qualities such as leadership, contributions to your community, work experience, and achievement in the arts, athletics, and other areas. We also want to understand your personal background and experiences, as well as your potential to make a positive contribution to the UW community.
Get Ready to Apply
Before you begin your application, review the information below to make the process as easy as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! As you work through the Universities of Wisconsin Admission Application, you will be able to click the “Apply to More Campuses” button. The great thing is that you will not have to re-enter all of your information, like personal information, academic information, and transcripts.
Only UW-Eau Claire ($25), UW-La Crosse ($25), and UW-Madison ($80) charge admission application fees. However, if that application fee creates a financial hardship, you may ask for a fee waiver in the admission application. The other 10 UW universities do not charge application fees.
The Universities of Wisconsin is test-optional for students applying for undergraduate admission for Spring 2025 through Summer 2027 term. This includes admission to the following terms: Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 terms. The last term that students will be able to opt out of submitting an ACT/SAT score will be for admission to the Summer 2027 term, unless the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents takes additional action regarding test score requirements before that time.
It depends! Some UW universities require it, others do not. The common essay prompt is:
“Each student is unique. Tell us about the particular life experiences, talents, commitments, and/or interests you will bring to our campus.”
Campus-specific Essay Prompts:
Three UW universities require a second essay:
UW-Eau Claire: Tell us why you are interested in attending UW-Eau Claire and what aspects of the campus (academics, activities, experiences, etc.) are especially important to you.
UW-La Crosse: Please respond to ONE of the following: (1) Tell us about any circumstances that may have had an impact on your academic performance. OR (2) Tell us why you are interested in attending UW-La Crosse and what aspects of the campus are especially important to you.
UW-Madison: Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.
The only UW university that requires a letter of recommendation is UW-Madison, which requires a single letter from an academic source, such as a teacher, professor, or counselor.
Get Help With the Admission Process
Need assistance in navigating the admissions process and completing the Universities of Wisconsin Admission Application? The Go Wisconsin team can help!
Reach out with any questions. The Go Wisconsin team can be reached from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Central Time), Monday – Friday.
Phone: 1-800-442-6459 or (608) 263-4567
WI Relay: 711
Email: contact@go.wisconsin.edu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gowisconsin
After You Apply
After you apply, your UW university will send you an email to help guide you through their next steps. Each UW will have different requirements, so be sure to keep up with their dates and requirements!
NOTE: Your application will be reviewed only after you have submitted all required information and materials (such as essay, transcripts).
This is the time to explore further and research campus features, options, and opportunities. Learn about placement tests, explore course offerings, and more.