Planning for College Checklists
Small steps now make big differences later. Getting ready for college can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be. We created a year-by-year checklist for high school students. Take it bit by bit each year, so you can stay focused and skip the stress.
Application Checklist
Before you start your application, gather some information that you may need to complete the application. Please review the information below. Our goal is to have you be able to fill out your application in one sitting, in less than 30 minutes.
- U.S. social security number
- City, state, and country of birth
- Country of citizenship
NOTE: You may need to ask a parent or guardian for this information.
- Have you/they filed Wisconsin income tax returns within the past two year?
- Do you/they work in a state besides Wisconsin?
- Was Wisconsin the last place you/they registered to vote or voted?
- Do you/they hold a valid Wisconsin driver’s license?
Be prepared to select the major or academic program that you are most interested in studying. If you are unsure, you have the option to select Undecided and can take some time to use the Find Your Program tool and complete the MyMajors Assessment.
The academic records required for admission will depend upon the type of applicant you are. In general, you need to be able to describe or submit records (PDF) that describe previous and/or current coursework. The following types of records may be needed:
- High school transcripts
- College transcripts
- In-progress high school and/or college courses
If you do not have these readily available, you may submit these materials at a later date if required for admission.
Some Universities of Wisconsin require, or make optional, an essay(s). Make sure to review Prepare Your Application Essay information before you plan to submit your essay.
- Do your parents/guardians have college degrees?
- Have your parents/guardians served in the military?
- Parent/guardian email
- List of academic activities, sporting activities, arts, activities, community service, etc.
- Years during which you participated
- Level of participation in each activity/involvement
- Leadership roles in each activity/involvement
- Whether you intend to continue in these activities while in college
For each employer be prepared to provide:
- Employer name(s)
- City and state
- Job title
- Whether you are currently employed
- Start date and average number of hours worked per week
Download Your Checklist
We encourage you to review these checklists with your family, friends, high school counselor, or anyone supporting your journey.
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