uw madison transfer essays

Applying for transfer admission

Upon successful completion of your academic requirements in the Badger Ready program, you will be eligible to apply to UW–Madison for transfer student admission .

The information on this page will help you prepare for and complete the application.

Application preparation

Application sections, start your application, reviewing and submitting your application.

• Official transcripts Note, ACSSS will submit official transcripts, received upon application to Badger Ready, to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment on your behalf.

This is a list of what you will need to have on hand to complete your application.

• US Social Security number
• City, state, and country of birth
• Country of citizenship

Residency for Tuition Purposes – you’ll be asked:

• If you have filed Wisconsin income tax returns in the past two years
• If you work in a state other than Wisconsin
• Is Wisconsin the last place you registered to vote or voted
• Do you hold a valid Wisconsin driver’s license

Extracurricular activities

• In this section, we recommend including previous (within 5 years or so) college activities, current or recent volunteering, mentoring, coaching, entrepreneurship ventures, consulting work etc.

Employment history

• Employer names, city, and state
• Your job title
• If you are currently employed
• Start date and average number of hours worked per week

So that you know what to expect, these are the various sections of the application and tips for responding to the questions. It may be helpful to refer to this list while completing the application.

Choose your major/program

Your major/program can always be changed later.

• Search for Majors/Programs
• Full Listing Alphabetically for Majors/Programs
• Online Majors/Programs

Select your transfer term

• When would you like to start school?

Personal information

• Enter the required personal information about yourself, your background, and your parent(s)/guardian(s)

Academic background

• High school/secondary school
• College/post-secondary; please list all colleges you have attended

Holistic background

• Highlight your relevant life experiences
• A letter of recommendation is required for UW–Madison. Information about how to submit your letter of recommendation will be included in the Next Steps document provided upon submitting your application.

Activities and work experience sections

• Include activities and interests outside of school
• List your work experience – you can upload a resume or manually enter employment information
• There are two essays:
• The first one is all about you. This is a great place to talk about your experience in Badger Ready and how it has prepared you for transfer admission.
• In the second essay, write about why you want to attend UW–Madison and your academic interests

TIP : draft your essays in a Word document and then paste them into the application form once you are satisfied with them.

Apply online using the UW System Application

• New users will have to create a login ID and password
• Review the materials required to complete your application. All required application materials must arrive in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the noted deadline dates .
• We strongly recommend that you request your required materials early and allow plenty of time for them to arrive at the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Once you are in the application:

• Verify your email address
• You are considered a transfer applicant
• Be sure to select UW–Madison

Note, remember to click Save and/or Continue after each step

Review application

• Review your application for accuracy and completeness before submitting.

Submission section

• In this section you will digitally sign your application and submit the application fee.

Official transcripts

Important note regarding official transcripts.

Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS) will submit your official transcripts, received when you applied to Badger Ready, to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment on your behalf. However, if  you have enrolled at any other college/university since applying to Badger Ready you will need to send those official transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, even if the course(s) is in progress.

Application questions

Contact UW Help 800-443-6459 or 608-263-4567 Wisconsin Relay: 711 [email protected]

After transfer admission

Once you are admitted as a transfer student, you will be assigned an undergraduate advisor and have the support of the  Transfer Transition Program .

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Transferring from a Universities of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College, or Wisconsin Tribal College institution for the Fall Term?

You may apply for direct transfer to the Wisconsin School of Business undergraduate program if planning to enroll at UW–Madison for the Fall term. Eligible applicants must follow the application requirements and deadlines for both the School of Business and Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Complete the transfer application to UW–Madison

Do this for the fall term only. Applying to UW–Madison does not automatically create an application for business.

Separately, complete the pre-business application for the School of Business

Complete your app in early March preceding the intended fall enrollment term.

Make sure you qualify

Applicants are strongly recommended to review all undergraduate admissions policies for requirements, credit eligibility limits, and maximum application attempts.

The four prerequisite courses in communications, quantitative reasoning, economics, and human behavior must be completed or in the process of completion at the time of application for the Wisconsin undergraduate business program. Any of these in-progress courses must be completed by the end of the application term and cannot be deferred to a later term.

Enrolled at a Private College or a School Outside of Wisconsin? Applying Outside of Fall Term?

You must first enroll at UW–Madison and complete a minimum of 12 in-residence credits before applying to the School of Business via the pre-business application (these credits can be in-progress during the spring term).

Prerequisites

Admitted transfer students can complete the four prerequisite courses in communications, quantitative reasoning, economics, and human behavior prior to transferring. Any unfulfilled courses must be completed at UW–Madison once enrolled.

Applicants are strongly recommended to review the School of Business undergraduate admissions policies for requirements, credit eligibility limits, and maximum application attempts.

Ready to Apply to the School of Business?

Transferring to the Wisconsin School of Business undergraduate program consists of four parts:

• Online pre-business application: The 2024 pre-business application is closed. The application will open in early March 2025 for Fall 2025 enrollment in Business consideration.
• Academic record: The minimum GPA to apply is 3.0 at the time of application and conclusion of the spring term. For additional details on GPA calculation and prerequisites, visit the undergraduate admissions policies page.
• Résumé: Check out our résumé resource guide (PDF) for help.
• Essay: View our essay preparation tips (PDF).
• Pre-Business 101: Attend the Pre-Business 101 workshop in the intended application year.

Attend an Event

Transfer events help you explore your interest in business and guide you through the application process.

Meet With an Advisor

The Wisconsin School of Business undergraduate program offers one-on-one advising for prospective transfer students. We’re available to help you prepare for admission and determine if the Wisconsin School of Business is the best fit for you.

• Prospective transfer students can schedule an appointment with an advisor by emailing [email protected] .
• Transfer students that have already enrolled with UW–Madison can schedule a 30 minute appointment with a pre-business advisor through Starfish .

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Wisconsin School of Business provides almost $2 million in scholarship support to admitted and newly enrolled undergraduate students each year. To be considered for scholarships from the School of Business, a WiSH application is required and FAFSA strongly recommended to be considered for most awards.

Want to learn more about the undergraduate admissions process? Let us know how we can help.

Phone: +1 608-890-2490 Fax: +1 608-265-4190 Email: [email protected]

Prepare Your Essay

You are more than facts and figures.

It doesn’t get said enough, but your UWs are literally looking for reasons to admit you. That’s why they ask for an essay. They simply want to hear about you. Take your time. Give it some thought, share it with a few people you trust, and revise.

In the end, it’ll be worth it.

The Universities of Wisconsin Application asks the following question of freshmen and transfer applicants: Please note: Essay requirements will vary by university. Some universities may require an essay as part of the application process, while others do not or consider the essay optional. If you are ever in doubt, please check with your UW.

Each student is unique. Please tell us about the particular life experiences, talents, commitments, and/or interests you will bring to our campus.

If you apply to UW-La Crosse or UW-Madison, you will be required to answer a second question as well:

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.

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.

Tips & Recommendations

We’ve collected some of the best tips and recommendations for writing a great essay.

Prospective Student Resources

Quick links.

Apply as a Transfer

Degree Requirements Guide

Transfer Credits

Transfer Credit

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Can anyone evaluate my courses ahead of time?

The Office of the Registrar evaluates credit for incoming transfer students, typically at or after the point of admission. They do not pre-equate courses for prospective students, but course equivalents for many schools including UW-System schools, Wisconsin Technical Colleges, Wisconsin tribal colleges, and select two-year Illinois and Minnesota schools are available via Transferology .

If you are at a school for which UW-Madison has equivalents but you cannot find an equivalent for a specific course, it does not necessarily mean it will not transfer; it just means it has not yet been evaluated. You can continue to check back – Transferology is updated on a weekly basis with any new equivalents that have been created.

For help in understanding how to use Transferology to find and interpret UW-Madison’s equivalencies, check out our Understanding Transferology: Transfer Course Equivalencies Guide .

Transfer Agreements

UW-Madison has several different guaranteed transfer agreements with partner institutions within the state. There are very specific requirements for each partner institution. It is very important to do your research of these programs early, to meet with a transfer advisor on your campus regularly, and connect with admissions to ensure you are receive the correct information for your intended agreement.

How do I know if my credits are transferrable?

UW-Madison will transfer most undergraduate courses from nationally or regionally accredited U.S. institutions and foreign institutions recognized by their respective country’s Ministry of Education.  There are three exceptions, listed below:

• Remedial courses – Courses considered to be below the level of collegiate study (e.g. basic algebra, reading skills)
• Vocational or technical courses – Courses at a two-year institution that are part of an applied associates degree or not designed as pre-requisites for further collegiate study (e.g. office management, welding, automotive technology)
• Doctrinal courses – Courses at any institution that advance a particular political or religious doctrine.

The full, official transfer credit policy used by the Office of the Registrar’s Credit Evaluation Services team is available on their website .

How will my credits transfer and count towards my degree?

Your transferable credits can transfer in 3 ways:

• Direct equivalent : You’ll receive credit for a UW-Madison course, which will automatically add to the number of credits towards degree and can satisfy general education and/or breadth requirements as well as major requirements.
• Departmental elective : You’ll receive credit for electives within a particular department.  These types of credits can satisfy general education and/or breadth requirements as well as add to your number of credits towards degree.  They do not automatically satisfy major requirements, however.
• General elective : This type of credit automatically adds to your number of credits towards degree, but does not carry any breadth or general education designators.  These courses do not satisfy major requirements.

I have specific questions about degree requirements and transfer credit.

• Interested in learning more about requirements for a specific major or one of our Schools and Colleges? The  Undergraduate Guide  contains information about the many academic programs available here at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
• Cross-College Advising Service  works with undecided students on our campus and may be able to answer questions about degree programs you are interested in. You can reach out to them via phone at 608-265-5460.
• Some School and College advising offices have the capacity to work with prospective students. You can find contact information for each at the bottom of this page under the “Additional Resources” section.

What is the limit on the number of credits I can transfer?

A maximum of 72 credits towards your degree can be transferred from two-year schools.  There is no limit to the number of credits you can transfer from a four-year institution as long as you have not previously received a bachelors’ degree.

How do quarter credits convert?

If you have taken courses at an institution that uses quarter credit or units other than semester credits, we will convert your quarter credits/units to semester credits. If you have attended an institution that uses quarter credits, you will not lose credits in the conversion. For example, if you have 40 quarter credits (40 x .666 = 26.64), you will receive 27 semester credits.

Credits completed at an international institution will be converted to UW–Madison credits using the average number of credits taken by a UW–Madison student (15 credits per semester). Total degree credits granted may not equal total course credits due to rounding in the conversion of fractional credits to semester hours.

What if I did dual-enrollment coursework in high school?

You will need to submit all transcripts from high school and any other institutions you’ve attended, which would include your dual-enrollment courses. They will be evaluated similarly to other transfer credit. However, please note that your high school dual-enrollment does not count towards the minimum 24 transferable credits that you need for applying to UW-Madison.

Will I get credit for the work on my Joint Services Transcript?

The Joint Services Transcript can be evaluated for credit if you like, although Admissions does not require the JST to be submitted as part of your application. Please refer to the Office of the Registrar’s website for more information on how military credit is evaluated .

When will my transfer credit evaluation be available?

The transfer credit evaluation is completed after the point of admission.  The credit evaluation is posted to your Student Center, and you should receive an email from the Credit Evaluation Services team notifying you how to access it.  Credit evaluations can be complex; use this Reading your Credit Evaluation Guide  to gain a better understanding of how your credits transferred.  Your credit evaluation will be complete before you attend SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration).

I was admitted but I don't understand my credit evaluation.

You are able to use the Reading your Credit Evaluation Guide ; otherwise, you will learn how your credits will apply to your degree at SOAR  (Student Orientation, Advising, & Registration) before registering for courses.

While the Credit Evaluation Service produces the credit evaluation itself, they do not offer academic advising and are not able to answer questions about how your credits apply to your UW-Madison degree. With that fact in mind, they offer the following recommendations for next steps:

• Confirm your enrollment in your Applicant Homepage and sign up for the  Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) program  if you haven’t already.  SOAR is where you will receive academic advising, get help understanding how your credits apply to a degree here, and register for your first semester’s courses.
• Learn about our general education and breadth requirements even before you come to SOAR!  Our  Undergraduate Guide  contains information on  all of our degree requirements .
• If a course has transferred differently than you hoped, submit a  course reevaluation request form  to the Office of the Registrar. You’ll need to give us your name, wisc.edu email, campus ID number, and your academic advisor’s name. You will provide some information about the course and  upload a .pdf of a detailed syllabus from the semester in which you took your course . You’ll receive a decision within 4 to 6 weeks.

TIP: Collect and save your syllabi!

The Office of the Registrar’s Credit Evaluation Services team may ask you for a specific course syllabus when they’re doing your credit evaluation, or you might wish to appeal an evaluation decision. You’ll need to present a detailed syllabus from the semester you took the course in either of these cases.

Application Tips

Attend a transfer visit day.

You’ll arrive in the late morning for an Admissions presentation, take a campus tour, eat lunch on your own, and then have the opportunity to interact with your school or college of interest, or meet with a transfer admissions counselor.

Read Requirements Thoroughly

Read the Admissions website thoroughly before completing your application. All the information you will need about the process, including expectations and required supplementary materials is available online.

Activate your UW Net ID

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email from Admissions that will include your campus ID number. Using your campus ID number, you can then activate your UW Net ID, giving you access to your UW Student Center and the ability to stay current with future needs such as accepting admission.

Application FAQs

Office of Admissions and Recruitment

For questions about the application process, contact a transfer counselor within the Office of Admission & Recruitment.

[email protected]

(608) 262-3961

What are the minimum requirements for applying to UW-Madison?

As a transfer student, you need at least:

• 24 transferable semester credits (which means after high school)
• 2 high school years or 2 college semesters of the same foreign language
• 3 high school years or 3 college semesters of math (1 each of algebra, plane geometry, and advanced math like college algebra or calculus)

You should also refer to the Office of Admissions’ official site about admissions requirements.

What is the required minimum GPA for admission?

There is no minimum GPA required for admission.  Admissions looks for strong or increasing grade trends throughout your time in college, but they also use a holistic process that allows them to take things like rigor, course breadth, major preparation, extracurricular participation, letters of recommendation, and a student’s statements into account.

When can I apply?

Fall:  Apply by February 1 or by March 1 .

Spring : Apply by October 1 .

If you want to be on campus for a Fall semester, you need to apply by March 1 of that year. For example, if my first semester at UW-Madison will be Fall 2022, I need to apply by March 1, 2022.

You can also apply a little earlier for Fall admission. If you apply by February 1, you will be considered for the Priority Decision Deadline, which just means that you’ll know your admissions decision sooner. March 1 is the Regular Decision Deadline. The only difference between these deadlines is when you receive your decision – everything else is the same.

What do I need to submit for my application?

The application materials you will need to submit are:

• Application : info about you and past work.
• Application Fee : **if you’re currently enrolled at a two-year UW branch campus, you don’t need to pay this fee. Application fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship.
• Transcripts : from high school and all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended (including college credit you might have earned while in high school).
• Tell us about your academic and personal achievements. What have you learned from your success and/or challenges, and how will this influence you as you pursue your college education?
• 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.
• 1 letter of recommendation : someone who can attest to your academic ability, such as a faculty member or school advisor. Applicants who have been away from school for an extended period are encouraged to request a letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to their academic potential, such as an employer, (preferably a supervisor or manager), a program or departmental trainer, or some other individual in an official instructional capacity.

What is Admissions looking for in a successful applicant?

Admissions uses a holistic review process to make decisions on applicants.  This means they don’t use formulas or relyi solely on numbers Generally, Admissions is looking for:

• Rigor of course work. Appropriate for continued study at UW–Madison and increasing in difficulty.
• Course breadth. Showing a combination of English, math, science, literature, social science, and foreign language.
• Grade trends and patterns. Steady or improving trends and patterns that show consistency across all academic areas.
• Required courses. Applicants must have completed one year each of high school algebra, plane geometry, and college-preparatory math, and two high school years or two college semesters of a single foreign language.
• Non-academic factors. This could include significant work experience, evidence of leadership, a strong record participation in extracurricular activities, and the presence of special or unique talents.

Are transfer students considered in the same pool as incoming freshmen?

No, the transfer admissions process and pool is completely separate from the freshman process and pool.  You won’t be compared against freshman applicants.

What's the difference between Priority and Regular decision?

There’s no competitive advantage to applying for either the Priority or Regular Decision periods. The advantage of meeting the Priority Decision Deadline is that you will know your admission decision sooner!

What about SAT/ACT scores?

Scores from either the ACT or the SAT are not required of transfer applicants.

If you feel proud of your score or think that your score gives additional information about your academic strength, you are welcome to submit your score as part of your application.

I'm an international student. Do you need my TOEFL/IELTS score?

In general, transfer applicants from non-English speaking countries must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score.Please refer to the Admissions website for information on how to submit test scores.

If the applicant’s primary language of instruction for all four years of high school was English OR if they have completed a college level English composition course at a US college or university, they will be granted a waiver. Please visit the Admissions website for details on how the waiver is granted.

If I signed a guaranteed transfer program agreement or transfer contract, or if I'm in the Connections program, could I still transfer before I meet the requirements?

You can apply for regular transfer admission as long as you have 24 transferable credits completed post-high school, whether or not you have signed a transfer agreement or are in the Connections Program . Your admission will always be evaluated independent of any agreements or programs like Connections unless you have satisfied the contract/program requirements. More detailed information on the available agreements can be found at the Office of Admissions website.

Where can I get my questions about the admissions process answered?

If you are looking for information on the admissions process or admissibility to the university, we recommend making an appointment with a transfer counselor at the Office of Admissions: calendly.com/futurebadger/transfer-meeting

After Applying

How can i check my application status.

Once the Office of Admissions & Recruitment receives your application, they will send you an application acknowledgment. If you provide an email address, the acknowledgement will be sent to that email. If you do not supply an email address, you will receive the acknowledgement letter in the mail.

The acknowledgement will include your campus ID number, which can then be used to  activate your UW NetID and check your application status.

This online system enables you to:

• Check to make sure we’ve received all your application materials.
• View your admission decision
• Check the details we have on file about you, including residency status and term of entry
• Update your mailing address, phone number, and email address
• Monitor the status of your financial aid application and accept your award
• Accept or decline an offer of admission

Check Application Status 

When will I know my decision?

If you applied for Fall:

• February 1 deadline, you will receive a decision by end of March.
• March 1 deadline, you will receive a decision by end of April.
• October 1 deadline, you will receive a decision by end of December.

I got admitted! What do I do next?

Congratulations! If you are deciding to come to UW-Madison, you will need to officially accept your admission through your MyUW portal. You will need to register for any placement tests that Admissions tells you to take, and then sign up for Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR), which will also be when you get to enroll for your first semester of classes.

You can get started on next steps by using Admission’s Admitted Student Checklist . You can also check out our Admitted Students page !

Why did I get denied? Can I apply again?

We recommend that you contact the Office of Admissions to ask why you got denied and how to improve your application for a future semester. You can make an appointment with a transfer counselor here: calendly.com/futurebadger/transfer-meeting

There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for transfer admission to the university (although there are credit limits for particular limited enrollment programs). Being denied previously will not negatively affect your chances of admission; counselors look at the current application and all its supporting documentation when making their decisions.

I got a "defer" decision. What does that mean?

Defer means that you haven’t been accepted or denied yet. Before making a final decision, the Office of Admissions needs more information, which usually means seeing and receiving your final grades for the semester in progress.

Basically: remember to report your final grades!

How can I get financial aid? What scholarships are available?

First, if you haven’t yet done so, add UW-Madison to your FAFSA . This will prompt the Office of Financial Aid to put together an award package for you after an admission decision has been made.

Second, log in to the  WiSH – the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub , the database that contains all of UW-Madison’s school and college-based scholarships. You will need to login with your NetID, which you will receive after you apply to UW-Madison.  Fill out the general application, which will help identify which scholarships you might be eligible for.  Then you can apply for specific scholarships using the Common Scholarship Application within the database.

We also recommend that you check out these resources:

• The Office of Financial Aid – Learn more about the types of aid you might encounter on your award offer. Wisconsin residents may be eligible for Bucky’s Tuition Promise (household adjusted gross income is $58,000 or less) or Badger Promise (first-generation students transferring from two-year schools in Wisconsin). Eligibility will be determined by your FAFSA, and the funds will be automatically included in your award.

How do I find housing? Am I required to live on campus?

You are not required to live on campus! Check out resources to Find Housing.

Every enrolled student receives a bus pass, which makes it easy to get around campus and Madison, regardless of where you end up living. (You can also check out our transportation tips !)

I need more resources or accommodations. Where do I start?

Check out our Additional Resources section at the bottom of this page  – there’s a great list of recommended links there. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or would like help navigating those resources, let us know – we’ll try to get you connected to the resources you need.

ADMITTED TRANSFER STUDENT CHECKLIST

ADMITTED INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CHECKLIST

Additional resources, schools & colleges.

Some undergraduate schools and colleges have separate application processes; some have specific transfer  policies and resources with which you should familiarize yourself. Please use the following links to ensure you  are aware of all relevant information for your intended school or college.

• College of Agriculture & Life Sciences More
• College of Engineering More
• College of Letters & Science More
• Mead Witter School of Music More
• School of Education More
• School of Human Ecology More
• School of Journalism and Mass Communication More
• School of Nursing More
• School of Pharmacy More
• School of Social Work More
• Wisconsin School of Business More

  Student Assistance

Other offices on campus are focused on assisting specific populations of students with their transitions.  If you identify as a member of one of these populations, please make sure to review the relevant information.

• Adult Career & Special Student Services More
• International Student Services More
• Gender and Sexuality Campus Center More
• McBurney Disability Resource Center More
• Multicultural Student Center More
• Veteran Services & Military Assistance Center More

What you need to apply

At uw—madison, our holistic application process is designed to help us find remarkable learners. while we review each application thoroughly, all applicants must meet specific qualifications. keep reading to learn more. international students, please see additional admissions requirements ..

All applicants must:

• ☐  Be a transfer student who has attended another college or university or a reentry/returning student who previously attended UW–Madison as an undergraduate
• ☐  Have completed at least 12 transferable semester hours of college-level work. (AP, A-Level, IB, and CLEP cannot be used toward this requirement)

Have completed the following required coursework:

• ☐   Algebra : One year in high school
• ☐   Plane geometry : One year in high school
• ☐   College-preparatory math : One year in high school, or one college course at the level of Algebra 2 or beyond
• ☐   Single foreign language : Two years of the same language in high school or two semesters of the same language in college

Important: Applying online vs. on-campus

You may not be considered for admission to both the residential (on-campus) program and UW–Madison Online for the same term. If you wish to apply as a transfer student to the residential program, please learn more at the Office of Admissions and Recruitment . If you applied for either residential or online and wish to be considered for the other program prior to receiving an admission decision, you must request to withdraw your application in writing to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment and then submit a new application to the desired program.

When reviewing applications, we pay particular attention to the college-level coursework you have completed, specifically:

• Rigor of coursework . Appropriate for continued study at UW–Madison and increasing in difficulty.
• Course breadth . Showing a combination of English*, math, science, literature, social science, and world language.
• Grade trends and patterns . Steady or improving trends and patterns that show consistency across all academic areas.
• High school performance : The more college-level work you have completed, the less we will rely on high school performance criteria such as rigor of coursework, academic GPA, grade trends and class rank.

*International transfer students must meet UW–Madison’s Communication Part A requirement. This can be satisfied through English composition or English as a Second Language (ESL) coursework at a U.S. institution of higher education where English is the language of instruction.

Here is what you need to complete your application

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Apply using the Common Application

Apply using the Common Application .

Application fee

The $70 fee (U.S. dollars) is due with your application and is non-refundable. Electronic payment is preferred.

In 300-500 words (about one page), answer the following prompt: Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison and include why you are interested in studying the selected major. Submit your essay in the Common Application. Your essay gives us an idea of who you are and what you want to accomplish. It allows us to complete a more holistic review of your application and might also be used for campus program and scholarship review.

Official high school transcripts

We review your high school record to check for proof of graduation and completion of core preparation requirements and to learn more about your educational background. High school grades will play a more important role in the admission review for applicants who have completed fewer transferable college credits.

If you earned your General Educational Development (GED) certificate or a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), submit your official score report in addition to all high school or home school transcripts.

Official post-secondary transcripts

Request official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you attended. The transcripts should include all college-level coursework completed to date, including your current term in progress, and (if applicable) college classes taken while in high school.

Electronic transcripts must be sent through a secure document sending service to [email protected] . Transcripts sent through email, as an attachment, will not be accepted as official.

Paper transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment must bear an official school seal or be printed on the school’s custom watermarked/security paper. Students applying from outside the United States, please review country-specific official transcript requirements .

Letter of recommendation

We require you to submit one letter of recommendation written by someone who can attest to your academic ability, such as a teacher, school counselor or faculty member. Have a discussion with your chosen recommender first to see if they are willing and able to provide a letter.

We encourage applicants who have been away from formal classroom teaching for an extended period, you can request a letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your academic potential, such as an employer (preferably a supervisor or manager), a program or departmental trainer, or some other individual in an official instructional capacity.

If you are having trouble submitting the letter via the Common Application, you can select one of the alternative options below to share that with your recommender:

• Invite someone to submit a recommendation (I have my NetID)
• Invite someone to submit a recommendation (no NetID)
• Share a submission link with your recommender to submit on your behalf

Recommendations mailed to our office must include your full name, birth date, and campus ID number (if known). Additionally, letters of recommendation from a school staff member may also be sent through Naviance. Please note that letters of recommendation expire after one year from the date it is written.

Optional: official test scores

While not required, you are welcome to send your ACT or SAT scores if you have taken either test. Your results are considered supplemental academic information and may help strengthen your application.

Test scores should be sent directly from the testing service. 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 no advantage to rush or priority delivery.

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UW-Madison Essay Example from an Accepted Student

With over 30,000 undergraduates, the flagship university of the Wisconsin public system is known for its top-tier academics, high-achieving sports teams, party life. The University of Wisconsin Madison is considered one of the best 50 schools in the nation, thus making gaining admission a difficult task. You’ll need more than good grades to get into this school—your essays will have to shine as well. 

In this post, we will share a real essay an accepted UW Madison student submitted. We will also go over what this essay did well, and where there is room for improvement.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our UW Madison essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Essay Example – Why UW Madison, and Why This Major? 

As a student from Wisconsin, I have grown up with a high degree of exposure to discussions surrounding the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a result of the assortment of compliments I frequently heard describing its academics, I have always held the university in high regard.

Additionally, I have heard of the stellar location and value that comes along with the university being in the state capital. Through the combination of the two previous factors, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has become the center of my search for my ideal college experience. While exploring further, however, I have found that there is more about the university that causes my desire to attend. From the array of libraries and study spaces, a large student body in which I can find like-minded people, to the excellent campus I saw during a visit, there are countless aspects about the university that I find alluring. However, one element of the university stands out from the rest— the Wisconsin Idea.

I would describe myself as curious due to my constant attempts to learn new information; the more knowledge about current or former events I can achieve, the better. When a person has consistent access to accurate, unbiased information, I believe they can grow as a person, academically or socially. As new information is gathered and shared, new ideas can develop.

These novel ideas can lead to innovation and problem-solving. Unbiased and unpersuasive reports allow for thinking for oneself, forcing originality. I am interested in entering the field of journalism because of its capacity to prompt these thoughts. Beyond any encouragement of self- reliance, journalism can be an agent of change. Through reporting on issues afflicting society, widespread awareness is created. A society’s recognition of its problems enables attempts to fix them through methods such as civic engagement. Through these characteristics of journalism, better people and communities develop, showing its connection to the Wisconsin Idea. A bettering of society is something meaningful to me, and I believe journalism is the pathway to do so. The University of Wisconsin-Madison will allow me to explore all my interests involving journalism.

Growing up, I appreciated the coverage of sportswriters, from national writers such as ESPN’s Jeff Passan to local writers such as University of Wisconsin-Madison alumnus Curt Hogg with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The work of these sportswriters is also valuable to society, helping provide moments of respite from the stresses of life. Through the sports communication certificate program, I will be able to discover if this branch of journalism is the niche meant for me.

Additionally, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has the resources that will allow me to succeed in journalism. Being in the journalism program with a focus on reporting and multimedia journalism, I will be able to strengthen my ability to inform the public in conjunction with the Wisconsin Idea. Education on how to vet sources and how to properly engage with audiences will allow for the merging of reporting with the mentioned principles and values. Through the university, I am confident that I will be able to leave a positive mark on the world.

I know that the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be able to cultivate my interests and help me grow as a person. Through the totality of its resources and classes, I will be well-prepared for my career as a journalist and ready to contribute positively to society.

What the Essay Did Well

Since this essay combines the “ Why School? ” and “ Why Major? ” supplements, it’s important to answer both questions while still ensuring the essay feels like one cohesive unit. This student has done exactly that, by highlighting the Wisconsin Idea and using that thread to tie his ideas together throughout the essay. That anchor also allows for a smooth transition between the student’s interest in the school and their interest in the major.

In addition to doing an excellent job crafting a unified essay, the student gives a lot of background on their decision to major in journalism, which shows that they are a thoughtful, dedicated student who is prepared to get the most out of a Wisconsin education. They start off by telling us why they see journalism as important in the big picture: “ Through these characteristics of journalism, better people and communities develop, showing its connection to the Wisconsin Idea. ” 

But in the next paragraph, they zoom in from the abstract ideals of journalism, to their personal interest in sports journalism specifically. By mentioning particular sportswriters they find inspiring, plus the “ focus on reporting and multimedia journalism ” they aspire towards, we get a more detailed picture of how they will contribute to the world of journalism, which is further evidence that this is a motivated student who is prepared to hit the ground running in college.

Although this essay is more detailed when answering the “Why Major?” question than the “Why School?” one, that isn’t a huge issue because they bring in school-specific programs while discussing their major. That, in effect, answers the “Why School?” question, because this student would not be able to get the same education in journalism at a different school. As highlighted at the beginning of this section, this essay’s biggest strength is that seamless blend of school opportunities and the student’s interest in journalism as a major.

What Could Be Improved

There are two weaknesses to this essay: the response to the “Why School?” half of the prompt, and the lack of personal details.

As noted above, the student does a good job of addressing “Why School?” in the part of their essay that focuses on “Why Major?” but the essay would be even stronger if they took some time to answer “Why School?” directly.

The first two paragraphs are in theory doing that, but they are wildly vague and provide few substantive examples of why UW Madison is a good fit for this student. As a rule of thumb, the school’s reputation and location, generic resources like libraries, and general campus aesthetic are not valid answers for why you want to attend, because lots of other schools have strong reputations, good locations, beautiful libraries, etc.

Instead, when answering this prompt you want to hone in on opportunities that can only be found at that school and explain how they connect to your current interests or will help you accomplish your goals. That shows admissions officers that you want to attend their school specifically, rather than that you’d be happy at any college in a state capital.

A better response would have looked something like this: “I look forward to sitting in on panel discussions hosted by UW’s Center for Journalism Ethics and working under Professor Culver to broaden my perspectives when I report on difficult topics like racial injustice, a topic which has particularly contentious in Wisconsin since the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha. ”

This version shows that the student already has a clear, concrete vision of how they would fit into UW Madison’s campus community, which in turn gives admissions officers a more detailed sense of what this student would bring to their school. 

This version also shows how the student being from Wisconsin makes them a stronger applicant than someone from another state, as they have a personal understanding of the same issues that have affected UW Madison. The original essay, in contrast, only showed that being from Wisconsin has helped the student know the school better, not how them being from Wisconsin would benefit UW Madison.

The other issue with this essay is that the reader learns very little about the student’s background and personality. Broad statements like “ A bettering of society is something meaningful to me, ” and “ Growing up, I appreciated the coverage of sportswriters, ” don’t have enough detail for the reader to understand this student, as these two statements could be true of thousands of other applicants. Remember, the whole point of the essay is to distinguish yourself from students whose more objective metrics, like grades and extracurriculars, are similar to yours.

A stronger essay would accomplish that by providing insight into the emotional connection this student has to journalism. Rather than vaguely stating that sports journalism “help[s] provide moments of respite from the stresses of life,” it would describe how the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s riveting coverage of the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship season gave the student something joyful to think about even as their grandfather’s dementia was worsening. 

Without that personal connection, even if admissions officers know what the student is interested in and even some of their beliefs about the world, they won’t know who the student truly is at their core. That deeper layer of understanding is what would take this essay from good to great.

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay

Do you want feedback on your University of Wisconsin essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

Transfer from off campus

We’re excited that you’re considering transferring to the UW-Madison College of Engineering from your current college or university! If you’re coming to us from another Universities of Wisconsin campus or from Madison College, be sure check out the info about our transfer agreements with those institutions.

Transfer admission to our college is competitive, and you’ll want to make sure courses you’ve taken can transfer and apply toward our engineering degree requirements. We recommend reaching out to our College of Engineering transfer manager , to chat about your interests, academic background and admissions options.

A few things to keep in mind as you’re weighing your decision to transfer:

• If you’re admitted into one of our 13 undergraduate engineering majors , you will need to meet  progression requirements  at the point you transfer (or within your first two semesters at UW–Madison) to continue on in that major.
• After you transfer, you’ll need to take a minimum of 30 credits in our College of Engineering (the technical term for that is “in residence”) … and of course you’ll need to meet all requirements for your engineering degree.
• And, if you’ve exceeded the College of Engineering’s 80-credit limit at the time of your application (more on that below), you won’t be eligible to apply. An exception: Our College of Engineering offers dual degree programs with select four-year Universities of Wisconsin campuses; eligible dual degree applicants are not subject to the 80 credit limit.

Ready to apply?

Make sure you indicate an engineering major as your first choice! You can apply for either fall or spring semester admission.

Transferring to our college in two steps

Step 1: admission.

At UW-Madison, the Office of Admissions and Recruitment makes admissions decisions. If you’re transferring from another college or university and want to be considered for direct admission into an engineering degree-granting program, you must indicate an engineering major as your first choice on your UW-Madison application. You also need to list a second-choice major that’s outside of the College of Engineering; transfer admission to our college is selective and not guaranteed. Also keep in mind that several engineering majors are especially popular and as a result are even more selective. Among these are biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, computer engineering and mechanical engineering.

College of Engineering transfer admission requirements and expectations

If you’re an off-campus student planning to transfer to UW-Madison, consider these expectations: You must establish a strong academic record in college that fulfills the UW-Madison transfer admission requirements, includes engineering-related coursework, and does not exceed the College of Engineering’s 80 credit limit. You should also be able to identify intended majors in engineering and in other UW-Madison schools or colleges.

(1) Fulfill the UW-Madison transfer admission requirements

You must meet the general requirements for transfer admission to UW-Madison—and that also means you must have studied a single world language for either two years in high school or two semesters in college. Know that the Office of Admissions and Recruitment considers your overall application in a comprehensive and holistic review process. Find out what UW-Madison looks for in transfer students!

(2) Demonstrate success in engineering-related coursework

Your college academic record must demonstrate a strong match for your intended engineering program, as well as a likelihood of success in full-time, rigorous engineering coursework you’ll take immediately after you transfer here. At UW-Madison, strong transfer applicants generally meet or exceed these guidelines:

Math, science, engineering coursework

• Several semesters of rigorous math and science courses common to most engineering curricula—such as calculus, chemistry with lab, calculus-based physics with lab, calculus-based statistics, and computer programming.
• An introduction to engineering course is optional but strongly recommended, if available.
• Engineering courses related to the intended major, if available.

Other coursework for breadth of experience

• English composition, equivalent to Communication Part A
• TOEFL or IELTS score; most successful international applicants have at least 105 TOEFL or 8.0 IELTS
• Liberal studies coursework (humanities, literature, and/or social science)
• Coursework in biology, geology, etc .,  depending upon your intended engineering major

Academic performance

The transfer students we typically see selected for admission generally have:

• At least 24 transferable credits , including courses in progress at the time of application
• Grades of B or better in all math, science and engineering courses
• At least one semester of grades  on record at time of application
• At least one semester of full-time  (at least 12 credits) coursework
• A cumulative GPA  of  at least 3.0 (most successful applicants have at least 3.2-4.0)
• A sustained pattern of  term GPAs  of  at least 3.0
• Consistent success in  increasingly challenging coursework

The UW-Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment requires that admitted transfer students maintain their current (pre-transfer) course enrollment and grades or they may cancel admission for the upcoming semester. Additionally, to ensure a successful transition to engineering studies, the College of Engineering expects a minimum 3.0 term GPA prior to transfer with no grades below a C (2.0 on 4.0 scale).

Supplemental factors

Admissions staff also may consider supplemental factors—such as a university application statement that addresses your interest in engineering; co-curricular activities, work, and/or military service; projects or research; and engineering-related experience.

(3) Do not exceed the 80 credit limit

If you are considering transferring and have earned more than 80 semester credits at the time you apply, you are not eligible to apply for transfer admission to the College of Engineering. (See “notes” below for exceptions and other info.)

The 80 credits include:

• All course credits earned at the time of application, including UW-Madison credits and transferable credits from other colleges and universities

The 80 credits  do not  include:

• Credits earned in the spring 2020 semester
• In-progress credits (credits taken in the semester or trimester immediately preceding your application term)
• Retroactive world language credits
• Advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB), college level examination program (CLEP) credits
• GCE advanced level (A-Level) credits
• UW-Madison calculus credits awarded by examination
• Credits from Community College of the Air Force or from Military Services Schools awarded on a joint services transcript

Transfer students who have only taken coursework at two-year institutions will not exceed the 80 credit limit because UW-Madison awards a maximum of 72 degree credits for coursework from a two-year institution.

The credit limit does not apply to eligible candidates in the dual degree transfer agreement programs between select Universities of Wisconsin schools and the College of Engineering (for more on this, see “Transfer agreement programs” below).

The credit limit does apply to second degree candidates who have already completed a bachelor’s degree. Please review options for Returning Adults and Second Degree Students .

(4) Identify your intended majors

At the time you apply to UW-Madison, you should be able to specify your intended engineering major as your preferred major (first choice) on your university application, along with an alternate UW-Madison major of interest outside of the College of Engineering. If you are thinking about engineering at UW-Madison, you might also explore the Biological Systems Engineering program  in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Step 2: Progression

If you’re directly admitted to your intended engineering major, you must meet engineering progression requirements within your first two semesters at UW–Madison to guarantee permission to continue in that program. After UW-Madison releases transfer admission decisions, the College of Engineering will request that you (if you’ve been directly admitted to engineering) submit a supplemental application so that your selected engineering department’s progression committee can consider you for progression at the point that you transfer.

What we consider for progression

When considering students for progression prior to transfer, our departments seek a strong match for their particular majors. They consider the transfer student’s overall application and materials, including transcripts and recommendation letters.

Each engineering committee also carefully considers:

• Academic course preparation (including breadth and depth of subjects, rigor of coursework, and pattern and trend of grades). The core GPA of most successful transfer applicants ranges from 3.2-4.0. Grades for all transferable courses, including the first grade for repeated courses, will be included in GPA calculations for progression consideration before transfer.
• Personal essays on the supplemental application form.
• Final grades for the term just completed.

Your academic record must indicate your likelihood of success in the coursework you take in your engineering major immediately after you transfer.

The College of Engineering will notify you whether you have satisfied the progression requirements for your degree-granting engineering program before transfer , or whether you must meet course/credit/GPA requirements to satisfy the progression requirements  after transfer . If you must satisfy progression requirements after transfer, you must satisfy first year progression requirements within your first two semesters on campus (“in residence”) at UW-Madison. As a transfer student, you are not required to take Introduction to Engineering; however, you will take courses that fulfill progression requirements and your engineering degree requirements, including available engineering courses in your intended major.

Note: As a transfer student, you may apply to be considered for satisfying progression requirements after your first semester in residence if you are enrolled full-time and in two core courses, and if you are making progress toward fulfilling degree requirements for your engineering major. Because you will have only one semester of grades at UW-Madison on record for the progression committees to consider, we can’t guarantee progression approval even if you attain engineering major GPA requirements after one semester. If you have not met progression requirements after one semester, you may be considered again the following semester without any penalty; however, you will still be required to satisfy, within two semesters of residency, both the first-year progression requirements (including completion of a liberal studies course if you satisfied Communication Part A before transfer) and the major GPA requirements .

If you need to meet progression requirements after transfer, you should consult with advisors in your program about your interests, academic and career goals, and course planning. We encourage you to take advantage of College of Engineering student services and academic support such as tutoring and study groups—and also take time to explore the variety of engineering majors and other programs on campus.

Transfer agreement programs

Dual degree transfer agreements.

The College of Engineering’s dual degree transfer agreements with UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-River Falls, and UW-Whitewater are designed to provide an opportunity for Wisconsin residents to access limited-enrollment engineering programs and earn two bachelor’s degrees with undergraduate student status.

Madison College transfer agreement

The College of Engineering’s “STEP2UW” agreement with Madison College is designed to formalize a transparent transfer pathway and simplify the transfer process for eligible students from Madison College.

Transfer agreement programs note:

If you’re a student in a  different transfer agreement program  with UW-Madison, consult with the UW-Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment team to talk about your options. These programs establish  guidelines  for transfer admission to UW-Madison; however, these programs do not  guarantee  admission to the College of Engineering (because the college’s majors are in high demand, admission is competitive and selective, and there are a number of additional transfer admission considerations for engineering). 

Transfer planning resources

Visiting campus.

UW-Madison’s  Transfer Visit Day program provides an overview of UW-Madison and the transfer admissions process. If you’re a prospective transfer student, you’ll attend an admissions information session and a campus walking tour. You’ll also have the option to sign up for drop-in advising with the College of Engineering’s transfer manager. The College of Engineering Prospective Student Information Session  includes details about opportunities within the College of Engineering and a tour of the engineering campus.

Explore and register for prospective transfer visit options.

Transfer credit equivalency

The UW-Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment will notify you of its admission decision, and then the UW-Madison Office of the Registrar’s credit evaluation services team prepares your transfer credit evaluation . You’ll receive an email when you can access that report through your MyUW Student Center .

Keep in mind that, in general, the Office of the Registrar won’t pre-evaluate courses for prospective students. Instead, you can identify possible transfer credit equivalencies even before you’re admitted:

• Consult the Credit By Exam policy to see how UW-Madison awards test credit for AP/IB/A-Level/CLEP exam scores.
• Consult the  UW-Madison Transfer Credit Policy  and  Transferology to see how courses may transfer from public and private colleges across the country.

After you find out you’re an admitted transfer student, we’ll work with you to ensure your transfer credits are applied to your engineering degree requirements in the most appropriate way. We might ask you to submit syllabi for the math, science and engineering courses you’ve taken that do not appear in Transferology.

Note: Transfer courses must have a final grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better to fulfill College of Engineering degree requirements.

Engineering degree requirements

The UW-Madison “Guide” contains detailed information about curriculum requirements, course descriptions, and a sample four-year plan for each engineering program.

Scholarships for transfer students

If you’re a transfer student admitted to UW-Madison and the College of Engineering in the fall or spring semester, you will be considered for several transfer student scholarships. The Transfer Student Scholarship is renewable for up to four semesters, with an award amount of $2,000 annually.

To be considered for the Transfer Student Scholarship, you must complete a UW-Madison admissions application and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Selection is based on your UW-Madison admissions application materials (in other words, we don’t require you to complete an additional scholarship application), and the evaluation criteria include your academic merit, extracurricular activities, and essay responses. If you have been selected for a Transfer Student Scholarship, you’ll receive a notification about the Transfer Student Scholarship no later than May 15 for fall applicants or January 15 for spring applicants. Additionally, if you’re a transfer student admitted for the fall semester, you’ll be considered for STAR and LEED Scholarships. You’ll receive notification about these awards on the same timeline as the Transfer Student Scholarship. Learn more about these scholarships here.

We also strongly encourage (but don’t require) you to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to UW-Madison!

Off-campus transfer students are encouraged to discuss their interests, academic background, and admission options with the Transfer Manager in the College of Engineering, Jessica Regan.

College of Engineering

The College of Engineering (CoE) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison welcomes and congratulates transfer students who achieved the significant milestone of gaining direct admission to a CoE program. Undergraduate students directly admitted into the College of Engineering must meet progression requirements according to the College of Engineering Official Regulations (Regulations 3-7) in order to continue towards graduation requirements in their selected engineering program. As experienced college students, off-campus transfer students who are admitted directly to the College of Engineering have an opportunity to be considered for meeting progression before transfer. Eligible students will receive instructions for submitting the supplemental application for progression consideration before transfer. Submitting the transfer progression application initiates a review process to determine whether a student has satisfied the progression requirements before transfer or whether progression requirements must be satisfied after transfer. For more details about progression, please review Stage Two: Progression. This supplemental progression application is due by NOON on June 1 (for fall admission) or January 1 (for spring admission). The application requires students to indicate the engineering program listed on the admissions letter from the Office of Admissions and Recruitment and to submit two brief essays and an optional essay explaining the reasons for selecting this program. Students must activate their NetID prior to accessing the transfer progression application.

Contact: Jessica Regan, Transfer Coordinator College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison [email protected]

Transferring to a new school as an F-1 student

If you are in valid F-1 status and you want to attend another school in the United States, you may be able to transfer your SEVIS record to the new school.

• Transfer to a new school
• Summer in between programs
• Common questions about transfer
• Transfer-in to UW-Madison

Are you currently a UW-Madison student?

• You must be in valid F-1 status
• Current students: completing your program
• OPT/STEM students: the expiration of your EAD card
• Follow the instructions on the online form
• If your new school/program requires an electronic transfer-in form completed by UW-Madison ISS, send the form to [email protected]
• Please note: If you have completed your program early, our office will shorten your program end date, and issue you a new I-20
• Your new school can create your I-20 once your SEVIS record has been released.
• You must check in with your new school within 15 days of your new program start date.
• You can travel internationally during the transfer of your SEVIS record.
• You must have your “transfer pending” I-20 from your new school when you re-enter the United States.
• You can return to the United States once you have your “transfer pending” I-20. You do not need to wait until 30 days before the program start date.
• Plan to arrive in Madison at least 2-3 days before your orientation.
• If your F-1 visa is valid, you can use it to re-enter the United States, even if it lists UW-Madison.

Work eligibility:

• Your on- and off-campus work eligibility ends on the date that your SEVIS record is transferred or the end date of your I-20, whichever is sooner.
• Continuing students: You can work on campus until your SEVIS record is transferred.
• OPT/STEM extension students: You are eligible to work until the expiration date of your EAD card or the date your SEVIS record is transferred, whichever is sooner.
• After you transfer, talk to the international office at your school about your employment options.

When can I schedule my SEVIS transfer?

• You can schedule your SEVIS transfer in advance.
• If your selected date has already passed when ISS processes your request, your transfer-out date will be the date the form was processed.

How do I choose my SEVIS transfer-out date?

Your transfer-out date must meet these requirements:

• No earlier than your last date of enrollment at UW-Madison
• No later than 60 days from your date of program completion, or the expiration of your EAD card for OPT/STEM students
• Before you begin your studies at your new institution

What are the benefits of transferring my SEVIS record?

• You do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again.
• You can stay in the U.S. or travel internationally during the SEVIS transfer period.
• You can return to the U.S. more than 30 days before your program starts. Check the information on your new I-20; it should say “transfer pending.”

Can I stay in the United States during the summer?

Yes. If you have maintained your F-1 status and have been approved for the SEVIS transfer, you can stay in the U.S.

Is this all I need to do to transfer to a new school?

This information pertains to your immigration status only. Please follow your new school’s instructions to meet any academic requirements as necessary.

If your Student SEVIS record is not in an active status, you or your international student advisor (DSO) from your previous school should contact our office before transferring.

Is there a deadline to transfer my SEVIS ID to UW-Madison to get a new I-20?

• Yes, the current deadline for the Fall 2024 term is August 21st, 2024.
• If you are transferring-in for the Summer 2024 term , you must transfer your SEVIS ID no later than 15 days before your academic program begins. You must submit the New F-1 Student Request on Terra Dotta and transfer your SEVIS ID to our institution before that date. Student’s submitting after this deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Have you been admitted to a program of study at UW-Madison?

• Check with your current international advisor to make sure you are eligible for a SEVIS transfer. The I-20 can only be issued after you are admitted  to the University and have activated your  NetID . You will apply through your  Terra Dotta  portal.
• SEVP School Name: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• SCHOOL CODE : CHI214F20246000

Once your previous school releases your SEVIS record, and UW-Madison has received all required admissions materials from you, ISS will issue you a “transfer pending” I-20. There will be several orientation events before the start date of your I-20, including the mandatory ISS check-in and International Student Orientation . Plan to arrive 2-3 days before your earliest orientation.

Common Questions about Transferring

• You must have your “transfer pending” I-20 from your new school when you re-enter the United States.
• You can return to the United States once you have your “transfer pending” I-20. You do not need to wait until 30 days before the program start date.
• If your F-1 visa is valid, you can use it to re-enter the United States, even if it lists your previous institution. You must have the new UW Madison I-20 when re-entering the U.S. for your program at UW Madison.

Staying in the US

• If you complete the SEVIS transfer within the required time frame, you are allowed to stay in the United States during the transfer period. You do not need to depart the U.S.

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UW Madison Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements — 2024

December 18, 2023

The University of Wisconsin’s Madison campus has never been a more desirable postsecondary destination for top students from around the country/world. As a result, many strong high school students are turned away during the application process. The encouraging news is the fact that UW Madison remains an extremely transfer-friendly institution, welcoming over 2,000 new Badgers every transfer cycle. This blog will share the UW Madison transfer acceptance rate as well as other essential pieces of information like the University of Wisconsin Madison transfer deadline, the requirements for applicants, the UW Madison transfer decision date, and much more.

UW Madison Transfer Acceptance Rate

Below we present the most current available UW Madison transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.

For entry in the fall of 2022, UW Madison received 3,974 applications and admitted 2,102 students. This means that the University of Wisconsin Madison transfer acceptance rate is 52.8%. Broken down by gender, the acceptance rate is as follows:

• Male transfer applicants: 49.5%
• Female transfer applicants: 56.6%

For entry in the fall of 2021, UW Madison received 3,528 applications and accepted 2,075 members of that cohort. This means that the UW Madison transfer acceptance rate was 58.8%.

When trying to get the complete picture of how difficult it is to transfer into a given school, it is important to also look at historical data. Many schools have wild fluctuations in transfer acceptance rates from year to year. As you can see, the University of Wisconsin has consistently been in the 45% to 59% range in recent cycles.

Historical transfer rates are as follows:

  UW Madison Transfer Deadline

The university offers a fall and spring option. The UW Madison transfer deadline for spring applicants is October 1. Fall applicants have a priority deadline of February 1. The regular deadline for fall is March 1.

UW Madison Transfer Requirements

The UW Madison transfer requirements are as follows:

• UW Madison uses their own application for transfer applicants
• Final high school transcripts
• Official college transcripts
• SAT or ACT (optional)
• One required letter of recommendation

UW Madison Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)

Students who have the best chance to gain admission to the University of Wisconsin have done the following:

• Are in the process of completing at least 24 credits.
• Have completed rigorous college coursework in courses across English, science, math, literature, world language, and social science.
• Have completed prerequisite coursework, if applying to a Direct Entry program . These programs are available in Business, Engineering, Dance, and Music.
• Finished 3 high school years or 3 college semesters of math (algebra, plane geometry, and college algebra or calculus).
• Finished two high school years or two college semesters of a single world language.
• Earned stellar grades in their first year at a community college or other 4-year university.
• Earned a 3.0 or better at a UW branch campus in order to qualify for a UW System Guarantee Admission Program.

Transfer GPA

The standards vary by intended college/major, but you need a 3.0 at the very low end and more likely a 3.5 or above at your current school to be a competitive applicant. Competitive Direct Entry programs may have higher requirements.

Transfer Essays

The following prompts are required for all applicants outside of the University of Wisconsin system. If you are transferring from another UW institution, you will only need to complete the second essay.

The maximum word count for each essay is 650 words, but the admissions office recommends 300-500.

• This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?
• 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.

Transfer Decision Date

UW Madison transfer decisions for priority fall applicants are made by March 31. Those who apply through the regular process will hear back by April 30. For spring applicants, December 31 is the latest you will receive an acceptance or rejection.

Final Thoughts – UW Madison Transfer Acceptance Rate

We encourage prospective Badger transfer applicants to book a 30-minute Transfer Student Meeting with a UW Madison admissions officer.

In addition to grades and test scores, the admissions committee will consider non-academic factors such as “significant work experience, evidence of leadership, a strong record participation in extracurricular activities, and the presence of special or unique talents.”

If you are looking for information on how to apply to the University of Wisconsin as a first-year student, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:

• How to Get Into UW Madison
• University of Wisconsin Supplemental Essays

Those searching for application info on other institutions may wish to visit our Dataverse pages/blogs:

• Transfer Admissions Deadlines
• Transfer Acceptance Rates
• How to Complete the Transfer Common App

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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What We Look For in Our Applicants

At UW–Madison, our holistic application process is designed to help us find remarkable students—students who will add to the legacy of UW–Madison. We don’t use formulas or charts. We read each application thoroughly, one by one.

First, we focus on academic excellence and preparation. Beyond academics, we look for qualities such as leadership, contributions to your community, and achievement in the arts, athletics, and other areas. We’re also seeking diversity in personal background and experience and your potential for positive contribution to the Wisconsin community.

We truly believe in this model, and because of that, we are not able to tell a student whether they will be admitted until their admission decision is made. Instead, we can give you some insight into what makes students competitive for admission.

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• What We Look For More
• How to Apply More
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• Plan Your Visit More

What Are We Looking For in an Applicant?

Grades and coursework.

First-Year Students:   When we consider your grades, we are looking both at the grades you earn and the level of difficulty of the courses you take (rigor) throughout your high school career. We look for you to be earning top grades—mostly As—in challenging courses, including honors, IB, and/or AP, when available. While we don’t specifically base a decision on your GPA or your class rank, we do consider your academic performance in the context of the available offerings at your school.

Your high school record should demonstrate both rigor and breadth in the types of coursework you pursue. Applicants must meet the minimum course requirements listed below to be eligible for admission to UW–Madison. Competitive applicants often take additional credits in the core subject areas, including the most challenging advanced-level work offered at or through your school in as many areas as possible, while maintaining a strong GPA.

Note: For trimester schools, two trimesters is considered one year/credit. One trimester is considered 0.5 years/credits.

*Math requirement includes at least one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced math with algebra or geometry prerequisites. If you take any of these courses in middle school, that will count toward the requirement. Courses that will not fulfill this requirement include statistics, business math, and computer classes.

** Taking two years of the same world language in high school is highly recommended, as this can fulfill the world language requirement as a student at UW–Madison.

Students who do not fulfill the university world language requirement with high school work will be required to do so as a student at UW–Madison.

To meet the requirement in high school, world language credit must be on your high school transcript as credit earned at an accredited institution. Online language programs or applications such as Rosetta Stone will not be accepted.

American Sign Language (ASL) may be accepted to meet the world language requirement for admission if it is taken through your school and is reflected on an official transcript.

Students who are not native English language speakers can satisfy the world language requirement with an official transcript verifying their education in that language. If you were educated in your native language through grade seven, you will receive two units of world language. Non-native English language speakers who were educated in their native language through grade eight will be awarded four units.

Transfer: When reviewing applications, we pay particular attention to the college-level coursework you have completed, and specifically:

• Rigor of coursework: Appropriate for continued study at UW–Madison and increasing in difficulty.
• Course breadth: Showing a combination of English, math, science, literature, social science, and world language.
• Grade trends and patterns: Steady or improving trends and patterns that show consistency across all academic areas.
• High school performance: Your academic performance in high school will be more or less important to us depending on how many college credits you have earned. Generally speaking, students who are in their first two years of college-level coursework will have their high school records more carefully analyzed. The more college-level work you have completed, the less we will rely on high school performance criteria, such as rigor of coursework, academic GPA, grade trends, and class rank.
• Algebra: One year in high school
• Plane Geometry: One year in high school (cannot be modified, basic, or informal)
• College-Preparatory Math: One year in high school, or 1 college course at the level of Algebra 2 or beyond
• Single World Language: Two years of the same language in high school or two semesters of the same language in college*

* Students who are not native English language speakers can satisfy the world language application requirement with an official transcript verifying their education in that language. If they were educated in their native language through grade seven, they will receive two units of world language. Those who were educated in their native language through grade eight, will be awarded four units.

Students who have studied a world language using only Rosetta Stone have not fulfilled the world language requirement.

American Sign Language (ASL) may be accepted to meet the world language requirement for admission if it is taken through the student’s school and is reflected on an official transcript.

In rare circumstances, students may be admitted without two units of a single world language. These students will be required to complete two sequential units of the same world language as a UW–Madison student. 

ACT/SAT Test Scores

The University of Wisconsin–Madison received authorization from the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents to waive the requirement for first-year applicants to submit an ACT or SAT test score as a part of their application to the university through the spring 2027 term. During this time, including scores from either the ACT or the SAT with your application is optional, and you will not be disadvantaged in our evaluation process if you choose to not include these scores for consideration in your application. You can indicate your choice regarding including test scores at the time of application.

ACT/SAT scores are optional for transfer students.

More information can be found by viewing the news release  and our ACT/SAT Score FAQs .

Extracurriculars

We also review your extracurriculars and the positive impact they have had on you as a student. If they matter to you, they matter to us. On your application, you can list your extracurriculars, including activities and involvement, leadership, service, employment, talents, and interests.

Essays and Writing

As part of our holistic review, we refer to the essays you submit to understand more about you. What you choose to share gives us an idea of who you are and what you want to accomplish as part of our community. Tell us about you and your unique story to help us know you beyond your GPA and test scores. Your essays might also be used for campus program and scholarship review.

If you apply using the Common Application, you will be asked to respond to one of the  first-year Common Application essays . If you apply with the Universities of Wisconsin Application, you will need to answer the following prompt:

• Each student is unique. Please tell us about the particular life experiences, talents, commitments, and/or interests you will bring to our campus.

All applicants will also need to respond to this prompt:

• 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.

Keep these tips in mind as you work on your writing:

• Develop your thoughts before you begin the writing process, and create an outline.
• The maximum word count for each essay is 650, but we recommend planning for 300–500 words.
• Do not type directly into the web form. Instead, work on your draft in word processing software.
• Allow time to develop and revisit your writing.
• Check for spelling mistakes and ask someone to proofread your final version.
• Be genuine and honest in your writing.

Admissions FAQs

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What does direct entry mean?

While most majors at UW–Madison you apply to as a current student, direct entry majors officially accept students into the program at the time of the application. These are majors in the Wisconsin School of Business , the College of Engineering , and music and dance majors.

How do I apply for a direct entry program?

If you are interested in being considered for a direct entry program, you must indicate that program as your first choice major on your application. Your application will be reviewed for direct entry along with admission to the university as a whole. It is possible to be admitted to the University of Wisconsin–Madison but not be directly admitted to a direct entry program.

Music and dance majors are required to complete an audition with the program for direct entry.

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Apply as a Reentry Student

Apply as a Second Degree Student