REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Founded in 1848, The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a Big 10 school, a leading research university and one of the largest schools in the midwest. One of the 13 schools and colleges comprising the universities of Wisconsin, and situated on a 939-acre main campus, UW-Madison is a place where learning prospers. Vibrant opportunities for students to explore their intellectual interests and extracurricular pursuits alike abound throughout the institution, while The Wisconsin Idea, grounded in public service and unshakeable commitment to humanity, serves as the heartbeat of the school. Boasting 20 Nobel Prize winners, 41 Pulitzer prize winners, and the #1 hospital in Wisconsin (2023), this amazing public university has a tradition of excellence across a variety of disciplines, from science and research to athletics and the arts. Bright students from all walks of life find a home at UWisconsin’s spacious, lively, and resource-packed campus, with the ultimate goal of sharpening the skill set needed to solve real-world problems upon graduation.
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Founded in 1848, The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a Big 10 school, a leading research university and one of the largest schools in the midwest. One of the 13 schools and colleges comprising the universities of Wisconsin, and situated on a 939-acre main campus, UW-Madison is a place where learning prospers. Vibrant opportunities for students to explore their intellectual interests and extracurricular pursuits alike abound throughout the institution, while The Wisconsin Idea, grounded in public service and unshakeable commitment to humanity, serves as the heartbeat of the school. Boasting 20 Nobel Prize winners, 41 Pulitzer prize winners, and the #1 hospital in Wisconsin (2023), this amazing public university has a tradition of excellence across a variety of disciplines, from science and research to athletics and the arts. Bright students from all walks of life find a home at UWisconsin’s spacious, lively, and resource-packed campus, with the ultimate goal of sharpening the skill set needed to solve real-world problems upon graduation.
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Founded in 1848, The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a Big 10 school, a leading research university and one of the largest schools in the midwest. One of the 13 schools and colleges comprising the universities of Wisconsin, and situated on a 939-acre main campus, UW-Madison is a place where learning prospers. Vibrant opportunities for students to explore their intellectual interests and extracurricular pursuits alike abound throughout the institution, while The Wisconsin Idea, grounded in public service and unshakeable commitment to humanity, serves as the heartbeat of the school. Boasting 20 Nobel Prize winners, 41 Pulitzer prize winners, and the #1 hospital in Wisconsin (2023), this amazing public university has a tradition of excellence across a variety of disciplines, from science and research to athletics and the arts. Bright students from all walks of life find a home at UWisconsin’s spacious, lively, and resource-packed campus, with the ultimate goal of sharpening the skill set needed to solve real-world problems upon graduation.
School Location:
MADISON, WI
School Type:
PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
Admissions Rates:
ADMITTED: 43.32%
GENERAL INFO
SAT/ACT Scores:
Test Optional for 2024-2025
Admission Cycle
Class of 2027 Test Scores
Middle 50% SAT:
1370-1490
Middle 50% ACT: 28-32
Dates/Deadlines:
Early Action (EA):
November 1
Regular Decision:
January 15
School Information:
Undergraduate population:
34,001
Faculty Ratio:
18:1
Interviews considered:
No
UWISCONSON TIPS & GUIDE
How difficult is it to get into UWisconsin?
The acceptance rate at the University of Wisconsin, according to the 2023-24 Common Data Set, is 43.3%, making it a moderately competitive school. The two academic aspects the school lists as “very important” in the CDS are GPA and secondary school record rigor. In terms of scholastic performance, 52.4% of first year students graduated in the top 10% of their high school class while 98.5% graduated in the top half, and the average GPA was 3.9. The SAT composite (50th percentile) score was 1440 while the ACT composite (50th percentile) score was 30.
What is the campus like at UWisconsin?
Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin has a large and energetic campus filled with 37,817 undergraduates and 21 residence halls. Madison is a beautiful city built on an isthmus and surrounded by lakes. With a small community feel in a sizable city, UW-Madison is an unique campus where bustling pedestrian malls lead to serene lakeside views, and modern facilities blend in comfortably with historic landmarks. As a mid-size city, Madison’s residents enjoy a laid-back quality of life nurtured by cultural events and a shared spirit of collaboration. From the popular minor league sports to vibrant social scenes, there is something for everyone to explore in every season.
Despite the sizable scope of the student body, the residence halls help foster campus community for incoming freshmen, as 93.2% of first-year students live on campus. The school offers vast opportunity and an active campus culture with nearly 1,000 student clubs and organizations, and a thriving fraternity and sorority scene. The Multicultural Student Center hosts numerous Identity Centers, Cultural Programs, and Affiliated Student Organizations. Students also emphasize volunteering and public service on campus. The Morgridge Center for Public Service offers a semester-long program that pairs teams of students with community organizations to volunteer 1-4 hours each week at the same organization. Designed to foster meaningful and consistent connections between community partners and students over the course of an entire semester, the Badger Volunteers program is open to all UW-Madison students.
What is UWisconsin known for?
As a “University of Firsts” with “A Legacy of Discovery”, UW-Madison was the first institution to establish an academic dance program, a department of wildlife management, and a poverty research center. They were also the first to discover vitamins A and B, create synthetic genes, and cultivate embryonic stem cells in a lab!
Notable alumni include astronauts, U.S. senators, movie producers, authors, and former creative director of Louis Vuitton Menswear Virgil Abloh. A Big 10 school, UWisconsin also has several nationally-renowned and successful athletic programs, particularly their football and basketball teams. It also has the 8th-highest research expenditure in the nation (2022), demonstrating its commitment to scientific inquiry, and an extensive living alumni network of 483,294, speaking to the strength and scope of the Badger community worldwide.
How diverse is UWisconsin?
The University of Wisconsin has a multifaceted student body. In terms of diversity, 10.3% of undergraduates are international, 8% hispanic/latino, 2.6% Black/African-American, 60.6% white, 0.2% Native/indigenous American, >0.1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 10.1% Asian, 4.6% two or more races, and 3.3% race/ethnicity unknown.
How do I apply to UWisconsin?
In terms of application deadlines, UWisconsin has three: Spring Regular Decision (October 1), Fall Early Action (November 1), and Fall Regular Decision (January 15). To apply, prospective first-year students must submit the following:
- (Optional) SAT/ACT test scores
- Common Application or Universities of Wisconsin Application
- Transcript/Course and Grade Information
- Letter of Recommendation (1 Required, 1 Optional)
- Essays (2)
- $70 Application Fee
- English Proficiency Exam Scores (if applicable)
Does UWisconsin have a good athletic department?
UWisconsin has 23 athletic programs in the NCAA Division I. Athletics play a huge role in bringing the community together, as thousands of students, alumni, and fans from across the country gather to see the Badgers play. Football, basketball, volleyball, hockey, cross country, track and crew are just a short list of sports that the school excels in, but sports clubs, intramural teams, group fitness and outdoors clubs are other athletic outlets for students. The University of Minnesota and the University of Iowa are the Badgers’ biggest rivals.
What are UWisconsin’s core curriculum and programs?
UW-Madison offers 211 undergraduate majors through eight undergraduate schools and colleges. For the bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits, which includes AP, IB, and other test credits. For the university-wide General Education requirements, students must complete: 13-15 credits in the Breadth category distributed over three areas – Natural Science, Humanities/Literature/Arts, and Social Studies; 3-5/6 credits in the Communication category; 3 credits in Ethnic Studies; and 3-6 credits in Quantitative Reasoning. Find out more about the general education requirements here!
As a major research university, UW-Madison offers extensive opportunities for undergraduates to conduct research. The University is among the top 10 in the nation for the volume of research, spending about $1.5 billion in annual research. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education (OVCRGE) administration oversees 17 cross-campus research and service centers. A significant portion of undergraduates participate in research, and the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is uniquely designed to help first and second-year students source opportunities and support students through the process.
In 2023, UW-Madison was ranked as #12 among all U.S. universities for study abroad participation by the Open Doors Report. With 260 study abroad programs in 65+ countries, UW-Madison guarantees that a global education is available to every student. The International Academic Programs office collaborates with academic units across campus to offer safe, accessible, and high-quality study abroad and domestic study away programs that foster students’ academic, personal, and professional growth. Find out more about UW-Madison’s study abroad programs here!
Can I afford UWisconsin?
The total 2024-25 cost of attendance is $30,008 for a Wisconsin resident, $61,106 for a non-resident, $35,290 for a Minnesota resident and $20,874 for a commuter. Loans, grants, scholarships, work-study and campus jobs are all viable aid options for financing a UWisconsin education. Prospective students can refer to the net price calculator to get a more accurate estimate of their potential financial aid award.
