- Large public research university
- Official state university for Wisconsin, but draws a high percentage of students from out-of-state
- Located in Madison – population just over ¼ million. Campus is spacious and overlooks two glacial lakes – Mondota and Monona. Gets very cold in the winter!
- Campus is integrated into the downtown city area, just 1 mile from the state capitol
- Students participate in lots of city events – arts, culture, music, etc.
- Around 28,600 undergraduates. 44,000 in total.
- Over 4,000 international students from 120+ countries.
- Top 10 in US for largest number of international students
- Admit rate – 45-50%
- Mission – the “Wisconsin Idea” – ‘to seek truth and apply the resulting knowledge to the benefit of the students and society as a whole’
- High level academics and a rich array of resources, excellent professional programmes
- Demanding academically
- Students are characterised as ‘assertive’ – have to be so you don’t get lost in the crowd, no hand holding.
- Student fit: looking for a large campus experience, comfortable with academic rigour and demanding progression requirements, prepared to contribute to life on campus, diverse range of interests, able to self-advocate and take charge of creating opportunities for an individualised experience.
- Engaged and committed faculty
- 129 Majors, 70 certificates (minors)
- 8 schools or colleges: College of Letters and Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, School of Education, School of Nursing, School of Human Ecology, School of Business
- 70 programmes considered in the top 10 nationally
- Strong programmes: Economics, Biology, Computer Science, Psychology, Education, Agriculture, Communication, Business
- Business and engineering have more selective admissions criteria due to their popularity
- Engineering – strong foundation in HS Maths and Sciences courses is essential. They are looking for you to have taken the most demanding curriculum on offer at your school
- Classes tend to be quite large but 43% have under 20 students
- Rigorous distribution requirements – a foreign language is required for virtually everyone
- All students must fulfil a three part graduation requirement in quantitative reasoning, communication and ethnic studies
- Direct entry programmes: Engineering, Business, Dance and Music
- Students can apply undecided or undecided within a college or school. Cross-College Advising Service helps students find their passions and interests and to choose a major
- New majors in recent years: Data Science, Health Promotion and Health Equity, and Supply Chain Management
- Service is big on campus – students are encouraged to improve people’s lives beyond the classroom
- Engaged student body – student activism and governance, two very active student newspapers
- Big Ten athletics – ‘one of the best college sports towns in the USA’. Div 1.
- Extensive student support structures – including the Centre for 1st Year Experience.
- 21 residence halls in two distinct neighbourhoods – traditional residence halls, focused learning communities and affinity communities
- The vast majority of students have at least one roommate
- Over 1,000 student organisations and leadership opportunities
- Out-of-State tuition fees – $39,354. Total estimated cost (2022/23) – $57,052
- Application requirements: Common App or UW System Application,
- Transcripts 9-12, English Language proficiency, 2 essays, 1 academic letter of recommendation
- Application fee – $60
- Major international scholarship – King-Morgridge Scholars Program: for students from low income background who intend to return to their country of origin where they can act as a force of change
- Early Action deadline Nov 1st
- Regular Decision deadline Jan 15th
- Spring Regular Decision deadline Oct 1st
- Applications open August 1st
Visit the University of Wisconsin-Madison website
