UW-Madison entrance requirements?

Hi everyone, I'm really interested in applying to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but I'm a little uncertain about their entrance requirements. Can someone please share what they know about the GPA, test scores, and other factors UW-Madison considers during the admissions process? Thanks so much in advance!

Hello! I'd be happy to give you some insight into the University of Wisconsin-Madison's admissions requirements. Keep in mind that the admissions process may vary slightly for in-state, out-of-state, and international students.

1. GPA: While there isn't an absolute minimum GPA for UW-Madison, it is a competitive school, and strong academic performance will be important. Most admitted students have a GPA of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

2. Test scores: UW-Madison is currently test-optional. However, if you choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, the middle 50% of admitted students usually have scores in the following range: 1350-1510 (SAT); 28-33 (ACT). If you're wondering whether or not you personally should apply test-optional and want more detailed guidance on how to navigate these policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

3. Course rigor: Your high school curriculum should be rigorous and include courses in English, math, science, social science, and foreign language. UW-Madison expects students to have taken at least four years of English, three years of math, three years of science, and three years of social science. Some additional coursework in the arts, computer science, or other electives might also be helpful.

4. Extracurriculars: Strong involvement in extracurricular activities is a plus. Aim to stand out by either being highly involved in one or two areas or having a wide variety of experiences in different areas (such as sports, clubs, volunteering, internships, or research). Showcasing leadership, commitment, and passion is crucial to a strong extracurricular profile.

5. Essays: UW-Madison requires the completion of one to two essay prompts, depending on whether you're applying through the Common App or the UW System Application. These essays should give them a sense of who you are, your interests, your goals, and what you can contribute to the campus community. For detailed guidance on how to tackle these prompts, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-wisconsin-madison-essays

6. Letters of recommendation: UW-Madison requires at least one letter of recommendation, which should come from a teacher or counselor who knows you well, can speak to your academic capabilities, will advocate for your success at the college level, and is able to add valuable context to the talents and achievements laid out elsewhere in your application.

Remember that UW-Madison uses a holistic review process, so while GPA and test scores are influential factors, they will also consider your extracurriculars, essays, letters of recommendation, and overall potential to succeed at their school. To maximize your chances of acceptance, you want to be sure your strengths come across in each piece of your application. Good luck!