What are admissions requirements at University of Wisconsin?

Hi everyone, I've been doing some research into possible universities I'd like to apply to, and the University of Wisconsin keeps popping up. Does anyone know what their specific admission requirements are? GPA, extracurriculars, essays etc. Any insight would be immensely helpful!

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, like many other universities, reviews applicants holistically. That means they consider a number of different factors beyond just your grades and test scores. Here's a breakdown of what they generally look for:

1. Challenges, Opportunities, and Academic Context: This involves looking at your academic achievements in the context of the opportunities and challenges you have faced. This may include things like your socioeconomic background, family circumstances, school attended, and any major life obstacles you've overcome.

2. Grade Point Average (GPA) and Coursework: A strong academic record is important. UW-Madison doesn't have a minimum GPA requirement, but in recent years the middle 50% of admitted students had GPAs in the range of 3.5-3.9 on a 4.0 scale. However, individual circumstances are taken into account. More emphasis is placed on the rigor of your high school courses. UW-Madison expects applicants to complete a minimum level of preparation in six academic subject areas while in high school.

3. Personal Essays: For the University of Wisconsin application, there are two essays. The first is a general personal statement that all universities in the University of Wisconsin system require. The second essay is specific to the Madison campus: the University of Wisconsin-Madison supplemental essay.

4. Letters of Recommendation: One letter of recommendation is required, though you may submit up to three. The letter should be from someone who can speak to your strengths and potential for success, and could be a teacher, school counselor, coach, or someone who knows you well outside of school.

5. Extracurricular activities: Involvement in quality extracurricular activities where you have taken on leadership roles or shown a significant time commitment can strengthen your application.

6. Test Scores: For the 2024-2025 application cycle, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is test-optional. This means you can choose whether or not to submit ACT or SAT scores.

7. For some majors, there may be additional requirements. For example, certain majors in the College of Letters and Science require two years of a single foreign language in high school for admission.

In summary, while the University of Wisconsin-Madison values a strong GPA and rigorous coursework, they also pay heed to one's unique circumstances, extracurricular engagement, personal essays, and recommendation letters. Checking with the school for the most current information is always a good idea. Good luck with your applications!