University of Wisconsin: Renowned for Public Research Excellence

Considering the University of Wisconsin Madison? You've found the right guide to help you navigate your journey. UW Madison is a prestigious public land-grant research university established in 1848. 

Known for its world-class academics, dynamic campus, and research-driven ethos, it’s home to over 37,000 students from around the globe. With an acceptance rate of 43%, it offers a supportive community and a diverse range of student opportunities. UW-Madison has something for everyone.  

Ready to start your Badger adventure? Let’s dive in!

About the University of Wisconsin Madison

Located in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin Madison UW offers a lively, welcoming campus spread over 939 acres along the shores of Lake Mendota. The university's guiding principle, known as the "Wisconsin Idea," emphasizes the importance of education and research benefiting people beyond the classroom, extending to the entire state and beyond.​

UW Madison boasts a distinguished alumni network, including 20 Nobel Prize winners and 41 Pulitzer Prize recipients.​ The university's athletic teams, known as the Wisconsin Badgers, compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, with a history of success across various sports.

Wisconsin State University Madison Courses

The University of Wisconsin Madison UW provides about 9,000 courses across various fields of study, including Architecture, Law, Nursing, and Design.

Undergraduate Courses at UW Madison

UW Madison offers an extensive selection of over 600 undergraduate courses across various fields, including Art History, Botany, Electrical Engineering, and Data Science.

Graduate Courses at UW Madison

With 160 master's and 108 doctoral degrees, the University of Wisconsin Madison UW provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills in specialized areas.

University of Wisconsin Madison Admission Requirements

The University of Wisconsin Madison UW has distinct admission criteria for undergraduate and graduate programs.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has an acceptance rate of 43%. Among applicants who submitted test scores, 50% of admitted students scored between 1350 and 1510 on the SAT, or between 28 and 32 on the ACT. Additionally, 25% of admitted students earned scores higher than these ranges, while another 25% scored below them.

Bachelor’s Degree Requirement

• You must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college/university or an equivalent degree from an international institution.
• International applicants should have a degree comparable to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
• The undergraduate degree must be completed before starting graduate school.
• For country-specific degree equivalency details and required academic documents, refer to the official country list.

Document Translation

• Academic documents must be officially translated by your school or a certified translator.
• Credential evaluations (like WES) are not accepted as translations.

Transcripts

• Official transcripts are not required during application submission.
• The Graduate School will request them via email after your program recommends you for admission.
  Note: All submitted transcripts become the property of UW–Madison and won’t be returned.

Grades (GPA)

• A minimum GPA of 3.00 (on the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work or overall master’s program) is required.
• International applicants must show strong academic performance equivalent to a 3.00 GPA.
• The Graduate School uses your institution’s official grading scale — applicants should not convert grades to a U.S. 4.00 scale.

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

• The Graduate School itself does not require the GRE.
• Individual academic programs may require it — check your program’s specific website for details.
• If required, official GRE scores should be sent through ETS (institution code: 1846).

English Language Proficiency (for International Applicants)

• Must meet one of these criteria:
  
  
  • Completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
  • Earned a master’s or PhD from a U.S. institution within the past 5 years.
  • Earned a bachelor’s degree from an international institution where English was the sole language of instruction (must be noted on the transcript or officially verified).
  • Completed at least two full-time semesters of coursework (excluding English language learning courses) from an English-only institution within the past 5 years.
  • Submitted valid, official scores from an accepted English proficiency test (taken within 2 years before intended enrollment).

University of Wisconsin Madison Deadlines 

Here’s an overview of the application dates and decision release schedules for prospective students:

Additional Notes:

• First-year fall and spring term applications open on August 1.
• All applications and materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the listed deadlines.
• Application submissions may take up to 72 hours to reflect in the system.
• A confirmation email is sent the next business day after submission.
• Applications sent within 5 days of the deadline won’t receive reminders for missing documents.
• Early Action is non-binding — students have until May 1 to accept an offer.

How to Apply to the University of Wisconsin Madison

Ready to make your Badger journey official? Here’s how to apply to the Wisconsin State University Madison, step by step:

1. Activate Your NetID and Access MyUW: Begin by activating your NetID using the 10-digit campus ID from your admissions letter. This gives you access to MyUW, where you can complete your checklist and update your personal information.
2. Confirm Your Enrollment: Log into the Student Center to accept your offer by the deadline and submit a non-refundable USD 200 deposit towards your tuition.
3. Activate Your @wisc.edu Email: Once your NetID is active, set up your @wisc.edu email, which may take up to 24 hours to activate.
4. Financial Aid & Scholarships: Apply for financial aid via FAFSA (for US students) or explore international scholarships. Complete this early to ensure eligibility.
5. Placement Tests: Complete placement tests in subjects like Math and English to ensure proper class placement.
6. Student Orientation (SOAR): Register for SOAR, which provides crucial academic advising and registration information.
7. Final Transcript and Scores: Submit your final official transcripts and any AP/CLEP/IB scores as per deadlines to finalize your admission.

University of Wisconsin Madison Tuition Fees 

The University of Wisconsin Madison offers competitive tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students, along with additional living expenses. Here's a breakdown of the costs:

Scholarship Opportunities at UW Madison

The Wisconsin State University Madison offers a diverse array of scholarships to support students financially throughout their academic journey. Students can explore and apply for these opportunities through the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH), the centralized scholarship platform for UW Madison.​ 

Here are the key scholarship programs:

• Bucky’s Tuition Promise: This program guarantees free tuition and segregated fees for Wisconsin resident students whose household adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less. Eligible first-year students receive this support for eight consecutive semesters, while transfer students receive it for four semesters.
• BANNER (Badger Aid for Nonresidents): Designed to assist nonresident students from low-income households, BANNER provides a combination of grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities to meet full financial need for four consecutive years.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities:

• International Academic Programs (IAP) Scholarships: For students interested in studying abroad, IAP offers scholarships with application deadlines typically ranging from December to March.
• McBurney Disability Resource Center Scholarships: Students with disabilities can apply for scholarships through the McBurney Center, with applications generally open from November to April.​

University of Wisconsin Madison Rankings

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a globally respected institution known for its academic excellence, research achievements, and community impact. Its impressive rankings and accomplishments highlight its leadership in education and service worldwide.

• Ranked #13 among the best public universities in the United States.
• Holds the distinction of being #1 for producing the most Peace Corps volunteers.
• Proudly associated with 20 Nobel Prize winners.
• Positioned at #116 in the QS World University Rankings.
• Ranked #11 globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
• Achieved a spot of #=283 in the QS Sustainability Rankings. 

Placement / Career Opportunities after graduating from University of Wisconsin Madison

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is well known for its impressive placement rates in the United States. The overall placement rate for UW–Madison graduates is 72%, with most students securing jobs within six months of finishing their degree. In simple terms, about 72 out of every 100 students find employment shortly after graduation, making it a popular choice among international students.

On average, UW–Madison graduates earn an annual salary of around USD 64,481. Their qualifications and skills are highly valued by employers around the world.

For MBA graduates, the placement rate is even higher at 82%, with most securing job offers within three months of completing their program. The average salary for MBA graduates from UW–Madison stands at USD 121,051 per year.

To wrap it all up, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is more than just a top-ranked university — it’s a place where students can truly thrive. From a wide variety of academic programs and generous scholarships to a lively campus atmosphere and supportive housing options, UW Madison makes sure every student feels right at home.

Now all that’s left? Finding a cozy place to stay. With amber, you can lock in the perfect student housing near the University of Wisconsin Madison in just a few clicks. Say goodbye to the stress of searching — book your student pad today!

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