Undergraduate Admission Process

The best advice for an international student applying for admission to a University of Wisconsin System institution is to begin the process early. Prospective students should contact the University of Wisconsin System institution(s) of interest well in advance of the intended semester of entry to request materials and information.

Links below will assist prospective international students in gathering information, investigating options and opportunities and understanding the admission process.

Application for Admission

Application Deadlines and Priority Dates

Transcripts

Test Scores

Financial Certification

The Application for Admission

International students applying for undergraduate admission to any University of Wisconsin System campus can apply for admission using a paper application or our online application on the Web. Students who choose to apply to a UW System campus using a paper application for admission should contact the University of Wisconsin System campus to which they plan to apply and request an application packet be sent. Be sure to indicate your intended semester of entry in all communication. The packet will include the appropriate application form(s), materials and instructions.

International applicants applying for undergraduate admission may also apply to any University of Wisconsin System campus using the University of Wisconsin System Electronic Application for International Undergraduate Admission. The electronic application can be completed online and transmitted to any UW System campus the student hopes to attend.

All University of Wisconsin System institutions require an undergraduate application fee of $35 (U.S. dollars). The application fee must be included with each application submitted. Some institutions also require an additional processing fee for international students. This additional fee is required to cover the costs involved with the processing and evaluation of an international student application. All fees should be paid in U.S. currency and drawn on a bank draft or international money order, payable to the University of Wisconsin. All fees are subject to change.

Application Deadlines and Priority Dates

The best advice for an international student interested in applying to a University of Wisconsin System institution is to begin the application process early. Allow plenty of time for submission of all required forms and credentials. Be aware of the time needed to process all necessary documents, send and receive overseas mail, obtain a passport and visa, make travel arrangements, take care of all details for your departure and arrive on campus at the appropriate time for beginning your studies. Many campuses have application for admission deadlines, priority dates or recommended application dates.

Transcripts

International applicants are required to submit official academic records and certificates for secondary and postsecondary education. These records include, but may not be limited to, the General Certificate of Education (in countries where this national testing program is used), a certificate of completion from the secondary school attended, an official academic record from any secondary school attended, school leaving records, national or other major examination results and/or diplomas earned. International students who have attended a college or university, inside or outside of the United States, are required to submit an official record of their work from each institution attended.

International student records should be submitted in English translation. Some University of Wisconsin System institutions require records in both the native language and English translation. International applicants may want to contact World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators for assistance with foreign credential evaluation.

All records must be official; notarized copies will not be accepted. All records should be sent directly from the institution to the University of Wisconsin System institution(s) to which student is applying. Pay close attention to instructions included with an application for admission or information packet.

Requesting a transcript includes instructions and procedural information for requesting transcripts from each University of Wisconsin System institution. If a transcript from a university outside the University of Wisconsin System is needed, students should contact the specific college or university for procedural information.

Test Scores

A critical part of the admission decision for an international student is the evaluation of the applicant's English language proficiency. All University of Wisconsin System institutions require international students verify English proficiency. The most often used and accepted exam is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). International student applicants should make timely arrangements to take this exam, which is administered throughout the world by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Minimum TOEFL score requirements vary from one University of Wisconsin institution to another. Score requirements may also vary from one degree program to another within an individual institution.

International student applicants should request official results of the TOEFL be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to the institution(s) to which the student is applying. Some University of Wisconsin System institutions may accept the results of other standardized tests in lieu of the TOEFL. One of the commonly used alternatives to the TOEFL is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Other University of Wisconsin institutions may require the results of achievement tests (like the ACT, SAT) in addition to an English language proficiency test. Testing requirements for international students will be identified in an information packet from an individual campus.

Financial Certification

International students are required to finance their own education and living expenses while attending school in the United States. Only a few University of Wisconsin System institutions offer scholarship money for international students; most do not. As a part of the application process, international students are required to declare and verify the necessary funding.

Admission packets from individual University of Wisconsin System institutions will provide detailed information on how an international student applicant must meet this requirement and the estimated funding necessary for annual costs. Estimated expenses usually include tuition and fees, housing, health insurance, books, supplies and personal expenses. Financial Certification requirements for each University of Wisconsin System campus provides more specific (US) dollar amounts that must be certified. All dollar amounts are subject to change. Annual increases should be expected.

It may be helpful for prospective students to review current exchange rates for currency from US dollars to the currency used in their home country. For an easy look at current exchange rates, visit the Universal Currency Converter.