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Traditional Application Process

The traditional admission process requires students to submit a Universities of Wisconsin Application for Admission. Applications are available on August 1 prior to the year of intended enrollment. Students must submit the application and all requested materials according to the UW university application deadline. Applicant materials will be reviewed holistically on the basis of multiple factors.

Beginning August 1, 2024 for freshman and transfer applicants for Fall 2025 term: The following UW universities charge an application fee for every application submitted: UW-Eau Claire ($25), UW La Crosse ($25), and UW-Madison ($70). For the other UW universities, there is no application fee.

For domestic applicants, if you are concerned about paying application fees, please note your financial hardship on the Personal Information section of the application.

Tips and Tricks

Use a good email address
You should use an email address you know you will have access to in the future. For example, try not to use your high school email address because you probably won’t be able to access it after you graduate.

Selecting a major

• Each campus might describe their majors differently (apply.wisconsin.edu/find-a-program).
• Search alphabetically, by Career Cluster, or using the search bar.

Major emphases and concentrations
Some majors require you also choose a specific emphasis or concentration for your study. For example, Engineering may require you to specify Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.

Uploading documents
There are four types of files you can upload to help speed up your application process: your high school transcript, your high school schedule, your college course schedule (if you took any college courses in high school), and your resume (not required). Each file needs to be saved as a PDF and under 10 MB.

Applying to multiple campuses
You can apply to multiple UWs at the same time. You’ll still customize your application for each campus, but you won’t have to re-enter all your details like transcripts and personal information. At the end of your first application, simply click the “Apply to More Campuses” button and you’ll be on your way.

The Wisconsin Guarantee

The Wisconsin Guarantee offers guaranteed admission to all Universities of Wisconsin (UW) universities for all who qualify. First-year applicants from Wisconsin high schools who are in the top 10% of their class at the end of 11th grade, or Wisconsin residents who are homeschooled and receive an ACT score in the national 90th percentile ranking or higher, or are a National Merit Scholarship finalist will be guaranteed to all UW universities except UW-Madison.

Additionally, first-year applicants from Wisconsin high schools who are in the top 5% of their class at the end of 11th grade, or Wisconsin residents who are homeschooled and receive an ACT score in the national 98th percentile ranking or higher or are a National Merit Scholarship finalist will be guaranteed admission to UW-Madison provided that they apply on or before the Early Action deadline.

To Apply for Admission:
Students who would like to be considered for admission through the Wisconsin Guarantee are required to submit a Universities of Wisconsin Application for admission. The application for admission, in addition to any supplemental documents, need to be submitted by the required deadlines of that UW.

Please note: the application does not require the student to indicate that they are applying as part of the Wisconsin Guarantee. Students will automatically be considered for guaranteed admission through the Wisconsin Guarantee if they provide a high school transcript reflecting class rank or eligibility for the Wisconsin Guarantee.

Universities of Wisconsin may revoke an offer of admission if a student admitted under The Wisconsin Guarantee fails to receive a high school diploma; engages in academic misconduct; experiences significantly declining grades after the application is submitted; or if they misrepresent their class rank, or status as a National Merit Scholarship finalist.

Students who apply after the required deadlines are not eligible for The Wisconsin Guarantee and will receive a holistic review.

Direct Admit Wisconsin

Direct Admit Wisconsin offers early and proactive admission to participating UW universities to high school students at participating Wisconsin high schools. The UWs collaborate with participating high schools to review student academic records (high school courses and GPA) at the end of their junior year and make offers of admission to participating UW universities without the need for students to submit a traditional admission application. Ten of 13 Universities of Wisconsin are currently participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin.

Students must be attending a participating Direct Admit Wisconsin high school in order to be eligible for the Direct Admit Wisconsin program. The following school districts have opted into year one of Direct Admit Wisconsin for the Class of 2025: www.wisconsin.edu/direct-admissions/participating-districts

A traditional application for admission is not required. Students need to complete the Direct Admit Form in the Universities of Wisconsin Admissions Portal to claim their direct admission offers. The Direct Admit Form serves as a way for students to express interest in going to the UWs that have offered them direct admission. Students can submit a Direct Admit Form to as many UWs as they would like to show interest in.

Students have until May 1, 2025 to submit their Direct Admit forms.

To Get Started: Creating a New Account

• Go to the Universities of Wisconsin Admissions Portal at www.apply.wisconsin.edu/direct-admit
• Click on “CREATE ACCOUNT.” Enter in your high school email address in addition to your personal email address. Complete all other fields.
• Verify both your high school email address and your personal email address.
• Once logged in, from the “DIRECT ADMIT” tab, you will see your “Direct Admit Offers.” This includes a list of the UWs that have offered you direct admissions.
• To start your Direct Admit Form, click on the button “DIRECT ADMIT FORM.” Follow the instructions to complete your form.

Linking an Existing Account
If you already have a Universities of Wisconsin Admissions Portal account, you will need to log into your account and link your high school email address. You may already have an account if you previously applied for dual enrollment classes at a UW (for example: CAPP, PIE, ECCP, CCIHS courses).

• Go to the Universities of Wisconsin Admissions Portal at www.apply.wisconsin.edu/direct-admit
• Click on “SIGN IN.” Enter in your personal email address.
• Once logged in, click on the “Direct Admit” tab. Then, click on “LINK YOUR DIRECT ADMIT RECORD.” Enter in your high school email address.
• Verify your high school email address.
• Once your email is verified, from the “DIRECT ADMIT” tab, you will see your “Direct Admit Offers.” This includes a list of the UWs that have offered you direct admissions.
• To start your Direct Admit Form, click on the button “DIRECT ADMIT FORM.” Follow the instructions to complete your form.

Review step-by-step instructions for creating an account and walking through the form by downloading this PDF.

After a Direct Admit Form is submitted, UWs will subsequently reach out to you with additional information about things such as admissions/enrollment, financial aid, resources on campus, and other information. You are also encouraged to reach out to the Admissions Office with additional questions about your direct admission offer.

If you are interested in a UW that is not on your “Direct Admit Offers” list, you are welcome to apply to that UW through the traditional application. Simply click on the “TRADITIONAL APPLICATIONS” tab and “START APPLICATION.”