Find your worldwide educational adventure at the University of Wisconsin-Madison! Check out our complete way to apply for international students. You’ll have amazing chances to do well academically, dive into different cultures, and grow personally. In this post, we discuss International Students Admission to University of Wisconsin-Madison. Come be part of our varied group and start an amazing learning journey right here in Madison, Wisconsin.
Overview of University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison, also known as UW or just Madison, is a big public research university in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. It started in 1848 when Wisconsin became a state. UW-Madison is Wisconsin’s main state university and also the biggest one too. It was the first public university in Wisconsin. In 1866, it however, became a land-grant university.
The main campus is on 933 acres by Lake Mendota and has four special historic places. The university also owns the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, a big natural area south of the main campus.
UW-Madison has 13 schools and colleges. In 2022, there were about 35,000 undergraduates, almost 10,000 graduate students, as well as over 2,000 professional students. They also offer lots of different programs, with 136 majors for undergraduates, 148 master’s programs, as well as 120 doctoral programs.
Wisconsin is one of the twelve original members of the Association of American Universities, a group of top research universities. It’s known as a “Public Ivy” and is classified as an R1 University. Thus, it means it does a lot of research. UW-Madison is famous for its economics and history programs.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Chicago
In 2022, the National Science Foundation said UW-Madison spent $1.52 billion on research, ranking it 8th in the US. Many famous people have been part of UW-Madison, including 20 Nobel Prize winners and 41 Pulitzer Prize winners. It’s also known for producing Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Fellows.
The Wisconsin Badgers are UW-Madison’s sports teams. They play in the Big Ten Conference and have won 31 national championships. Wisconsin students and alumni have won a total of 50 Olympic medals, thus including 13 gold medals.
International Students Admission to University of Wisconsin-Madison
More than 6,000 students from other countries, who have F- or J-visas, pick the University of Wisconsin-Madison for their studies. They come from over 116 different countries, and more than 3,000 of them are undergraduates. Our university is always in the top 20 in the US for having the most international students. Also, the Center for World University Rankings puts UW-Madison at 28th place among all the universities worldwide.
See also: International Students Admission to Duke University
Application Process for International Students Admission to University of Wisconsin-Madison
International students must apply either as first-year students or transfer students. There isn’t a different application process just for international students. All applications, necessary documents, and any extra international requirements must reach our office by the deadlines we set.
Specific Requirements for International Students Admission to University of Wisconsin-Madison
To find out what documents you need, click on the correct option based on your curriculum or where you’re from. We need to know your education level when you apply. If you’re in high school, you’ll need to give us a list of your current courses. Before you start classes, we have to get your official grades and graduation papers to confirm you finished your studies and can go to university.
If your country or curriculum isn’t listed, just send us your official grades for what’s equal to grades 9 through 12 in the US. Also, send any exams or certificates needed to finish high school in your country and go to college.
See also: International Students Admission to Brown University
If you went to a school where they don’t use English: If your school doesn’t give out transcripts in English, we’ll need a proper translation of the whole original transcript, including all your courses and grades. It’s best if the translation looks like the original one. This translation can be done by your school or by someone from Education USA in your country. It should be sent using the same official ways as other documents, not through email. We need both the original non-English transcript and the official English translation to finish your application.
English Proficiency Exams for International Students Admission to University of Wisconsin-Madison
First-year students from non-English speaking countries need to send an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score, unless they studied in English for all four years of high school. Transfer students might not need to take the exam if they studied in English for all four years of high school or if they successfully finished a college-level English composition course at a US school. This rule won’t be waived for English composition courses taken at US branch campuses abroad.
All English proficiency exams must be official and sent directly from the testing service, electronically.
See also: International Students Admission to Carleton College
Keep in mind: Sending official test scores will cost extra and take 3–6 weeks longer to finish your application. Make sure to send your scores early so they arrive before the deadline.
We don’t combine scores from different English proficiency exams, and scores must be less than 2 years old when you apply.
Duolingo English Test (DET)
The Duolingo English Test (DET) requires a minimum score of 115 or higher. When you send your scores, make sure to choose the “Undergraduate” category and select “University of Wisconsin–Madison.” Don’t send your scores to any other offices listed under “Other” because we won’t be able to access them. Also, make sure your DET includes sub-scores when you send it.
IELTS
For the IELTS exam, you need a score of 6.5 or higher. To send your scores electronically, ask your testing center for an “ETRF” request. When you request electronic scores, there’s no need for a code; just select “University of Wisconsin, Madison Undergraduate” as the account name. Remember not to send paper copies of your IELTS scores. We also accept the IELTS Indicator.
See also: International Students Admission to Oregon State University
TOEFL iBT
For the TOEFL iBT exam, the minimum accepted score is 80 or higher. When you send your scores, use the test code 1846. We don’t accept the “MyBest” score from TOEFL or any other English Proficiency exam. For each TOEFL score you submit, we need the full score report. While we don’t accept the TOEFL iTP Plus for China, we do accept the iBT Special Home Edition.
If you believe you qualify for an English Proficiency Exam waiver based on the requirements mentioned above, send all required transcripts to our office. Other test scores like ACT, SAT, or AP scores don’t qualify for a waiver. Once we receive your transcripts in our office and they’re no longer on your to-do list in your Student Center, we’ll check if you’re eligible for a waiver. Waivers won’t be processed until we have both your admissions application and transcripts.
Requirements to Apply for International Students Admission to University of Wisconsin-Madison
We can’t start reviewing your application until we have all the necessary documents. These deadlines and rules apply to both local and international applicants.
The application requirements for getting into the university are the same for everyone, no matter what major or area you’re interested in.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Kansas
Admission Application
First-year applicants have the option to apply using either the Common Application or the UW System Application.
UW–Madison doesn’t have a preference between the two applications. Just pick one and stick with it until you submit your application.
It’s a good idea to use an email that’s not linked to your high school, and make sure to check it regularly.
Keep in mind that we don’t start reviewing applications for the fall term until September 1.
When you fill out the application, you’ll need to choose a first and second choice major. If we can’t offer you admission to your first choice, we’ll consider your second choice. Some of our programs, like business, engineering, dance, and music, are quite competitive, so the admission expectations might be different for those. You can find more information on our direct entry page.
See also: International Students Admission to Stony Brook University
Application Fee
The application fee is $70.00 US and cannot be refunded.
We prefer electronic payments. If you’re using the UW System Application, you can pay the fee by check or money order. Make sure it’s drawn from a US bank and payable to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Send the check or money order to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, and include the applicant’s name with the payment. Don’t send cash.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, you can request an application fee waiver when you apply. If you didn’t request a fee waiver during the application process but you’re eligible for one, you can print the Application Fee Waiver Request Form and have your counselor or advisor send it to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. We also accept fee waivers granted by the College Board or ACT.
Two Essays
We value your essays as part of our comprehensive review process. They give us insight into who you are and what you hope to achieve within our community. Your essays provide a deeper understanding beyond just your grades and test scores.
If you’re using the Common Application, you’ll respond to one of their essay prompts. If you’re using the UW System Application, you’ll answer a specific prompt about a personal or academic experience and why you want to attend UW–Madison.
See also: International Student Admission to Indiana University Bloomington
Here are some key points to consider as you write your essays:
- Think about your experiences and ideas before you start writing, and consider making an outline.
- Each essay should be no more than 650 words, but we suggest aiming for 300–500 words.
- Write your essays in a word processing program before copying them into the application form.
- Give yourself time to write, revise, and polish your essays.
- Check for spelling errors and have someone else proofread your final draft.
- Be sincere and truthful in your writing, sharing your authentic self with us.
Course and Grade Information
We need information about the courses you took and the grades you earned in grades 9 through 12 from all the schools you attended.
If you’re applying through the Common Application, you can fulfill this requirement in two ways: either by reporting your coursework and grades within the application or by having your school send us an official transcript.
However, if you’re applying through the UW System Application, you can also meet this requirement in two ways: by submitting an unofficial transcript within the application or by having your school send us an official transcript.
If you’ve already graduated from high school, we’ll need an official final transcript showing your graduation date.
See also: International Students Admission to Amherst College
Here’s how to send official transcripts:
- If you’re applying from outside the US, check the country-specific requirements for official transcripts.
- If you were homeschooled, we’ll need extra documentation for a complete review of your application.
- If you earned a GED or HSED, submit your official score report along with all high school or homeschool transcripts.
Keep in mind that we’ll need official transcripts from all schools and colleges you attended before you enroll. Providing incorrect course or grade information could lead to your admission offer being revoked and loss of scholarship awards. We’ll also need official college transcripts to award college credit.
Regarding GPA and class rank, we expect applicants to have a strong academic record. We consider both GPA and class rank, taking into account the grading scale and reporting practices of your school. Typically, we see unweighted GPAs between 3.8 and 4.0 and class ranks in the 85th to 97th percentile.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Maryland
One Letter of Recommendation
You need to send us at least one letter of recommendation from someone who can talk about your academic skills, like a teacher, school counselor, or faculty member. You can also send us another letter from someone else, like an employer, coach, or community leader, if you want. If you’re interested in engineering, it’s a good idea to get a recommendation from a math or science teacher.
Before you ask someone for a recommendation, make sure to talk to them first to see if they’re willing to write one for you.
If you’ve been away from formal schooling for a while, you can ask for a recommendation from someone who can talk about your academic potential, like an employer or a trainer.
However, if you’re using the Common Application, request your recommendation through that system. If you’re using the UW System Application, choose the link that fits your situation to invite someone to submit a recommendation.
If recommendations are mailed to our office, they must come directly from the school or recommender in a sealed envelope. The letter should include your full name, birth date, and campus ID number (if known). Letters from school staff can also be sent through Naviance. Remember that recommendations expire after one year from the date they’re written.
See also: International Students Admission to Colorado College
Conclusion
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is happy to invite international students to join our lively academic community. They’re dedicated to excellence, diversity, and making everyone feel included. The environment is friendly and helps students from all over the world succeed in their studies, grow personally, and explore different cultures. You are welcome to start your educational adventure there, where you’ll find lots of chances to learn, explore, and do well.
See also: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-wisconsin-madison