Tips for Admission to UW-Madison

By Liz Jackson

Seniors at University School of Milwaukee apply to a wide range of colleges across the United States and internationally. For a variety of reasons, however, the most popular school for USM students, and where a majority of students typically apply, is University of Wisconsin-Madison. As our state’s flagship public university, UW has so much to offer students both academically and outside the classroom. And while many students who apply to UW from USM are admitted and choose to attend, admission at UW-Madison is becoming dramatically more competitive. 

Since 2020, the number of applicants to UW-Madison has gone up nearly 50%, and last year, the university evaluated 66,000 applications for first-year undergraduate admission. And while the university’s acceptance rate in the 1980s was nearly 80%, it is now around 40%. The credentials of students admitted to UW-Madison are impressive:

• The average high school GPA for the UW class of 2028 was 3.9
• An astonishing 53% of entering freshmen possessed above 4.0
• Only 4% of UW's class of 2028 earned a cumulative GPA lower than 3.5.
• The middle 50% of students admitted to UW had between 1380 and 1520 on the SAT, or between 29 and 33 on the ACT. 

So, if you are interested in UW-Madison and a little intimidated by these numbers, what can you do? Keep reading for tips and guidance.

Take the Supplemental Essay Seriously

Since even I applied to college, UW-Madison has asked applicants to write an essay of up to 650 words explaining why they hope to attend UW. This essay is one of the most important components of a student’s application to UW, because it is the best way for them to communicate their fit to the major they selected. Like many large universities, UW’s applicants are asked to apply into a particular program (though students can choose “undecided” as an option). The selectivity of programs varies quite a lot. For the last several years, for example, the average ACT score for students admitted to the Wisconsin School of Business at UW was 34–much higher than for the university overall. Other competitive programs include engineering and computer science.

Whatever program you choose, it is critical that you do your research on what the program entails, and demonstrate that research in your "Why UW" essay. Strong essays reference courses, research opportunities, and student activities that would be available to you as an undergrad. The best essays also connect what you hope to do in college to a larger goal post-graduation. Think about how the classes you take and the people you encounter will propel you towards your longer-term career or personal goals.

These supplemental essays help the admissions office picture you succeeding on campus, and they also show that you’ve done your homework and know why you are applying. Anecdotally, most of the students we’ve counseled at USM who are admitted to UW-Madison with GPAs and test scores below the published average knocked these essays out of the park—demonstrating clearly how specific aspects of the UW-Madison experience connect to their interests and goals. Click here for an example of a particularly strong supplemental essay that played a strong role in getting the student, Ezran Anastas '25, direct admission to the Wisconsin School of Business.  

Think Carefully About Your Courses and Challenge Yourself to Show College-Readiness

One thing UW-Madison values is the rigor of students’ curriculum in high school. Obviously, they also value high grades, but it is very important to the university that incoming students are prepared for the level of discourse at a top-tier research university and ready to tackle those challenges independently. One of the best ways to demonstrate that preparedness is to choose your high school classes carefully and challenge yourself where appropriate.

Of course, you don’t want to take Honors- or AP-level courses that result in being spread too thin and potentially jeopardizing your physical or mental health or your GPA. But, particularly in the subject that interests you, set goals of taking the more rigorous courses in that subject. For example, if you hope to study business or engineering in college, it’s a good idea to take calculus in high school.

Ideally, students should be challenging themselves in higher-level courses by junior year. When students are initially deferred from the early action round of admissions at UW, it is often because the admission office wants to see how those students are doing in their senior year classes, which tend to be the most challenging.

Standardized Testing Matters

UW recently announced that the university will remain test-optional for another admission cycle, so students are free to submit their application with or without standardized test scores. However, institutional data shows that students who send in scores—even those below the middle 50% range—are admitted to UW at a higher rate than students who don’t submit scores. You can probably imagine that, in a pool of nearly 70,000 applicants, numbers can stand out. A score you’re proud of can help demonstrate that you’re academically prepared for UW. (See our tips for taking standardized tests here.)

Connect to the University's Mission

UW-Madison’s mission states: “Guided by the "Wisconsin Idea," [the university] aims to improve lives through research, education, and public service, extending knowledge beyond the classroom to serve the state, nation, and world.” As you prepare to apply to UW, think about ways in which you can demonstrate your fit to this mission. How have you worked to improve the communities you are part of? How do you hope to use your education to make an impact on your state, country, or world?

These are questions you can address in your essay, but you can also demonstrate your connection to the Wisconsin Idea through activities you choose to participate in, and through the anecdotes that your teachers and counselor share about you in their letters of recommendation.

Gaining admission to UW is not impossible, but it does require persistence and strategic thought. An applicant's GPA and standardized test score, while important, do not paint the full picture. Utilize the supplemental essay to your advantage by communicating your story and your connection to the Wisconsin Idea. Good luck!  

About Liz Jackson

Liz Jackson serves as the director of College Guidance at University School of Milwaukee. She has more than 15 years of experience helping students and families find the right college. With experience in counseling, higher education research, and school leadership, Liz enjoys getting to know students and matching their interests to the unique offerings of each college.