Frequently Asked Questions

We’re glad you asked! There are a couple of different ways to apply, depending on whether or not you plan to transfer credits or if you previously attended UW–Madison. Visit our Ready to be a Badger? page to learn how you can apply.

Your application deadline depends on when you plan to start. If you are a returning Badger (or reentry student), your application deadline may also be different. Take a look at the application deadlines for upcoming sessions.

UW–Madison Online students degrees can only take online courses designated for UW-Madison Online. If you are interested in a blended approach to your education, please apply to be an on-campus transfer student to review your options.

Once you know when you would like to start, you can apply any time after the application for that session opens. It’s best to start your application sooner rather than later as it may take some time for your previous schools to send us your official transcripts.

In addition to applying through the Common App, you will need to submit other required materials for your application. Returning Badgers (reentry students) should connect with a UW–Madison Online academic and career advisor for more details about application requirements.

ACT or SAT scores are not required for your application. However, if you have taken either test, we encourage you to provide us with your scores. Your results will be considered as supplemental academic information and may strengthen your application. Test scores should be sent directly from the testing service. Our test code is 4656 for the ACT and 1846 for the SAT. Do not send your results rush (SAT) or priority (ACT); we receive all scores electronically on a daily basis so there is no advantage to rush or priority delivery. See ACT and SAT Test Optional FAQs for more information.

We review your high school record to verify your graduation as well as completion of core requirements and to learn more about your educational background. High school grades will play a more important role in the admission review for applicants who have completed fewer transferable college credits. If you earned your General Educational Development (GED) certificate or a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), you will need to submit your official score report in addition to all high school or homeschool transcripts. See more information on the application materials page.

Contact your high school or go to your high school’s website for more information about requesting an official high school transcript. Your high school transcript must be sent to us by your school. If you earned your General Educational Development (GED) certificate or a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), submit your official score report in addition to all high school or homeschool transcripts.

Transcripts can be sent electronically or by mail. Electronic transcripts must be sent through a secure document-sending service to etranscripts@admissions.wisc.edu. Transcripts sent through email, as an attachment, will not be accepted as official. Paper transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment must bear an official school seal or be printed on the school’s custom watermarked/security paper.

You can request a letter of recommendation from your recommender right through the Common App. Request a letter from someone who can attest to your academic ability, such as a teacher, school counselor or faculty member. If you have been away from formal classroom teaching for an extended period, you could ask your employer (preferably a supervisor or manager), a program or departmental trainer or an individual in an official instructional capacity. Remember to have a discussion with your recommender first to see if they are willing and able to provide a letter. Learn more about the required letter of recommendation.

Unofficial transcripts will not complete your application. However, you can use your unofficial transcripts and Transferology to check how your courses transfer to UW–Madison. If you have questions about transferability of your previous courses, you can connect with an enrollment coach for a pre-eligibility review.

If you are an international student, you do not need to submit English proficiency scores if either of the following applies to you:

• English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school.
• You successfully completed a college-level English composition course at an accredited U.S. institution.

If you have not completed a college-level English composition course, you should do so before applying to UW–Madison Online. Connect with an enrollment coach to go over any questions and/or discuss options.

You can check your application status by logging in to MyUW Student Center. After you submit your application, you will receive an email* from the UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment that confirms your application was received and includes your campus ID number, used to activate your UW NetID. After you activate your NetID, you can log in to check your application status; any outstanding materials will be noted under “Tasks” on the “To Do List.” Your To Do List is updated regularly so check back often to confirm the status of your application.

*Sent to the email that you provide in the Common App.

Getting started and determining when to start can be challenging. If you are unsure when you would like to start, you are welcome to connect with an enrollment coach. Your application will be considered for the term you apply. If you change your mind, you will need to apply again for a future term. An enrollment coach can guide you through the application process and timeline as well as talk through factors you are considering to determine the best timing for you.

The application fee is $60 and must be paid electronically. The application fee is non-refundable. Connect with an enrollment coach to see if you qualify for an application fee waiver.

Once all of your application materials have been received and your application is complete, you can generally expect to hear back within one week.

Tell us about you and your unique story to help us know you beyond your academic record. As part of our holistic review, we refer to the essay that you submit to understand more about you. What you choose to share gives us an idea of who you are and what you want to accomplish as part of our community.

You will need to answer the following prompt:

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the selected major.

Start dates for classes vary by session. Take a look at our Application Deadlines page to confirm when classes start for your session.

Before your session begins, you will participate in SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) during which you will meet with an academic and career advisor to review your degree audit report (which shows how your transfer credit maps to your degree requirements) and plan out which courses you will take. After you are admitted, watch for an email from your advisor about next steps. You can also check out Course Enrollment & Planning resources for more information.

While many courses are offered each session, some courses are only offered during certain sessions. You will work closely with your academic and career advisor to carefully plan out which courses you will take in future sessions to ensure you plan strategically for course availability and your degree requirements. You can also find upcoming course offerings listed on the Office of Online Student Success (OSS) website.

Most UW–Madison Online courses offered in the fall and spring sessions are 8 weeks long. Summer session course lengths vary. Learn more about 8-week session courses on the Office of Online Student Success page.

You may enroll in up to 9 credits per 8-week session. At minimum, you may enroll in 3 credits (one course) per session. If you plan to use financial aid, you will want to verify the number of credits required to maintain financial aid eligibility. Learn more about how financial aid works for UW–Madison Online students.

You have flexibility to log in and work on coursework when it’s convenient for you with respect to assignment deadlines. Online courses offered in 8-week sessions take on a more accelerated pace compared to a full semester (16-week) course. Your instructor offers structure and guidance on how to navigate the material and learning resources as well as information on assignments and/or exams (if required).

The amount of time required to complete your coursework depends on the course and its required activities as well as your comfort level or prior knowledge of the course material. On average, you should expect to spend 45 hours per credit on coursework over the length of a course. Here is an example based on taking a 3-credit course in an 8-week session:

• 3-credit course x 45 hours = 135 hours/8 weeks = about 17 hours per week

Each fall and spring term can have two 8-week sessions. Some students take one course (3 credits) per 8-week session while others take up to three courses (9 credits) per session. Many students have found the program to be very amenable to taking 6 credits per term – one course per 8-week session. Summer term enrollment varies as there are different sessions available within the summer term. The number of courses you take each term depends on course availability and course sequencing (i.e., Are there any prerequisites you need to satisfy?), as well as your capacity for school work. If you plan to use financial aid, you may be required to complete a certain number of credits each term to maintain eligibility.

Congratulations on your admission, and welcome to UW–Madison Online! Review the Admitted Student Checklist for your next steps. Reach out to your enrollment coach if you have questions.

There are a number of campus resources available to you as an online student. Learn more about academic, career and university resources listed on the Office of Online Student Success website.

All newly admitted UW–Madison Online students are required to participate in SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration). In SOAR, you will:

• Complete an online course in Canvas that introduces you to available resources, tips for success, your program and the UW–Madison student community.
• Meet with an academic and career advisor virtually to discuss degree requirements, course options, resources, your questions and more.
• Plan your schedule and register for your classes.

SOAR takes about 4–5 hours to complete (spread out over a week).

You will receive a full transfer credit evaluation after being admitted and before your SOAR date. The Credit Evaluation Services team makes every effort to complete your transfer credit evaluation as soon as possible after you are admitted to UW–Madison Online.

Most UW–Madison Online courses use electronic textbooks (UW–Madison eText) that are embedded within your courses in Canvas. Costs for eTextbooks are significantly less than printed/physical textbooks. eTextbook fees are charged to your student account shortly before your tuition bill is applied to your account. If a course requires that you purchase supplemental course materials, you can purchase them through your choice of vendor.

You will register for your classes during your SOAR week. Your academic and career advisor will send you more information, and you can learn more about SOAR in advance.

You will learn more about what placement tests you need to complete from the Office of Admissions and Recruitment after you are admitted. You will also discuss this with your academic and career advisor during SOAR (orientation). Note that it is possible you may not need to complete any placement tests.