You’re ready to be a Badger

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Apply page to learn about details, deadlines and what you need to succeed.

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.

Homeschooled applicants are reviewed through the same holistic admissions process as all other students. We look at your academic preparation, coursework, grades and any college-level work completed. You may be asked to provide additional documentation, such as a detailed transcript or course descriptions, to help us fully evaluate your background.

If you are unable to provide transcripts, we recommend you contact an Education USA official or the Ministry of Ed within your home country or region.

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

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. 

Getting started and determining when to start can be challenging. 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. A transfer student advisor can help talk through factors you are considering to determine the best timing for you.

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.

The application fee is $80 and must be paid electronically. The application fee is non-refundable. 

If you’re missing a requirement, we encourage you to connect with a transfer student advisor before applying. They can review your situation and recommend next steps.

Tell us about you and your unique story to help us know you beyond your academic record and in your own voice.

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.

UW–Madison Online applications are due by 11:59 PM Central Time (CT) on the posted deadline date.

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.

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.

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.

Homeschooled applicants must provide a comprehensive transcript that includes course titles, grades and the equivalent of credit earned. We may also request additional documentation such as course descriptions or curriculum details to better understand your academic preparation. Final acceptance depends on whether the transcript provides enough information for a thorough review.

Yes, college-level courses you take through PSEO (Postsecondary Enrollment Options) can transfer, as long as they are for-credit courses from an accredited college or university. They’ll be evaluated for transfer after you’re admitted. If the credits transfer to UW-Madison, they will be applied towards your degree requirements as either direct course equivalents or as elective credits.