The University of Wisconsin-Madison recently released its admission statistics during the last fall term and the acceptance rate is quite competitive.
If you are an out-of-state applicant seeking admission to Madison, you must present high school grades and test scores that will convince admissions of your candidacy.
However, residents of Wisconsin are not guaranteed admission to their programs of choice. In-state applicants who were successful during the last admission process were candidates who presented excellent GPAs, test scores, and convincing applications.
Getting into UW-Madison requires excellent academic qualifications and certain leadership skills to join the community on campus. Let’s show you what it takes to secure a spot at UW-Madison.
About the University of Wisconsin Madison
According to Wikipedia, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public research institution in Madison, Wisconsin. Established in 1848, Madison is Wisconsin’s oldest and largest public research institution.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the University’s main campus sits on 936 acres and it functions on a semester-based academic calendar.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an institution for advanced scientific research. It has some of the best research facilities to engage students in research in any field of study. The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), was established for the sole purpose of innovative research in graduate education.
Madison also has various undergraduate research scholarships, fellowships, programs, and apprenticeships.
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University of Wisconsin-Madison Schools, Colleges, and Institutes
You will find various degree programs in these Madison schools, colleges, and institutes.
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Division of the Arts
- School of Business
- School of Computer Data and Information Sciences
- Division of Continuing Studies
- School of Education
- College of Engineering
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
- Graduate School
- School of Human Ecology
- Information School
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Language Institute
- College of Letters and Science
- Law School
- School of Medicine and Public Health
- School of Music
- School of Nursing
- School of Public Affairs
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Social Work
- School of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Wisconsin- Madison Rankings
The University of Wisconsin-Madison according to U.S. News & World Report is currently ranked #35 in National Universities, #12 in Top Public Schools, and #17 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
UW-Madison is also ranked #102 on QS World University Rankings according to TopUniversities.com. And #63 in world university rankings according to Times Higher Education.
The University of Wisconsin Madison Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been at an average of 50%.
Currently, the acceptance rate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is below 45%.
According to admission statistics on UW-Madison’s official website, the acceptance rate at the university is currently at 43.32%. Admission statistics show that UW-Madison received a total of 63,537 undergraduate applications and admitted 27,527 freshmen for the fall of 2023.
The new students had GPA, SAT, and ACT scores that met Madison’s standards.
Out of the 27,527 applicants that were accepted, only 7,966 enrolled at UW-Madison.
GPA Requirement
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a bit selective, with an acceptance rate that admits below 45% of its applicants. The newly admitted first-year applicants had a GPA of 3.55-3.78.
According to Prepscholar.com, the average GPA required at Madison is 3.88 which is quite selective for most high school applicants.
SAT Requirement
The average SAT score composite at Madison is 1370 on the 1500 SAT scale.
Here are the statistics for the new SAT scores according to Prepscholar.com
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| Math | 725 | 690 | 780 |
| Reading and Writing | 665 | 660 | 730 |
| Composite | 1390 | 1370 | 1500 |
ACT Requirement
The average ACT score at Madison is 30.
Here are the statistics for the ACT scores range.
| Act | Score Range |
| English | 26-34 |
| Math | 26-31 |
| Composite Score | 27-32 |
Application Requirement
Those who applied to Madison in the last admission cycle provided essential secondary/high school documents during their online application.
First-Year Application Requirement
For a successful application to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, you must provide these application requirements.
Application Options
The University of Wisconsin-Madison uses the UW System Application and Common Application platform.
Madison recommends that you apply with your email rather than a high school email.
Application Fee or Fee Waiver
The application fee at Madison is a non-refundable fee of $70. The payment can be made online with credit cards. If you are applying via the UW System Application, the application fee can be paid by check or money order.
Fee waivers are also available for applicants with financial needs. Eligible applicants can request a waiver during their application.
Two Essay
If you are applying via the Common Application, you will have to respond to any of the first-year Common Application Essays. Those applying with the UW System Application will respond to two prompt essays.
Course and Grade Information
If you have obtained your General Education Development (GED) certificate or High School Equivalent Diploma (HSE), you can submit your official score report together with your transcript.
Letter of Recommendation
The University of Wisconsin-Madison requires a letter of recommendation written either by your school teacher, faculty member, or counsellor. An additional letter of recommendation from your mentors or individuals who can give a good account of your behaviour outside the classroom is also accepted.
Standardized Testing
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is test-optional through the spring 2025 term.
English Proficiency Test
This requirement is for international applicants who are non-native English speakers or applicants who received academic instructions in a different language.
If this requirement applies to you, you must take the following English proficiency test.
- TOEFL iBT; Minimum score- 80+
- IELTS; Minimum score- 6.5+
- Duolingo English Test; Minimum score- 105+
You can get more information on these application requirements by visiting Madison’s official website.
University of Wisconsin-Madison First-Year Application and Materials Deadlines
| DECISION PLAN | APPLICATION DEADLINE | MATERIALS DEADLINE | DECISION |
| Spring Regular Decision | October 1* | October 16 | On or before December 31 |
| Fall Early Action | November 1* | November 8 | On or before January 31 |
| Fall Regular Decision | January 16* | January 22* | On or before March 31 |
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Into Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a flexible acceptance rate and a selective requirement for high school grades and test scores. Your chances of getting into Madison will be at an advantage by considering these factors.
#1. Apply During Early Action
The University of Wisconsin has an acceptance rate that admits more than half of its overall applicants. However, you can increase the admit rate at Madison by almost 100%.
An application in Early Action to Madison will enhance your chances of admission. The admit rate for Early Action is higher than that of Regular Action.
If you are certain that Madison is your first choice, then you should apply in Early Action.
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#2. Aim for a 3.86 GPA While Taking Hard Classes
The GPA required at Madison is 3.86 on average. If you are still a high schooler, such a standard requires that you be at the top of your class with more A’s in your courses.
To convince the admission committee at Madison that you are a worthy candidate, you should take hard classes (AP or IB courses) available at your school.
#. 3 Write Interesting Essays
One of the most important factors during application is an essay. The University of Wisconsin-Madison considers essays an important tool to evaluate your personality, passion, goals, intellectual interest, and commitment.
Write a unique essay portraying your intellect and why you fit in perfectly on the Madison campus.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Tuition and Fee
Here is the estimated cost of attendance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
| Expense Category | Wisconsin Resident | Non-Resident | Minnesota Resident | Commuter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $10,766.00 | $38,654.00 | $14,812.00 | $10,766.00 |
| Required Course Material & Educational Supplies | $1,150.00 | $1,150.00 | $1,150.00 | $1,150.00 |
| Housing & Meals | $12,548.00 | $12,548.00 | $12,548.00 | $2,294.00 |
| Personal | $2,250.00 | $2,250.00 | $2,250.00 | $2,250.00 |
| Transportation | $750.00 | $1,220.00 | $1,030.00 | $750.00 |
| Loan Fees | $66.00 | $66.00 | $66.00 | $66.00 |
| Total | $27,530.00 | $55,888.00 | $31,856.00 | $17,276.00 |
Student Life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison provides a medium for students to share diverse opinions from different perspectives.
Madison housing includes 21 University Residence Halls located in two serene neighbourhoods.
Is the University of Wisconsin-Madison a Good School?
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is among the top public universities in the United States. Madison is a top public university where dreams are nurtured into professions in engineering, medicine, natural sciences, business, and computer data and information.
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is an initiative to propagate innovative research in graduate education.
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What is Madison Known For?
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the largest public research institution in the state of Wisconsin. Madison’s popularity is its intense research in various fields of study to solve problems in today’s society.
Madison is more often referred to as a public Ivy due to its diversity, heritage, academics, and student life.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Contact Address
- School Address: Madison, WI, United States
- Phone: +1 608-263-2400
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the frequently asked questions about the acceptance rate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Wisconsin-Madison?
The required GPA at Madison is an average of 3.86. Those who were admitted in the last admission cycle had an average GPA of 3.55-3.75.
If your GPA is lower than Madison standards, you will need a high standardized test of 1390 on the SAT and 30 on the ACT.
Is it difficult to get into Madison?
The acceptance rate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is on a less selective standard of 60.3%. Madison admits 60 applicants out of every 100.
Despite having an acceptance rate that meets the national average for American universities, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has a selective requirement for GPA, SAT and ACT.
Can I get into the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a 3.3 GPA?
With a 3.3 GPA, it will be difficult to get into Madison. The newly admitted students at Madison had high school GPAs of 3.55-3.78.
Conclusion
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the prominent public research institutions in America.
Madison is the largest public research institution in all of Wisconsin, providing the opportunity for students to discover new possibilities in academics.
Madison is well known and heavily involved in academic research for undergrad and graduate studies. Its acceptance rate is flexible but, you will need to provide an impressive application profile to get through admissions.
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References
- U.S. News & World Report: University of Wisconsin–Madison
- TopUniversities: University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Times Higher Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Chancellor.wisc.edu: Busting myths about UW-Madison