Application tips

New applicants

• There are six sections to the application: Personal Information, Contact Information, Background Information, Program, Educational History, and Review and Submit
  • Click “Start Application” to begin
• Be sure to complete all fields marked with an asterisk (*)
• Navigate through the application using the “Back,” “Save,” and “Save & Continue” buttons at the bottom of each screen.

Existing (former) applicants

• Your UserID will be the email you used when you originally completed the application (not your UW–Madison NetID).
• Once you login, you’ll see a list of previous applications. Click “Create New Application” to begin.

• If you have changed your name and were previously a UW–Madison student, please update your name.
• If you have a preferred name, you can enter that along with preferred gender and pronouns.

• Use the + sign to add addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses
• Click the stars to the right of your preferred phone number and email address

• Select the admit term for which you are applying. Ex: fall 2026
• Select the student type. If not sure of your student type, refer to this overview of classifications 

• Indicate dates to the best of your ability
• If you have not previously attended a post-secondary institution, choose “No College Courses” from the drop-down menu
• Previous UW–Madison students: If you have your ten-digit UW campus ID number, please enter it in the UW Attendance section. Note for staff (current or former), enter your student ID number, not your staff ID number.

A few sentences here will suffice (there is no need to list specific courses).

• Review the Residence for Tuition Overview if you have questions about your residency.
• Senior Guest auditors: verification of Wisconsin Resident Status is required in order to qualify.
• You may be contacted by a Residence Specialist via email if more information is needed to determine residency
  • If you have been a student here previously, this communication will be sent to your @wisc.edu email address 

• Click gray “Submit Application” button
  • The “Application Submitted” box will pop up. You may close it.
  • You are done with the application!

• You’ll receive an email indicating your application was received
• Within 1 to 2 weeks you’ll receive an admission email.