Updated October 1st, 2019

So, you’re thinking about applying to the University of Wisconsin, and you’re curious about your chances of admission. There are a lot of factors in the admissions process. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores.

With an acceptance rate of 36.7%, admission to Wisconsin is competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the very top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1460, or an ACT score of around 32.

Not quite there? Try taking our SAT prep course and You’ll still have a chance of getting in, but it’s in the single digits. Let’s take a closer look at Wisconsin admission statistics.

Wisconsin 2019 Admissions Statistics: Class of 2023

• Wisconsin’s acceptance rate in 2019 was 36.7%
• For the class of 2023, out of 43,921 applicants, Wisconsin admitted 16,134
• The average GPA of admitted applicants was 3.84
• The average ACT score was 29
• The average SAT score was 1370

For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 28, and the 75th percentile score was 32.

For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1330. The 75th percentile score was 1460.

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If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements. Still, at the 25th percentile, your chances of getting in are in the low single digits.

Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

Even if Wisconsin is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.

Generally, you should have:

• Three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores)
• Three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores)
• Three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores)

OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took a look at Wisconsin’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.

Wisconsin 2019 Application Requirements: Class of 2023

Here’s a full list of application requirements:

• Fill out the Common Application and pay an application fee of $60 (or apply for a fee waiver)
• Submit an ACT score or SAT score (writing score optional)
• Submit your high school transcript
• Submit one letter of recommendation
• Submit two personal essays, with prompts provided by the application itself

Here are the deadlines that you should be aware of:

• The application deadline is early October for Early Action
• The application deadline is early February for Regular Decision
• Early February is usually the financial aid application deadline
• Early Action notifications are released end of January
• Regular Decision applicants find out their fates at the end of March

Have you been admitted to Wisconsin? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.

Wisconsin 2019 Admitted Students Profile: Class of 2023

If you matriculate at Wisconsin, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.

Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:

• Roughly 49% are male and 51% are female
• 7.8% of students are international

Wisconsin has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:

• International: 7.8%
• Underrepresented minority: 0.3%
• Two or more races: 3.6%
• White: 81.8%

What do these admitted students plan to study? Wisconsin offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:

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• Biology
• Political Science
• Psychology

Now, how are you going to pay for this?

Wisconsin Tuition Figures

At $47,480, Wisconsin’s cost of attendance is astronomical. Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $10,943.

Here’s a fuller look at Wisconsin tuition (out of state) and financial aid in 2017:

• Total budget: $47,480
• Average financial aid package: $10,943
• The average student debt of a Wisconsin graduate is $27,831

For the latest numbers and to learn more about financial aid options, click HERE.

Now, what is life like at Wisconsin? Let’s take a look.

Wisconsin Campus Location

The University of Wisconsin is located in Madison, Wisconsin, the state capital.

It was the state’s first public university and its campus includes four National Historic Landmarks. Furthermore, it is known as one of the country’s Public Ivy universities, meaning students gain an Ivy League-level education for public university prices.

Remember, you’re going to Wisconsin for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.

Wisconsin Academics

Wisconsin has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:

• Anthropology
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Dairy Science
• Economics
• Forest Science
• Genetics
• History
• Industrial Engineering
• Japanese
• Kinesiology
• Life Sciences Communication
• Mathematics
• Nutritional Sciences
• Philosophy
• Retailing and Consumer Behavior

Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at Wisconsin.

Student Life at Wisconsin

Wisconsin has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and political interests, and various media and publications.

Here’s a sampling of Wisconsin’s student activities:

• Adopt a Grandparent Organization
• Badger Cheese Club
• Catalysts for Science Policy
• Dinosaur Club
• Energy Hub
• Fantasy Sports and Finance Club
• Fiction Writers Association
• German Club
• Hoofer Nordic Ski Team
• Insight Wisconsin
• Joint Venture Club
• Kick It to Cancer
• Linux User Group
• Mad City Spitters: Freestyle Rap Club
• Nature and Animal Protection
• Omulu Capoeira
• Polo Club

Are you an athlete? Wisconsin’s got plenty of options for you.

Wisconsin Athletics

The University of Wisconsin offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women. 

Wisconsin’s sports include:

• Football
• Basketball
• Rowing
• Cross-Country
• Swimming & Diving
• Soccer
• Wrestling
• Track & Field
• Tennis

Who might you become with a Wisconsin degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:

Notable Alums

Wisconsin has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.

Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:

• Author Saul Bellow
• Musician Steve Miller
• Actress Joan Cusack
• Director Michael Mann
• Documentarian Errol Morris
• Computer Scientist Fei-Fei Li
• Artist Bruce Nauman
• Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell
• Harley Davidson founder William S. Harley
• Liz Claiborne co-founder Jerome Chazen
• Author Joyce Carol Oates

And this is only a partial list!

Remember!

Getting into Wisconsin is very competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no.

If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are.

If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.

For more test strategy, college admissions, and scholarship application tips sign up for our FREE class happening right now!