Admissions FAQs
Does UW–Madison practice legacy admissions, whereby relatives of alumni receive special/extra consideration during the application process?
Legacy applications are certainly encouraged, as we realize the importance of maintaining a family's tradition of success and accomplishment at UW–Madison. We consider legacy applicants to be those with significant alumni ties — parents, grandparents, siblings, or spouses who have graduated from or are currently attending UW–Madison.
Legacy is considered as one of many factors that comprise our holistic application review process, which includes high school performance (rigor of course work, academic GPA, grade trends, and/or class rank), ACT and/or SAT scores (including writing test), nonacademic qualifications, personal statements, and recommendations.
Ultimately, academic preparation is the primary consideration for admission. Legacy applicants must be competitive for admission—significant alumni ties will make a good applicant strong and will be noted and considered, but they will never make an academically weak applicant admissible.
Legacy is considered as one of many factors that comprise our holistic application review process, which includes high school performance (rigor of course work, academic GPA, grade trends, and/or class rank), ACT and/or SAT scores (including writing test), nonacademic qualifications, personal statements, and recommendations.
Ultimately, academic preparation is the primary consideration for admission. Legacy applicants must be competitive for admission—significant alumni ties will make a good applicant strong and will be noted and considered, but they will never make an academically weak applicant admissible.
How will the Office of Admissions know that my student is a UW–Madison legacy?
Our application for admission (both print and online) includes a question to that affect, allowing your student to indicate which members of their family graduated from Wisconsin (father, mother, grandparent, sibling, and/or spouse).
I graduated from UW–Madison and now live in another state. Will my student receive a tuition discount?
No. Tuition rates are set by the UW System Board of Regents. Provisions are made for residency status (per Wisconsin state statute), but not for alumni ties. The Wisconsin Alumni Association and its many regional and local clubs offer scholarships for the relatives of alumni, and the Office of Student Financial Services maintains a complete list of scholarships available to undergraduates.
If my student is valedictorian of his or her class, will they receive free tuition at UW–Madison?
No, not automatically. The UW System does offer to the Academic Excellence Scholarship to Wisconsin high school seniors who have the highest GPA in their graduating class and plan to enroll in a UW System institution (including UW–Madison). The value of the scholarship is $2,250 per year.
Because I'm a Wisconsin graduate, will my student automatically receive admission information and materials?
No. The Office of Admissions works to identify prospective students through various means, but alumni ties is not one of them. To make sure you're on our mailing list, visit www.admissions.wisc.edu, click on Request Information, and complete the online form. You will then receive our Viewbook and Application, as well as other important admission information.
