how to write university of wisconsin madison essay

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How to Write the University of Wisconsin Madison Essays 2023-2024

The University of Wisconsin at Madison has one supplemental essay on the Common App. If you apply through the UW System Application, there is an additional personal statement prompt you must respond to, similar to the Common App essay that goes to all schools.

UW Madison is fairly selective, and admissions officers will look closely at your essays, especially if you’re on the academic threshold of their average admitted student statistics. While drafting these essays can be daunting, CollegeVine is here to help! Read on for a guide to tackling UW Madison’s supplemental essays.  

Also check out this UW Madison essay example by an accepted student to see what it takes to get in.

UW Madison Essay Prompts

All applicants (common app), tell us why you decided to apply to the university of wisconsin-madison. in addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. if you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (80-650 words), uw application only.

Prompt 1: Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words)

Prompt 2: Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. (300 words)

This is a classic “why this school” and “why this major” supplemental essay prompt. An effective essay for this prompt will achieve the following goals:

1. Highlight your authentic reasons for wanting to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

2. Highlight your authentic reasons for wanting to study your major of choice.

The word “authentic” above is very important—one of the biggest mistakes students make in this type of essay prompt is writing a generic essay that could just as easily have been written about the University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, or the University of Michigan. This is the single biggest pet peeve for admissions officers, as they strongly prefer students that have specific reasons for choosing their university. They also want to ensure that students are passionate about their chosen major, not just pursuing the one that will lead to the highest paying or most prestigious jobs after graduation.

With this prompt, your goal is to give admissions officers concrete reasons why UW Madison is an especially good match for you, as well as specific reasons why you love your major. Consider beginning your essay with a story about how you discovered UW Madison and decided to apply. For example, you could write the following introduction if you decided to apply to UW Madison after visiting the campus:

I wasn’t used to the snow. In fact, this was the first time I ever experienced a snowfall. It doesn’t really happen where I’m from—a small town in Mississippi. Then again, so much of what I saw at the University of Wisconsin at Madison during my snowy campus visit doesn’t happen where I’m from either. 

Then, highlight unique aspects of the university that appeal to you, and be holistic with what you talk about. Study the UW Madison website in detail, watch videos of campus tours and student reviews, and visit if possible. Find the names of one extracurricular and one part of campus where you can imagine yourself spending lots of time. Then, weave them into your writing. The strongest essays are deeply personal, so connect the campus to yourself. Here is an example:

I am passionate about volunteer work and community service. Throughout high school, some of my fondest memories have been spent serving food in soup kitchens and volunteering at clothing banks. At the University of Wisconsin at Madison, I know I would be able to continue pursuing my passion for community service because of the integration between the university and the surrounding town. The University of Wisconsin at Madison feels incorporated into Madison’s culture, rather than having a closed-off, guarded, and separate campus. The connection between the campus and the community would enable me to be a member of a Badger Volunteers team through the Morgridge Center for Public Service. This program would provide me with new opportunities to give back to the community and help others.

The activist culture in Madison excites me. Living in a small town, I have had few opportunities to attend political rallies. Since I grew up in the Unitarian Universalist church, I was raised to value activism and social justice, and it is important to me that I go to college in a place where people are well-informed and care about affecting change in the world around them. I hope to join the Unitarian Universalist Campus Ministry, where I would be able to continue my activism while also building friendships and continuing to explore my religion.  

I also love Madison’s surroundings—I would love to join the Wisconsin Hoofers so I could take full advantage of all the outdoor opportunities in and around Madison, especially skiing, hiking, and watersports on Lake Mendota. I have never had the opportunity to try these sports in humid and hot Mississippi, so I would love to explore new activities in a different environment.

This excerpt clearly shows the student’s specific interest in attending the University of Wisconsin, and highlights the kind of authenticity you want to show to admissions officers. It is particularly effective when the applicant connects her own background to the culture of activism at UW Madison, as that highlights her personality and positions her to create an authentic connection to UW Madison’s admissions counselors.

Next, think about your chosen major or academic interest. Imagine yourself as a student working toward a specific degree:

• What interesting classes would you take? 
• Which professors do you hope to work with? 
• How would the unique opportunities at UW Madison enhance your background and serve your career interests?

Your specified major should logically stem from your background. Use your prospective major to structure a logical narrative, even if you aren’t fully committed to pursuing it. For example, a student that CollegeVine worked with during the 2016-17 admissions cycle covered the following themes in their essay:

The student lived in Minnesota and in middle school became passionate about history education. In high school, he volunteered as a docent at a local museum and started a research project on the history of Norwegian and German immigration to his hometown. He also served as student representative on the local school board, and led the charge to redesign his school’s history curriculum to make it more engaging for other students.

This student intended to major in history at UW Madison. He planned to take classes with Professor Smith, a noted expert in immigration history. And outside of his major, the Center for Pre-Law Advising would help him achieve his dream of being an immigration lawyer by helping him gain relevant experience.

This thematic structure highlights several elements of a successful response to this prompt. In particular, the student demonstrates specific and deep ties to his chosen major and career path, and specific ways in which he will leverage UW Madison as a setting to obtain an education in what he is passionate about. 

If the student was undecided about a major , they could take a similar approach. But Instead of writing about one interest, they could pick 2-3 of their potential interests, and discuss how UW would support those.  

Finish the essay with a succinct conclusion that ties back to your introduction. Summarize how you know that UW Madison is the school for you because its campus matches your personal values and its academics satiate your intellectual curiosity. End with a phrase that relates to the school’s philosophy, e.g. “Most of all, I would like to attend UW Madison because I want to join the Badgers in their commitment to make a difference.”

UW Application Only, Prompt 1

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. (650 words).

This prompt is actually the same as Prompt 1 on the Coalition Application , so we recommend checking out our guide for that. It’s also very similar to Prompt 1 on the Common App .

The reason for this is that if you’re applying via the UW Application, UW admissions officers will not see your Common App or Coalition Application essay, so they’re asking for a personal statement-style essay on their own platform. You should apply via the Common App or Coalition Application if you’re already using it, but if you’re not, then you can consider reusing the personal statement you write for this prompt for those application platforms.

UW Application Only, Prompt 2

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the uw. (300 words).

This is the classic Diversity Essay , but with an added component of how the aspects of your own diverse identity will enrich UW.

UW is clear in the prompt that diversity can mean many things; we often associate it with traditional aspects of identity—such as race/ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality, or religion—but you can also be diverse because of a hobby, your hometown, group of friends, personality trait, or many other aspects.

To come up with a topic, consider two things: one, the most defining aspects of who you are, and two, what aspects will best allow you to contribute to the diversity of UW. You want to try to find a balance between the two.

For example, you may be super passionate about soccer and are very close to your team, but there are a lot of soccer players at a big school like UW. Try to dig a little deeper; you can still write about your soccer team, but instead of discussing the general supportive environment, focus on a unique and specific aspect of your involvement in this community.

A good topic would be an essay on how you became known as the “team mom” when you were a senior because you always had extra cleats, shin guards, and shorts for anyone who forgot theirs. You also volunteer tutored teammates who were struggling in math and hosted a monthly team bonfire at your house. At UW, you look forward to finding similar community on an intramural soccer team, and you’ll take similar initiative in other campus spaces, such as getting more students involved in the local Big Brothers Big Sisters.

This essay is a fairly straightforward one, but there are a few mistakes to avoid:

1. Describing the community without explaining your involvement in it. You want the focus to be on you and your contributions.

2. Forgetting to specify how your diversity will enhance UW. Make sure to research a specific UW group or resource you’ll join and improve as a result of your diverse trait.

Where to Get Your UW Madison Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your UW Madison essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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How to write the university of wisconsin-madison essays 2020-2021: the complete guide.

Wisconsin may not be home to New York City, but if your heart desires a sprawling campus with countless ways to enjoy the outdoors, look no further than the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

It has an acceptance rate that hovers around 51%.

The university sits on 936 acres – that’s not a typo, folks – it’s really that huge. The campus is located between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.

Beyond a range of academic programs, the university offers extensive opportunities to play sports, join clubs, and participate in on-campus and community activities. Applying to the University of Wisconsin-Madison can be done either through the Common App or directly through the UW website .

What are the University of Wisconsin-Madison supplemental essay requirements?

Two essays are required for admission to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Click above to watch a video on Wisconsin Madison Supplemental Essays.

If you apply through the Common App, you will have to answer question #2 below, in addition to the first question.

If you apply through the UW System Application, you will need to respond to both of the following:

1 ) Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education? 2) Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

In the UW System Application, the maximum word count allowed is 650 words. However, according to the “Application Tips” page on the UW website, admissions prefers for you to plan for 300-500 words.

Note: If a university publishes an application tips page, follow it precisely. Not only will your application be stronger, but admissions will be able to tell you did your research.

Wisconsin – Madison Supplemental Essay 1: Academic & Personal Achievements

1 ) Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

Before writing this essay, it’s important to note that UW isn’t looking for a resume or laundry list. Don’t get trapped into writing a list of achievements.

It’s important to the admissions committee to understand the story of your achievements. In order to tell that story, you must begin to analyze what you’ve accomplished and learned from those achievements.

Therefore, we must identify the two separate pieces to this prompt.

• Your academic and personal accomplishments.
• Lessons learned from those achievements and challenges.

As you begin to break down your accomplishments, think about the communities, projects, academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and teams to which you’ve contributed. UW suggests developing your thoughts with an outline before you begin writing.

Don’t limit yourself to academic or official accomplishments. Also consider your contributions to:

• Religious institution (ex. church, mosque, synagogue)
• Volunteer organization (ex. Meals on Wheels)
• Neighborhood/city/county/state

For each of these communities, brainstorm people/places/ideas/events you believe often go unnoticed and are important to you. 

Don’t get hung up on language. “Achievements” and “accomplishments” are subjective. You can also write about small personal victories and contributions that led to a greater result. All told, you don’t need to have won a ribbon or trophy to justify your action as an achievement.

When brainstorming achievements, consider creating a bubble map for a visual representation of your ideas. If you’re digitally savvy, you could use a tool like Bubbl.us to create your map.

Once you have a detailed list , start narrowing down your choices by considering what is most important to you.

• The more you care about a pursuit, the more you will be able to write about it and convey your passion.
• Again, don’t shy away from topics that are strictly personal to you – that’s what this essay is all about!

Your goal is to find an accomplishment or string of achievements that are closely related.

• Did you take care of a sick sibling while mom worked to pay the bills?
• Were you a founder or leader of an extracurricular activity that grew by 15% during your high school career?
• Did you raise $200 for a political campaign or charity that worked on issues you care about?

Now that you’ve identified achievement(s), it’s time to start drafting an essay. Context is always important when you are writing to strangers.

• Start your essay by providing some background information, a cold hook, or a quote.

While context is important, do keep it short. You want to save the majority of your word count for explaining why the achievement is important to you.

The second part of the essay is critical:

• UW – Madison wants to know how you’re a better person for having achieved or struggled?
• And how will you bring that change to their campus?

Don’t be afraid to talk about your challenges—in life, failure and struggle are often the best teachers.

You spent the first part of your essay introducing and describing your achievement. This includes the actions you took to succeed (20- 25% of your essay).

Now, spend close to 30-40% of the essay explaining what you learned from those accomplishments. If you’re having trouble thinking of how you changed, brainstorm these questions:

• What qualities did I need to display to accomplish this goal?
• How am I a better person for having gone through this challenge?
• What qualities of mine can I improve?
• Were there qualities that I did improve?

Once you’re done with this part, it’s time to move to the last part of your essay: explaining how you’ll implement your lessons learned into your education. Spend the rest of your essay on:

• Describing how your learning pattern has changed
• Your newfound appreciation for teamwork
• Developing a conceptual understanding of a field
• A budding curiosity of a teaching style
• Affirmed passion for an educational vector

Whatever you choose, make sure you’re telling UW – Madison that you’re a developing student who is looking forward to implementing your lessons learned on campus.

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Wisconsin – madison supplemental essay 2: why this school.

2) Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

In the second essay, you will have to address why you applied to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and what you hope to get out of the academic experience.

The first part of this prompt is fairly standard and, if you’re applying to multiple universities, it should start to sound familiar.

However, your response to the question shouldn’t sound familiar to UW’s admissions committee. Instead, your answer must be tailored to you and the University of Wisconsin-Madison specifically.

• The litmus test for this requirement is to read through your final draft and ask: Could this essay be submitted to any other university other than the University of Wisconsin?
• If you answered “yes,” you need to revise .

The best way to prepare for this essay is to perform research. This, by the way, is not only beneficial for your essay but will also help you to get an idea whether this school is the right fit for you.

• First, browse through the University of Wisconsin-Madison website.
• Don’t stop at the admissions page. Explore the plethora of information on academics, research opportunities, sports, clubs, daily living, and so on.
• Search for more information about UW on college review websites, which often feature testimonials from current students.
• If possible, go to the campus for a tour to see in person what the university has to offer.
• Most important: Research the academic program you’re interested in. Explore professors, projects, fellowships, internships, career counseling, grants, and public-private partnerships.

All of the above research will fuel your essay and give you concrete reasons to help you describe why you are applying to the school. When writing your essay, try to focus on one significant reason or a few reasons instead of just a single superficial idea, such as “academics” or “because I’m receiving a swim scholarship.”

As a rule, never write about one of the following topics:

• Social life

Then, think about what you want to get out of your college experience and how your future goals are related to obtaining a degree.

When describing your reasons for applying, use detail, and then link those details back to your professional or academic goals.

Admissions officers want to see that their university is an important channel that will help you achieve your college and career goals.

Even if you have yet to decide on a major, you should address this question through the lens of your academic interest(s). Consider both your research and academic/extracurricular history.

• What majors or academic programs are you interested in pursuing? What you write about now isn’t final, so don’t worry if you waver between different subjects. Choose a subject.
• Are there research programs or co-ops for which you are interested in applying?

Perhaps you are really interested in medicine and engineering, leaning toward pursuing biomedical engineering. You could take a look at the senior design courses where you work in a team with a clinician or industry professional to create a product.

When writing your essay, link back to previous ideas and your big-picture goals.

Let the university know that they’re the perfect fit, and you are passionate and enthusiastic about their program offerings.

• Don’t write about what you think they want to hear.
• Instead, be honest and allow the admissions committee to see your interests and values through your response.
• Ultimately, what UW – Madison has to offer needs to relate to you.
• Don’t spend too much time complimenting their academic offerings. Trust me, they know they’re a great school. They want to know why you think you’re a good fit.

We strongly recommend that you include the following elements in your essay:

• A short introductory story or hook that explains your interest in the field, major, or program.
• Toward the end of your essay, explain your professional ambitions and how you’d use your UW education to contribute to your community, country, or the world.

Here’s an outline of a “Why UW – Madison” essay that effectively answers this prompt:

• Your parents were never interested in community politics and barely ever voted. A few years ago, a local politician approved the building of a large chain store near your home, which lead to increased pollution and traffic in your community.
• You canvassed to stop the construction, but it wasn’t enough. You didn’t get enough signatures. Still, this process sparked your love for politics. You realize that your parents were mistaken.
• You want to study in UW – Madison’s political science program because you’re interested in increasing voter turnout. UW has a fellowship and multiple research programs in this vector.
• After explaining how you’d take advantage of a fellowship and research opportunity, you want to become a community organizer. UW will help you do that.

Conclusion: Writing the University of Wisconsin – Madison Supplemental Essays

Before submitting your essays, you should definitely check out the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s page of Application Tips . There you’ll learn more about the university’s vision and advice for applying.

In regards to essays, here’s a short list of the university’s advice:

• Plan for 300-500 words, although the maximum is 650
• Revise, proofread, and share your writing with a peer/trusted adult
• Be honest and authentic in your writing

If you have questions that are particular to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s requirements, they welcome you to contact them directly.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison: Supplemental Essays 2023-24

September 6, 2023

The University of Wisconsin—Madison has joined the ranks of other premier flagship universities that high-achieving teens from all around the country/world now line up for a chance to attend. Like  UVA,   UNC—Chapel Hill , and the  University of Michigan , UW-Madison requires its in-state residents to sport excellent grades and test scores. Further, it has an even higher bar for out-of-state hopefuls. This makes the University of Wisconsin – Madison supplemental essay more important than ever before.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into UW-Madison? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Wisconsin-Madison: Admissions Data and Strategies   for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In evaluating applicants, the University of Wisconsin—Madison places a strong emphasis on the quality of one’s essays. Below are UW-Madison’s supplemental prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with our advice for creating a needle-moving admissions essay.

2023-2024 University of Wisconsin-Madison Supplemental Essay Question—Common App

The following prompt is the only supplemental essay that students will encounter when applying to UW-Madison via the Common App:

Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (650 words max)

Prospective Badgers face a two-parter here. You are tasked with presenting a compelling case as to:

1) Why you want to attend UW-Madison.

2) Why you have picked your particular academic discipline.

University of Wisconsin Madison Supplemental Essay (Continued)

As you move through the “Why Us?” and “Why this Major?” portions of this essay, consider taking some of the following steps to address why UW-Madison is the perfect fit for you  and  why you are the perfect fit for UW-Madison:

• How did your interest in your major of choice begin and how has it matured over the years?
• How do you pursue knowledge about your subject of interest? Talk about sources of learning (teachers, podcasts, books, news, etc.).
• While pursuing your majors(s)/interest(s) of choice, how will you take advantage of the university’s immense resources both inside and outside of the classroom? Be sure to cite specific academic programs , professors,  research opportunities , internship/externship programs ,  study abroad programs , etc. Discuss why they pique your interest.
• How will you be an active, contributing member of the Badger student body? What special talents and passions will you bring to the University of Wisconsin-Madison? Check out this list of nearly  1,000 student-run organizations  on campus.
• Lastly, show evidence of how your past/current endeavors (academic and extracurricular) will carry over onto UW-Madison’s campus.

Again, if you are applying through the Common App, this essay will be the only supplement you need to worry about. However, if you elect to apply via the UW System Application (as some in-state students applying to multiple UW campuses do), you need to address the next prompt as well.

2023-2024 University of Wisconsin-Madison Supplemental Essay Question— UW System Application

(Only for students applying through the UW System Application)

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done — academically or personally — and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education? (650 words)

This open-ended prompt is a platform from which you can share more about an academic or extracurricular achievement, chronicle a challenge/obstacle you overcame, or just share a meaningful event in your life.

No matter which route you choose, what truly matters here is that you use this essay as an opportunity to reveal something deep and important about yourself. Use the questions provided— Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?— to guide your content. It’s clear that UW-Madison is interested in both short- and long-term influence. Accordingly, before you start writing, do some brainstorming to make sure that the experience/event/achievement that you chose can satisfy all aspects of the prompt.

Remember, these essays will be your best chance to forge a human connection with an admissions officer since UW-Madison is too large a school to offer you an interview. In sum, be honest, vulnerable, sincere, and reflective in your essay and the result will be a compelling composition that will ultimately aid your admissions chances.

How important is the essay at the UW-Madison?

The essays are “very important” to the University of Wisconsin–Madison admissions committee. The only other factor rated this highly is the rigor of one’s secondary school record. GPA, recommendations, and state residency are rated as “important.” In other words, the University of Wisconsin is clearly very interested in the quality of your essay. Therefore, we can conclude that the admissions committee will weigh your essays heavily in their evaluation of your candidacy.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

Interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your University of Wisconsin—Madison supplement? We encourage you to get a quote  today.

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Tips for Writing a Better Essay

Write like you, about you.

Your UWs realize you’re still young. You’re a work in progress. That means no matter how well you did in high school, what matters most is the challenges you faced and how you responded. It’s also worth saying that while your instincts probably tell you to puff up your accomplishments and go big, bragging is never interesting. Give yourself permission to just be you when you write.

Questions to get you started

• What are your 2 biggest academic achievements?
• What are your 2 biggest personal achievements?
• What are your 2 biggest strengths?
• What were your 2 biggest challenges?
• What are the 2 biggest obstacles you’ve overcome (and how did you do it)?
• What are your 2 biggest failures (and what did you learn)?
• What beliefs have you challenged (why, and what did you learn)?

ESSAY BASICS

• Write your essay in a program like Microsoft Word or Google Docs so you can simply copy and paste it into your online application.
• Keep your essay between 250 and 650 words (UW–Madison requires all essays to strictly follow these guidelines).
• Ask a friend or teacher to look for inconsistencies, grammatical mistakes, and typos.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread. You don’t want some small mistake to accidentally make it look like you don’t care.
• Proofread again.
• Tell your UWs something about yourself that you can’t capture in the application.
• Jump off the bandwagon. Don’t write what you think your UWs will want to hear. Let your UWs know about what drives you.
• Use your own voice. Ask someone you trust to read your essay to see if it “sounds like you.”
• Be short and sweet. Clear, concise writing matters more than length.
• Show, don’t tell. Be specific and factual.
• Write about your real life. Don’t exaggerate or embellish (you’d be surprised at how well your UWs can smell baloney).
• Be confident. Skip all the maybes, sort ofs, I thinks, and so on.

Essay Questions

Check out the actual questions from your UWs that you’ll need to answer in your essay.

University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the UW-Madison essay prompts? With tips from an Ivy League graduate, CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the UW-Madison essay prompts will show you exactly how to write engaging essays for your UW-Madison application and maximize your chances against the UW-Madison acceptance rate.

Want help crafting your UW-Madison essay prompts? Create your free  account  or  schedule a free consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

UW-Madison  Supplemental Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• The UW-Madison acceptance rate is 57%— U.S. News  ranks UW-Madison as a  competitive  school.
• We recommend answering all UW-Madison supplemental essays comprehensively and thoughtfully.

What is the acceptance rate for the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

According to U.S. News, the UW-Madison acceptance rate is 57%. Last year, over 53,000 students applied to the school, which was a  17% increase  over the previous year. While the UW-Madison acceptance rate increased temporarily to about 60%, the normal rate falls near 57%. Like most schools, UW-Madison was  test-optional  last year in response to COVID. This year, they’ve continued the test-optional policy. Admissions experts believe that changes in testing requirements have caused the spike in applications that most schools have experienced.

So, what does this mean for you? Well, it does indicate that the UW-Madison supplemental essays will be an important part of your application. Without mandatory test scores and given the rise in applications, admissions officers will pay more attention to other aspects of your application.

In other words, for your best chance against the UW-Madison acceptance rate, we recommend that you take time to make sure that your responses to the UW-Madison essay prompts reflect your strengths.

Additionally, remember that the UW-Madison acceptance rate is not the only factor to consider when building your school list. Make sure that you’re looking at schools holistically. For more information on how to evaluate the UW-Madison acceptance rate (and more details on the data behind acceptance rates), read  our article .

What is the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s ranking?

The UW-Madison ranking is #42 in  National Universities , according to U.S. News.

Other U.S. News UW-Madison rankings: the UW-Madison ranking in  Best Undergraduate Teaching  is #71; UW-Madison ranking in  Best Value Schools  is #81; and the UW-Madison ranking in  Top Public Schools  is #14.

In terms of specific programs, the UW-Madison ranking is #15 in  Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs , and the US Madison ranking is #19 in  Nursing .

Finally, the UW-Madison ranking is #64 in  First-Year Experiences .

These are just some of the UW-Madison rankings. However, a school’s rankings should not be the only thing you take into consideration when compiling your college list. You should also consider other factors—including the school’s location, programs available, and size—when you look at schools. The UW-Madison rankings are not the only important factor in deciding to apply.

Keep in mind that the best college for you may not be the one you expected! There are a lot of different resources available when it comes to researching colleges; be sure to consult a few to ensure you create a comprehensive list.

Need help creating a college list? Check out our resources on the college list process  here .

Does the University of Wisconsin-Madison require essays?

Yes. In addition to the  Common App   personal essay, there are specific UW-Madison essay prompts. The UW-Madison supplemental essays differ depending on how you submit your application. The Common Application and  UW System Application  are available for all applicants. You will be required to write a “Why UW-Madison” essay no matter how you submit your application.

Need tips on writing your Common App essay? Check out our  blog article .

How many essays does the University of Wisconsin-Madison require?

In addition to the Common Application Personal Statement, there is one required UW-Madison essay that all applicants must complete: the “Why UW-Madison” essay.

However, if you apply through the UW application portal rather than the Common App, you will have to submit a second UW-Madison essay. This second essay functions as a replacement for the Common App essay. If you apply via the UW application portal, give yourself ample to complete both UW-Madison essay prompts.

Does the University of Wisconsin-Madison care about essays?

Yes, all colleges care about your essays, UW-Madison included. The UW-Madison essay prompts are a great chance to show admissions officers something new about yourself. When responding to the UW-Madison essay prompts, you will want to demonstrate that you would be a great fit for their UW-Madison. This is especially true when writing the “Why UW-Madison” essay. This is referred to as demonstrated interest (DI). DI is a tool the admissions officers use to determine how interested a student is in attending their particular school. By writing specific “Why UW-Madison” essays, students can show their DI in attending UW-Madison and increase their admissions odds.

The high UW-Madison ranking indicates that students may apply just because of UW-Madison’s prestige. In response to this, admissions officers will be on the lookout for students whose interest in the school runs deeper than its reputation. For more information on DI and how to use it to your advantage, check out this article from  Forbes .

Finally, in light of the UW-Madison acceptance rate, well-crafted responses to the UW-Madison essay prompts will strengthen your application. Don’t underestimate the UW-Madison essays and their impact.

Does the University of Wisconsin-Madison have a “Why UW-Madison” essay?

Yes. This is the classic supplemental essay question, and the UW-Madison essay prompts are no exception—all colleges want to know what makes them special to you. The “Why UW-Madison” essay is your chance to showcase any research you have done about UW-Madison while you’ve been writing your UW-Madison supplemental essay or as you’ve been completing the rest of the application.

Given the UW-Madison acceptance rate, your research will be an important part of acing the why UW-Madison essay. Why? When it comes down to two candidates with similar GPAs and extracurriculars, a strong “Why UW-Madison” essay can be the determining factor in who is admitted.

UW-Madison Essay Prompts – Question 1 (required)

Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected “undecided” please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (650 words maximum).

How do I write a good essay for UW-Madison?

The rest of this guide will show you how to write engaging UW-Madison supplemental essays.

Let’s start with the first UW-Madison essay, which is required of all applicants. You have 650 words to respond to this why UW-Madison essay, which is the same length as the Common Application’s personal statement. You should be prepared to spend a fair bit of time both researching and writing this UW-Madison essay, considering its length.

For this UW-Madison essay, avoid over-generalizing with statements like “The campus is beautiful” or “I just feel like I belong there.” Instead, offer concrete examples of why you belong there. You should do research into specific aspects of the UW-Madison community that appeal to you.

This UW-Madison essay prompt has two parts. First, the prompt asks why you decided to apply to UW-Madison. Then, it asks why you are interested in your chosen academic field. You’ll want to ensure you respond to both parts of the question. If you are undecided in your major, you will still want to address your academic interests and explain how attending UW-Madison would help you to hone these interests and discover a major that excites you.

Do your research

Before answering the first part of this UW-Madison essay prompt, do some reading. For example, you can look into  extracurricular activities , research, or  travel opportunities  that only UW-Madison offers to its students. You might also review the  calendar  of student events. The  list of student organizations  on their website can be a great resource to find campus organizations you’d like to join.

If you want to get your finger on the pulse of student life, check out UW-Madison’s student publications. Additionally, leverage the alumni network to ask questions about previous students’ experiences. This can help you learn about student-specific traditions and events that you can’t read about on the website.

Start free-writing

If all of these options seem overwhelming, try starting with a structured free-write session. Take about 15-20 minutes and create two lists. Under one, list every reason why you want to attend UW-Madison. Under the second list, list every reason why you selected your major. If you’re unsure of your major, list every area of academic interest that you may want to pursue. Then, take an additional 15 minutes and draw connections between the two. Perhaps you listed that you want to participate in UW-Madison’s  DSE Mentorship Program  for undergraduate engineers. If you also engineering as a possible major, that’s a great connection to highlight in your essay.

The second part of this UW-Madison essay prompt is a great way to demonstrate your academic and intellectual goals. Take a look at their list of 9,192 courses and 288 undergraduate majors and certificates. Pick three courses that look interesting and explain why each of those courses appeals to you. How would you benefit from taking these courses? How do your previous academic experiences set you up for success?

Avoid statistics

You want to avoid listing out numbers and statistics that admissions officers already know. For instance, instead of spending words talking about how the average class size is 31, explain specifically which professors you would be excited to learn from in such a personal teaching environment. If you are interested in two contrasting majors, you should support both of them with anecdotes about your academic experiences.

This is the space to show off your expert investigation skills and name-drop courses, clubs, professors, and research opportunities only available at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Colleges can tell when you swap out their name for another University and submit the same “Why here?” answer. Your application will be stronger if your answer to this “why UW-Madison” essay could not be swapped with any other schools’ applications.

UW-Madison Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Do you prove that you’ve done research on the school?
• Do you explain what unique opportunities UW-Madison would provide you that you could not get anywhere else?
• Does your draft provide specific details about what you hope to do while on UW-Madison’s campus?

UW-Madison Essay Prompts – Question 2

If you apply using the Common Application, you will be asked to respond to one of the freshman Common Application essays. If you apply within the UW System Application, you will need to answer the following prompt:

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence your education? (650 words maximum).

Who completes this prompt?

Not everyone applying to UW-Madison will complete this UW-Madison essay. If you are applying to UW-Madison through the Common App, you will  not need  to respond to this UW-Madison essay prompt. If you are applying through the UW Systems Admissions Application then this UW-Madison essay will be the substitute for your Common App personal essay. This means you will want to spend a fair amount of time drafting your response to this UW-Madison essay prompt, since UW-Madison will not read your Common App personal essay if you apply through their college-specific portal.

There are several different parts to this UW-Madison essay prompt. At first glance, it may seem quite general. “Something you’ve done” is a pretty broad topic. However, the follow-up questions might qualify your chosen topic a bit more. You’ll need to describe how you learned from the situation. Was it something you succeeded in or was it a challenge you overcame? Did you find it to be a turning point that pushed you into a new phase of your life? You should be sure to address the final part of this UW-Madison essay prompt—about the event’s influence—and discuss how it will influence your education moving forward.

Avoid cliches

For this UW-Madison essay prompt, you could expand on something that is already present in your application. However, make sure that your topic is proportional to the length of this UW-Madison supplemental essay. For example, if you decide to write about an extracurricular, you will want to select something that you have a large role in. You should then discuss an anecdote that really challenged you, and as a result, prompted you to grow. Topics such as scoring an A on a big exam or winning an important sports game can be a little clichéd. Try to think of a unique situation that you overcame and the skills that you gained from that experience.

One of the most important parts of this UW-Madison essay is how your topic will impact your education. Make sure you discuss how you will contribute to academic life at UW-Madison. However, don’t repeat anything you already said in your “Why UW-Madison” essay. Overall, you want to make sure this UW-Madison supplemental essay shows who you are as a person and how you have grown. Given the relatively low UW-Madison acceptance rate, you should present detailed, well-written answers to the UW-Madison essay prompts.

UW-Madison Essay Prompts: Final Thoughts

Completing the UW-Madison essay prompts can seem daunting in light of the UW-Madison acceptance rate and high UW-Madison rankings. However, you shouldn’t let that discourage you from applying. The UW-Madison supplemental essays are a great opportunity to introduce yourself to UW-Madison admissions officers. With the lower UW-Madison acceptance rate, these UW-Madison essay prompts can boost your application if you have a lower-than-average GPA or  SAT score .

Use this guide as a step-by-step aid when approaching the UW-Madison supplemental essays, and start earlier than you think you should. Don’t be afraid to ask for revisions from someone; it’s helpful to have another set of eyes checking your UW-Madison supplemental essays for grammatical errors, tone, and clarity. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on UW-Madison was written by  Laura Frustaci , Harvard ‘21. For your best chance against the UW-Madison acceptance rate, and more CollegeAdvisor.com resources, click  here . Want help crafting your UW-Madison supplemental essays? Create your free  account  or  schedule a free consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of Wisconsin-Madison 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: 1 essay of 650 words (or less)

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

Tell us why you would like to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (You may enter up to 650 words, but 300-500 is recommended).

This sneaky prompt is a twofer, though both parts cover classic why essay territory: admissions wants to know just what appeals to you about the University of Wisconsin-Madison. So, take a moment to look inside. What exactly do you want out of your college experience? Research opportunities? Weekend football games? To dip your toe into city life? Now, if you were to imagine a Venn diagram of your expectations and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s offerings, what would land in the overlap? The only way to know for sure is to do your research!  

The goal is to show admissions that you’ve done your homework. Make sure Admissions Officers know that you’ve already thought about what you want to do when you get there and that you’re ready to act on those hopes and dreams and so forth. 

But, wait, there’s more! The second part of the prompt gives you the opportunity to include information about specific academic programs at Madison that appeal to you. So just as before, utilize the school’s website, but this time pay careful attention to the specific majors and academic offerings that catch your eye. What do you love about your chosen major and/or minor? If you’re interested in UW’s Gender & Women’s Studies pr ogram, can you describe what you will take away from this program and how it relates to your long-term ambitions ? How did you become interested in this field, and what resources does Madison provide that will help you achieve your goals? Finally, if you’re undecided, think about what makes Madison the ideal environment for your academic exploration. How do you plan to hone in on the perfect major as you attend? Remember, the more details you include, the better.

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How to Write the University of Wisconsin-Madison Supplemental Essays

Tell us why you decided to apply to the university of wisconsin-madison. in addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. if you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (you may enter up to 650 words, but 300-500 is recommended)..

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s supplemental essay is a great opportunity to showcase your voice to the admissions committee and convey your academic passions and knowledge of the school. When writing your UW-Madison supplement, be sure to address both parts of the prompt: explain your interest in the majors you’ve selected and discuss what draws you to UW-Madison. UW-Madison generously provides a word count of up to 650, so you have ample space to elaborate on the past experiences and values that have led you to your area of study, and also write about the school-specific resources at UW-Madison that you would like to take advantage of during your undergraduate career.

Before you begin drafting your UW-Madison supplemental essay, you’ll want to do some “why school” research. UW-Madison offers 20+ schools with many niche majors and certificates ; therefore, you’ll want to spend some time on the website to identify the specific program that is the best fit for you. If UW-Madison offers programs that can’t be found at any other universities that align with your interests, you can cite these and make an even stronger case for why UW-Madison is the best school for you! Some particular academic strengths of UW-Madison include its programs in Education, Agriculture, Communication, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Economics. You can look through the web pages of specific departments and schools, and see if there are general resources that are well-suited to you. For instance, UW-Madison’s Integrated Liberal Studies programs, Living-Learning Communities, First Year Interest Groups, and Honors programs integrate communal life with academic pursuits in a way that may be appealing to you.

As with any “why school” essay, you’ll want to not only cite school-specific resources, but also share what you know about the school’s values and reflect upon how these values align with your own. UW-Madison often emphasizes the “Wisconsin Idea”, or the idea that a successful state university should inspire its students to seek truth and apply the resulting knowledge to benefit themselves and society. UW-Madison students are highly involved with their communities and the causes that matter to them. In your UW-Madison supplemental essay, you’ll want to explore how your academic and personal journey to date has reflected the principles of the Wisconsin Idea, and discuss which academic course of study, extracurriculars, and other opportunities at UW-Madison will put you in a position to serve others and bring positive change to society.

If you apply with the UW System Application, you will need to answer the following prompt:

This part is all about you. tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. was it a success or a challenge did it represent a turning point in your life how did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education.

If you apply to UW-Madison through the UW system rather than the Common Application, this is the equivalent of the Common Application’s personal statement. Unlike the Common App, you won’t get a choice of prompts to respond to–you must answer this question, and the “why school” supplement if you are applying to UW-Madison.

For this UW essay, carefully examine the wording of the prompt before you dive into writing. UW admissions readers are looking for you to discuss something you’ve actively done rather than something that’s happened to you, so to select a strong topic, you’ll want to reflect on any memorable accomplishments, initiatives you started, intellectual interests you’ve pursued, or risks you’ve taken in the past four years. These can be in the context of your academics, extracurriculars, or personal life. Then, it’d be best to gravitate towards a specific moment–rather than a story that covers a long span of time–and select one that was highly influential in determining your academic path, personal values, or worldview.

This is a multi-part prompt, so ensure that you are answering each question within the prompt. You should respond directly to all parts of the prompt, including “something you’ve done,” “what you’ve learned,” “how did this particular moment in your life influence you,” and “how will it continue to influence you [in college].” While you don’t need to answer the questions of “success or challenge” or “turning point” in language that’s as head-on (e.g. sentences like “My accomplishment was a success” or “This was a turning point for me”), it should be very clear and obvious to admissions readers whether you’re writing about a success or challenge, and how that event worked as a turning point in your life.

If you have already written a personal statement for the Common Application, you’re in luck if you’ve responded to prompt #2 (“The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”), prompt #5 (“Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”), or potentially even prompt #3 (“Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?”). There is significant overlap between these prompts and UW’s, so it’s likely that you can recycle your Common App essay with some light modifications. In particular, make sure that you add material that addresses the final part of the prompt, discussing how the moment you selected will influence your approach to your journey as an undergraduate. That being said, if you’ve already written an essay for the Common App, we definitely recommend applying to UW through the Common App! Best of luck with your UW-Madison essays!

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A transfer student is anyone who has attended another college or university after graduating from high school and wishes to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at UW–Madison.

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Required first-year application materials.

We cannot begin to review your application until all required materials are received. These deadlines and requirements pertain to both domestic and international applicants.

Application requirements for admission to the university are the same for all students, regardless of the academic major/area of interest.*

*Students who wish to be considered for direct entry to a program in the areas of dance or music will also need to complete an additional application and an audition. Learn more about our Direct Entry  process.

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1. Admissions Application

First-year applicants can apply using either the Common Application  or the Universities of Wisconsin Application

UW–Madison does not prefer one application over the other. Please choose only one application and use only that application all the way through to submission.

Please note that we do not start processing fall term applications until September 1.

Applicants will be asked to identify both a first and second choice major when completing the application for admission. If we are unable to offer you admission to your first choice major, your second choice will be considered in our application review to assess interest and preparation. Due to the competitive nature of some of our programs, admissions expectations may be different for students pursuing majors in business, engineering, dance, and music. We encourage you to visit our direct entry page to learn more.

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The application fee is $70.00 US and is non-refundable.

Electronic payment is preferred. If you apply using the Universities of Wisconsin Application, the fee can be paid by check or money order, drawn on a bank located in the United States and payable to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Send the check or money order to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment . Please include the applicant’s name with payment. Do not send cash.

Application fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship. Eligible students can request a fee waiver as part of their application. If you did not request an application fee waiver at the time of application, but are eligible to have your fee waived, you may print the Application Fee Waiver Request Form and have your counselor/advisor submit it to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. If the College Board or ACT grant you a fee waiver, we will also accept it.

3. Two Essays

As part of our holistic review, we refer to the essays 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. Tell us about you and your unique story to help us know you beyond your GPA and test scores. Your essays might also be used for campus program and scholarship review.

If you apply using the Common Application, you will be asked to respond to one of the  first-year Common Application essays . If you apply with the Universities of Wisconsin Application, you will need to answer the following prompt:

• This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

All applicants will also need to respond to this 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 major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

Keep these tips in mind as you work on your writing:

• Develop your thoughts before you begin the writing process, and create an outline.
• The maximum word count for each essay is 650, but we recommend planning for 300–500 words.
• Do not type directly into the web form. Instead, work on your draft in word processing software.
• Allow time to develop and revisit your writing.
• Check for spelling mistakes and ask someone to proofread your final version.
• Be genuine and honest in your writing.

4. Course and Grade Information

We require course and grade information from all schools you attended for grades 9–12.

If you apply via the Common Application, you may meet this requirement one of two ways*:

• Self-report your coursework within the application to meet the course and grade information requirement to complete your application for admission

– OR – 

• Have your school submit an official transcript from your school(s).

If you apply via the Universities of Wisconsin Application, you may meet this requirement one of two ways*:

• Submit an unofficial transcript within the Universities of Wisconsin Application at the time you complete it

       – OR – 

*If you have already graduated from high school, an official final transcript with your graduation date is needed to meet this requirement.

How to Send Official Transcripts

Students applying from outside the United States can find  country-specific official transcript requirements here .

If you were or are homeschooled, we will need additional documentation to complete a full, holistic review of your application. Learn more about specific application policies and requirements .

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 home school transcripts.

Note: official transcripts from all schools and colleges attended (including dual credit) will be required prior to enrollment. Incorrect reporting of courses and/or grades may result in your admission offer being revoked and scholarship awards being forfeited. Official college transcripts are also required to award college credit. Official transcripts should be sent directly from each school attended.

GPA and Class Rank:  Applicants are expected to achieve a high level of performance in the course work they pursue and an increasingly strong academic record. We ask for your GPA and class rank. We also realize that many schools consider GPA on different scales and some do not report GPA or class rank at all. We consider both GPA and rank in the context of your school. We typically see unweighted, academic GPAs between a 3.8 and a 4.0, and a class rank in the 85–97 percentile.

5. One Required Letter of Recommendation

We require you to submit one letter of recommendation written by someone who can attest to your academic ability, such as a teacher, school counselor, or faculty member. If you choose, you can also submit another letter of recommendation from an additional source, such as an employer, coach, research mentor, community leader, or clergy. Students with an interest in engineering are encouraged to obtain a letter of recommendation from a math or science teacher. Remember to have a discussion with your chosen recommender first to see if they are willing and able to provide a letter.

We encourage applicants who have been away from formal classroom teaching for an extended period to request a letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to their academic potential, such as an employer (preferably a supervisor or manager), a program or departmental trainer, or some other individual in an official instructional capacity.

Those who apply using the Common Application should request a recommendation through that system.

If you apply using the Universities of Wisconsin Application, select the link that best describes your situation:

• Invite someone to submit a recommendation  (I have my NetID)
• Invite someone to submit a recommendation  (no NetID)

Recommendations that are mailed to our office: Letters of recommendation must be sent directly from the school and/or recommender, in a sealed envelope. Recommendations  must include the applicant’s full name, birth date, and campus ID number (if known). Additionally, letters of recommendation from a school staff member may also be sent through Naviance. Please note that letters of recommendation expire after one year from the date it is written.

6. TOEFL, IELTS, and DET Scores (English Language Proficiency)

First-year applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score, unless English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school.

All English proficiency exams should be sent electronically, directly from the testing service.

Please note: Sending official test scores from the testing agency does have an additional costs and will add 3-6 weeks to the application completion process. Plan to send your test scores early to ensure your scores arrive before the the materials deadline.

We do not superscore any English Proficiency exam and score reports cannot be older than two years from the time you apply.

How to Send Official Test Scores

Duolingo English Test (DET)

• Minimum accepted score: 115+
• When submitting your score(s): Search category should be “Undergraduate,” then select “University of Wisconsin–Madison”
• Please do not send to offices listed under “Other,” as we are unable to retrieve those scores
• The DET should be sent with sub-scores
• Minimum accepted score: 6.5+.
• IELTS does not require a code.
• Select our account name, “University of Wisconsin, Madison Undergraduate”
• Please do not send paper copies of your IELTS scores.
• We do accept the IELTS Indicator.
• Minimum accepted score: 80+
• When submitting your score(s): TOEFL test code is 1846
• We do not accept “MyBest” score from TOEFL nor any English Proficiency exam
• For each TOEFL you submit, we will require the full score report
• We do not accept the TOEFL iTP Plus for China, but we will accept the iBT Special Home Edition

If you feel that you qualify for an English Proficiency Exam waiver based upon the requirements above, please submit all required transcripts to our office. Other test scores such as ACT, SAT, or AP (Advanced Placement) scores do not meet the requirements for a waiver. Once your transcripts are received in our office (are no longer displayed on your To Do List in your Student Center), we will determine your waiver eligibility. Waivers will not be processed prior to receipt of both the admissions application and transcripts.

Optional First-Year Application Materials

7. act and sat scores (test optional through the spring 2027 term).

Including scores from either the ACT or the SAT with your application is optional for students applying for admission through the spring 2027 term, with an application deadline of October 1, 2026.

You will not be disadvantaged in our evaluation process if you do not include these scores for consideration in your application.

More information on our test optional policy can be found by viewing our  ACT/SAT Test Optional FAQs .

You will indicate your choice regarding including test scores at the time of application. The choice that you indicate on your application is final.

If choosing to include ACT or SAT test scores with your application, submit your official scores directly from the testing site.

Please note sending official test scores from the testing agency does have an additional costs and will add 2–4 weeks to the application completion process.  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 not an advantage to rush or priority delivery.

Statement on Score Choice:  Students choosing to include test scores with their application are encouraged to submit all exam scores. It can be a benefit to see your complete testing history as part of our comprehensive review, and since we will only consider your highest score (by test date), there is nothing to be gained by suppressing scores through Score Choice. However, applicants are free to use the College Board’s Score Choice option for the SAT and/or the similar option offered by ACT. Superscores are not considered in our review.

Required Transfer Application Materials

Transfer students can apply using the  Universities of Wisconsin Application .

You will be asked to identify both a first and second choice major when completing the application for admission. If selecting a major in the School of Business or College of Engineering as your first choice major, you must select a second choice major outside of the School of Business or the College of Engineering. If we are unable to offer you admission to your first choice major, your second choice will be considered in our application review. Due to the competitive nature of some of our programs, admission expectations may be different for students pursuing majors in business, engineering, dance, and music. We encourage you to visit our direct entry page  to learn more.

Application fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship. Eligible students can request a fee waiver as part of their application. If you did not request an application fee waiver at the time of application, but are eligible to have your fee waived, you may print the Application Fee Waiver Request Form and have your counselor/advisor submit it to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

The application fee is not required if your last school attended is a UW System institution and it is within one year of enrollment as a degree seeking student at that institution.

You will need to answer the following prompts:

If you are applying to transfer from another Universities of Wisconsin institution, you will only be required to submit the second essay.

College Transcripts:

We require course and grade information from your enrollment in any and all colleges and universities. This should include all college-level coursework completed to date, including your current term in progress, and (if applicable) college classes taken while in high school.

You must submit an official transcript from all institutions(s) in which you were enrolled to meet the course and grade information requirement to complete your application for admission.

Official transcripts should be sent directly from each school attended.

Applicants that are currently or were previously enrolled at a UW College, a UW System branch campus, or UW Colleges Online must submit their transcripts according to the UW System guidelines .

High School Transcripts:

We require official high school transcript(s), sent to us by your school. We review your high school record to check for proof of graduation, the completion of core preparation 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), submit your official score report in addition to all high school or home school transcripts. If you were or are homeschooled, we will need additional documentation to complete a full, holistic review of your application. Learn more about specific application policies and requirements .

We require you to submit one letter of recommendation written by someone who can attest to your academic ability, such as a teacher, school counselor, or faculty member. Students with an interest in engineering are encouraged to obtain a letter of recommendation from a math or science teacher. Remember to have a discussion with your chosen recommender first to see if they are willing and able to provide a letter. *

* While we would prefer to receive a letter from the most recent year/semester, many students are taking courses virtually due to COVID-19 and making connections virtually may be challenging for some students. If you think a letter from a past high school teacher, high school counselor, college teacher, or academic advisor can speak to your current strengths as a student, we will accept those letters to make admission decisions.

Transfer applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit a official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score, unless English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school or a college level English composition course was successfully completed at an accredited US institution. This requirement will not be waived for English composition taken at U.S. branch campuses abroad.

We do not superscore any English Proficiency exam and score reports cannot be older than 2 years from the time you apply.

Optional Transfer Application Materials

7. act and sat scores (optional).

Scores from either the ACT or the SAT are not required of transfer applicants. However, you are welcome to provide us your scores. Your results will be considered as supplemental academic information and may help strengthen your application. Test scores can 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 not an advantage to rush or priority delivery.

Additional Required Materials for International Students

Application materials and process for reentry students, application materials and process for second degree students.

10 Strategies for Writing a College Application Essay

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Strategies How to Write a College Application Essay

Your college essay, frequently asked questions about writing a college application essay.

Writing a college application essay can have an incredible influence on the college admissions committees . The essay is designed to give students a chance to really show colleges who they are and what they aspire to be. This is why it’s important to compose something that makes your personal statement stand out amongst the hundreds of other students.

You want to write something captivating and impactful without overwhelming the reader yet staying true to you. But between knowing where to start and what to write about, the essay itself seems almost impossible to conquer. And this is where I come in.

Today’s article focuses on my carefully crafted 10-step strategy for writing the perfect college application essay . With some colleges no longer considering factors like high school grades and standardized test scores (i.e., SAT and ACT scores ), the pressure to create a college application essay can be fierce but stress no more. With the help of these ten strategies, you will be on your way to writing the strong college application essay that just might get you a seat at your dream college. Let’s get right into it!

Visit our Scholarship blog for more insight on college-related topics, plus access to hundreds of exclusive scholarships . So, don’t wait. Start applying today !

Start Early:

Because the whole application process is tedious from beginning to end, you want to give yourself plenty of time to work on your essay. Be sure to start brainstorming ideas early and create and outline your essay. Not only will this give you an idea of how you want to structure your essay, but it will also provide an ample amount of time to work on the essay. If you start early, you will also have more than enough time to edit and go through multiple drafts until your final draft is complete.

Understand the Prompt:

Before you begin writing anything, make sure you fully understand the essay prompt. The last thing you want to do is write an essay that has nothing to do with the theme/prompt the school has given prospective students. Look into the essay’s guidelines beforehand to have a clear understanding of what your topic is. That way, you don’t waste words and time.

Show, Don’t Tell:

It’s easy to put words on a paper and call it an essay, but that’s boring (and lazy)! Show your readers what you want them to see; don’t just tell them. Use specific examples to illustrate your points and qualities. Try adding some humor in there to give them an even clearer sense of your personality, as well.

Whatever theme or prompts you are focusing on in your essay, just make sure you show who you truly are. Bring your readers on your journey through any experience you’re highlighting rather than just telling them you were there. Use your achievements and moments of clarity to draw them in. An admissions officer will want to see your colors, not just hear about them.

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Be Authentic:

This is the key and probably the most important part of your essay. Be authentic and unapologetically you. Write in your own voice, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Share your experiences, passions, and aspirations, but focus on how who you truly are, your values, and your goals. It’s easy to tell when something is forced, so stray away from generic tones and cliché jargon. Be fun, use humor, and showcase your natural tone. College admissions committees respect transparency and honesty as these characteristics usually line up with their institution’s values, so be authentically you.

Focus on a Specific Topic:

When you’re working on something like a college application essay where your goal is to stand out, it’s easy to ramble on about yourself, and that’s okay! But it’s important to know what is necessary and what overflow is. Choose a specific topic/theme that gives your story a way to showcase your personality and stick to it. You want to focus on key details and not details about the details. Stick to what you want to convey and use supporting information and/or characteristics.  

Structure Your Essay:

The key to a well-thought-out, formed essay is a strong outline. Organizing your thoughts will help you more than you know, so make sure you start your outline with a clear introduction that leads to strong body paragraphs that support your main points. And when all is said and done, you will wrap up your essay with an impressionable conclusion. You might go through a few outlines before you get to your final one, but that’s okay! Whatever works for you will shine through your essay.

Edit and Revise:

Editing is going to be your best friend. The first draft is always going to be a little messy, so make sure you go back and proofread your work for any grammar and spelling errors. The editing and writing process can also help you gain some clarity on what you are trying to convey to the college admissions committee. Because we’re the ones writing it, our thoughts make sense as soon they spill onto the paper, so proofreading your work will give you a chance to realign those thoughts and make it more coherent and smoother to read.

And since you’re the one writing it, it’s easy to overlook typos and missed punctuation, so I suggest taking breaks. And this can go any way! You can complete the first few paragraphs and then take a break; you can do one paragraph at a time or even the entire essay and then take a break. Whichever way you choose to go when it comes to writing essays, stepping back from your words can help you regain that sharp eye that will catch the errors.

Seek Feedback:

If you’re anything like me, you don’t like to bother people or ask for help, but for your college application essay, you have to put that aside. Don’t be afraid to ask teachers, counselors, your parents, peers, and friends to read your essay and provide constructive feedback in areas that need improvement. A second, third, and even fourth set of eyes will be able to catch things you can’t. Just be sure the people you know will set time aside to help you.

Also, request that your readers tell you what they gained from the essay. Did you perceive yourself well, did you miss anything, should you include a detail you don’t think it relevant to personal essay, but they do? You want to make sure your essay represents you academically, professionally, and personally, so listen closely to what they have to say and revise until it’s ready to go.

Be Positive:

Though I know it’s important to share your experiences and stories in your applications essay, I want to make sure you don’t focus on the negative aspects of your experiences (if any!). Colleges want to see their prospective student’s personalities and how they get through even the happiest of life experiences, and not just the challenging ones. Focus on your strengths, achievements, and growth while maintaining a positive and optimistic tone throughout your essay.

Leave them wanting more:

The goal point of your application’s essay is to stand out, so ending your essay with a strong closing sentence will amplify the reader’s interest that much more. Not only will these strategies inspire a well-written and authentic essay, but they can also increase your chances of making a strong, lasting impression on college admissions committees. Make sure your closing statement is witty and powerful and ties it all together.

Your college essay should show your personality, special qualities, experiences, and aspirations to the college admissions officers and committee. You don’t want to do too much, but you also don’t want to leave anything out . So, in case you get stuck, here are some elements to include in your college application essay:

• Personal Story : Share your story and experiences that have shaped your identity and/or influenced your passions.
• Academic Achievements : This is not the time to be modest about academic achievements, so highlight any awards or honors that demonstrate your dedication to education.
• Goals and Aspirations : Clearly state your goals and aspirations and explain how attending the college you are applying to support those dreams.
• Unique Perspective : Offer the unique perspectives or insights that set you apart from other applicants. This will showcase your individuality.
• Writing Style : You want your essay to demonstrate strong writing skills, creativity, and clarity. Provide vivid language, clear storytelling, and proper grammar and punctuation.
• Relevance : Make sure your essay directly addresses the college’s prompts or questions and aligns with the values and mission of the institution.
• Reflection : Reflect on your experiences, challenges, and growth, and show how they have shaped your character and prepared you for college.
• Be Yourself : But most importantly, be You. Stay true to your authenticity, as it is the one thing that will make you stand out the most!

In truth, your college application essay doesn’t have to drag . Include some of these elements into your work, and you might even (dare I say) have fun showing every college board member who you are and what you have to offer the world of academia. Good luck, and happy writing your admissions essays .

What should I write about in my college application essay?

When it comes to topics for your college application essay, choose a subject that boasts your unique personality, experiences, and personal values. Consider sharing a personal story that shines a light on your strengths, or write about any challenges you’ve overcome gracefully or a significant moment that helped shape your identity. The goal of college essays is to provide admissions officers with insight into who you are beyond your academic achievements, not just that you can put together an essay.

How long should my college application essay be?

Most colleges have specific guidelines regarding the length of the application essay, typically ranging from 250 to 650 words. It is important to adhere to the word count limit provided by the college to ensure that your essay is concise and focused. Be sure to carefully review the college application process and instructions to determine the appropriate length for your essay.

How can I make my college application essay stand out?

To make your college application essay stand out, focus on your authentic voice and perspective. Avoid clichés and generic statements, and instead, strive to convey your unique personality and experiences. Use bold language, descriptive details, and storytelling techniques to captivate the reader’s attention. Don’t be afraid to get feedback from teachers, counselors, or peers to ensure that your college essay topic is well-written and effectively communicates your message.

Interested in learning more from Bold.org ? Visit our Scholarship Blog to stay up to date on everything you need to know about college topics and apply for scholarships today.

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The Cellular and Molecular Biology of Stress Summer Research Program

The Cellular and Molecular Biology of Stress Summer Research Program provides immersive , full-time bioscience research and professional development for undergraduate students as they prepare for graduate school and research careers in biology.

2024 Application Status

All applications have been reviewed and offers have been made.

Future Applications

Interested in applying for 2025? Sign up to get email notifications about the program.

Get Notified

2024 Program Dates

• May 28–Aug. 3, 2024
• Apply online Nov. 1, 2023–Feb. 29, 2024

2024 Support and Benefits

• $7,000 stipend
• Housing in a residence hall on campus included
• Partial meal plan
• Health insurance (if not already covered)
• Access to campus libraries and recreational facilities
• Round-trip travel to Madison, WI

Program Highlights

• Pursue an independent, mentored research project in a lab
• Get a glimpse of what grad school and research careers are like
• Learn from faculty-led seminars on bioscience topics
• Boost your science communication skills through a poster session, research paper, and end-of-summer symposium
• Enjoy social activities with students from other summer research programs

More Information

• Eligibility More
• How to Apply More
• Testimonials More
• Info Sessions More
• Mentors & Projects More
• Past Projects More
• Alumni Stories More
• Other Research Programs More

For Current CMBS Students

Find info about what to bring, housing, local transportation, and more.

• Eligibility
• How to Apply
• Testimonials

2024 Program Dates: May 28–Aug 3, 2024

Interested in a research career? Experience the richness of the research environment at a premier research university with this hands-on summer program. You’ll get an invaluable glimpse of what graduate-level study and research careers might entail, while being surrounded by a supportive community of peers and engaged in professional development activities that help add meaning, encourage critical thinking, and allow you to explore and prepare for your future.

The Cellular and Molecular Biology of Stress (CMBS) program is designed for undergraduates who might not otherwise have access to research opportunities. There is no cost for the program and participants receive a stipend, summer housing, health insurance, and travel to and from Madison.

Program participants live on campus and perform full-time research for 10 weeks under the guidance of trained research mentors. Weekly professional development seminars allow participants to learn from each other’s experiences and contextualize their research projects within the overarching theme of how organisms respond to stress. Additional events and activities build community, support career and graduate school exploration, and help students build useful skills, such as science communication. Students present their projects at a poster session and a final symposium and write research reports to summarize their findings.

The Theme: Cellular and Molecular Biology of Stress

Environmental stressors, including both biotic (originating from living organisms such as pathogens) and abiotic (arising from non-living factors such as nutrient availability), constantly shape the adaptive strategies of all life forms. By actively participating in original research, students will explore the intricate mechanisms by which organisms respond and adapt to environmental challenges. Faculty mentors in the program study a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses in diverse organisms, from unicellular microbes to multicellular plants and animals. All the labs are interested in how stresses are detected by cells and organisms, how stress signals are transmitted within cells and organisms, and how targets of the stress signal activate cellular and molecular processes that allow cells and organisms to survive the stress.

• Strong career interest in biological science research
• Undergraduate student status for fall 2024
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
• Grade point average of at least 3.0 (see  Frequently Asked Questions  for more info)

The goal of the CMBS program is to provide research opportunities for students who have limited access to research. We realize there are a variety of reasons students may not have access to research, including, but not limited to, attending small colleges (including 2-year colleges) with limited research resources; life experience impacted by historical or social factors; coming from a low-income background with the need to work during the academic year; or being the first in their family to attend college and benefiting from additional support. All students are welcome and encouraged to apply.

The application opens annually on November 1 and closes on February 29.

During the application process you will need to provide:

• Name and email address for at least one person (faculty member preferred) who will provide a letter of recommendation. Two letters of recommendation are allowed.
• Electronic version of your college transcript (scanned hard copies if electronic transcripts are not available); unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• How have your background and life experiences (including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges) motivated your decision to pursue a summer research opportunity?
• How would your participation in a summer research program at UW–Madison contribute to your future goals and career plans?
• Which area(s) of research are of interest to you and why?
• Although previous research experience is not required to be considered for participation in our summer program, please describe any past research experience. This may include research experiences as part of a course if you do not have any other research experiences.

Selection and Placement

Selection and laboratory placement of students will take place in February, March, and April. Applicants who are not placed will be notified by the beginning of May.

Why should I come to UW-Madison for a summer research program?

The  University of Wisconsin-Madison  has one of the strongest biological research communities in the U.S. It offers graduate training programs in over 40 areas of biological research. Participants report that this program has helped them determine whether graduate school is right for them, check out UW-Madison for grad school, and learn particular research techniques.

What are the dates of the program?

The program will run from May 29-August 2, 2024. Students will arrive in Madison on May 28, 2024 and begin orientation on May 29, 2024. The program will end on August 2, 2024 and students will depart on August 3, 2024.

It is common for students on trimesters or quarters to finish the academic year after the program has begun. We do make exceptions for students who can join the program no later than June 3, 2024. Please email the CMBS Program Director ( [email protected] ) to discuss the details of your situation.

Housing costs are covered. What does that mean?

Participants in the summer research program are housed in a residence hall on campus within walking distance of laboratories and State Street (i.e., downtown Madison ). Participants from other summer programs are housed in the same building.

I noticed there are other summer research programs at UW-Madison. Can I apply to more than one?

All of the summer research programs at UW-Madison share one application. When you apply, you will rank your choice of up to three programs.

How many students do you accept?

Each year the program accepts 15-30 students into the program from a pool of about 350 applicants. The size of the program is contingent upon funding.

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is committed to supporting Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs like CMBS to broaden access to high-quality, immersive research experiences. Students who have not had access to research opportunities for any reason (e.g., small home institution, impact from historical or social factors, lack or resources) are encouraged to apply.

My grade point average isn’t quite 3.0. Should I apply anyway?

We review applications holistically and occasionally accept students whose GPAs are less than 3.0. Please share in your essay the steps you are taking to increase your GPA and highlight other skills and experiences that you believe will support your success in the program.

I’m a UW-Madison student. Can I apply to the program?

Yes, but preference may be given to students without access to research opportunities, depending on funding requirements and other considerations.

How are applications reviewed?

An initial screen of applicants is made by program staff. Files from strong applicants are forwarded to faculty mentors based on research interests expressed by students in their applications. Each mentor reviews the applications and determines which student(s) they would like to meet (virtually). If both the mentor and student agree there is a good fit, the CMBS program director will send a formal offer to the student.

Can I enroll in summer school or have a job while participating in the program?

No. Participants do research full-time (40 hr/week). The idea is to enjoy an intensive research experience when you are freed from the schedules and obligations of coursework or a job.

“I’ve seen myself grow in a number of ways, and that includes being able to ask really important or really interesting scientific questions….I think that this will be an experience that I will not forget in terms of science research. It’s been one of the best.”

–Rachel Joo, 2023 Summer Research Program Alum

“I didn’t expect to be so attached to this place. But I’ve gotten so attached to [Madison] because there’s so much to do. And everyone has been amazing to me here. And the research has also been amazing….I’ve also learned so much about career paths I can take. I’ve made friends with so many people here….So I just I love this place a lot. And I would not trade this experience for anything.”

–Danielle Amaegbo, 2023 Summer Research Program Alum

“Since this is my first time doing summer research, I didn’t really know what to expect. But now that I’m here, I’m motivated to do it again….Don’t be afraid of not having experience. I thought maybe because I didn’t have much under my sleeve, that I wouldn’t be a good candidate. But this is exactly what this program is for. It’s for us to come and get the experience and learn.”

–Kiara Gómez, 2023 Summer Research Program Alum

“We have learned so much about how to write papers, so much about how to do research, so much about different career paths. And they really, really are fully invested in shaping us into really great scientists and giving us all these tools that we can use.”

–Carolyn Ruiz, 2023 Summer Research Program Alum

“I think I’ve made pretty good friends here because you are all very like-minded individuals where you’re all very interested in research and you hope to do something positive with that in the future. We bond over that and we’ve made good connections.”

–Janice Tran, 2023 Summer Research Program Alum

“I think this program is a huge opportunity. Because it’s not just how to do experiments in your lab, it’s the whole process of being part of research, and how to deal with feedback, how to have support with your mentor, how to write a paper, or do a poster session, how to present….I see it as a good opportunity for students to take.”

–Yaretzi Martinez, 2023 Summer Research Program Alum

“I had great mentors who knew exactly how to push me for growth while showing nothing but kindness and encouragement.”

–2022 Summer Research Program Alum

“This research experience helped me to understand how everyday research work is like and opened my horizons for possible careers. Therefore, I am applying for a Ph.D. this fall.”

“I believe that this experience led me to understand my true passions in grad school….I am quite excited to pursue the options ahead of me. I also think the program allowed me to explore the type of relationships I hope to have with future mentors.

I made gains in my ability to collaborate with other scientists. My lab strongly encourages collaboration….I have realized that a community exists that does care about my work and is willing to help me see that my goals become reality.”

“I truly enjoyed every day in lab and now I can actually see myself as a researcher.”

“This research experience confirmed that I am able to conduct research through an independent research project. Now, I feel more confident entering grad school with the skills I have learned.”

“Before this program, I was considering an advanced degree but I had no idea what that meant or how serious I actually was. Now that I know what research can be like on a daily basis and some of the inner politics/aspects of academia, I can make a more informed decision on grad school. I am considering it more strongly now.

I think this research experience grew my confidence to ask for help when I needed it and to be independent even if I don’t know exactly what I’m doing. I have grown in my mental fortitude and ability to adapt to difficulties as well.”

"Since this is my first time doing summer research, I didn’t really know what to expect. But now that I’m here, I’m motivated to do it again....Don’t be afraid of not having experience. I thought maybe because I didn’t have much under my sleeve, that I wouldn’t be a good candidate. But this is exactly what this program is for. It’s for us to come and get the experience and learn." — Kiara Gómez, 2023 Summer Research Program Alum

Info Session Video

Watch this recording for more program details.

Mentors & Projects

Here are some of the mentors participating in this year's program. Learn more about their work and the research projects they offer.

Past Projects

Learn more about what students in past years have studied during their time in the program.

Alumni Stories

Get to know some of the student researchers, the diverse paths that led them here, and what they learned during their time at UW–Madison.

"We have learned so much about how to write papers, so much about how to do research, so much about different career paths. And they really, really are fully invested in shaping us into really great scientists and giving us all these tools that we can use." — Carolyn Ruiz, 2023 Summer Research Program Alum

Leadership Team

Amber Smith

Credentials: Ph.D.

Position title: Associate Director of WISCIENCE

Email: amber.smith @wisc.edu

David Wassarman

Position title: Professor of Genetics

Email: dawassarman @wisc.edu

• Amber Smith, Ph.D., CMBS Program Director, PI (NSF award # 20502567)
• David Wassarman, Ph.D., Co-PI

Questions? Contact Amber Smith at [email protected].

Thank You to Our Funders

Writing Application Essays and Statements of Purpose for Graduate School

For those applying to masters and doctoral programs in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, or the arts, we’ll explore principles for writing convincing application essays, share tips for highlighting your undergraduate work, and inspire you to make the most of this opportunity to shine.

The presentation and/or materials for this workshop can be accessed through Kaltura Mediaspace.

Thursday, April 15, 2:30-4:00 PM CST

To register for this workshop: Please click on your desired section above which will take you to the Office of Human Resources’ online registration system. You will receive an email confirmation from the UW-Madison Writing Center once the registration goes through.

To join this workshop virtually: On the day of the workshop, all registered students will receive an email from the workshop facilitators with information about how to join and participate in the online workshop.

9 Books to Spark Your Creativity

Reading Lists

Struggling to come up with ideas here's how to find inspiration.

Of all the craft books I’ve read in my life, perhaps none have stuck with me quite as clearly as the assertion, at the beginning of Mary Oliver’s  A Poetry Handbook , that, rather than waiting for inspiration to strike, an aspiring writer must sit down regularly for an appointment with the muse. If you do this, Oliver suggests, inspiration will follow: “if you are reliably there, it begins to show itself—soon it begins to arrive when you do.” And if not, “if you are only there sometimes and are frequently late or inattentive,” the inspiration you’re seeking “will appear fleetingly, or it will not appear at all.”

Even twenty years past the introduction to poetry class in which I first read Oliver’s book, I don’t think this is necessarily bad advice. I don’t write every day, as some scolds insist you must to be a real writer, whatever that means, but I do write regularly, and I’ve got a notebook and a pen stashed in every purse, my gym bag, and my glove compartment, so I can catch inspiration whenever it does strike. (My newsletter,  Write More, Be Less Careful , is  full of tips  for  scratching out time to write  in the midst of a busy life.) 

But what happens when you sit down to write and inspiration doesn’t follow? What do you do when you’ve dutifully held up your side of the bargain and that creative spark remains elusive?

Below, I’ve rounded up a collection of books that will spark your creativity and make you want to write. They mostly aren’t craft books in the conventional sense—they’re less about learning about line breaks or point of view and more about how to seize on unlikely sources of inspiration and crack open your brain to make space for creative work. 

Make Your Art No Matter What: Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles by Beth Pickens

In  Make Your Art No Matter What , Pickens, a therapist and artist coach, guides readers through exercises to overcome common creative hurdles, ranging from the philosophical like time, fear, and other people, to the downright practical, including money and marketing. I  interviewed Pickens , a therapist and artist coach, when her book first came out in the summer of 2021, and it’s has remained a warm source of encouragement since then. (It was that interview with Beth that inspired me to finally stop cackling nervously about how anxious I was about the business and self-promotion arm of writing and actually find a therapist, which helped enormously, in case anyone else needs a nudge to stop following therapists on Instagram and see one in real life.) Like a good therapist, she’s sympathetic to your struggles—and she’s also got lots of great resources to help you make your art and get out of your own way.

Syllabus: Notes From An Accidental Professor   and  Making Comics by Lynda Berry

Even—or maybe  especially  if—you’re someone who thinks of yourself as “not artistic,” the exercises in Lynda Barry’s books will likely unlock something in your creative brain.  Syllabus: Notes From An Accidental Professor , provides a peek into Barry’s classroom at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where she’s an Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Creativity, and the follow-up,  Making Comics , includes exercises like “Scribble Monster Jam” that can be done in a group as a round robin or on your own. Several of her exercises pair drawing with narrative, a combination that will likely prove fruitful for lots of writers. What I love about Barry’s work is her insistence on practice and playfulness. Once we’ve abandoned something because we fear we’re bad at it, Barry writes, “a certain capacity of the mind is shuttered.” Barry’s exercises point the way toward cracking that creative capacity open again. Even if you, like me, never manage to make a piece of real art through her exercises, there’s something about working visually that can shake out new ideas. 

Gathering Voices: Creating a Community-Based Poetry Workshop by Marty McConnell

So often, our image of the writer is someone weeping into their notebook alone, and Marty McConnell’s  Gathering Voices  provides a useful counter to this image of the solitary artist, reminding us that writing doesn’t have to be a lonely pursuit. Her book, a collection of poems and writing exercises meant to be used in community-based poetry workshops, provides lots of points of entry for collaborative writing and discussion. McConnell developed the Gathering Voices approach through nearly twenty years of creating community writing workshops, including The louderARTS Project in New York and Vox Ferus in Chicago. The exercises, based on poems by Ocean Vuong, Terrance Hayes, Jericho Brown, and more, focus on curiosity, careful reading, and experimentation. Each poem is followed by a series of discussion questions that are open-ended enough to be accessible to even new readers of poetry an exercise related the poem. The exercise that’s paired with Kwame Dawes’s “Death: Baron Samedi,” for example, asks writers to “invent a minor god, deity or demon” then use a Mad Libs-kind of structure to begin their freewrite. It sounds like a little wacky, but it’s a mix of structure and freedom that can be really generative. You could use these exercises with your writing group or just pick them up for your own practice and be reminded that, even if it’s just you and your notebook right now, you’re not actually alone.

1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg

Like many writers, I found Jami Attenberg on twitter through the #1000words project, in which writers sign up to get a daily email of encouragement and write 1000 words a day for 14 days.  Since Attenberg began the project in the summer of 2018, it’s grown to a newsletter,  Craft Talk , with more than 37,000 subscribers and a book, published this past January. The magic of the #1000words project is the sense of companionship, that even as you’re sitting down at your desk alone, you can also feel writers all around the world settling in for the same word work. On social media and in the comments on the newsletter, writers chime in to share their word counts, celebrate little breakthroughs, and commiserate on tough days. The book, which includes essays by Attenberg and contributors including Roxane Gay, Lauren Groff, Celeste Ng, Carmen Maria Machado, and more on topics ranging from making writing friends to handling distractions and persisting through rejection, captures that energy. The book works best, I’ve found, as a friendly companion to a writing practice. I keep mine on my desk and flip through it when I need a little burst of encouragement or a reminder to get back to work. 

You MUST Use The Word Smoothie: A Craft Essay in 50 Writing Prompts by Chen Chen

In the introduction to this collection, available as a free digital download in Sundress’s Craft Chaps series, Chen writes that he hopes the prompts will “spark some unexpected new writing for you.” Across the sections, which Chen describes as “potential windows,” readers will find prompts ranging from “Write more love poems” to “Rest” and “If you can afford to: go to therapy. (Art can be therapeutic, but is not a substitute for therapy.)” It’s hard to write about this set of prompts without feeling like I’m either giving away the pleasure of its many surprises or making light of how it interweaves the playful and the politically attuned. Perhaps it will be enough to say that these prompts, either worked through individually as you’re inspired, or taken up as a whole across several weeks of writing, will take you on a journey from rest to rage and back.

The Book of Delights and The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay

Ross Gay’s  Book of Delights  and  Book of (More) Delights  are all about finding delight in the everyday. The brief essays in these two books, which cover experiences ranging from carrying a tomato on a plane and pulling carrots to watching two people share a bag, feel like a kind of field guide to the pleasures of re-engaging with the world around us. (If you haven’t had the chance to see Ross Gay read in person, check out  this brief video  of him reading “Tomato on a Plane” so you can get that voice and smile in your mind and carry it with you as you read. And then see him read in person the next chance you get!) Though they’re not exercises, reading these essays always inspires me to look for more delight in my own life. Read a couple, then use the guidelines he created—“write them daily, write them quickly, and write them by hand”—to start crafting your own delights. 

Millions of Suns: On Writing and Life by Sharon Fagan McDermott and M. C. Benner Dixon

Millions of Suns  is the closest thing in this collection to a conventional craft book, but it distinguishes itself within that category through its expansive approach. Each chapter features a pair of essays written by McDermott and Dixon, followed by a range of prompts that are sure to spark your creative energy. It’s useful for writers working in genres from poetry to prose, and its chapters include topics ranging from imagery and inspiration to metaphor, structure, and revision. It ends not with the advice on publishing or facing rejection or finding a writing group that often seems to end craft books, but with a chapter on Beauty, and McDermott’s essay, which suggests that “beauty is a projection and a reality, both.” The book begins by insisting that “there is joy in writing,” and the essays and writing prompts it includes point the way toward cultivating more of that joy in your own creative life.

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