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International=20
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International Student Admission

Frequently=20 Asked Questions

We have provided answers to some of our most frequently asked = questions. If=20 you have other questions, contact our Office = of=20 Admissions.

Ap= plying
Questions=20 about the application process, admission expectations, freshman vs. = transfer=20 admission, deadlines, decisions, test scores, and more.

Ad= mitted=20 Students
Questions about visas, tuition, financial aid, = transfer=20 credit, majors, ESL, immunizations, and more.

Studen= t=20 Life
Questions about international students on campus, = student=20 organizations, housing, transportation, the weather, and more.

Show all=20 FAQs

Applying

Q. How do I apply?
We make it convenient and easy to=20 apply. You can apply=20 online, download a paper application (PDF, 91K), or request a paper application.

Q. When should I apply?
The application deadline = for the=20 spring term (classes beginning in January) is October 1. The application = deadline for the fall term (classes beginning in September) is February = 1.=20 However, as a result of the increase in the number of international = applications=20 received, we cannot guarantee that all applications submitted before the = deadline will be accepted. If we reach capacity prior to the deadline, = we will=20 notify international applicants that their applications will not be = accepted.=20 Please note: The application notification periods referenced in the = Freshman=20 Applying section of this Web site apply to domestic freshmen only.

Q. Should I fill out an international = application?
If you=20 are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, you = should use=20 the domestic application (PDF, 311K), even if you have = completed=20 schooling outside of the United States. If you will be attending = UW=E2=80=93Madison on a=20 visa, please use the international application (PDF, 91K).

Q. What should I send with my application?
Send = only the=20 required=20 application materials. Do NOT send additional = certificates,=20 awards, or notary books. Submitting excess material will delay the = processing of=20 your application.

Q. Should I apply as a freshman or a transfer = student?
If=20 you have completed (or are completing) at least 24 semester hours = (approximately=20 one year of full-time university study) of transferable course work, you = should=20 apply as a transfer=20 student. We do not accept transfer students at the freshman level. = There is=20 no maximum limit to the number of credits you can transfer for most = programs;=20 however, you must complete your last 30 credits on campus (the exception = is the=20 School of Business.) If you have not completed any=20 post-secondary work, you should apply as a freshman.

Q. My grades at my previous university are low. Can I apply = as a=20 freshman?
NO, you must apply as a transfer = student if you=20 have completed any course work at another university. When you apply, = you=20 MUST provide us with a complete educational history. = Failure to=20 give us a complete and accurate history is considered academic = dishonesty and=20 may result in disciplinary action, recision of admission, and/or = invalidation of=20 credits or degrees earned.

Q. If I=E2=80=99ve already earned a bachelor=E2=80=99s degree = from another=20 institution, can I apply as an undergraduate = student?
UW=E2=80=93Madison=20 does not generally consider second-degree candidates. If your first = bachelor=E2=80=99s=20 degree is a four-year, full-time degree, you are encouraged to apply to = the Graduate = School.

Q. How soon can I expect a decision on my=20 application?
International applications are reviewed in the = order=20 completed, and decisions are generally made eight weeks after we have = received=20 all required materials. (Our international admissions counselors do not = begin=20 reviewing applications for the spring term until September.) We cannot = begin to=20 review your application until all required materials are received. = Review our=20 list of required application=20 materials to ensure you submit a complete application. Be sure to = read our=20 tips=20 for receiving a decision in a timely manner.

Q. How do I know if my application is = complete?
Your=20 application will be complete when you have submitted all 10 required=20 application materials. If you have submitted all of these = requirements, and=20 we determine that more information is needed in order for us to make a = decision,=20 we will contact you. You can also check your = application status=20 online. You will need your campus ID number and birth date to access = this=20 information. This application status check Web site will indicate if we = have=20 received your application, if we have reviewed your application, or if = more=20 information is needed from you.

Q. Do I need to submit a TOEFL = score?
Freshman=20 Applicants: All applicants for whom English is not a native = language=20 must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) that = meet our=20 minimum English proficiency requirement for admission consideration. A = minimum=20 score of 550 on the paper test, 213 on the computer test, or 80 on the=20 Internet-based test is required of all students whose native language is = not=20 English and who were not educated in an entirely English-speaking = country. We=20 will consider waiving your TOEFL requirement if you submit an SAT Verbal = score=20 of 600 or above or an IELTS score of 6.0 or above.
Transfer=20 Applicants: All applicants for whom English is not a native = language=20 must submit official TOEFL results that meet our minimum English = proficiency=20 requirement for admission consideration. A minimum score of 550 on the = paper=20 test, 213 on the computer test, or 80 on the Internet-based test is = required of=20 all students whose native language is not English and who were not = educated in=20 an entirely English-speaking country. Students interested in = transferring into=20 programs in the College of Engineering or the School of=20 Pharmacy must meet higher TOEFL score requirements. Refer to the = appropriate=20 program for more information.

Q. What is my campus ID number and how can I obtain=20 it?
Your campus ID number is a 10-digit number unique to = you. This=20 number is used for a variety of things, including general = identification. It can=20 also be used to check your application status online. Once we receive = your=20 application, an acknowledgement letter or e-mail will be sent to you, = which will=20 include your campus ID number. Keep a copy of this communication for = your=20 reference. If you have not yet received your acknowledgment = e-mail, please=20 check your e-mail account=E2=80=99s junk-mail filter to ensure that it = has not been=20 incorrectly filtered out of your inbox. If for some reason you do not = receive=20 your acknowledgement letter or e-mail or if you have misplaced your = campus ID=20 number, you can send us an=20 e-mail with your full name exactly as it appears on your = application, your=20 date of birth, permanent home address, and correct mailing address. With = that=20 information, we will verify your record and send you your campus ID = number.

Q. How can I update my address if I move?
After = you have=20 submitted your application, be sure to keep your mailing address updated = online=20 through the MyUW Web = portal.=20 Correspondence regarding application decisions, housing options, visa = status,=20 and other information will be sent to this address. Do = NOT=20 change your permanent foreign street address. This address is important = for=20 obtaining your student visa; it may not be a P.O. box. Some information = may be=20 sent to you via e-mail. Therefore it is important to keep your e-mail = address=20 updated as well. Please be sure to modify your e-mail settings so that = important=20 university correspondence will not be filtered out by your e-mail = system.

Q. Does UW=E2=80=93Madison offer conditional = admission?
The=20 university does not offer conditional admission. We will not be able to = make a=20 final decision on your application until it is complete.

Q. Can I defer my admission?
UW=E2=80=93Madison = does not defer=20 admission. If for some reason you are unable to attend for the semester = for=20 which you are admitted, please reapply for a semester that you will be = able to=20 attend.

Back = to=20 Top

Admitted Students

Q. How do I obtain my student visa?
A visa is = required to=20 enter the United States. Most international students enter the country = on an F-1=20 student visa. F-1 visas are nonimmigrant visas granted to applicants who = want to=20 pursue a full course of academic study at a U.S. university. After you = have been=20 admitted to the University of Wisconsin, we will send you an I-20 form, = which is=20 required to apply for or maintain an F-1 visa. Before you can be = admitted and=20 receive the I-20 form, you must submit the UW=E2=80=93Madison Financial Verification Form (PDF, = 193K) and proof of=20 full financial support (both are required parts of your application for=20 admission). To apply for a student visa, you will need to take your = letter of=20 admission, I=E2=80=9320 form, original copies of your financial support = documents, and=20 other supporting materials (as needed) to a U.S. embassy or consulate. = You=20 should do this as soon as possible. Recent changes in U.S. visa laws and = regulations have increased the amount of time it can take to get a visa. = Processing times will vary. Please contact your nearest embassy or = consulate=20 for a current time estimate and planning recommendations.

Q. How much does it cost to attend the=20 UW=E2=80=93Madison?
Wisconsin is recognized both for its = quality and value.=20 While the cost of attendance varies from student to student, we provide=20 estimates to help you plan for your education. For official university = tuition=20 figures, visit the Registrar=E2=80=99s Office Web site. You can learn = more about student=20 finances and tuition payments, including methods of payment and = deadlines.

Q. Can I receive financial aid?
ONLY=20 U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or refugees can receive = federal=20 financial assistance from the University of Wisconsin. If you are = attending=20 UW=E2=80=93Madison on an F=E2=80=931 or J=E2=80=931 student visa, you = are NOT eligible=20 to receive federal financial aid from the university. While employment=20 opportunities are available, it is generally not feasible for you to = support=20 yourself financially by working a part-time job. International Student Services at UW=E2=80=93Madison = maintains a scholarship=20 reference page with detailed information on some of the awards,=20 scholarships, grants, fellowships, and special programs available to=20 international students.

Q. I have taken post-secondary courses. Will they transfer = for=20 credit?
In general, liberal arts courses taken at a = degree-granting=20 tertiary institution recognized by the government will transfer for = credit.=20 Courses of a technical or vocational nature typically do not transfer = for=20 credit. Only students who have been admitted and have confirmed their = enrollment=20 will receive an evaluation of transfer credit.

Q. How do I register for classes?
After = admission, you=20 will receive information about the Student=20 Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) program. At SOAR you = will=20 take all necessary placement tests, consult with an academic advisor, = register=20 for first-semester classes, and meet future friends and classmates. If = you would=20 like to take a look at the classes offered before you register for = classes at=20 SOAR, reference the online course listing (Timetable) and our Undergraduate = Catalog.=20

Q. Can I enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL)=20 classes?
If you want to enroll in English as a Second = Language (ESL)=20 courses as a full-time student, you must apply directly to the ESL=20 program. Admission to the ESL program does not guarantee = admission=20 to an undergraduate degree program. The Program in English as a Second = Language=20 (ESL) offers a number of ESL courses. After admission to the university, = non-native speakers of English will take an English placement test = during=20 orientation. Some undergraduate students may be required to enroll in = ESL course=20 work in addition to their academic course work.

Q. What academic majors does UW=E2=80=93Madison = offer?
The=20 complete list of=20 majors is available online and/or in our Undergraduate = Catalog.=20

Q. How do I declare my major?
All students are = initially=20 admitted to the university with intended majors and not into = specific=20 programs and majors. Admission to the university does not = guarantee=20 admission into your chosen major program or college. Admission to = intended=20 majors is a separate application and/or review process. Most programs = have=20 additional GPA, prerequisite course work, and/or audition or portfolio=20 requirements. To learn more about the admission expectations and = requirements=20 for the major or program of interest to you, consult the appropriate major or school=20 or college.

Q. Do I need to send immunization/medical = records?
The=20 university does not require you to send in any official immunization or = medical=20 records. You do not need to have a physical examination before = attending. University Health = Services=20 requests that all students fill out an online Immunization and Health History Form, but this form = is not=20 required. If you are living in University Housing, you are required by law to inform = the=20 university if you have received hepatitis B vaccine and meningococcal = vaccine.=20 The UHS Immunization and Health History Form is the way = the=20 university collects this information. Completion of the form will = satisfy the=20 legal requirement for students.

Back = to=20 Top

Student Life

Q. How many other international students attend=20 UW=E2=80=93Madison?
Our international student population is = among the=20 largest of any university in the country. There are more than 3,000=20 international students enrolled at UW=E2=80=93Madison, representing more = than 100=20 countries. Nearly one-third of UW=E2=80=93Madison=E2=80=99s = international students are=20 undergraduates. Most of the international undergraduates are from Korea, = China,=20 Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, India, and = Malaysia.=20 For a more comprehensive listing of countries represented on our campus, = visit=20 our International=20 Student Population Web page.

Q. What resources are available to me as an international = student on=20 campus?
International Student Services (ISS) offers a wide = variety of=20 services to international students. ISS assists international students = with visa=20 and visa-related issues, while also providing peer mentors, workshops, = social=20 events, and advising on cultural adjustment and social matters. New = students are=20 required to register with ISS during orientation prior to the start of = classes.=20 Another resource for international students on campus is the Madison Friends of = International=20 Students (MFIS), a non-profit organization of volunteers from the = Madison=20 area who befriend and help international students through a variety of = services=20 and programs.

Q. How can I get involved in student organizations on=20 campus?
Joining one of our 700 student organizations is a = great way=20 to get involved on campus, make friends, and develop your leadership = skills.=20 Whether you love to dance, debate, play sports, write poetry, volunteer, = or=20 sail, there=E2=80=99s a group for you. And if you don=E2=80=99t find the = organization that=20 captures your interest, you can start your own. Check out our complete = listing=20 of student = organizations.=20 There are also more than 75 international student organizations on = campus. These=20 groups offer pre-arrival advice and guidance to international students = who are=20 coming to Wisconsin to study, as well as an on-campus network of friends = and=20 scholars. Visit the ISS Web=20 site for the full list of international student organizations, or = search the=20 online = Student=20 Organization Directory.

Q. What housing options are available to = me?
UW=E2=80=93Madison=20 students are free to choose from a variety of housing options, including = our=20 on-campus University=20 Residence Halls and a variety of privately owned residence halls,=20 apartments, houses, and condos that surround campus. Most first-year = students=20 live in residence halls, while students in their second, third, and = fourth years=20 of study typically live in campus-area housing. Learn more on our Interna= tional=20 Student Housing Web site.

Q. Once I am in the United States, how do I get to=20 Madison?
There is more than one way to reach Madison. = Madison is=20 approximately 130 miles from the Chicago O=E2=80=99Hare International = Airport, and bus = service is=20 available (for a fee) from the airport to campus. You can also fly into = the Madison Dane County = Regional=20 Airport (international airport code MSN). After you arrive at the = airport,=20 the easiest way to reach campus is by taxi.

Q. How do I get around in Madison?
Getting around = campus=20 is incredibly easy, as all of your classes will generally be within = walking=20 distance. Many students choose to use a bicycle to navigate campus, and = there=20 are also free bus routes that cover all parts of campus. Getting around = the city=20 of Madison is also very easy. The city bus (Madison = Metro) will=20 take you almost anywhere you need to go, and all students are provided = with a free = bus pass=20 that is valid through both semesters and all breaks, including the = summer break.=20 Most roads have designated bike lanes, which make it easy to use a bike = to get=20 around Madison. Madison also has an extensive system of scenic biking = trails,=20 which are great if you are interested in biking for leisure. We = recommend that=20 you do not bring a car to Madison. Parking is scarce and expensive and = driving=20 is simply not necessary given the existence of bike lanes and buses.

Q. Is it really cold in Wisconsin?
You can enjoy = a=20 variety of weather while living in Madison. During our warm summer = months of=20 June, July, and August, high temperatures average 80 degrees Fahrenheit = (27=20 Celsius). You can also experience the cold and snow of our winter = months. From=20 November through March, temperatures average 18 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 = Celsius).=20 You can view Madison=E2=80=99s monthly averages online. It is = important that you=20 have adequate clothing for the cold winter months. You will need a heavy = coat,=20 snow boots, gloves, and a hat. Madison Friends of International Students, a = volunteer=20 organization, loans warm winter coats to international students for = the=20 duration of their stay.

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=20

Contact

Contact=20 Us

=C2=A9 2009 Board of=20 Regents of the University of Wisconsin System