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Early Action: Nov 1
Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15
The Requirements: 1 essay of 650 words (or less)
Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why
Luckily for you, UW-Madison asks applicants to submit just one (1) supplemental essay. The essay is an opportunity for you to give admissions “an idea of who you are and what you want to accomplish as part of [their] community.” In order to write a distinct essay, we recommend being genuine and specific when discussing your interest in the university and your academic goals. Keep reading for more tips and examples!
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 program, 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.
We have been reading UW-Madison essays for over twenty years now, so we know a thing or two about the most common mistakes students make. The most common mistakes to avoid are repeating the prompt in your essay (don’t waste your words), trying to sound like an academic (admissions wants to hear your authentic voice!), and using cliches (they’re ineffective and—let’s face it—lazy).
We at College Essay Advisors have been guiding students one-on-one through the essay writing process for the UW-Madison supplement for over twenty years. We take a holistic approach to this essay, considering each student’s application package as a whole and identifying their strengths to highlight. Our Advisors accommodate each student’s scheduling needs to virtually brainstorm, draft, and revise winning essays. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful UW-Madison essays that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants. For more information, submit a contact form below or review our one-on-one advising services or list of student acceptances.
UW-Madison requires one (1) essay of 650 words or fewer.
UW-Madison is looking for genuine, honest essays that will help them get to know you beyond your GPA and test scores. The more specific your essays, the more they will stand out from the pack, so it’s in your best interest to take the time to provide a detailed description of your interests and vision of life as a student at Wisconsin.
In order to make your UW-Madison essay stand out, we recommend giving yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, reflect on your stories, and piece together a cohesive narrative that reveals new information about who you are and what you hope to accomplish without relying on common cliches.
"[My son] was accepted to Wisconsin as a direct admit to the business school! With their holistic reviews, I know his essays stood out. He had a few friends who were denied from Wisconsin and I truly believe it was [my son's] essay that put him over the top. I am so grateful to you and College Essay Advisors for your guidance and expertise in helping him to craft his amazing essays!"
– CEA Parent, University of Wisconsin, Class of 2025
"Thank you so much for making those edits! I couldn't have gotten it within the word count without you. At first I was hesitant about some of the changes, but upon closer look, I realized that many of the sentences you took out were redundant. As you commented, some of the points were still made without having to explicitly say them. Seriously, I can not thank you enough for all of your help. I really appreciate you taking me on as a client with such time restraints."
– CEA Student, University of Wisconsin, Class of 2026
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