The Graduate School

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Before You Apply

   1. Application Fee
   2. Deadlines/Graduate Programs
   3. English as a Second Language
   4. Financial Aid/Tuition Cost
   5. Letters of Recommendation
   6. Requirements
   7. Testing/GRE/English Proficiency Tests
   8. Residency
   9. Wisconsin - Minnesota Reciprocity

2. Processing Your Application

   1. Admission Process
   2. Checking your Application Status
   3. Requesting Application Changes
   4. Transcripts/Academic Records

3. After You Are Admitted

   1. Accepting/Declining Admission
   2. Enrollment Issues
   3. ESLAT requirements
   4. Missing Academic Records
   5. Residency Requirements

1. Before you apply

   1. Application Fee

      How much is the application fee?
      The $45.00 application fee is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (Mastercard or Visa), Debit/ATM card, personal check or money order, drawn on an U.S. bank. After you submit your application you will be directed to the fee payment section. Please do not send cash.

      Can I apply to more than one program with one application and one fee?
      Yes, you can apply to 3 programs on one application.

      I have submitted my application. Can I still pay my fee by credit card?
      Yes. Log back into your application and click on the fee payment section.

      I am an international student. Am I eligible for a fee grant?
      No. Fee grants are available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the U.S.

      My program will not consider my application because the deadline has passed for that term. Can I get a refund?
      No. The application fee is non-refundable.

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   2. Deadlines/Graduate Academic Programs

      What is the application deadline?
      Application deadlines vary between programs. Before starting your application, it is very important to check your academic program's deadlines.

      Where do I get academic program contact information?
      Academic programs are listed alphabetically on the UW-Madison Graduate School homepage.

      Do I have to fill out separate applications to the academic program and the Graduate School Admissions office?
      No. Both the academic program and the Graduate Admissions office will have access to your online application. Some academic programs require a supplemental application.

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   3. English as a Second Language

      If I take an English proficiency test, will I be required to take ESLAT?
      Any 'admitted' student whose score is lower than the scores listed below will be required, by the Graduate School, to take the English as a Second Language Assessment Test upon arrival at UW-Madison.
      TOEFL: 580 for paper test, 237 for computer, and 92 for internet(IBT)
      MELAB: 82
      IELTS: 7
      Depending on your test result you may need to register for a recommended English as a Second Language (ESL) course(s) in the first semester you are enrolled.
      For more information on English proficiency test requirements, click here.
      

      If I enroll in the English as a Second Language Program, am I guaranteed admission to the university?
      No. Enrollment in the English as a Second Language program (ESL) does not assure admission to an academic program at the UW-Madison Graduate School. You will not be able to register for courses outside the ESL curriculum during your enrollment in ESL.

      If I take an English as a Second Language program, will I be required to take TOEFL?
      If you are not a native English speaker or your undergraduate institution's language of instruction is not English, an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB) is required.

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   4. Financial Aid/Tuition Cost

      How do I apply for financial assistance?
      Programs are a main source for funding. Fill out the 'additional funding' section of the online application. If you are interested in a Fellowship, Project/Program, Research, or Teaching Assistantship, you should contact your academic program.
      Financial Aid: Loans and Work Study are available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Check the 'loans/work study' box in the 'application information' section to receive information from the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Services.

      How much is tuition for the UW Madison Graduate School?
      Tuition rates for the 'current' term are located on the Registrar's website. Tuition cost for future terms may not be available.

      I am an international applicant. Do I need to send my financial documents with my application materials?
      No. Financial documents will be requested by the Graduate Admissions office. After the academic program has recommended you for admission, you will be notified via the status check.

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   5. Letters of Recommendation

      What is the process for the letters of recommendation?
      All letters of recommendation are done electronically through our admission application.

      What if my letters of recommendation are stored at a file service (a career service center) and are sent out by request?
      Contact your academic program to inquire if this method is acceptable.

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   6. Requirements

      I am currently pursuing my bachelor degree. Can I still be considered for admission?
      Yes, but degree requirements must be complete at time of enrollment.

      Will my post graduate credits/degree transfer from another institution to UW-Madison?
      Your academic program may decide to use course work completed at another institution toward fulfillment of department course requirements. This work will not appear on a UW-Madison transcript. The Graduate School's minimum requirement can be satisfied only with courses taken as a graduate student at UW-Madison.

      I am an international applicant. My degree is not called a bachelor degree and it is not graded on a 4.0 scale. Can I still apply?
      International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor's degree, with a strong academic performance comparable to a "B" or above average grades. The Graduate School views your overall performance using your institution's grading scale. Please do not convert your grades to a four point scale. Degree, academic documents and language requirements vary by location of your undergraduate institution. For specific information select a country from the list below.

      Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran (Islamic Republic Of) Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Rep Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Rep Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka St Vincent and the Grenadines Sth Georgia & Sth Sandwich Is Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Republic of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands (British) Virgin Islands (U.S.) Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Western Samoa Yemen Yugoslavia Zambia Zimbabwe
      
      
      

      Who should I ask to translate my documents into English?

      Your school should provide an official translation; otherwise have a translation done by your school or an official translator. In some countries these people are also notaries. Do not submit an evaluation from a credential evaluation service in lieu of a translation.

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   7. Testing/GRE/English Proficiency Tests

      What if I can't take the GRE prior to the specific deadline for the application?
      The GRE is a program requirement. Please contact the academic program you intend to apply for.

      Will a paper copy of my GRE scores be considered 'official'?
      Official scores must be sent from ETS to UW-Madison (institution code: 1846).

      I previously applied and had my test scores sent. Are they still valid? The GRE is a program requirement. Please contact the academic program to which you intend to apply.
      The English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB) is required by the UW-Madison Graduate School. Test scores are accepted if they are within two years of the start of the admission term.

      Any international applicant who will hold a teaching Assistantship (TA), and whose native language is not English must

      1. take the Test of Spoken English(TSE) prior to admission, or
      2. take the SPEAK test when arriving on campus
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   8. Residency

      I am an international student who will be living in Wisconsin. Do I select "Yes I am a resident" in the Residency Section?
      No. If you are not currently a resident of Wisconsin, you should select "No".
      
      How do I qualify as a resident for tuition purposes?
      Residence for tuition is governed by Wisconsin Statute 36.27(2), which states that with few exceptions one must be a bona fide resident of Wisconsin for a full twelve months, without attending any college or university, to qualify for resident tuition. However, if you graduated from a Wisconsin high school and your parent(s) are Wisconsin residents, or you are a dependent on a parent’s taxes, and have a parent who is a bona fide resident of Wisconsin, or you, your spouse, or someone you are a dependent of on taxes, recently moved to Wisconsin for full-time employment, the statutory twelve months might be waived. More information can be found at http://registrar.wisc.edu/students/residence/ .

      I'm a resident of Minnesota and intend to apply for Reciprocity. Do I select "Yes I am a resident" in the Residency Section?
      No. If you are not a resident of Wisconsin, you should select "No".
      A tuition reciprocity agreement exists between Wisconsin and Minnesota. This agreement stipulates that residents of Minnesota can attend Wisconsin institutions in approved programs and be assessed the approved reciprocity tuition rate, plus segregated fees assessed all students. Students in the professional programs of the Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, however, are not covered under the reciprocity program.

      Minnesota residents must apply to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE) for verification of their eligibility for reciprocity.

      Please check the Registar's page for more information on Reciprocity.

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   9. Wisconsin - Minnesota Reciprocity

      I'm a resident of Minnesota. Do I select "Yes I am a resident" in the Residency Section?
      No. If you are not a resident of Wisconsin, you should select "No".
      A tuition reciprocity agreement exists between Wisconsin and Minnesota. This agreement stipulates that residents of Minnesota can attend Wisconsin institutions in approved programs and be assessed the approved reciprocity tuition rate, plus segregated fees assessed all students. Students in the professional programs of the Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, however, are not covered under the reciprocity program.

      Minnesota residents must apply to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE) for verification of their eligibility for reciprocity.

      Please check the Registar's page for more information on Reciprocity.

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2. Processing Your Application

   1. Admission Process

      What is the admission process?
      Processing time depends upon when you apply, when your file is complete at the academic program and when the program's admission committee meets.

      The admission process is as follows:

      • Your application data is entered into a central database. You receive an email acknowledgement regarding receipt of your application and fee (this email includes information about your online application status check).
      • The academic program(s) to which you are applying has a faculty admission committee review your application and materials.
      • The academic program makes a recommendation for admission to the Graduate School Admissions Office.
        If you are not selected for admission, the program will notify you.
      • The academic program to which you have applied will forward supporting materials to the Graduate School's Office of Admissions and Academic Services.
      • The Graduate School's Office of Admissions and Academic Services reviews your application and materials to ensure that the Graduate School minimum requirements are met. (Includes financial support requirements for International Students)
      • The Graduate School makes the final admission decision.
      • Your residency (Wisconsin resident or non-resident) is determined by the Office of the Registrar's Tuition Residency Counselors.
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   2. Checking Your Application Status

      How do I check the status of my online application?
      Use the email link you received after you submitted your online application or
      Log onto your online application and scroll to the bottom of the page to find your personal web link.

      Why does the online status check show that my test scores were not received?
      It may take up to four weeks for scores to be sent to UW-Madison.
      If any information on the test is different from the information you provided on your application (family name, surname, birth date or gender), the test scores may not match to your application.

      My status check indicates that I must provide notarized documents. What does 'notarized' mean?
      To notarize your signature, an official witness can be a bank official, government official, accountant, lawyer, commissioner of oaths or anyone that is in the official capacity to authenticate signatures.
      The official notary seal or stamp must denote 'notary' or a legal equivalent.
      A signature stamp or chop mark will not be accepted.

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   3. Requesting Application Changes

      How do I add, change a program or make a correction after submitting my application?
      Email the UW-Madison Graduate Admissions office with your request: gradadmiss@bascom.wisc.edu

      How do I update/correct my mailing or email address?
      Email the UW-Madison Graduate Admissions office with your request: gradadmiss@bascom.wisc.edu

      Can I change the term that I had applied for?
      Email the UW-Madison Graduate Admissions office with your request: gradadmiss@bascom.wisc.edu

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   4. Transcripts/Academic Records

      I am an International applicant. I have only one transcript/academic record. Do you accept photocopies?
      The Graduate School can begin processing on photocopies if they are legible with appropriate stamp(s)/signature(s) of a school official.

      Where do I send my transcripts/academic records?
      All transcripts/academic records should be sent to the program to which you are applying.
      
      How do I order UW-Madison transcripts?
      Transcripts can be ordered electronically through the registrar's website.

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3. After You Are Admitted

   1. Accepting/Declining Admission

      How do I accept/decline the admission to my program?
      Contact your academic program.

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   2. Enrollment Issues

      When do I enroll for classes?
      Newly admitted graduate applicants will receive an 'invitation to enroll' email from the Registrar's office approximately six weeks prior to the start of classes. If you are new to UW-Madison, you will not be able to access the My UW Portal or activate your NetID until you have received this enrollment invitation.

      When do classes begin?
      Check the Academic Calendar.

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   3. ESLAT Requirements

      Why have I been required to take the ESLAT?
      An admitted applicant with test scores less than those listed below must take an English assessment test on arrival at UW-Madison.
      TOEFL: 580 for paper test, 237 for computer, and 92 for internet(IBT)
      MELAB: 82
      IELTS: 7
      Depending on your score you may need to register for a recommended English as a Second Language (ESL) course(s) in the first semester you are enrolled.
      Note: Academic Programs may ask any admitted graduate applicant to take the English placement test and ESL course after he/she arrives if English proficiency is in doubt.

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   4. Missing Academic Records

      I don't have a transcript with a degree posted. When do I submit my final transcript?
      The Graduate School requires that an official final transcript which includes the bachelor degree (or equivalent) and date conferred be sent by the end of the third week of classes.

      I am an international student. I am required to submit my official academic documents to the UW Graduate School. When do I do this?
      When you arrive on the UW-Madison campus, go to the International Credential Evaluators office, Room 231 Bascom Hall. Please bring the required documents with you. We will make copies here and return the originals to you.

      I am an international student. When I check my status, a 'hold' has been placed on my enrollment. What does this mean?
      When you were admitted to the UW Madison Graduate School, some academic documents were missing.
      The 'hold' that was placed is a future hold on your enrollment and will not affect the term you were admitted. To remove this hold, you must present the documents that were requested in your online status check.

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   5. Residency Requirement

      I've been admitted. Why has my 'Residency Decision' not been determined?
      After you have been admitted, the Office of the Registrar's Tuition Residency Counselors determine if you are a Wisconsin Resident for tuition purposes. This does not affect your admission.

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