About

See what students say:

Academics

The University of Wisconsin—Madison is a large research campus sitting on an isthmus between two lakes that lets almost 30,000 undergraduates avail themselves of 4,700 courses, 232 majors, and “an abundance of research opportunities in all fields.” Resources abound here: students have “access to state-of-the-art technology” and “lots of programs and opportunities to go abroad.” First-years “can easily work in a lab, and … there is potential for publication” if they spend enough time there. The school “provides amazing opportunities to its students and is extremely accommodating.” As one student describes, “Academic tutoring happens around campus for almost every single class and mental health resources are available 24/7.”

Professors “know that the university culture involves lots of interaction and mentoring of students” and therefore “are truly about teaching and learning.” “Tests are generally fair and … outlined well,” says a student. Another notes that some courses are styled as “active learning classes,” in which “students watch short lecture videos” and work out homework with the assistance of the professor and TAs during class time. There are “multiple avenues to gain research experience on campus” thanks to the “insane number of labs.” Since “there is very little downtime here,” the academic curriculum “does not occupy your time with busy work.” Though students admit that there are a few faculty members with areas for improvement, they say “Wisconsin does a pretty good job of keeping professors who don’t like to teach” out of the classroom, which is done by including teaching expectations in all faculty contracts.

Student Body

Most students here “are from around the Midwest, especially Wisconsin,” and “midwestern kindness prevails” among this “fun and intellectually diverse student body,” which is “not too big or too small.” Students are “extremely active in extracurriculars,” and they take full advantage of the more than nine hundred student organizations on offer. “Everyone gets so excited about sports,” particularly during football and basketball season (“athletic games are sacred places for [the] Badger teams”). “Everyone is genuinely thrilled to be at this school, whether it be on a football Saturday or just another day of class,” says a student. Most here “care about preparing for their future, but don’t get too competitive about grades,” and “it’s easy to pick up new study partners in any class by introducing yourself on the first day.”

Campus Life

Even during cold weather “people spend a lot of time outside” and students can often be found “by the beautiful lakes [and hanging] out in the city, student unions, or parks.” The “bus system is excellent” and “makes getting around campus very easy,” which is useful as the campus sits at 936 acres. It “is part of a city environment,” so students can go “to State Street to grab food or coffee,” and “there are several concert venues around that attract pretty intriguing acts.” Additionally, the school itself hosts “lots of free activities like concerts and art events and food events and speakers” that are “always well-attended.” Several of the dorms “are topnotch” and the “dorm food is usually very good.”

“It’s never hard to find a party” here, but even though “students may go out and be social at night, the library is full by 9 a.m. the next morning.” “The average student … parties a lot, and studies even more,” says one. But regardless of what you like to do, students are confident that even “if you do not drink, you will find other people” to hang out with.

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Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Nancy Hoffman
Director

Address
Campus and Visitor Relations Admin
Union South, Suite 329, 1308 W. Dayton S
Madison, WI 53715

Phone
608-263-2400

Email
askbucky@uwmad.wisc.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Allen Centennial Gardens
Kohl Center
Memorial Union Terrace
Chazen Museum of Art
Babcock Hall Dairy Plant and Store
http://info.wisc.edu/destinations/

Most Popular Places Off Campus
State Capitol
Monona Terrace
Henry Vilas Zoo
State Street
Arboretum
http://www.visitmadison.com

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
All
7:30 a.m.?10 p.m. daily
608-263-2400

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
https://www.admissions.wisc.edu/visitbucky/index.php

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Limitations
Commercial lodging on and near campus available only

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
The Dane County Regional Airport (MSN, http://www.msnairport.com/) is approximately 6 miles from campus. Taxis and limousines are available for the ride from airport to campus. Campus buses and the Madison Metro buses provide service throughout the campus and the city. The campus is also served by Greyhound, Van Galder, and Badger bus lines.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From U.S. Rte. 151 and I-90, exit to U.S. Rte. 12/18 West. Take to Park St. (Hwy 14 North, exit 261B), which will take you to campus.

Admissions

Applicants: 42,741
Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average HS GPA: 3.86






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