Wisconsin Pathways to Universities of Wisconsin Admission

No. These are two distinct programs that both offer pathways to first-year student/freshman admission at any UW university, but that operate differently and have unique eligibility criteria.

Ten of 13 Universities of Wisconsin are currently participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin. Direct Admit Wisconsin offers early and proactive admission to participating Universities of Wisconsin to high school juniors at participating Wisconsin high schools. The Universities of Wisconsin collaborate with participating high schools to review student academic records (high school courses and GPA) at the end of their junior year and make offers of admission to participating UW universities without the need to submit a traditional admission application.

The Wisconsin Guarantee offers guaranteed admission to all Universities of Wisconsin except UW-Madison to first- year applicants from Wisconsin high schools who are in the top 10% of their class at the end of 11th grade, or Wisconsin residents who are homeschooled and receive an ACT score in the national 90th percentile ranking or higher or are a National Merit Scholarship finalist. First-year applicants from Wisconsin high schools who are in the top 5% of their class at the end of 11th grade, or Wisconsin residents who are homeschooled and receive an ACT score in the national 98th percentile ranking or higher or are a National Merit Scholarship finalist will be guaranteed admission to the UW-Madison through The Wisconsin Guarantee.

Absolutely! Direct Admit Wisconsin removes the need to submit an admission application. There is no cost to participate, and you will get an early admission decision from any participating UW universities. Participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin does not preclude you from applying and gaining admission to any of the UW universities who are not participating (UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse & UW-Madison) in Direct Admit Wisconsin.

Offers of admission through Direct Admit Wisconsin will be sent out to participating high school students at the end of July prior to their senior year. Students not admitted through Direct Admit Wisconsin or who are interested in a non-participating UW university can still apply through the traditional application process for admission.

You must submit a Universities of Wisconsin Application for admission. The Universities of Wisconsin will begin reviewing applications and admitting students beginning August 1, 2024. Schedules for when admission decisions are released are determined individually by each UW university.

Students interested in the Universities of Wisconsin are encouraged to apply for admission through the traditional application process by submitting a Universities of Wisconsin Application, which opens August 1st.

Further, students who attend high schools participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin should agree to participate in the Direct Admit Wisconsin program. Direct Admit Wisconsin does not require a student to be ranked in the top 5-10% of their class to be considered for early admission to any participating UW universities.