New Freshmen

Graduates of high schools in the United States and those who will be graduating may apply to any of the UW-Platteville campuses as a new freshman. International students who wish to enter as freshmen should refer to the international student admission section of this chapter. 

New Freshmen Application Procedures

Traditional Application Procedure

To be considered for admission for any of the UW-Platteville campuses, all individuals must submit the following items to the UW-Platteville Office of Admission.

  1. University of Wisconsin (UW) System application (https://apply.wisconsin.edu/)
  2. Transcript(s) from the high school of graduation as well as any college-level or post-secondary coursework (official transcripts are required before registration and must come directly from the high school or institution attended to the UW-Platteville Office of Admission)*
  3. Official ACT or SAT score reports if applicable* 
  4. Note: Students qualifying for "The Wisconsin Guarantee" and not participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin must submit an application as outlined above. 

Direct Admit Wisconsin

Students that have opted in to participate in Direct Admit Wisconsin through their high schools will need to follow the specific procedures outlined for that program.  For more details, visit https://www.wisconsin.edu/direct-admissions/, contact the Office of Admission, or connect with a high school counselor at a participating high school.  

*

NOTE: Temporary Suspension of ACT/SAT Requirements

As of May 7, 2020 new freshmen applicants are not required to submit a test score for their admission review. 

  • The temporary suspension is in place for applicants seeking admission through the 2026-2027 academic year. The last term that students would be able to opt out of submitting an ACT/SAT score would be Summer 2027 unless the Board takes additional action regarding test score requirements before that time.
  • For students that choose to forgo the use of a test score as a part of their admission review, additional focus will be placed on the high school grade point average and course rigor throughout the high school record.
  • For students choosing to include test scores in the admission process, high school students are advised to take the ACT or SAT in the spring of their junior year and have the official results sent to the Office of Admission. Unofficial ACT/SAT scores and high school transcripts are accepted for admission consideration. 
  • ACT/SAT scores are not required for consideration for automatic merit scholarships provided by the university. Most other new freshman scholarships do not require an ACT or SAT score. If you would like your ACT or SAT scores considered in the scholarship process, you must submit official test scores directly from the testing agency to the Office of Admission.

New Freshmen Admission Guidelines

All applicants receive a comprehensive review1 and consideration is given to all academic and non-academic factors. Students meeting the following requirements will be considered for admission:

  • Graduation from a recognized high school or the equivalent

Home-schooled applicants: transcripts should include completed and in progress courses, grades for each course and a brief summary of what is covered in each course.  Transcripts should be signed by the individual providing the education verifying the curriculum.

GED/HSED applicants:  Applicants who have not graduated from a recognized high school must provide evidence of satisfactory completion of the requirements for a High School Equivalency Certificate or a Diploma (HSED) from a recognized high school, school system or state department of public instruction based on a Graduation Equivalency Diploma (GED) examination and other established criteria.  Applicants must also submit official copies of any partial high school transcripts if they exist.  

  • Competency-Based Admission  

In recognition of curricular initiatives occurring in many high schools that depart from a traditional Carnegie unit structure, the UW System Board of Regents has approved an alternative method by which an applicant may demonstrate that he or she has satisfied the academic unit requirement.  This is referred to as Competency-Based Admission.  High school officials may elect to prepare a UW System Competency-Based Admission profile in addition to, or in lieu of, the traditional high-school transcript for those students whose high school curriculum is not well described by the traditional Carnegie unit structure.  The combination of the student’s credentials must indicate evidence of preparation in English, social sciences, mathematics, and natural science at a level comparable to that assumed by the traditional academic unit requirements.  The admission requirements for students who apply using Competency-Based Admission will be equivalent to the admission requirements for students who apply under the Carnegie unit system.

UW-Platteville Bachelor's Degree Admission Guidelines

        (Offered at Platteville, Baraboo Sauk County and Distance Campuses)

  • Successful completion of a minimum of 17 college preparatory units to include:

4 units English

3 units mathematics (algebra, geometry, and higher)

3 units social science

3 units natural science (two must include lab experiences)

4 units to include courses from the above academic areas, world languages, fine arts, computer science or courses in vocational areas

  • GPA and course rigor will also be heavily considered in the comprehensive review.  Consideration will also be given to factors such as stronger academic performance later in high school, demonstrated leadership skills in school or community, and personal statements and recommendations.  For information regarding the academic profile of freshman students admitted to the University of Wisconsin Platteville campus, please visit Freshman | UW-Platteville. 

Letters from high school faculty in areas of English, mathematics and laboratory science courses may be required and must address the student’s success potential in college coursework.  We will also accept the UW System Recommendation for Undergraduate Admission Form.

UW-Platteville Associate Degree Admission Guidelines

(Offered at Baraboo Sauk County and Distance Campuses)

  • Successful completion of a minimum of 17 college preparatory units to include:

4 units English

3 units mathematics (one unit of algebra, one unit of geometry and one additional unit of choice)

3 units social science

3 units natural science

4 units to include courses from the above academic areas, world languages, fine arts, computer science or courses in vocational areas

  • Consideration will also be given to factors such as stronger academic performance later in high school, demonstrated leadership skills in school or community, and personal statements and recommendations.

Letters from high school faculty in areas of English, mathematics and laboratory science courses may be required and must address the student’s success potential in college coursework.  We will also accept the UW System Recommendation for Undergraduate Admission Form.

1

UW-Platteville will also consider the following factors in a comprehensive review:

  • Students who have demonstrated a stronger academic performance later in their high school career
  • Students who are socially and economically disadvantaged
  • Students who have demonstrated academic promise
  • Nontraditional students (25 and older)
  • Students who have demonstrated significant leadership in school or in the community

Students denied or not meeting the admission guidelines may contact the Director of Admission for an independent review of all credentials. Each applicant's file has undergone a comprehensive review process, therefore an appeal must bring forth new and compelling academic information that shows the student to be a stronger candidate than demonstrated in the initial application for admission. Upon receipt and review, the director may make a final decision immediately or may request a personal interview before making a final decision.