College Application Process
UW System Schools
Private Schools
Madison College
Applying
● Apply to colleges early in your senior year
(September, October, November for priority
admission; this will also make the financial
aid application process smoother in winter.
● On average, students apply to 3 schools
(usually one “stretch,” one “sure thing,”
and one in the middle.)
UW System Schools/ Private Colleges
Go to the school’s website to find out:
-Criteria for admission
-Priority deadlines
-Other info
Ex. UW Madison –
www.admissions.wisc.edu/freshman/require
ments.php
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UW System Schools
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Go to the specific school’s website to locate its
application. You can apply to all UW schools at
apply.wisconsin.edu.
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Need to fill out a separate application for each UW
school you apply to (a drop-down menu is available
so you only need to complete most information
once).
Preparing to fill out the application
● Prepare the following:
-List of extracurricular, community and/or volunteer activities
-Honors/Awards Earned
-Involvement in school organizations, religious and service
organizations, family obligations
-Employment
*Be Specific with position held, hours spent, length of time
involved
UW System Schools Essay
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UW System Schools’ Essay Prompts:
-Briefly explain in 50-100 words which activity
you were involved in was the most important to
you.
-Tell us about the particular life experiences,
perspectives, talents, commitments and/or
interests you will bring to our campus. How
will you enrich our community?
Private School Essay
● Private Schools applications vary. Let’s look at
Marquette’s essay prompt (Choose one/300 words):
-Less than 1 % of the world’s population has a
college degree. What do you hope to
accomplish with your Marquette degree?
-What is the best advice you ever received?
Why is that important?
-Why Marquette?
Advice on Essays
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Be specific with answers.
Use examples.
Be brief (doesn’t need to be lengthy).
Focus on what is unique about you.
Describe how you will make an impact on the
school’s campus.
Talk about your character, defining life moments,
hardships you’ve overcome and cultural awareness
you have.
Have someone proofread your essay/statement.
Things to do after applying
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Go to www.parchment.com to request that
your transcript be sent electronically to the
schools you’ve applied for.
Give your school counselor copies of letters
of recommendation to send to the schools (if
needed). (Teachers can email them to us.)
Have ACT and/or SAT scores sent to the
schools (check to see if “official” scores are
needed).
Madison College (MATC)
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Go to their website –
www.matcmadison.edu
click on “apply/register”
Follow steps 1-3 to apply online.
Go to www.parchment.com to arrange for
your transcript to be sent.
Important things to consider for
Madison College
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Is there a priority application deadline for the
program I am applying for?
Are there certain requirements to fulfill to get
accepted into the program I want?
Do I need to take the Compass Test by a
certain date?
Does my program require the TEAS or ACT
test (some health care programs do)?
Crucial Application Date!
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Many technical-degree programs at Madison
College have waitlists. To ensure an early
placement on a waitlist, students should
apply by Wednesday, October 15.
Some high-demand programs (like Nursing)
close their application window on that date.
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Madison College does not require the ACT or
SAT for admission. They require that
students take the Compass test for
placement. In most cases, the Compass test
can be taken after the application has been
submitted.
Some of MATC’s health care programs
require TEAS or ACT scores for admission.
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Information about the Compass test and
TEAS test is available on their website. Use
the A-Z index and click on “C”, or “T”, then
scroll down to “Compass Testing” or “TEAS
Testing.”
Questions
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See your school counselor.
Go to the school’s website.
Call the school.