Or different colleges?
Yes
Generally, incoming freshmen students are accepted as a whole to UW-Madison and into the school or college of their choosing.
For some majors, students will need to prove themselves with excellent academics and show interest through involvement in activities and then apply later (during freshman or sophomore year) to the School of Business, School of Nursing, and to specific engineering majors, for example.
There are some exceptions for specific programs (direct-admit nursing, direct-admit business, direct-admit engineering) for highly qualified applicants.
What major is your child interested in?
As above. This means a student can change their mind or be undecided and it will have no effect on their UW admission. There are now a few direct admissions to Business and Engineering but the vast majority will gain admission to various schools and majors based on their UW record. Stating a major on the application form is helpful for assigning advisors for summer orientation. It has no effect on being accepted.
My son got accepted to UWisc according to the portal, no mentioning of Engr college. But the letter we received states the acceptance to College of Engineering. So does he have to apply for his major later on?
Your son and you can explore the UW-Madison College of Engineering website for answers.
For example - here is information for civil and environmental engineering admission:
http://www.engr.wisc.edu/cee/cee-undergraduate-admission-requirements.html
@madison85 I was not able to find the comparable admission requirements for Chemical Engineering. Can you direct me to that page?
Thank you!
@Madison85 “Does this help?”
I am still stuck.
The link and it says, “Prior to admission to a degree-granting program, students must complete several General College Requirements … in 5 categories (Communications, Physics, Chemistry, Introduction to Engineering, and Mathematics).” It then details the GCRs. However, it just stops there. It does not say that completing those credits gets you in. It also does not tell you what grades are required or what the next step is to being admitted.
I am sure that this is very clear to anyone familiar with Wisconsin, but as a newcomer, I still do not understand what is required to be admitted to CBE.
What grades are required in the GCRs?
What are the next steps after completing these GCRs?
Ask the department- find the email address on the UW site.
@wis75 @madison85
Thank you for you guidance. I sent an email to Dr A Greenberg in advising to try to learn the requirements and process. I will report back when I get a response.
I am trying to understand it because I don’t want her to spend a year there and then not be able to get into the major she is interested in.
My son has some friends in Engineering – Chem E is one of the most competitive Engineering departments to be admitted to at UW. As I understand the process, at UW, most Business and Journalism students apply for admission to those programs in the spring of freshman year. Engineering students apply to their specific departments as early as that spring and during sophomore year, as soon as they have completed the prerequisites. A strong gpa is essential.
@Midwestmomofboys That was my understanding too.
Do you know whether there are clear criteria? Such as, “You need a 3.5 gpa on the GCRs to get in.” I would hate to have her spend a year there and not be able to major in her interest area. If she knows the requirements from the start, then it is up to her.
@herewelearn it sounds like you will have to apply to the specific major still.
I am trying to understand the requirements for that.
My impression is that he needs to apply for his major also. The good thing is that he has a few interests. He can also pursue natural science at a different college.
One needs to declare a major to graduate, not always to take upper level courses in the major. This means a student has to “do the paperwork” to graduate but can often take all of the needed courses if allowed in them by the professor. My son also was able to take some courses without the prerequisites listed on the computer, with departmental approval I guess. Despite computers the place is run by people and professors (they are advisors) often know the tricks to make things work. Despite its large size individuals matter at UW- but students need to take the initiative by asking/meeting with their advisor.
Some majors are competitive due to space limitations- UW wants students to be able to take their required courses in a timely fashion. Needing a certain gpa for a major (see individual majors for requirements) ensures the student will meet reqs to get that degree. Would be engineers need to be able to handle the math and science in their field- hence gpa standards. Some have more demand than supply, therefore are competitive and harder to get into. Top students will have no problems. If your child believe s/he can do well there is no worry. Marginal students need to rethink their plans or go elsewhere.
The ability to change majors/schools/colleges at UW is wonderful. Often students refine their goals once they have college experiences. Discovering new interests, changes in interests, finding out how well they do in classes all contribute to changes.
http://www.engr.wisc.edu/current/coe-enrollment-regulations.html
Link to additional engineering info.