<p>that is, the earlier the better?</p>
<p>Read here about UW-Madison’s domestic freshman admissions process for the fall term:</p>
<p>[Freshman</a> Applicants: Deadlines - Office of Admissions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison](<a href=“http://www.admissions.wisc.edu/freshman/deadlines.php]Freshman”>http://www.admissions.wisc.edu/freshman/deadlines.php)</p>
<p>There are two notification periods (it is considered rolling admissions) - everyone who applies by February 1st will receive full and equal consideration.</p>
<p>Definitely rolling admissions- can get an answer anytime once they have made their decision. Waiting to apply may mean being one of thousands with similar credentials and they may not be as quick to admit you. The two notification periods were set up in recent years so students who applied earlier would be assured of a decision without possibly needing to wait for the end of the decision process in March. There will always be some quick admits and denials, the rest become relative to those others in the applicant pool. They will save room for those top students who make the deadline but only apply after they know their chances at other schools. If you apply early you may have your acceptance before other schools’ admission deadlines and can forgo applications to schools further down on your list. If you are in a holding pattern you can likewise make plans for other schools.</p>
<p>Question for past UW-Applicants: How soon do the earliest applicants receive admission decisions? Early October?</p>
<p>I recently spoke to the Freshman Admissions Operations Manager - she said that she would not begin reviewing applications until early October since there was a ‘build’ she had to first complete in the software.</p>