Admissions FAQs

Eligibility varies depending on where you are now in your journey to the Wisconsin BBA. Please review the eligibility requirements that apply to you:

• High school student
• Current University of Wisconsin–Madison student
• Transfer student currently enrolled in another college or university

If you are uncertain about your eligibility after reviewing this information, or if your circumstances are unusual, please contact the BBA Program Office for assistance.

Yes. High school students who are intent on pursuing a career in business are encouraged to apply to the Wisconsin BBA Program through our direct admit process, by applying to UW–Madison and indicating business as a primary or secondary interest.

Yes. A number of current UW–Madison students enter the Wisconsin School of Business through what is called the pre-business admissions process. These students typically apply in the spring of their first year; those who are admitted begin in the fall semester of their second year.

Yes. Some students prefer to apply to the Wisconsin BBA Program in the spring semester of their first year at UW–Madison, which allows them to explore many fields of study before committing to a business degree. You can take the time to determine whether an undergraduate business degree is the best fit for your interests and goals. Should you decide to apply to the Wisconsin BBA Program, the liberal arts foundation you acquire will be a good foundation for a business career.

During your first year at UW–Madison, you can attend a number of admissions events hosted by the Wisconsin School of Business that will enable you to learn more about the Wisconsin School of Business and connect with current students and staff.

Your residency information is available to the admissions committee, but it does not play a role in making final admissions decisions. We review each candidate holistically and as an individual with the potential to benefit from—and contribute to—the community of Business Badgers.

The Wisconsin BBA Program welcomes applications from nontraditional students, including those who are returning to school after time away from the classroom. Please contact the BBA Admissions Team to discuss your circumstances and determine the best admissions pathway for you. If you would like assistance with the transition back to school, you can attend workshops offered by Adult Career and Special Student Services at UW–Madison.

There are different admissions pathways to the Wisconsin BBA Program depending upon your current goals and where you are now. You can start by exploring the various pathways to becoming a Business Badger.

You may also go directly to the information that will be most applicable to you:

• High school student
• Current UW–Madison student
• Transfer student currently enrolled in another college or university

The admissions committee considers each applicant’s qualifications holistically, evaluating academic and non-academic strengths, talents, and gifts. For specific information about the application materials we require, please refer to the admissions pathway that applies to you:

• High school student
• Current UW–Madison student
• Transfer student currently enrolled in another college or university

No. All Wisconsin BBA students have a similar undergraduate experience, regardless of whether they are admitted through the direct admit process or the pre-business process.

The admissions committee will not consider supplemental materials such as letters of recommendation. If there is something you would like us to know about you, please tell us in your responses to the essay questions on the application for admission.

No. The application is considered complete once it has been submitted online. Please review all your responses carefully before you submit the application.

The Wisconsin BBA Program is competitive, which ensures that you will be joining a student body that is focused and engaged. Recruiting employers return to the Wisconsin School of Business year after year to fill internships and full-time position because they know they will find talented, motivated, and well-prepared students here.

Although admission is competitive, we do everything we can to help you prepare for the admissions process. At the Wisconsin School of Business, our focus is on helping you succeed and make the best choices for your future.

High school applicants to UW who indicate business as a primary or secondary interest on their application will be notified the same day about the status of their admissions to both UW–Madison and the BBA Program.

If you are accepted by UW–Madison, but are not admitted as a direct admit BBA student, you can still apply through the pre-business process  in the spring semester of your first year. You have a maximum of two attempts at admission.

The Wisconsin School of Business offers 10 undergraduate majors. Unlike many other undergraduate business programs, the Wisconsin BBA gives you the flexibility to select your major after you are admitted.

Yes. If you are an admitted business student and wish to double major outside of the BBA program, your second major must be within the College of Letters & Sciences at UW–Madison. You can also double major by studying any two of the 10 majors within the Wisconsin BBA Program.

For information on admission to UW–Madison, either as a first-year student or as a transfer student, visit the website for the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. 

The Wisconsin BBA admissions office does not have any part in admissions decisions made by the UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruiting on behalf of the greater campus. If you are seeking admission to the BBA Program through the direct admit process, the UW Office of Admissions and the BBA Program administration will collaborate in the criteria reviewed for BBA direct admit applicants.

The Wisconsin BBA Program welcomes applications from interested students who would be transferring from another college or university. Your admissions pathway will be based on where you are currently enrolled. You can review all the details here.

There are many options for making a visit, including general tours of the greater UW–Madison campus (which can include a tour of Grainger Hall, home of the Wisconsin School of Business) and admissions events hosted by the Wisconsin BBA Program. You and your family can also schedule a personalized visit with a BBA Ambassador. You can view a complete list of on-campus tours and events here.

The Wisconsin BBA Program hosts Together Forward events in a number of cities nationwide. At these events, you and your family members will have an opportunity to connect with Wisconsin BBA alumni and admissions staff. Please check the schedule for a Together Forward event in a location that is convenient for you, or contact the BBA Admissions Team.

Tuition, fees, and estimated costs for undergraduate students are available from the Office of the Registrar at UW–Madison. Although expenses will vary from student to student, the university bases its financial aid awards on these estimated costs of attendance.

Admitted undergraduate business degree students pay an additional tuition differential of $500.40 per semester to the Wisconsin School of Business. Minnesota residents pay a tuition differential of $1,000.08 per semester.

Many students whose personal and family resources are not adequate to cover the costs of attending UW–Madison find assistance in the form of scholarships and need-based aid. The Wisconsin School of Business provides nearly $1 million in scholarship support to admitted BBA students each year.

The Office of Student Financial Aid at UW–Madison is a central resource for information and assistance with financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

A variety of scholarships are available through the Wisconsin School of Business and UW–Madison. Complete information is available at Scholarships@UW–Madison, where you will also find referrals to national databases of scholarships.

In order to receive a Wisconsin BBA scholarship, a student must be an enrolled, admitted business student. Students who do not fall under this category may qualify for campus-wide scholarships. More information can be found at Scholarships@UW–Madison.

BBA students are now highly encouraged to bring a Windows-enabled laptop to be successful in the program. For specific laptop specs and software recommendations for the Wisconsin School of Business, please visit the Wisconsin School of Business Tech Store page. Students with a demonstrated financial need may apply for a BBA Your Own Device Award (YODA) to help offset the cost of owning and using a laptop. Visit the Wisconsin BBA Initiative page for more details.

The Wisconsin School of Business has a Business Emerging Leaders (BEL) Program for promising students who come from diverse background and have strong academic records and demonstrated leadership skills. During three summers, starting in the summer after tenth grade, BEL Program participants join a diverse community on the UW–Madison campus for self-exploration, team building, academic growth, and career development. Participants also learn about the opportunities for undergraduates at the Wisconsin School of Business. For more information on the BEL Program, click here.