If you are currently in high school and you are interested in studying business as a University of Wisconsin–Madison undergraduate, you will start by choosing from two pathways to the Wisconsin BBA Program.

Seeking Direct Admission to the Wisconsin School of Business

High school students who are committed to pursuing a business career are encouraged to apply early to the Wisconsin BBA Program using our direct admit process. In the selection process, we will consider your personal profile, including your academic performance, as reflected in your admissions application.

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The direct admit process does not place students in an honors program. All Wisconsin BBA students have a similar undergraduate experience, whether they are UW–Madison students admitted through the pre-business process, or are high school students admitted to the Wisconsin BBA program via the direct admit process.

If you apply through the direct admit program and are denied admission, but you are accepted by UW–Madison, you can still become a Business Badger in the future. You would enroll in UW–Madison to start, and then use the pre-business admission process to apply for the Wisconsin BBA Program in the spring semester of your first year. If you were denied direct admission to the Wisconsin School of Business as a high school student, it will not influence your chances of being accepted to the BBA program as a current UW–Madison student through the pre-business process.

Your Journey to Direct Admission

Here are the steps you should follow if you would like to apply for direct admission to the Wisconsin School of Business.

  1. Apply to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
  2. On your UW–Madison application, we recommend that you indicate business as your major to receive relevant info from the Wisconsin School of Business.
    NOTE: To change your primary interest or major with UW–Madison Admissions, please send an email to onwisconsin@admissions.wisc.edu.
  3. Next, complete the Wisconsin BBA Program application for direct admission.
    NOTE: It is important that you use the same email on the application for direct admission as you entered as part of your UW–Madison application.
  4. If you would like to review the qualities of an ideal candidate for direct admission to the Wisconsin BBA Program, these guidelines can help. You can also review the application requirements and key admissions dates in advance, so that you will be prepared to apply through the direct admit process.

Questions along the way? We’re here to help. Reach out to a Wisconsin BBA Student Ambassador or contact the BBA Program Office.

Applying As a UW-Madison Student

Some students enroll as first-year UW–Madison students, and apply to the Wisconsin School of Business in the spring of their first year. Students who follow this path use the pre-business admission process to apply to the Wisconsin BBA Program.

This path may be a good choice for students who wish to explore their options without committing to an undergraduate business degree.

If you choose this path, you will apply to UW-Madison when you are in high school, and then you’ll apply to the BBA Program in the spring semester of your first year (or as soon as you have met pre-business requirements).