Some students who enter the Wisconsin BBA Program are already enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison when they apply to the program. Using the pre-business admission process, these students apply to the Wisconsin School of Business in the spring semester of their first year and are admitted to the Wisconsin BBA Program in the fall semester of their second year. The pre-business admissions process is selective and based on a holistic review of the application submission.

If you are a first-year student at UW–Madison and you would like to apply for the Wisconsin BBA Program, we encourage you to become familiar with the pre-business admission process as soon as possible. This can help ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the Wisconsin BBA by the end of your spring semester.

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Your Journey to Admission as a Current UW–Madison Student

The pre-business admissions process is selective. Review the following steps to best prepare to apply to the Wisconsin School of Business as a pre-business applicant.

  1. Find out how to qualify. You must meet specific course and credit requirements by the end of the spring semester in which you apply to the Wisconsin School of Business.
  2. Check the key admission dates that apply to pre-business admission.
  3. Review the application requirements in advance, so that you will be prepared to apply when the time comes.
  4. Learn more by attending one or more admission events. Pre-business events will familiarize you with the admissions process and prepare you to be a competitive applicant. We also offer fall events that will help you discover what the Wisconsin BBA Program has to offer and introduce you to the community of Business Badgers.
  5. At our admissions events, you can connect with the pre-business advising team, including staff members and peer advisors. If you still have questions, you can meet with an advisor by making an appointment or visiting us during drop-in advising hours.
  6. You should apply to the Wisconsin BBA Program in the spring semester of your first year at UW–Madison. Please be sure to complete the online application for admission before the application deadline.

Questions along the way? We’re here to help. Reach out to a pre-business advisor or contact the BBA Program Office.

Getting Ready to Start Your First Year at UW–Madison?

If you are planning to enter UW–Madison as a new, first-year student, we encourage you to choose the Wisconsin School of Business for Your advising breakout sessions when you register for Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR). At Business SOAR, you will learn the requirements for admission to the Wisconsin BBA Program, discover what classes you need to take in your first year, and meet other incoming students who share your interests. You can also connect with staff and peer advisors in the BBA program.