New freshmen

• Admission guidelines
• At UW-La Crosse, admission is competitive. Applications for fall semester are accepted starting Sept.15. Applications for spring semester are accepted starting Sept. 1. Apply early due to enrollment limits.
• Steps to apply
• Learn the step-by-step process for applying to UW-La Crosse.
• Costs and financial aid
• Discover options that make attending UW-L affordable.
• Credit by exam
• Students can earn academic credit via the Advanced Placement Program (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB) exams and department credit by exam.
• Four-year graduation agreement
• UW-L offers entering freshmen an agreement ensuring graduation within four years of a student’s initial enrollment.
• Study abroad
• Apply online
• Use the University of Wisconsin System electronic application to apply online.
• First Flight Program
               Adventure program to help first year UW-L students transition into college.
   

Fall 2008 admission guidelines

At UW-L, admission is competitive. For the fall 2007 semester, over 7,000 applications were received for a freshman class of 1,700.

Applications for fall 2008 are accepted beginning Sept. 15, 2007. All complete applications received by Feb. 1, 2008 will receive full consideration for admission. Applications received or completed after that date will be considered on a space-available basis.

Some applicants may be placed on a postpone list, in which an admission decision is made at a later date. Review of the postponed students begins in early December and continues thereafter, dependant upon the number of applications received and space available in the freshman class. These applicants are typically contacted after the application priority date of February 1 with an update on their status. They will be notified of a final admission decision no later than May 1, 2008.

Students completing rigorous courses, including senior year, will be stronger candidates for admission.

Minimum preparation
4 credits English
3 credits mathematics
3 credits natural science
3 credits social science/history
4 credits additional academic credits
Total = 17 credits

Average* preparation of an admitted applicant to UW-L is:
4 credits English
4 credits mathematics
4 credits natural science
4 credits social science/history
3 credits foreign language
2 credits additional academic credits
Total = 21 credits

* Applicants are recommended to select courses beyond the minimum. Students completing rigorous courses, including senior year, will be stronger candidates for admission.

The following is a general profile of our admitted freshmen for fall 2007. This is reported for the middle 50% range, so 25% of admitted freshmen fall above this range and 25% of admitted freshmen fall below this range.

Class rank:  78th to 93rd percentile

ACT composite:  23 - 27

While academic preparation is the primary criterion used in the admissions review process, other nonacademic secondary factors may contribute to the strength of an application. These may include qualities such as demonstrated leadership, extracurricular involvement, special talent, personal statement, recommendations and/or adding a diverse dimension to our campus community.

The following chart reflects the percentage of applicants admitted for fall 2007 based upon class rank percentile and ACT composite score:

Official ACT/SAT score reports sent directly from the testing agency are required for review of an application.

Steps to apply:

Students are encouraged to apply early because of enrollment limits. UW-L begins processing applications for the fall semester on Sept. 15 and accepts students until enrollment limits are met. All complete applications received by Feb. 1 will receive full consideration for admission. Applications for the spring semester are processed beginning Sept. 1.

1. Submit the UW System application for undergraduate admission, $35 nonrefundable application fee, official high school transcript and official ACT/SAT scores (sent directly from the testing agency) to the UW-La Crosse Admissions Office. Applications can be sent electronically by accessing the Web at apply.wisconsin.edu.  Materials may be mailed to UW-La Crosse Admissions, 115 Graff Main Hall, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI  54601.  Students can expect an admission decision within four weeks. Applicants who have been out of high school for at least four years may have the ACT/SAT requirement waived.
2. Upon admission, a $100 enrollment deposit will be requested to ensure your place in the freshman class. You are encouraged to submit your deposit as soon  as possible in order to reserve your spot and to receive on-campus housing materials.  The $100 enrollment deposit is refundable until May 1. 
3. Upon receipt of the $100 enrollment deposit, on-campus housing information will be sent. To reserve on-campus housing, a $75 housing deposit will be required. Campus housing is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The $75 housing deposit is also refundable until May 1. Roommate and hall assignments are made in July.
4. If applying for financial aid, file the FAFSA application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after your taxes are completed. The priority date is March 15 for consideration of all types of aid, however, applications are accepted throughout the academic year.
5. Freshmen scholarships are available through the UW-L Foundation and have a deadline of February 15, 2008. Log onto www.foundation.uwlax.edu to view available scholarships.
6. In February, you will receive information about required English and math placement tests, and an optional foreign/modern language test. These tests are offered at various sites in Wisconsin on a number of March and April dates.
7. In April, Minnesota residents must file for tuition reciprocity under the Minnesota/Wisconsin reciprocity agreement. Minnesota residents must apply online at www.getreadyforcollege.org/hesod/reciprocity/apply1.cfm.
8. In early May, all students who have submitted the $100 enrollment deposit will be sent information about Freshman Registration. Students who are admitted for spring and have submitted the $100 enrollment deposit will be sent information about Freshman Registration in November.
9. Fall semester new freshmen register for classes in June. Spring semester new freshmen register for classes in December.
10. After high school graduation, all students must have an official final high school transcript sent to the UW-L Admissions Office.  Students should make sure to have their highest official ACT or SAT score sent.  In addition, students should send official Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate scores.  If you have earned college credit during high school, you must request that an official transcript be sent from the institution that granted credit for transfer credit consideration. Materials may be mailed to UW-La Crosse Admissions, 115 Graff Main Hall, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI  54601. 
11. Fall semester new student orientation information is sent in early August. Classes begin the day after Labor Day. Residence halls open and orientation begins three to four days prior to the start of classes.