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University of Wisconsin-Madison: Supplemental Essays 2023-24

September 6, 2023

The University of Wisconsin—Madison has joined the ranks of other premier flagship universities that high-achieving teens from all around the country/world now line up for a chance to attend. Like  UVA,   UNC—Chapel Hill , and the  University of Michigan , UW-Madison requires its in-state residents to sport excellent grades and test scores. Further, it has an even higher bar for out-of-state hopefuls. This makes the University of Wisconsin – Madison supplemental essay more important than ever before.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into UW-Madison? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Wisconsin-Madison: Admissions Data and Strategies   for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In evaluating applicants, the University of Wisconsin—Madison places a strong emphasis on the quality of one’s essays. Below are UW-Madison’s supplemental prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with our advice for creating a needle-moving admissions essay.

2023-2024 University of Wisconsin-Madison Supplemental Essay Question—Common App

The following prompt is the only supplemental essay that students will encounter when applying to UW-Madison via the Common App:

Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (650 words max)

Prospective Badgers face a two-parter here. You are tasked with presenting a compelling case as to:

1) Why you want to attend UW-Madison.

2) Why you have picked your particular academic discipline.

University of Wisconsin Madison Supplemental Essay (Continued)

As you move through the “Why Us?” and “Why this Major?” portions of this essay, consider taking some of the following steps to address why UW-Madison is the perfect fit for you  and  why you are the perfect fit for UW-Madison:

• How did your interest in your major of choice begin and how has it matured over the years?
• How do you pursue knowledge about your subject of interest? Talk about sources of learning (teachers, podcasts, books, news, etc.).
• While pursuing your majors(s)/interest(s) of choice, how will you take advantage of the university’s immense resources both inside and outside of the classroom? Be sure to cite specific academic programs , professors,  research opportunities , internship/externship programs ,  study abroad programs , etc. Discuss why they pique your interest.
• How will you be an active, contributing member of the Badger student body? What special talents and passions will you bring to the University of Wisconsin-Madison? Check out this list of nearly  1,000 student-run organizations  on campus.
• Lastly, show evidence of how your past/current endeavors (academic and extracurricular) will carry over onto UW-Madison’s campus.

Again, if you are applying through the Common App, this essay will be the only supplement you need to worry about. However, if you elect to apply via the UW System Application (as some in-state students applying to multiple UW campuses do), you need to address the next prompt as well.

2023-2024 University of Wisconsin-Madison Supplemental Essay Question— UW System Application

(Only for students applying through the UW System Application)

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done — academically or personally — and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education? (650 words)

This open-ended prompt is a platform from which you can share more about an academic or extracurricular achievement, chronicle a challenge/obstacle you overcame, or just share a meaningful event in your life.

No matter which route you choose, what truly matters here is that you use this essay as an opportunity to reveal something deep and important about yourself. Use the questions provided— Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?— to guide your content. It’s clear that UW-Madison is interested in both short- and long-term influence. Accordingly, before you start writing, do some brainstorming to make sure that the experience/event/achievement that you chose can satisfy all aspects of the prompt.

Remember, these essays will be your best chance to forge a human connection with an admissions officer since UW-Madison is too large a school to offer you an interview. In sum, be honest, vulnerable, sincere, and reflective in your essay and the result will be a compelling composition that will ultimately aid your admissions chances.

How important is the essay at the UW-Madison?

The essays are “very important” to the University of Wisconsin–Madison admissions committee. The only other factor rated this highly is the rigor of one’s secondary school record. GPA, recommendations, and state residency are rated as “important.” In other words, the University of Wisconsin is clearly very interested in the quality of your essay. Therefore, we can conclude that the admissions committee will weigh your essays heavily in their evaluation of your candidacy.

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Interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your University of Wisconsin—Madison supplement? We encourage you to get a quote  today.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the UW-Madison essay prompts? With tips from an Ivy League graduate, CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the UW-Madison essay prompts will show you exactly how to write engaging essays for your UW-Madison application and maximize your chances against the UW-Madison acceptance rate.

Want help crafting your UW-Madison essay prompts? Create your free  account  or  schedule a free consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

UW-Madison  Supplemental Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• The UW-Madison acceptance rate is 57%— U.S. News  ranks UW-Madison as a  competitive  school.
• We recommend answering all UW-Madison supplemental essays comprehensively and thoughtfully.

What is the acceptance rate for the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

According to U.S. News, the UW-Madison acceptance rate is 57%. Last year, over 53,000 students applied to the school, which was a  17% increase  over the previous year. While the UW-Madison acceptance rate increased temporarily to about 60%, the normal rate falls near 57%. Like most schools, UW-Madison was  test-optional  last year in response to COVID. This year, they’ve continued the test-optional policy. Admissions experts believe that changes in testing requirements have caused the spike in applications that most schools have experienced.

So, what does this mean for you? Well, it does indicate that the UW-Madison supplemental essays will be an important part of your application. Without mandatory test scores and given the rise in applications, admissions officers will pay more attention to other aspects of your application.

In other words, for your best chance against the UW-Madison acceptance rate, we recommend that you take time to make sure that your responses to the UW-Madison essay prompts reflect your strengths.

Additionally, remember that the UW-Madison acceptance rate is not the only factor to consider when building your school list. Make sure that you’re looking at schools holistically. For more information on how to evaluate the UW-Madison acceptance rate (and more details on the data behind acceptance rates), read  our article .

What is the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s ranking?

The UW-Madison ranking is #42 in  National Universities , according to U.S. News.

Other U.S. News UW-Madison rankings: the UW-Madison ranking in  Best Undergraduate Teaching  is #71; UW-Madison ranking in  Best Value Schools  is #81; and the UW-Madison ranking in  Top Public Schools  is #14.

In terms of specific programs, the UW-Madison ranking is #15 in  Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs , and the US Madison ranking is #19 in  Nursing .

Finally, the UW-Madison ranking is #64 in  First-Year Experiences .

These are just some of the UW-Madison rankings. However, a school’s rankings should not be the only thing you take into consideration when compiling your college list. You should also consider other factors—including the school’s location, programs available, and size—when you look at schools. The UW-Madison rankings are not the only important factor in deciding to apply.

Keep in mind that the best college for you may not be the one you expected! There are a lot of different resources available when it comes to researching colleges; be sure to consult a few to ensure you create a comprehensive list.

Need help creating a college list? Check out our resources on the college list process  here .

Does the University of Wisconsin-Madison require essays?

Yes. In addition to the  Common App   personal essay, there are specific UW-Madison essay prompts. The UW-Madison supplemental essays differ depending on how you submit your application. The Common Application and  UW System Application  are available for all applicants. You will be required to write a “Why UW-Madison” essay no matter how you submit your application.

Need tips on writing your Common App essay? Check out our  blog article .

How many essays does the University of Wisconsin-Madison require?

In addition to the Common Application Personal Statement, there is one required UW-Madison essay that all applicants must complete: the “Why UW-Madison” essay.

However, if you apply through the UW application portal rather than the Common App, you will have to submit a second UW-Madison essay. This second essay functions as a replacement for the Common App essay. If you apply via the UW application portal, give yourself ample to complete both UW-Madison essay prompts.

Does the University of Wisconsin-Madison care about essays?

Yes, all colleges care about your essays, UW-Madison included. The UW-Madison essay prompts are a great chance to show admissions officers something new about yourself. When responding to the UW-Madison essay prompts, you will want to demonstrate that you would be a great fit for their UW-Madison. This is especially true when writing the “Why UW-Madison” essay. This is referred to as demonstrated interest (DI). DI is a tool the admissions officers use to determine how interested a student is in attending their particular school. By writing specific “Why UW-Madison” essays, students can show their DI in attending UW-Madison and increase their admissions odds.

The high UW-Madison ranking indicates that students may apply just because of UW-Madison’s prestige. In response to this, admissions officers will be on the lookout for students whose interest in the school runs deeper than its reputation. For more information on DI and how to use it to your advantage, check out this article from  Forbes .

Finally, in light of the UW-Madison acceptance rate, well-crafted responses to the UW-Madison essay prompts will strengthen your application. Don’t underestimate the UW-Madison essays and their impact.

Does the University of Wisconsin-Madison have a “Why UW-Madison” essay?

Yes. This is the classic supplemental essay question, and the UW-Madison essay prompts are no exception—all colleges want to know what makes them special to you. The “Why UW-Madison” essay is your chance to showcase any research you have done about UW-Madison while you’ve been writing your UW-Madison supplemental essay or as you’ve been completing the rest of the application.

Given the UW-Madison acceptance rate, your research will be an important part of acing the why UW-Madison essay. Why? When it comes down to two candidates with similar GPAs and extracurriculars, a strong “Why UW-Madison” essay can be the determining factor in who is admitted.

UW-Madison Essay Prompts – Question 1 (required)

Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected “undecided” please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (650 words maximum).

How do I write a good essay for UW-Madison?

The rest of this guide will show you how to write engaging UW-Madison supplemental essays.

Let’s start with the first UW-Madison essay, which is required of all applicants. You have 650 words to respond to this why UW-Madison essay, which is the same length as the Common Application’s personal statement. You should be prepared to spend a fair bit of time both researching and writing this UW-Madison essay, considering its length.

For this UW-Madison essay, avoid over-generalizing with statements like “The campus is beautiful” or “I just feel like I belong there.” Instead, offer concrete examples of why you belong there. You should do research into specific aspects of the UW-Madison community that appeal to you.

This UW-Madison essay prompt has two parts. First, the prompt asks why you decided to apply to UW-Madison. Then, it asks why you are interested in your chosen academic field. You’ll want to ensure you respond to both parts of the question. If you are undecided in your major, you will still want to address your academic interests and explain how attending UW-Madison would help you to hone these interests and discover a major that excites you.

Do your research

Before answering the first part of this UW-Madison essay prompt, do some reading. For example, you can look into  extracurricular activities , research, or  travel opportunities  that only UW-Madison offers to its students. You might also review the  calendar  of student events. The  list of student organizations  on their website can be a great resource to find campus organizations you’d like to join.

If you want to get your finger on the pulse of student life, check out UW-Madison’s student publications. Additionally, leverage the alumni network to ask questions about previous students’ experiences. This can help you learn about student-specific traditions and events that you can’t read about on the website.

Start free-writing

If all of these options seem overwhelming, try starting with a structured free-write session. Take about 15-20 minutes and create two lists. Under one, list every reason why you want to attend UW-Madison. Under the second list, list every reason why you selected your major. If you’re unsure of your major, list every area of academic interest that you may want to pursue. Then, take an additional 15 minutes and draw connections between the two. Perhaps you listed that you want to participate in UW-Madison’s  DSE Mentorship Program  for undergraduate engineers. If you also engineering as a possible major, that’s a great connection to highlight in your essay.

The second part of this UW-Madison essay prompt is a great way to demonstrate your academic and intellectual goals. Take a look at their list of 9,192 courses and 288 undergraduate majors and certificates. Pick three courses that look interesting and explain why each of those courses appeals to you. How would you benefit from taking these courses? How do your previous academic experiences set you up for success?

Avoid statistics

You want to avoid listing out numbers and statistics that admissions officers already know. For instance, instead of spending words talking about how the average class size is 31, explain specifically which professors you would be excited to learn from in such a personal teaching environment. If you are interested in two contrasting majors, you should support both of them with anecdotes about your academic experiences.

This is the space to show off your expert investigation skills and name-drop courses, clubs, professors, and research opportunities only available at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Colleges can tell when you swap out their name for another University and submit the same “Why here?” answer. Your application will be stronger if your answer to this “why UW-Madison” essay could not be swapped with any other schools’ applications.

UW-Madison Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Do you prove that you’ve done research on the school?
• Do you explain what unique opportunities UW-Madison would provide you that you could not get anywhere else?
• Does your draft provide specific details about what you hope to do while on UW-Madison’s campus?

UW-Madison Essay Prompts – Question 2

If you apply using the Common Application, you will be asked to respond to one of the freshman Common Application essays. If you apply within the UW System Application, you will need to answer the following prompt:

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence your education? (650 words maximum).

Who completes this prompt?

Not everyone applying to UW-Madison will complete this UW-Madison essay. If you are applying to UW-Madison through the Common App, you will  not need  to respond to this UW-Madison essay prompt. If you are applying through the UW Systems Admissions Application then this UW-Madison essay will be the substitute for your Common App personal essay. This means you will want to spend a fair amount of time drafting your response to this UW-Madison essay prompt, since UW-Madison will not read your Common App personal essay if you apply through their college-specific portal.

There are several different parts to this UW-Madison essay prompt. At first glance, it may seem quite general. “Something you’ve done” is a pretty broad topic. However, the follow-up questions might qualify your chosen topic a bit more. You’ll need to describe how you learned from the situation. Was it something you succeeded in or was it a challenge you overcame? Did you find it to be a turning point that pushed you into a new phase of your life? You should be sure to address the final part of this UW-Madison essay prompt—about the event’s influence—and discuss how it will influence your education moving forward.

Avoid cliches

For this UW-Madison essay prompt, you could expand on something that is already present in your application. However, make sure that your topic is proportional to the length of this UW-Madison supplemental essay. For example, if you decide to write about an extracurricular, you will want to select something that you have a large role in. You should then discuss an anecdote that really challenged you, and as a result, prompted you to grow. Topics such as scoring an A on a big exam or winning an important sports game can be a little clichéd. Try to think of a unique situation that you overcame and the skills that you gained from that experience.

One of the most important parts of this UW-Madison essay is how your topic will impact your education. Make sure you discuss how you will contribute to academic life at UW-Madison. However, don’t repeat anything you already said in your “Why UW-Madison” essay. Overall, you want to make sure this UW-Madison supplemental essay shows who you are as a person and how you have grown. Given the relatively low UW-Madison acceptance rate, you should present detailed, well-written answers to the UW-Madison essay prompts.

UW-Madison Essay Prompts: Final Thoughts

Completing the UW-Madison essay prompts can seem daunting in light of the UW-Madison acceptance rate and high UW-Madison rankings. However, you shouldn’t let that discourage you from applying. The UW-Madison supplemental essays are a great opportunity to introduce yourself to UW-Madison admissions officers. With the lower UW-Madison acceptance rate, these UW-Madison essay prompts can boost your application if you have a lower-than-average GPA or  SAT score .

Use this guide as a step-by-step aid when approaching the UW-Madison supplemental essays, and start earlier than you think you should. Don’t be afraid to ask for revisions from someone; it’s helpful to have another set of eyes checking your UW-Madison supplemental essays for grammatical errors, tone, and clarity. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on UW-Madison was written by  Laura Frustaci , Harvard ‘21. For your best chance against the UW-Madison acceptance rate, and more CollegeAdvisor.com resources, click  here . Want help crafting your UW-Madison supplemental essays? Create your free  account  or  schedule a free consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

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How to Write the University of Wisconsin-Madison Application Essays 2017-2018

The University of Wisconsin–Madison (the official state university of Wisconsin) is a public university that was founded in 1848, directly following Wisconsin’s acquisition of statehood. Wisconsin is well known not only for its excellent academics, but also for its hugely successful NCAA athletic teams. The 936-acre campus is located right next to downtown Madison, which is consistently ranked as one of the best college towns in the country.

With nearly 5,000 unique courses and over 200 distinct majors, it’s no wonder that the University of Wisconsin–Madison attracted 32,887 applicants to the Class of 2016. The 52.6% acceptance rate necessitates strong supplemental essays, and we at CollegeVine are here to help you break them down step by step!

Students can apply online, using either the Common Application or the University of Wisconsin Application System. Both application options require two supplemental pieces of writing: a short prompt and a long prompt. Below, you’ll find the two prompts along with our take on the best way to tackle the essays, as well as some tips on what you should (and shouldn’t) include in your supplements.

Want to learn what University of Wisconsin Madison will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take?  Here’s what every student considering University of Wisconsin Madison needs to know.

University of Wisconsin Application Essay Prompts

Short essay prompt, briefly explain which activity you entered in the common app activities section is the most important to you. (50-100 words).

This prompt shouldn’t be too difficult — with a limit of 100 words, you’re going to be writing no more than a few sentences. While you should use this short essay as an opportunity to elaborate on the activity that portrays you in the best light, make sure that the selected activity is actually “important to you.” If the extracurricular that you select appears impressive (think three-time section leader in your all-state band, or coordinator of a peer tutoring program that works with nearly one hundred kids), but you’re not able to articulate why it’s relevant to your life and your journey through high school, the admissions committee won’t be impressed.

Don’t feel like the activity you write about needs to be one in which you held leadership; while leadership in the activity is of course looked highly upon, the genuine story you tell about its importance to you is key.

Take this scenario: You were elected student body president as a junior and presided over all student council meetings. While you enjoyed the position, you’re planning on majoring in biology and not government. Last summer, you were one of the few interns at a local research hospital, where you helped discover a previously unknown bacterium. Even though you’ll likely put “student body president” as the first item on your activity list, you may want to write the short essay about your experience at the hospital, which led you to decide on a biology major.

If you participated in any type of volunteer work, at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter, and feel that those experiences had a profound impact on you, you could write about the volunteer work. That being said, you don’t necessarily need to write about volunteer/community service activities! If you were the president of your high school’s school store, or the captain of your town’s travel soccer team, and that significantly defined your past few years, you can absolutely choose it as your activity. The key is just to make sure admissions officers get a more in-depth look at who you are through the lens of the activity.

Whichever activity you choose, be sure that your writing is clear, concise, and effective. There’s no need for complex metaphors, nor overly intense descriptions. As long as it’s evident to the reader that your activity had a meaningful impact on your development as an individual, you’ve done your job!

Long Essay Prompt

Tell us why you decided to apply to the university of wisconsin–madison. in addition, share with us the academic, extracurricular, or research opportunities you would take advantage of as a student. if applicable, provide details of any circumstance that could have had an impact on your academic performance and/or extracurricular involvement. (80-650 words).

In the long essay prompt, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is looking for a modified version of the “why us” supplement. Even if Wisconsin isn’t your top choice, for the purposes of this essay, you should put yourself in the shoes of a student that’s wanted to attend Wisconsin for the past few years. If you have family ties to the university, or live in Wisconsin and have grown up rooting for the Badgers in sporting events, don’t hesitate to mention it! The admissions committee wants to see commitment and genuine interest in the school—they should instantly feel your passion for Wisconsin as they read through your essay.

While the prompt appears to pose two questions: “Why Us?,” and “What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student?” you should be blending the two questions together throughout your supplement. Show your passion by mentioning specific courses, clubs, or programs that you are interested in. The university website will be your greatest resource for this — there’s a wealth of information available!

Explain how your experiences throughout high school qualify you for admission to the University of Wisconsin. Articulate how those experiences demonstrate, in the words of the admissions website, “leadership, concern for others and the community, and achievement in the arts, athletics, and other areas.”

Try to provide an example of each of those three areas (or, better yet, find an activity that combines multiple). Serving as the captain of a school athletic team demonstrates both leadership and athletic achievement while selling handmade crafts at charity auctions demonstrates concern for community and artistic achievement. Don’t try to make the entire essay just about these three facets of your personality, but do make sure that you adequately explain how your activities exemplify each character trait.

Also, don’t be afraid to talk about experiences unrelated to your major: If you’re applying to the School of Education, you can absolutely bring up an organization in the School of Business that focuses on entrepreneurship, like the WAVE or WEB program, or a research opportunity, like the Grainger Institute in the School of Engineering — the more well-rounded your interests are at Wisconsin, the more likely you are to be accepted.

The last, and optional, component of the prompt asks you to explain any “circumstance that could have had an impact on your academic performance and/or extracurricular involvement.” Be very careful with what you write here, and remember that it’s completely optional. If you choose not to include it, there’s really no harm done (and, if anything, it eliminates the possibility of writing something that could decrease your chances of admission). If there was a situation throughout high school that was thrust upon you (think family/personal medical emergency or moving schools), you can absolutely write about that, as it will help to establish sympathy with the reader.

If you’ve had any experiences that could reflect negatively on you, including them in the essay may not be wise. Writing about depression, drug/alcohol use, or criminal activity could raise red flags and prevent you from being accepted. If you feel strongly about including one of these topics (or something similar), definitely reach out to a guidance counselor, teacher, or trusted adult to ensure that you’re crafting your message in the best possible way.

We hope our analysis of the two supplemental essay prompts has helped you to fine-tune your plans for your Wisconsin-Madison application!

Best of luck with your application, and GO BADGERS!

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How to Write the University of Wisconsin-Madison Supplemental Essays

Tell us why you decided to apply to the university of wisconsin-madison. in addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. if you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (you may enter up to 650 words, but 300-500 is recommended)..

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s supplemental essay is a great opportunity to showcase your voice to the admissions committee and convey your academic passions and knowledge of the school. When writing your UW-Madison supplement, be sure to address both parts of the prompt: explain your interest in the majors you’ve selected and discuss what draws you to UW-Madison. UW-Madison generously provides a word count of up to 650, so you have ample space to elaborate on the past experiences and values that have led you to your area of study, and also write about the school-specific resources at UW-Madison that you would like to take advantage of during your undergraduate career.

Before you begin drafting your UW-Madison supplemental essay, you’ll want to do some “why school” research. UW-Madison offers 20+ schools with many niche majors and certificates ; therefore, you’ll want to spend some time on the website to identify the specific program that is the best fit for you. If UW-Madison offers programs that can’t be found at any other universities that align with your interests, you can cite these and make an even stronger case for why UW-Madison is the best school for you! Some particular academic strengths of UW-Madison include its programs in Education, Agriculture, Communication, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Economics. You can look through the web pages of specific departments and schools, and see if there are general resources that are well-suited to you. For instance, UW-Madison’s Integrated Liberal Studies programs, Living-Learning Communities, First Year Interest Groups, and Honors programs integrate communal life with academic pursuits in a way that may be appealing to you.

As with any “why school” essay, you’ll want to not only cite school-specific resources, but also share what you know about the school’s values and reflect upon how these values align with your own. UW-Madison often emphasizes the “Wisconsin Idea”, or the idea that a successful state university should inspire its students to seek truth and apply the resulting knowledge to benefit themselves and society. UW-Madison students are highly involved with their communities and the causes that matter to them. In your UW-Madison supplemental essay, you’ll want to explore how your academic and personal journey to date has reflected the principles of the Wisconsin Idea, and discuss which academic course of study, extracurriculars, and other opportunities at UW-Madison will put you in a position to serve others and bring positive change to society.

If you apply with the UW System Application, you will need to answer the following prompt:

This part is all about you. tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. was it a success or a challenge did it represent a turning point in your life how did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education.

If you apply to UW-Madison through the UW system rather than the Common Application, this is the equivalent of the Common Application’s personal statement. Unlike the Common App, you won’t get a choice of prompts to respond to–you must answer this question, and the “why school” supplement if you are applying to UW-Madison.

For this UW essay, carefully examine the wording of the prompt before you dive into writing. UW admissions readers are looking for you to discuss something you’ve actively done rather than something that’s happened to you, so to select a strong topic, you’ll want to reflect on any memorable accomplishments, initiatives you started, intellectual interests you’ve pursued, or risks you’ve taken in the past four years. These can be in the context of your academics, extracurriculars, or personal life. Then, it’d be best to gravitate towards a specific moment–rather than a story that covers a long span of time–and select one that was highly influential in determining your academic path, personal values, or worldview.

This is a multi-part prompt, so ensure that you are answering each question within the prompt. You should respond directly to all parts of the prompt, including “something you’ve done,” “what you’ve learned,” “how did this particular moment in your life influence you,” and “how will it continue to influence you [in college].” While you don’t need to answer the questions of “success or challenge” or “turning point” in language that’s as head-on (e.g. sentences like “My accomplishment was a success” or “This was a turning point for me”), it should be very clear and obvious to admissions readers whether you’re writing about a success or challenge, and how that event worked as a turning point in your life.

If you have already written a personal statement for the Common Application, you’re in luck if you’ve responded to prompt #2 (“The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”), prompt #5 (“Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”), or potentially even prompt #3 (“Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?”). There is significant overlap between these prompts and UW’s, so it’s likely that you can recycle your Common App essay with some light modifications. In particular, make sure that you add material that addresses the final part of the prompt, discussing how the moment you selected will influence your approach to your journey as an undergraduate. That being said, if you’ve already written an essay for the Common App, we definitely recommend applying to UW through the Common App! Best of luck with your UW-Madison essays!

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University of Wisconsin-Madison 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of Wisconsin-Madison 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: 1 essay of 650 words (or less)

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

Tell us why you would like to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (You may enter up to 650 words, but 300-500 is recommended).

This sneaky prompt is a twofer, though both parts cover classic why essay territory: admissions wants to know just what appeals to you about the University of Wisconsin-Madison. So, take a moment to look inside. What exactly do you want out of your college experience? Research opportunities? Weekend football games? To dip your toe into city life? Now, if you were to imagine a Venn diagram of your expectations and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s offerings, what would land in the overlap? The only way to know for sure is to do your research!  

The goal is to show admissions that you’ve done your homework. Make sure Admissions Officers know that you’ve already thought about what you want to do when you get there and that you’re ready to act on those hopes and dreams and so forth. 

But, wait, there’s more! The second part of the prompt gives you the opportunity to include information about specific academic programs at Madison that appeal to you. So just as before, utilize the school’s website, but this time pay careful attention to the specific majors and academic offerings that catch your eye. What do you love about your chosen major and/or minor? If you’re interested in UW’s Gender & Women’s Studies pr ogram, can you describe what you will take away from this program and how it relates to your long-term ambitions ? How did you become interested in this field, and what resources does Madison provide that will help you achieve your goals? Finally, if you’re undecided, think about what makes Madison the ideal environment for your academic exploration. How do you plan to hone in on the perfect major as you attend? Remember, the more details you include, the better.

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How to write the university of wisconsin-madison essays 2020-2021: the complete guide.

Wisconsin may not be home to New York City, but if your heart desires a sprawling campus with countless ways to enjoy the outdoors, look no further than the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

It has an acceptance rate that hovers around 51%.

The university sits on 936 acres – that’s not a typo, folks – it’s really that huge. The campus is located between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.

Beyond a range of academic programs, the university offers extensive opportunities to play sports, join clubs, and participate in on-campus and community activities. Applying to the University of Wisconsin-Madison can be done either through the Common App or directly through the UW website .

What are the University of Wisconsin-Madison supplemental essay requirements?

Two essays are required for admission to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Click above to watch a video on Wisconsin Madison Supplemental Essays.

If you apply through the Common App, you will have to answer question #2 below, in addition to the first question.

If you apply through the UW System Application, you will need to respond to both of the following:

1 ) Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education? 2) Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

In the UW System Application, the maximum word count allowed is 650 words. However, according to the “Application Tips” page on the UW website, admissions prefers for you to plan for 300-500 words.

Note: If a university publishes an application tips page, follow it precisely. Not only will your application be stronger, but admissions will be able to tell you did your research.

Wisconsin – Madison Supplemental Essay 1: Academic & Personal Achievements

1 ) Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

Before writing this essay, it’s important to note that UW isn’t looking for a resume or laundry list. Don’t get trapped into writing a list of achievements.

It’s important to the admissions committee to understand the story of your achievements. In order to tell that story, you must begin to analyze what you’ve accomplished and learned from those achievements.

Therefore, we must identify the two separate pieces to this prompt.

• Your academic and personal accomplishments.
• Lessons learned from those achievements and challenges.

As you begin to break down your accomplishments, think about the communities, projects, academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and teams to which you’ve contributed. UW suggests developing your thoughts with an outline before you begin writing.

Don’t limit yourself to academic or official accomplishments. Also consider your contributions to:

• Religious institution (ex. church, mosque, synagogue)
• Volunteer organization (ex. Meals on Wheels)
• Neighborhood/city/county/state

For each of these communities, brainstorm people/places/ideas/events you believe often go unnoticed and are important to you. 

Don’t get hung up on language. “Achievements” and “accomplishments” are subjective. You can also write about small personal victories and contributions that led to a greater result. All told, you don’t need to have won a ribbon or trophy to justify your action as an achievement.

When brainstorming achievements, consider creating a bubble map for a visual representation of your ideas. If you’re digitally savvy, you could use a tool like Bubbl.us to create your map.

Once you have a detailed list , start narrowing down your choices by considering what is most important to you.

• The more you care about a pursuit, the more you will be able to write about it and convey your passion.
• Again, don’t shy away from topics that are strictly personal to you – that’s what this essay is all about!

Your goal is to find an accomplishment or string of achievements that are closely related.

• Did you take care of a sick sibling while mom worked to pay the bills?
• Were you a founder or leader of an extracurricular activity that grew by 15% during your high school career?
• Did you raise $200 for a political campaign or charity that worked on issues you care about?

Now that you’ve identified achievement(s), it’s time to start drafting an essay. Context is always important when you are writing to strangers.

• Start your essay by providing some background information, a cold hook, or a quote.

While context is important, do keep it short. You want to save the majority of your word count for explaining why the achievement is important to you.

The second part of the essay is critical:

• UW – Madison wants to know how you’re a better person for having achieved or struggled?
• And how will you bring that change to their campus?

Don’t be afraid to talk about your challenges—in life, failure and struggle are often the best teachers.

You spent the first part of your essay introducing and describing your achievement. This includes the actions you took to succeed (20- 25% of your essay).

Now, spend close to 30-40% of the essay explaining what you learned from those accomplishments. If you’re having trouble thinking of how you changed, brainstorm these questions:

• What qualities did I need to display to accomplish this goal?
• How am I a better person for having gone through this challenge?
• What qualities of mine can I improve?
• Were there qualities that I did improve?

Once you’re done with this part, it’s time to move to the last part of your essay: explaining how you’ll implement your lessons learned into your education. Spend the rest of your essay on:

• Describing how your learning pattern has changed
• Your newfound appreciation for teamwork
• Developing a conceptual understanding of a field
• A budding curiosity of a teaching style
• Affirmed passion for an educational vector

Whatever you choose, make sure you’re telling UW – Madison that you’re a developing student who is looking forward to implementing your lessons learned on campus.

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Wisconsin – madison supplemental essay 2: why this school.

2) Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

In the second essay, you will have to address why you applied to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and what you hope to get out of the academic experience.

The first part of this prompt is fairly standard and, if you’re applying to multiple universities, it should start to sound familiar.

However, your response to the question shouldn’t sound familiar to UW’s admissions committee. Instead, your answer must be tailored to you and the University of Wisconsin-Madison specifically.

• The litmus test for this requirement is to read through your final draft and ask: Could this essay be submitted to any other university other than the University of Wisconsin?
• If you answered “yes,” you need to revise .

The best way to prepare for this essay is to perform research. This, by the way, is not only beneficial for your essay but will also help you to get an idea whether this school is the right fit for you.

• First, browse through the University of Wisconsin-Madison website.
• Don’t stop at the admissions page. Explore the plethora of information on academics, research opportunities, sports, clubs, daily living, and so on.
• Search for more information about UW on college review websites, which often feature testimonials from current students.
• If possible, go to the campus for a tour to see in person what the university has to offer.
• Most important: Research the academic program you’re interested in. Explore professors, projects, fellowships, internships, career counseling, grants, and public-private partnerships.

All of the above research will fuel your essay and give you concrete reasons to help you describe why you are applying to the school. When writing your essay, try to focus on one significant reason or a few reasons instead of just a single superficial idea, such as “academics” or “because I’m receiving a swim scholarship.”

As a rule, never write about one of the following topics:

• Social life

Then, think about what you want to get out of your college experience and how your future goals are related to obtaining a degree.

When describing your reasons for applying, use detail, and then link those details back to your professional or academic goals.

Admissions officers want to see that their university is an important channel that will help you achieve your college and career goals.

Even if you have yet to decide on a major, you should address this question through the lens of your academic interest(s). Consider both your research and academic/extracurricular history.

• What majors or academic programs are you interested in pursuing? What you write about now isn’t final, so don’t worry if you waver between different subjects. Choose a subject.
• Are there research programs or co-ops for which you are interested in applying?

Perhaps you are really interested in medicine and engineering, leaning toward pursuing biomedical engineering. You could take a look at the senior design courses where you work in a team with a clinician or industry professional to create a product.

When writing your essay, link back to previous ideas and your big-picture goals.

Let the university know that they’re the perfect fit, and you are passionate and enthusiastic about their program offerings.

• Don’t write about what you think they want to hear.
• Instead, be honest and allow the admissions committee to see your interests and values through your response.
• Ultimately, what UW – Madison has to offer needs to relate to you.
• Don’t spend too much time complimenting their academic offerings. Trust me, they know they’re a great school. They want to know why you think you’re a good fit.

We strongly recommend that you include the following elements in your essay:

• A short introductory story or hook that explains your interest in the field, major, or program.
• Toward the end of your essay, explain your professional ambitions and how you’d use your UW education to contribute to your community, country, or the world.

Here’s an outline of a “Why UW – Madison” essay that effectively answers this prompt:

• Your parents were never interested in community politics and barely ever voted. A few years ago, a local politician approved the building of a large chain store near your home, which lead to increased pollution and traffic in your community.
• You canvassed to stop the construction, but it wasn’t enough. You didn’t get enough signatures. Still, this process sparked your love for politics. You realize that your parents were mistaken.
• You want to study in UW – Madison’s political science program because you’re interested in increasing voter turnout. UW has a fellowship and multiple research programs in this vector.
• After explaining how you’d take advantage of a fellowship and research opportunity, you want to become a community organizer. UW will help you do that.

Conclusion: Writing the University of Wisconsin – Madison Supplemental Essays

Before submitting your essays, you should definitely check out the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s page of Application Tips . There you’ll learn more about the university’s vision and advice for applying.

In regards to essays, here’s a short list of the university’s advice:

• Plan for 300-500 words, although the maximum is 650
• Revise, proofread, and share your writing with a peer/trusted adult
• Be honest and authentic in your writing

If you have questions that are particular to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s requirements, they welcome you to contact them directly.

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Tips for Writing a Better Essay

Write like you, about you.

Your UWs realize you’re still young. You’re a work in progress. That means no matter how well you did in high school, what matters most is the challenges you faced and how you responded. It’s also worth saying that while your instincts probably tell you to puff up your accomplishments and go big, bragging is never interesting. Give yourself permission to just be you when you write.

Questions to get you started

• What are your 2 biggest academic achievements?
• What are your 2 biggest personal achievements?
• What are your 2 biggest strengths?
• What were your 2 biggest challenges?
• What are the 2 biggest obstacles you’ve overcome (and how did you do it)?
• What are your 2 biggest failures (and what did you learn)?
• What beliefs have you challenged (why, and what did you learn)?

ESSAY BASICS

• Write your essay in a program like Microsoft Word or Google Docs so you can simply copy and paste it into your online application.
• Keep your essay between 250 and 650 words (UW–Madison requires all essays to strictly follow these guidelines).
• Ask a friend or teacher to look for inconsistencies, grammatical mistakes, and typos.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread. You don’t want some small mistake to accidentally make it look like you don’t care.
• Proofread again.
• Tell your UWs something about yourself that you can’t capture in the application.
• Jump off the bandwagon. Don’t write what you think your UWs will want to hear. Let your UWs know about what drives you.
• Use your own voice. Ask someone you trust to read your essay to see if it “sounds like you.”
• Be short and sweet. Clear, concise writing matters more than length.
• Show, don’t tell. Be specific and factual.
• Write about your real life. Don’t exaggerate or embellish (you’d be surprised at how well your UWs can smell baloney).
• Be confident. Skip all the maybes, sort ofs, I thinks, and so on.

Essay Questions

Check out the actual questions from your UWs that you’ll need to answer in your essay.

How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements

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The University of Wisconsin System has a holistic admissions process that includes at least one personal statement. The flagship campus in Madison requires two essays. Applicants can apply using either the Common Application or the University of Wisconsin Application. This article addresses strategies for responding to the essay prompts. 

The Personal Statement for all University of Wisconsin Campuses

The main campus of the University of Wisconsin in Madison as well as the campuses in Milwaukee, Stevens, and Stout accept either the Common Application or the UW application. For these four schools, applicants can choose to apply using the Common Application and reply to one of its seven essay prompts . This gives you the freedom to write about anything you choose, for not only do the prompts cover a wide range of topics, but option #7 allows you to write on a topic of your choice .

Every campus of the UW system, however, accepts the University of Wisconsin application. The main prompt on this application asks the following:

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

You have so many options here that you might find the essay prompt daunting. As you figure out what the "something you've done" is that you should write about, keep in mind the reason why the University of Wisconsin is asking this question. The admissions process is holistic, so the university wants to get to know you as a whole person, not just as a set of empirical data such as grades, class rank, and standardized test scores. Your extracurricular activities and employment history are part of the holistic portrait, but they don't tell the whole story. 

Use this prompt to explore something that isn't obvious from the rest of your application. If one of your jobs or extracurricular activities is particularly important to you, you could use this essay to explain why that is so (much like a typical  short answer essay ). Or you could use this essay to present a side of your personality that doesn't appear on your application at all. Perhaps you like rebuilding motorcycles, fishing with your younger sister, or writing poetry.

Almost anything that's important to you is fair game here, just make sure you follow through and explain  why  it's important to you. If you fail to explain what you learned and how you've changed, you've failed to present the admissions folks a full window into your passions and interests. Also make sure your essay is forward looking since the prompt asks you to project ahead into your college years.

The Additional Essay for UW-Madison

The University of Wisconsin flagship campus in Madison requires a second essay. The prompt is the same whether you use the Common Application or the UW Application. It asks the following:

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

UW-Madison has packed a lot into this essay prompt, and it might be best to view it as two essay prompts, not one. The first—why UW-Madison?—is typical of the supplemental essays for many other colleges, and you'll want to avoid common supplemental essay mistakes . The key here is to be specific. If your answer could be applied to schools other than UW-Madison, then you're being too vague and generic. What  specifically  about UW-Madison appeals to you? What unique features of the university distinguish it from other places you're considering?

Similarly, with the question about your academic interests, be sure to do your research. Make sure you know what the university offers so that you know what opportunities you can take advantage of should you be admitted. UW-Madison is trying to make sure applicants are familiar with the university's academic offerings and have clear interests that map well to the school's curriculum.

For both pieces of this essay, keep the "why" at the forefront. Don't just describe your academic interests or the features of UW that you like. Explain why you like these things. Why do you get excited about a certain subject area? Why does UW appeal to you? In addressing "why," your essay becomes about you. The admissions folks get a glimpse into what you value and what it is that interests and excites you.

The Additional Essay for UW-La Crosse

Of all the campuses in the University of Wisconsin system, the only other school to require a second essay is UW-La Crosse . The essay prompt reads:

Please respond to the following: How will your life experiences, commitments, and/or characteristics enrich the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse campus community? Tell us why you are interested in attending UW–La Crosse and what aspects of the campus are especially important to you?

Here, as with the UW-Madison prompt, you're getting the "Why our school?" question. Be sure to be specific. Any response that could be applied to universities other than UW-La Crosse are too generic. Show that you are familiar with UW-La Crosse and that the university has unique features that align well with your interests, personality, academic goals, and professional aspirations.

The main part of the essay prompt is refreshing in its directness, for, in truth, it is asking what every college admissions essay asks—How will you "enrich our community?" Colleges want more than students with good grades and high test scores; they also want students who will contribute to campus life in a positive way. Before you write your essay or take part in a college interview, you'd be wise to figure out your own answer to the question. What is it that you will contribute? Why will the college be a better place because of your presence? Think about your hobbies, your sense of humor, your quirks, your academic passions... all of the features that make you you .

Nearly all application essays are really getting at this very issue. Whether you are writing about a challenge you've faced, a problem you've solved, an important accomplishment in your life, or an important dimension of your life experiences, a good essay shows that you bring to campus the type of passion and personality that will enrich the university community.

Make Your University of Wisconsin Essay Shine

You have lots of breadth in choosing what to write about, but you'd be wise to steer clear of bad essay topics that often go astray. Also, don't just focus on what to write, but also how you write it. Pay attention to the style of your essay so that your narrative is tight, engaging, and powerful. Also be sure to follow the tips on the UW website .

• University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
• Common Application Essay Option 4—Gratitude
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• UC Personal Statement Prompt #1
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• 2020-21 Common Application Essay Option 4—Solving a Problem
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• Common Application Essay Option 6: Losing Track of Time
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Why university of wisconsin - madison essay anonymous, tell us why you decided to apply to the university of wisconsin-madison. in addition, share with us the academic, extracurricular, or research opportunities you would take advantage of as a student. if applicable, provide details of any circumstance that could have had an impact on your academic performance and/or extracurricular involvement..

When I first discovered computer programming, I was suffering from severe wrist injuries and could only type slowly with my toes. Despite my inconveniences, I created over a hundred other programs (including thirty computer games) and learned multiple programming languages all using my feet. Such is the extent of my love for coding and my fascination with the intricate workings of the cyber world, and this passion is what compels me to major in CS at the University of Wisconsin.

After examining the opportunities University of Wisconsin’s abundant opportunities for computer science students, I became convinced that UW is the school for me. For instance, the research opportunities for undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin appeal to me. Through the Undergraduate Research Scholars program, I would be able to participate in fascinating research that would offer me valuable professional experience and give me new insights on how I can develop my future academic and career plans. At UW, I would definitely endeavor to become qualified for participation in the research on computer graphics, led by Professor Gleicher and Assistant Professor Sifakis. In addition, my experience with CGI, computer animation, and game developing in...

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‘Staring at the Sky’: Q&A with author Douglas Rosenberg

By Kari Dickinson

In 2015, when Douglas Rosenberg became chair of UW–Madison’s Art Department, he wanted to ensure that he continued to make time to be creative and mindful, even as he took on a demanding job. So he started a weekly writing practice, giving himself a prompt and taking time every week to capture his thoughts. 

The resulting collection, including five years of weekly essays, is now compiled in a new book called, “ Staring at the Sky: Essays on Art and Culture .” 

The book includes Rosenberg’s reflections on everything from works of art, to readings, to the ever-changing sky outside his rural Wisconsin home.

Rosenberg, the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in Art, is an interdisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and author who works at the intersection of performance and media. His work including screendance, video, film, and performance has been exhibited internationally for over 30 years. 

Recently Rosenberg sat down with the School of Education’s communications team to share more about “Staring at the Sky.” Here is an edited transcript: 

Why did you start writing these essays? In 2015, I became the chair of the Art Department. And those jobs, as you know, are pretty time consuming. I wanted to make sure that I made myself accountable to some creative time, that I didn’t give up my creative space for the rigors of the job. So I gave myself a prompt or a task to spend some time with every week, writing an essay that captured what I’d been thinking about.

The Art Department has this newsletter that goes out on Mondays, and I would start each of those newsletters with this bit of writing. I started getting emails from people who would write me little notes. And it led me to believe that people were reading some of these things and that maybe I should be a bit more attentive. 

So I gave myself this task to do this for a year. And at the end of the year, I thought I should probably do this for another year. And I kept extending my own prompt to myself, and I did that for the five years that I was chair. 

Tell me about the essays. What are they about?  The essays are literally about what was coming into my peripheral or direct vision during the week that had passed. So every Sunday I would sit down. Throughout the week, I made notes about things that I wanted to write about. And it might have been a show — a student exhibition, something that I had seen on a trip to New York — or it might have been something I was reading, something from one of my lectures in class. In each essay, there was some kernel of something that I wanted to tease out into a longer thought.

Can you speak about the value of this writing, or writing in general as a practice? So I was trained as a visual artist, and mostly we think about art in this department as a visual, objectified practice. And when I got my job here, something like 27 years ago, I didn’t know anything about a big university like this. I was lucky to be mentored by some really intelligent and really amazing people here, both in the Dance Department and in the Art Department. And all of them either were writers along with their larger research agendas, or they completely lived in a writer’s world. 

And so that led me to model what I saw them doing. They would write and go to conferences, and out of that writing they would develop courses and write chapters and books. And I thought that seemed really logical as a way to be part of a larger conversation.

All of the essays were written in this time period in which the country was going through a lot. So in 2015 when I started, Obama was still president. Then Trump won the election. And we went through the #MeToo movement and Black Lives Matter. We went through another election, another president, COVID, a lot of things. So every essay is written in a timeframe where something is happening. And in the essays, I connect previous historical moments with the moment when I’m writing.

Why should people read this book?   I wish people would read this book. I don’t know if they should read it, but I wish they would read it because of what the book is called, “Staring at the Sky: Essays on Art and Culture.” 

I explain where the title, “Staring at the Sky,” comes from in the introduction: I moved to Wisconsin from California. When I moved here, I was struck by the skies. I found myself in the summers, when I was gardening or something, literally staring up at the sky because the sky here in Wisconsin is so unlike the sky in California.

California’s sky is blue in a way that most skies aren’t, especially if you’re anywhere near the water. And it doesn’t change much. And here, driving in today to meet you I looked up at the sky as I drove in from way out in the country, and it was extraordinary… in a totally different extraordinary way than yesterday. So staring at the sky I actually talk about a lot in the book, which has led to staring at other things, too. It’s just a way into being — of being attentive and being available to things.

So the answer to your question on why people should read this book: I would hope that people read this book to do what I’m describing, which is to set aside all of the screens around us and all of the things that take our attention away and just spend a moment reading something that hopefully will be engaging.

Do you have a favorite essay, or one you’d like to talk about?   No, I have little stickies that I have put in places, but it’s really hard for me. Some people have told me what their favorite one is, but the book goes through this kind of chronological order, this timeframe from when I started in 2015 as chair to when that ended. 

My last communication as chair was to the graduating class of 2020, who missed a lot. The very last essay in the book is a letter that I wrote to that class that I read in their Zoom graduation. And that one is a pretty emotional piece of writing for me because so much happened. I just really remember those students, our graduate students particularly, how much they had to give up and had to ‘pivot’ and whatever the terms were that we used to get through that situation. 

But there’s a lot of them I love. The ones that I especially love are the ones that connect with some sort of spiritual or transcendent moment of spiritual engagement or transcendence in looking at a work of art.

Order information:

To order “Staring at the Sky: Essays on Art and Culture,” send an email to the publisher for a discounted price of $22 plus shipping. You can also order online via Biblio .

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Wisconsin superintendent obtains restraining order against dad who interrupted graduation

A school superintendent in Wisconsin was granted a restraining order against a parent who rushed the stage during a recent high school graduation and blocked the administrator from shaking hands with his daughter.

In a temporary order filed Monday, a Dane County Circuit Court commissioner ordered Matthew Eddy to have no contact with the Baraboo Superintendent Rainey Briggs pending a hearing scheduled for June 14.

In his petition for the order, Briggs says Eddy “approached the stage quickly and put both of his hands on me to push me out of the way stating ‘you are not going to touch my f------ daughter.’” Briggs said he then “created space” and told Eddy to get his hands off of him, according to the petition. Briggs says Eddy then began to “push and pry” at him and that he put his hands out to keep Eddy away.

As his daughter was crossing the stage at the Baraboo High School graduation Friday evening, Eddy walked up the stairs to the stage and moved Briggs away, preventing him from shaking hands with his daughter, video of the incident shows. Briggs can be heard telling Eddy: “You better get up off me, man. Get away from me, bro,” while another person says, “I don’t want her touching him.”

It is unclear what prompted the altercation. Briggs and Eddy did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday and Thursday.

Baraboo High School Principal Steve Considine was also on the stage with Briggs, as were four school board members, including its president, Kevin Vodak, who  is the subject of a recall effort by citizens who say he has mishandled taxpayer money, among other things. Eddy, 49, of North Freedom, confronted only Briggs.

A Baraboo police officer working as the school resource officer, along with two off-duty officers, jumped onstage and escorted Eddy out of the gymnasium. The school resource officer completed an investigation and Eddy was issued a citation for disorderly conduct, police said. That charge was forwarded to the Sauk County District Attorney’s Office, which said the matter is under investigation.

Hailey Wagner, a spokesperson for the school district, said it is taking the “unfortunate event” seriously and working closely with local law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation.

The Baraboo School Board said in a statement that it does not condone “engaging in threatening, intimidating, or physically harming behaviors against anyone in our School District community.”

District employees should not fear for their physical safety when fulfilling their job duties or at any other time, the school board also said.

“That this adult felt emboldened to behave in this way in front of hundreds of students and other adults should deeply trouble us all; this type of behavior will not be tolerated,” the school board said, adding that it “condemns such actions and asks the community to take a stand and speak out against this type of behavior that threatens the fabric of our democracy.”

Briggs, 46, a Verona resident, was named superintendent of the Baraboo School District in July 2021 after having worked as a director of elementary education in another district. He has also worked as a cultural liaison, teacher and principal, according to his bio.

Baraboo High School drew national attention in November 2018 after a photo of about 50 male students appearing to hold up a Nazi salute went viral. The group, most of whom appeared to be white, were seen smiling with their right arms extended straight in the air, reminiscent of the infamous “Sieg heil” salute.

The district superintendent at the time condemned the photo, saying in a letter sent to parents, “If the gesture is what it appears to be, the District will pursue any and all available and appropriate actions, including legal, to address the issue.”

At the conclusion of an investigation that included local police, the school district announced that the students would not be punished.

Then-Superintendent Lori Mueller wrote in a letter to parents that the district was “not in a position to punish the students for their actions” because of their First Amendment rights, according to a letter that was obtained by the Baraboo News Republic. Mueller also said the district would focus on working with students to use “restorative practices” to repair damage to relationships caused by the photo, the outlet reported.

According to the most recent census data, the city of Baraboo has a population of less than 13,000. About 90.4% of its population is white.

Janelle Griffith is a national reporter for NBC News focusing on issues of race and policing.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, writing a 'why wisconsin' essay.

Hey guys, I'm working on my 'Why Wisconsin' essay and I'd love some input on what I should focus on. Are there any specific campus resources or programs you think are worth mentioning? How can I make my essay stand out and show how I'd be a good fit for the school? Thanks for the help!

Hey there! It sounds like you're on the right track by wanting to focus on specific resources or programs at University of Wisconsin. To make your essay stand out, it's important to highlight unique aspects of the university that truly resonate with you and your career/academic goals.

Consider touching on specific academic resources, like research opportunities or unique majors that Wisconsin offers, which could tie in nicely with your own interests. Mentioning facilities like the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, the Bioenergy Institute, or the Entrepreneurship Lab, if they fit your goals, would be a bonus.

You could also discuss student life, cultural or academic clubs, and even the spirit at Wisconsin which attracts you. For instance, you can mention the Terrace at Memorial Union as a symbol of the community fostering environment that you are seeking.

Be sure to check out CollegeVine's breakdown, which offers tips for tackling all of the Wisconsin supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-wisconsin-madison-essays

While writing your essay, remember to share your personal experiences or skills that make you a good fit for the University of Wisconsin. Demonstrating how you plan to contribute to their campus life is vital.

Best of luck with your essay!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

June 10, 2024

Here’s Why the News Didn’t Tell You What Protesters Really Wanted

Baked-in news practices cover only the worst moments of protests and neglect telling people what protesters are asking for, extensive research shows

By Douglas M. McLeod

Demonstrators gathered to show solidarity with Palestinians in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. on May 28, 2024.

Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images

As deadly conflict in Gaza unfolded this spring, news coverage in the U.S. turned to campus protests . If you’ve watched, you may well have asked yourself, What exactly are the demands of these protesters ? Perhaps a ceasefire in Gaza? University divestment from industries that support the actions of Israel? The cutting of ties with Israeli universities?

You probably didn’t get many answers. News stories might mention such demands, but usually only in passing, with detailed explanations a rarity . Instead, news coverage of the university protests mostly focuses on protest encampments, building occupations and clashes with campus police. Lost in the sizzle of arrest footage is the substance of protests—undercutting their fundamental goal of demands being heard.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) identified 553 protests on U.S. college campus between April 18 and May 3, though most people saw news coverage from only a small fraction of them.

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We’ve known, at least since the 1980s, why there’s such a shortfall of information. A “ protest paradigm ” identified by news researchers four decades ago helps explain why protest coverage often fails to inform the public and limits the impact of the protests.

In a nutshell, numerous studies examining coverage of social protests—including both left-wing and right-wing protests, as well as a wide range of issue protests—have isolated common characteristics of relevant news stories . The results suggest journalists were following an uninformative template for covering social protest. The characteristics include focusing on protest events rather than protest issues, positioning protests as contests between protesters and the police rather than their intended targets, and privileging officialdom’s views of the protests rather than a more diverse array of informed perspectives. The paradigm also disparages protests by highlighting any rudeness, noise or legal violations by some protesters; marginalizes protesters as being different from normal citizens (recall the long-haired hippies of the Vietnam era who are now running hedge funds); and, finally, minimizes the effectiveness of the protest. Research also shows that journalistic adherence to the protest paradigm is particularly strong when the protesters adopt radical goals and extreme tactics.

In the case of Gaza protests, news media have gravitated toward accessible protests such as those at Columbia University —conveniently located in the media center of the universe—where the police evicted protesters from their encampment and occupation of an academic building. Skirmishes between protesters and police attract news cameras, but often delegitimize protesters when the news stories frame the protests as a conflict with police. Protesters here often find themselves in a double bind: they must provide drama to attract media attention, but when they do, their issues get lost in delegitimizing episodic coverage.

Consider the top news story retrieved on Google, when searching for “Columbia protests” on May 1. That AP article typifies protest paradigm news coverage. Of the article’s 27 paragraphs, 15 contained delegitimizing characteristics such as clashes with the police, legal and norm violations, arrests and nuisance behaviors. References to the protesters’ issues appeared in only one paragraph; criticisms of university responses were found in five paragraphs; and four addressed university negotiations with protesters. Three paragraphs discussed negative consequences of the protests, while none identified positive consequences. The actual meaning of the protests was almost completely absent.

A New York Times infographic article published in May further reinforces the notion that the Gaza protests were violent by presenting a map of where 2,900 protesters have been arrested or detained on a campus-by-campus basis.

Such news coverage tells readers that protests are violent and that protesters are troublemakers. News coverage tends to ignore peaceful protests and protesters. The aforementioned ACLED research also showed that 97 percent of the U.S. Gaza protests have been peaceful, and many of those that weren’t became conflictual only after police physically dispersed them .

Partisans jump on opportunities to amplify such delegitimizing of protests. For example, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas characterized the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests as “an entire year of Antifa riots where cities across this country were burning” as part of “massive rioting and violence” by “extremists.” However, ACLED research shows that 94 percent of BLM demonstrations “involved no violent or destructive activity .” Here again, police may actually cause much of the violence as 51 percent of BLM protests “were met with physical force,” including tear gas, rubber bullets and nightsticks.

So, why should people care about protest paradigm news coverage? Social protest and the degree to which it is publicly tolerated are both signs of democratic vitality. The U.S. has provided plenty of examples of social movements that stimulated much-needed public debate and motivated social change: the women’s suffrage movement, the Civil Rights Movement and the anti–Vietnam War protests to name just a few. By contrast, social protest has a much tougher go of it in less democratic countries like Russia, China and Myanmar .

In the U.S. most citizens only experience social protests and the policies that trigger them through news coverage. Consequently protest paradigm framing can hamper potentially beneficial effects of protest movements in motivating social reforms and policy change. For example much of the coverage of Black Lives Matter protests failed to explore whether there is a need for police reform and what that reform might entail, as words (and pictures ) of the protest focused on conflicts with police.

We know this changes people’s minds about protests. In one of our experiments, 200 participants watched one of three television news stories with different levels of adherence to the protest paradigm. We found that higher levels of protest paradigm adherence led participants to be more critical of the protesters, less likely to identify with their cause, less critical of police actions to suppress the protest and less likely to support the protesters' expressive rights. That adherence also reduced perceptions of the protest's effectiveness, public support and newsworthiness .

As news watchers, we should realize that the protest paradigm is always shaping our view of protests . Ask yourself whether the news you are seeing even mentions what protesters want, covering the merits of those requests in any detail. Or is the news framed solely as a conflict with police, informed by the viewpoints of those being protested?

If you yourself are ever protesting, remember how the protest paradigm will shape news coverage about you. Are you articulating your objectives clearly and “keeping your eye on the prize” with a strategy aimed at achieving them with the actual decision-makers? College campuses are convenient targets but are typically more distantly connected to the entities being protested, such as defense contractors . Finally, are you avoiding aggressive tactics that play into the protest paradigm—property damage or police clashes—by practicing non-violence that makes clear the good guys from the bad guys? Protest is a fundamental First Amendment right of U.S. citizens . Use it wisely.

This is an opinion and analysis article, and the views expressed by the author or authors are not necessarily those of Scientific American.

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Why did the dad push the Baraboo School District superintendent? Here's what we know

A southcentral Wisconsin school district has made national headlines in recent days over video of a graduation ceremony that shows a man pushing the district's superintendent away before he can shake hands with his daughter .

A police report about the incident says the parent had "past issues" with the superintendent.

The footage from Baraboo High School continues to provoke speculation and commentary with some calling the incident racist. It's also not the first time district officials and students have been embroiled in controversy.

This is what we know so far about the incident and other issues in the Baraboo School District.

What happened at Baraboo High School?

A local broadcast of Baraboo High School's May 31 graduation ceremony recorded a father of a student pushing District Superintendent Rainey Briggs out of the way as the man's daughter received her diploma and shook hands with other district officials. The student's father, who is not being named by the Journal Sentinel to protect the student's identity, is white; Briggs is Black.

A citation from the Baraboo Police Department shows that the father was charged with disorderly conduct and is required to make an August appearance in the Sauk County Circuit Court. A judge has also ordered the man to have no contact with Briggs after a temporary restraining order was filed.

Why did the dad push the superintendent?

It's unclear. There has been controversy in the school district in recent months. School board president Kevin Vodak is facing a recall effort , with organizers saying he's misused taxpayer dollars by increasing salaries for Briggs and another district administrator.

Vodak was also onstage for the graduation. The man who interrupted the ceremony did not prevent his daughter from shaking Vodak's hand.

Others, such as State Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, have described the incident as a racist act . That characterization has been challenged by many community members.

In an interview with police, the parent said he dislikes Briggs and "wanted to prevent (Briggs) from having the satisfaction of shaking (the student's) hand."

The police report includes interviews from the parent, Briggs, the school resource officer, and two off-duty police officers who were at the graduation.

Why is Baraboo School Board President Kevin Vodak facing a recall effort?

Vodak, who has been on the school board for 23 years, has been accused of misuse of taxpayer dollars — specifically salary increases for Briggs and business services director Yvette Updike — and conflicts of interest regarding the administration. District residents are also upset with high staff turnover.

In response to complaints about Briggs' and Updike's salary, the district presented data that showed their pay ranked among the lower third of administrators in comparable roles in nearby districts. Briggs' salary is second lowest among 15 district superintendents in the Badger Conference.

Besides the salary increases, the recall petition also listed unspecified "socializing" between unnamed board members and Updike and highlighted two contracts between the district and separate consulting firms, including one owned by Briggs, according to Wiscnews .

Vodak’s three-year term began in 2022 and he is up for re-election to the board in 2025.

Have there been past issues in the Baraboo School District?

Yes, the district received substantial backlash in 2018 when a photo of several male students seemingly giving the Nazi salute while posing for a prom picture went viral.

The district quickly condemned the photo after it drew international attention and issued a public apology .

More than 5,000 people signed a petition calling on the district to suspend the students . None of the 60 students involved in the photo were punished. The district said the students' behavior was protected by the First Amendment .

Where is Baraboo, Wisconsin?

Baraboo is a city of about 12,500 people near Wisconsin Dells in southcentral Wisconsin. It is the county seat of Sauk County.

David Clarey and Kathryn Muchnik contributed to this report.