University of Wisconsin–Madison Essay 2025-2026
The University of University of Wisconsin–Madison recently released its supplemental essay for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. In this article, we will explain exactly what they are looking for in responses from applicants, so you can write an essay that will get you admitted there.
1. 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. (650 words)
This isn't just a "why school" essay. It is an essay about why you want to study your selected majors at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. For this essay, you want to start with a vivid first-person description of some event in your life that enables you to make a strong personal connection to a problem, concept, or life goal related to your first-choice major.
Next, you want to state this problem, concept, or goal and explain why it fascinates you, considering both its technical details and what it means to you personally. Then, explain how your chosen major will enable you to study this problem or concept, achieve your life goal, or explore similar problems and concepts. In light of the experience that anchors your connection to this major, describe what pursuing this field will mean to you.
For your other majors, explain how your interest in them stems from your first-choice major. If the majors are completely different, introduce another vivid, powerful experience of yours that explains why you have a personal connection to that field of study. Even if your first and second-choice majors are really different, connect them.
Following this, explain how the resources at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will enable you to best study this problem or concept, or achieve this life goal. In doing so, mention specific professors and research centers by name. If you can provide more anecdotes from your personal life to demonstrate why the particular research areas or problems that these professors are working on inspire you, please do so. Discuss certain student clubs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and paint a vivid picture of you as a member of those clubs, showing the reader how you can contribute to their success. Bring up school traditions at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and more personal reasons from your life why these traditions resonate with you and would allow you to fully embrace everything UW-Madison has to offer. Finally, paint a picture of how you'll positively impact the world using your University of Wisconsin–Madison education.
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