College Update-December, 2008

UW COLLEGES (FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE CAMPUSES)

UW-Fox Valley has a new web page for parents.  Click on the “Prospective Students” tab of the homepage at http://www.uwfox.uwc.edu.

Scholarship applications are now available online.  Completing this single application will make students eligible for multiple scholarships.  The deadline for new student scholarships is February 1.

UW-Richland is still admitting students and still has housing available. It is strongly recommended that students who plan to apply and live on campus do so in a timely way in order to ensure availability of housing.

UW BACCALAUREATE CAMPUSES

UW-Green Bay is continuing to accept applications for both new freshmen and transfer applicants. At this time, there is not targeted a closing date.

UW-GB is no longer sending paper notifications to students regarding items that are missing from their admission file. Rather, each student receives an application acknowledgement letter (via regular postal mail) which directs them to a Website where they can check their status. Students who no longer have their acknowledgement letter (which also includes the secure information required to access their status) should be directed to e-mail Admissions at uwgb@uwgb.edu for instructions.

UW-Green Bay does not require a deposit for admission/enrollment purposes. The only deposit a newly-admitted student will be asked to make is for housing.

Students should be encouraged to apply for housing immediately after being admitted to UW-Green Bay. There is a link to the housing application on the admitted students’ Website at http://admitted.uwgb.edu. Students should apply for housing even if they are unsure that they will attend, or unsure whether they will live on campus. Students can contract for housing, pay their deposit, and still request a refund of the deposit until May 1. Last year all new freshmen who wanted to live on campus were able to; nevertheless, due to the popularity of housing on our campus, early application is strongly encouraged.

The deadline to apply for new student scholarships is February 15. Scholarship information and application instructions are available at http://www.uwgb.edu/financialaid/scholarships/index.asp.

Spring Campus Preview Days are scheduled for Friday, March 27, and Friday, April 17. Students can sign up for Preview Days at http://www.uwgb.edu/admissions/visitcampus/index.html.

Overnight visits are available to admitted freshmen during the spring at UW-Green Bay. Newly admitted freshmen are matched with current student hosts, and attend classes, activities, and stay overnight in student housing. Admitted students can request an overnight visit by going to http://www.uwgb.edu/admissions/visitcampus/ and click on “Overnight Visits.”

UW-La Crosse utilizes a freshman application priority date of February 1. Applications received and complete by that date will receive equal consideration for admission. After that date, applications will be considered on a space-available basis.

A number of students were placed on the postpone list last year, and UWLX has just begun additional review of those applications. Last year 500 students were placed on the postpone list, and later were able to admit about 200 of those students. Postponed students are strongly encouraged to follow through with the recommendations provided in their letter from our office, primarily providing updated transcripts, updated ACT/SAT scores, and letters of recommendation. If students on the postpone list have done nothing, this will be duly noted.

Freshmen who have been accepted for admission are prompted to make a $100 enrollment deposit. Upon receipt of the enrollment deposit, on-line application instructions for on-campus housing will be sent. Students applying for on-campus housing are required to make a $75 deposit. Both deposits are fully refundable until May 1. UW-La Crosse does not have an overabundance of on-campus housing, so admitted new freshmen are encouraged to complete the on-campus housing application and make the deposit ASAP.

Freshman scholarship applications must be postmarked by February 15. Scholarship information and the application is available at http://www.foundation.uwlax.edu/schfreshmen.html.

UW-La Crosse has two Campus Close-Ups scheduled for the spring, Friday, February 20 and Friday, April 24. Students also have the option to meet with an admissions counselor and/or take a campus tour on other days. To set up an appointment or register for Campus Close-Up, students can do so online at www.uwlax.edu/visit.

UW–Madison’s First Notification Period deadline (November 15) has passed. All applications that were completed on or by November 15 will have a decision made by January 15. Decisions will not necessarily be made in the order received, but all decisions will be made by January 15. The Second Notification Period deadline is February 1. This is also the final application deadline for fall admission. Applications received by February 1 will have decisions made on or by March 15. All students receive equal consideration for admission whether they apply during the First or Second Notification Period.

UW- Madison is currently experiencing a 20-day application material processing cycle. This means it is taking us approximately 20 days from the date we receive application materials in the mail (e.g., transcripts, recommendations, etc.) for to open the mail, scan the documents, and link them to a student’s application file. It’s important to note the time line is 20 days from receipt of the mail, not 20 days from the date the materials were sent. As a result, it may take up to three weeks between when material arrives in the office and when the online application status check system is updated to reflect that the documents have been received. During this time, the online system will show the material as Not Confirmed. This simply means staff is processing the mail and completing the steps necessary to update the system. Please do not resubmit material during this processing period as the additional mail will further delay progress.

Students who would like to be most competitive for admission should respond to both statements on the application for admission. The first question is about life experiences and the impact students will have on our campus, and the second question is the more general personal statement. Encourage your students to reference our Application Statements Tip Sheet online for more information on suggested word count, possible topics, etc.

The UW-Oshkosh Foundation investment portfolio has been significantly hit by the economic slow down.  Subsequently, some of the freshman scholarships will not be able to be awarded this year.  (Most are still secure.) .  All students should check the scholarship information at http://admissions.uwosh.edu/scholarships. The Website will be updated as needed.

UW-Platteville continues to process new freshmen and transfer applications. It is strongly encouraged that students make sure that they are completing the activity and enrichment statements on their applications. This information is critical in the comprehensive review process. Also, for students that are borderline admissible with the UWP admission guidelines, students should include letters of recommendation from a math, English, and Science teacher.

Students should submit their enrollment deposits and housing pre-payments as soon as possible to reserve their place in the new freshmen class and have their first selection in housing.

Admitted seniors, should not forget to submit the scholarship application which must be postmarked by January 12, 2009.

Mark your calendars

CJ Days - Tuesday, March 10

o Engineering Expo - Thursday, April 2

UWP daily visits will resume Tuesday, January 20 and end for the semester on May 8. Register online to attend the Pioneer Preview, or a general campus visit, at http://www.uwplatt.edu/admission/visits.html or call 877-897-5288.

Pioneer Preview Dates are Friday, March 6, Saturday, March 28 and Friday, April 17

UW-River Falls Animal Science application priority date is December 22, 2008. Due to a significant increase in new student applications to the Animal Science major, the number of additional admissions to that program for fall 2009 will be limited. Beginning on December 22, 2008, new freshmen applications indicating an intention to major in Animal Science will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Admission will be based on the overall academic preparation of the applicant and available space in the major. New freshmen interested in this major should complete their applications prior to December 22. Questions- Admissions Office by e-mail at admit@uwrf.edu.

UW-Stevens Point is processing most new freshman, transfer and reentry applications within two weeks after they become complete.  Please note the following information:

Biology – New Freshmen

Biology Department is making an effort to accept all new freshman applicants who rank in the top 35% as “biology majors” (or related pre-professional program such as pre-med), highly recommended that these students apply soon.  This exceptional program is highly regarded throughout the Midwest and continues to become more in demand each year. 

New Majors

New major in Social Work either fall 2009 or fall 2010.  Biochemistry major is in its second year and our Health Sciences major is beginning its third year.  Both of these programs are popular and exceptionally strong due.

Scholarships

Merit-based, general, new freshman scholarships are normally awarded to students in the top 10% with a strong ACT score. 

Miscellaneous 

· Paper Science and Engineering Department continues to accept applications from strong applicants with an interest in chemistry.  This program offers excellent placement with starting salaries over $60,000 right out of college.  In addition, an abundance of scholarships are available to students interested in studying in this field. 

· The UWSP Army ROTC program is also offering scholarships to students interested in pursuing a minor in their program of study. 

Students intending to major in Music, Theatre Arts/Drama, Musical Theatre, and Dance must audition.  Students should check the Websites of these academic departments for specific audition information.

UW-Whitewater indicates the potential for a larger class for 2009 brings with it the possibility that they may close earlier than usual this year. In the past, May 1 has been the deadline for applications, and they run the risk of needing to close registration earlier.

Applications have continued to arrive at a steady pace, and decisions are made as quickly as possible. Students are reminded that they do not offer placement tests; rather they use ACT results for placement. Students in the residence halls are getting a bit crowded. This year will mark the first time ever that the spring semester residence halls will be already full. They are planning to continue to require freshmen and sophomores to live on campus if they are not commuting, but it is recommneded students submit their housing contracts as early as possible.