Applying to College - Start Here!

The Fall 2024 undergraduate application for the University of Wisconsin System was accessible beginning August 1.

APPLICATION FEE: The application fee for all UW campuses with the exception of UW-Eau Claire ($25), UW-La Crosse ($25), and UW-Madison ($60) has been suspended for all undergraduate applicants effective as of December 11, 2020

TIMING & REQUIREMENTS: A good goal is to have all applications completed by Halloween. It is important that you apply to college early as this is the only way to guarantee that your application will be considered. Individual campuses may not publish priority dates or deadlines for applications; rather applications will be processed on a rolling basis and admissions will be closed when the university has admitted enough students to generate its freshman class. However, many UW campuses have deadlines of February 1, with some as early as November 1. 

For a complete listing of all campus guidelines, deadlines, and requirements, click here: https://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/counselors/admission-process/

Universities consider the courses that you are currently enrolled in when making their decision to admit you into their school. If you want to make changes to your senior schedule after you have applied to a university, you need to email their admissions department to inform them of your changes. Also,  keep in mind - SENIOR YEAR GRADES MATTER!!

HOLISTIC APPROACH: All parts of your application are considered during the review process. While there’s an emphasis put on academics, they understand there’s more to you than just grades and test scores. Admissions counselors look at how your academics are interconnected with other aspects like work experience and leadership qualities. This allows for a more comprehensive review of your application.

Academic factors:

• Quality of high school coursework

• Class rank (Laude System for RV students)

• Grade Point Average (GPA)

• ACT/SAT scores - 

  • ACT and SAT scores are suspended as part of the application review process for all UW System campuses through the 2024-2025 academic year. You do not have to submit ACT or SAT scores, but they may be considered if you choose to provide them. 

Other factors considered:

• Work experience

• Leadership qualities

• Motivation, creativity, resourcefulness, etc.

• Community service

• Special talents

• Socioeconomically disadvantaged

• Member of a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic group

A Completed College Application: 4 Main Parts

1. Online Application

   • UW Schools: apply.wisconsin.edu/homepage 

   • Common App: www.commonapp.org 

     • FYI - UW-Madison and UW-Stevens Point are now a part of the Common App

   • Madison College: https://madisoncollege.edu/apply

   • Other Universities - visit their website and click "Apply Now"

2. Application Fee

   • Submit online immediately following submission of application. 

   • Fee waiver for UW Schools: https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/weop/pdf/Application%20fee%20waiver.pdf 

     • If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, see your counselors to get your fee waived or talk about options.

3. ACT Scores

   • Log into your account at www.actstudent.org and click on "Send Your Scores." If you chose to have your scores sent when you originally signed up to take the ACT, you do not need to worry about sending them now. You can see where your scores were sent on your ACT Score Report.

   • IMPORTANT: Freshmen students applying will not be required to submit test scores.
     This applies to the following terms:

• Fall 2022 through Spring 2025
  Contact each school’s testing or admissions office for details.

4. Transcripts - Click here for Step-By-Step Directions

   • Request your HIGH SCHOOL transcripts electronically through www.parchment.com. It is a simple process to create an account.  You received an invite to create your Parchment account via your RV school email. 

   • Send your POST-SECONDARY TRANSCRIPTS (NOT HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS)

     • This step is only necessary if you completed a college course in high school that you want credit for. For example, if you did Math 4 through UW-Platteville, you'll have to send a post-secondary transcript through UW-Platteville. Colleges only award you college credit based on your transcript from a college. Again, this is different from your high school transcript, and has to be sent directly from the colleges. Your counselors CANNOT send your college transcript. 

     • Request your post-secondary transcript be sent via the following links from UW-Platteville, UW-Oshkosh,  Madison College and Southwest Tech. These are the colleges we have agreements with to offer dual credit courses (courses that can offer college credit). 

       • https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/registrar/transcripts

       • https://www.swtc.edu/student-resources/policies-procedures/transcripts

       • https://madisoncollege.edu/transcripts

       • https://uwosh.edu/registrar/students/transcripts/

Application Statement - Writing Tips for Personal Statements (Application Essay)

Personal statements may be a required component of some applications, but may not be required for others. Here are some quick tips:

• Keep your statement between 300 to 600 words. Clear, concise writing matters more than length.

• This is your chance to explain any life events that might have impacted your academic performance.

• Read the question/prompts closely and answer accordingly. That act alone is a positive statement.

• Imagine responding to questions during an in-person interview. Use your own voice, tell your story, and don’t ramble.

• Proofread. Proofread. And proofread. Ask someone to read your statement to help point out inconsistencies, grammar mistakes, etc. Then proofread it again.

APPLICATION STATEMENTS - Click on the links below to access.

Here’s your chance to tell your story based on specific questions or prompts. Each campus has their own prompts for you to follow when writing your statements. 

uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/admission-guidelines/freshman/application-essay/ 

How To Enter High School Coursework in Progress 

You will be asked about your current high school coursework in progress. 

How To Report Dual Credit Classes on Applications

River Valley High School offers several dual credit courses that you need to report on your UW (and other college) applications. You have to include all institutions of higher education currently or previously attended. Use this document to report your information correctly. Report only Dual Credit, CAPP and Advanced Standing courses as "Dual Enrollment".  

Letters of Recommendation

Before you consider submitting a letter of recommendation, ensure it is needed.  Many schools do not require letters of recommendation. Please do not waste staff members' time composing an unnecessary letter. 

Whom Should I Ask?

Core subject area teachers are typically the recommended candidates, however you can ask any school staff member. Colleges generally prefer recommendations which speak towards your academic abilities. Recommendations from employers, coaches, faith leaders, or neighbors may be useful in terms of scholarship applications, but these types of recommendations are not academic. Make sure the person writing the recommendation knows you personally and is able to communicate your strengths. Please be considerate: school staff are happy to provide you with letters of recommendation, and it is important that you ask in person if possible.

When Should I Ask?

Make sure you give your recommendation writers plenty of time (AT LEAST two weeks before letters are due, but one month is recommended) as they may be writing for multiple students. Some colleges and the Common Application require you to send an email request to your recommendation writer. In this case, please inform that person they will receive an email link which will allow them to submit the letter directly.

How To Get the Best Results

Talk to your recommendation writers. Provide them with a copy of the Student Resume and be sure to let them know your future plans (intended major/career). The best letters include specific examples and stories rather than vague praise. Make sure your recommendation writers have everything they need to write your letters and submit them on time. 

"How-Tos" of Submitting Letters of Recommendation

Steps for Submitting Letters to UW-Madison:

1. Ask each recommender to use UW-Madison’s letters of recommendation website to submit letters.

Steps for Submitting Letters to UW Campuses Other than UW-Madison:

1. Ask the recommender to submit this  Recommendation for Undergraduate Admission Form to the UW campus you're considering. 

   • School staff members can submit the form directly to the contact information provided (mail or email), or to the counselors to be sent with transcripts via Parchment. 

   • Non-school staff  can submit the form directly to the contact information provided (mail or email). If your recommender elects to mail the form, you should provide a stamped and addressed envelope.

Steps for Submitting Letters to Schools Outside of the UW System:

1. Provide the Student Resume to your recommender.

2. Provide a stamped envelope, including the completed address for mailing OR have your recommender give the counselors the letter with information on where to send it with transcripts via Parchment. 

Laude System

River Valley uses the Laude System in lieu of class rank. If an application requests your rank in your class, you will report "do not rank".  Counselors can submit information about the Laude System  and student Laude Distinctions with transcripts, but you must see your counselor about a Laude Distinction Form. 

• To determine whether or not you will graduate with a Laude Distinction, and to see see the classes that qualify as honor courses use this form to.