Applicant submits application

Programs set their own application deadlines by term. Most fall deadlines are between mid-November and mid-January.

Program reviews application

• In the Applicant Center, it states that the application is under review.
• Applicant will not receive any additional communication from the Graduate School until the program denies the applicant or recommends the applicant for admission.

Program recommends applicant for admission

• After the program enters a recommendation code, the system will automatically add a “Missing Official Transcripts” code and an email is sent instructing the applicant to provide official transcripts.
• If a recommended applicant already has official transcripts in the admission system (e.g. if applicant sent official transcripts early), they will not receive the “Missing Official Transcripts” code or email. Graduate School staff will determine if the applicant needs to submit additional documentation and will manually send the official transcript email.
• If official transcripts are not uploaded to the recommended applicant's account after 3 weeks, an email reminder is sent to the applicant letting them know we still require official transcripts. This email will be sent every 3 weeks until transcripts are received or a decision (admit/deny/withdraw) is placed on the application.
• If a recommended applicant is found to need proof of English proficiency, the Graduate School will send an email requesting official English proficiency scores to be sent. An English proficiency reminder email will be sent every 2 weeks until official test scores are received or a decision (admit/deny/withdraw) is placed on the application.

Applicant sends official transcript

• When official transcripts are received by the Graduate School, the applicant can see in their status page which official transcripts have been received.
• Once official transcripts are uploaded in the application system, it will take the Graduate School up to three weeks of processing time. Transcripts are processed in the order in which they are received.

Graduate School makes a decision on the application to either admit, deny, or withdraw

• Admission is not complete until the Graduate School makes the official admission decision.
• Once a decision (admit/deny/withdraw) has been made on an application, the student will receive a status update email informing them to check their Graduate School application portal.
  • Applicants admitted to the Graduate School will receive an admit letter in their status page.
  • Applicants denied will receive a deny letter from the Graduate School. Programs can request to have a custom deny letter for their program.
  • Applicants withdrawn will receive a withdrawal letter.
• Once officially admitted, the applicant will be able to accept or deny the admission in the application system using the decision reply form. If an admitted applicant does not fill out the form, the applicant will be sent a reminder email to fill out the decision reply form.
• If official documents do not show a posted degree and conferral date, applicants receive an email stating official admission and asking for final transcripts which need to be sent before the first day of class.
• International Students: Once the applicant is officially admitted to the Graduate School, the applicant will receive an email with information regarding the I-20 process and next steps in Terra Dotta.

Onboarding emails from the Graduate School begin in May each year. First is a welcome from the Dean.

Matriculation is one week before enrollment begins.

Graduate School matriculates applicant

• The last step of the admissions process is matriculation, which begins approximately 11 weeks before classes start.
• Once an applicant is matriculated, the admission panels in SIS are no longer accessible to admission staff for edits.
• The Office of the Registrar term activates matriculated applicants.
• At term activation an O365 (WiscMail) email address is assigned. Students can begin using O365 email and calendar, which will automatically appear for them in MyUW. No notification is sent about this.
• Once term activated, students are assigned enrollment appointment dates. The Office of the Registrar emails students listing the appointment dates.
• The Bursar places Terms and Conditions enrollment holds, which inform graduate students of their financial responsibilities associated with enrolling for classes and explains consequences of not meeting obligations. Enrollment holds are removed automatically when students complete the agreement in their Student Center.

The second onboarding email is sent in mid/late June, just prior to the date when graduate students can begin enrolling.

ISS emails new international students several times throughout the summer.

New Graduate Student Welcome invitation is sent in early July and a reminder in mid-August.

The third onboarding email (new for 2025) is sent in mid/late July.

Student enrolls in classes

• Graduate students are held accountable to all Office of the Registrar and Graduate School deadlines after enrollment.
• When students enroll in classes, they are able to get their Wiscards.
• Students can pick up their bus pass the week before the semester begins, but must have their Wiscard first.
• At this point they are Badgers! Campus resources are available to them.