Connections Program
The University of Wisconsin–Madison educates thousands of the state’s citizens every year by admitting some of the best and brightest students from throughout Wisconsin. The Connections Program offers select Wisconsin residents the opportunity to start at a partner college or university before finishing their bachelor’s degree at UW–Madison.
Program Benefits
Connections Program students receive a Campus ID and are granted access to campus resources and student services at UW–Madison while at their home institution, including:
- Participation in select student organizations
- Access to special events and guest speakers
- Use of more than 40 on-campus libraries
- Campus technology tools and software training
- Campus email and computer lab access
- Discounts at the DoIT technology store
- Use of recreational facilities (with nominal fee)
- Badger athletic ticket eligibility
- UW–Madison Student ID (Wiscard)
Each year, we invite select first-year applicants to participate in the Connections Program. Wisconsin residents who are waitlisted or admitted to UW–Madison are also eligible to opt-in to Connections. If you have been invited to participate in the program for next fall, complete and return the Program Agreement by May 1.
Program Requirements
Students who accept admission to the UW–Madison Connections Program agree to meet the following requirements:
- Submit the UW–Madison Connections Program Agreement.
- As a program benefit, your UW–Madison admissions application and materials are automatically and securely shared with your designated partner campus for admission. You do not need to apply to your partner campus.
- Submit an official final high school transcript showing high school graduation and successful completion of senior year by July 15.
- Complete 54 transferable credits within three years at the chosen partner campus. These credits may include AP, IB, college credit earned while still in high school, or summer courses taken at approved post-secondary institutions.
- Submit official AP or IB exams scores. Request that the College Board (AP code 1846) or International Baccalaureate program send official scores directly to our office, which will arrive electronically directly from the testing agency.
- Satisfy UW–Madison’s General Education Requirements with the exception of Communication Part B. These requirements include:
- Communication Part A (3 credits)
- Quantitative Reasoning Parts A and B (6 credits)
- Natural Science (4–6 credits)
- Humanities/Literature/Arts (6 credits)
- Social Studies (3 credits)
- Ethnic Studies (3 credits)
- Earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 each term. (Specific major/program admission requirements may be higher than a 2.0 GPA. Review our entrance requirements for undergraduate majors for more information.)
- Complete the Connections Program Transition Checklist and submit it along with required documents (official transcripts, AP score reports, etc.).
Upon fulfilling these requirements, students transition directly to UW–Madison without completing a separate application for admission. Connections offers admission to the university but does not offer direct entry to all programs/majors. Please note:
- Students interested in a major within the College of Engineering are encouraged to apply as a transfer student instead of completing the Connections Program in order to be considered for direct entry into a major within the college.
- Students interested in a major within the Wisconsin School of Business will need to complete an additional School of Business transfer application to be considered for admission into those majors.
Partner Campuses
All of the Universities of Wisconsin two-year, regional campuses participate in the UW–Madison Connections Program, as do three of the UW four-year campuses and several technical and tribal colleges.
Partner campuses include:
Four-Year
Regional
- University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire – Barron County
- University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus
- University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus
- University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Marshfield
- University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Wausau
- University of Wisconsin–Whitewater at Rock County
For more information on the Connections Program, contact us
UW–Madison Connections Program
702 West Johnson Street, Suite 1101
Madison, Wisconsin 53715-1007
608-262-3961