Supplemental essays · 2026–27 application
University of Wisconsin–Madison supplemental essays.
The essay question University of Wisconsin–Madison asks this year, word for word, with the word limit and how to approach it.
Checked against admissions.wisc.edu on October 17, 2026
What you write: Write the Common App essay and this UW–Madison essay.
UW–Madison recommends 300–500 words; the limit is 650.
Why UW–Madison and your major
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.
How to approach it
- Name things you could only find at this college: a class, a professor, a program, a tradition.
- Tie every detail to something true about you.
- Swap test: if another college’s name fits your sentence, it’s too general.
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