Graduate Application: FAQs

GRE scores are not required. If you would like to submit yours, the institution code for UW–Madison is 1846.

A personal statement tells us who you are, what skills you bring to the table, and what you are hoping to get out of graduate school. In particular, we like to have a clear sense of an applicant’s prior research experience and future research interests. It is helpful to know about your career plans and your level of engagement with education or outreach activities.

Consider the following for your personal statement:

• Be as specific as you can in identifying your particular interests within a program. Reference to specific sections of the department or to specific staff members is especially helpful. 
• Prioritize clear and concise writing in plain language over long, rambling or flowery prose.
• Be sure to tell us who you are, what your degree goals are, what you are interested in, and why, specifically, you want to pursue that interest in Madison.
• Make it clear that you understand the research orientation of an advanced degree and indicate any relevant research experience you have.

If the transcript is in hard copy form, it is sent directly from the institution to The Graduate School at the University of Wisconsin-Madison sealed and either has a stamp or signature from the institution’s registrar.

If it is an electronic version, it is sent directly from the institution to The Graduate School, admissions@grad.wisc.edu.

No. Certain professors may require an incoming student to obtain a master’s degree before going on to the PhD, but the department does not. Please do not check the MS box if your goal is a PhD in the department.

Most of our graduate students receive financial support as teaching, research or project assistantships. Students may wish to indicate in their statement of purpose any preferences or interests concerning financial support (e.g., are you seeking a rotational research assistantship?).

The department may also nominate applicants for Advanced Opportunity Fellowships. Nominations and appointments depend upon the student’s qualifications and positions that are available.

To receive information from the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Services about loans, check the “loans/work study” box in the “application information” section of the online application.

Make sure that all supporting documentation, including GRE’s, reference letters and transcripts, are submitted by December 1^st.

To be considered for departmental assistance, all on-line applications are due by December 1^st however, applications may be reviewed until April 15^th. 

Shortly after you submit your online application to the Graduate School, you will receive an email containing a unique URL and campus ID number to track the progress of your application, receipt of your application fee and test scores, and demographic information.

Typically, assistantship offers are made in March, and all other admissions decisions are completed by mid-April.

A personal visit is not necessary and does not influence admission decisions directly. However, it can be an excellent way to facilitate department assessment of your candidacy while also giving you the opportunity to see where you may live for the next several years.

We will try to arrange for you to meet relevant faculty and staff members and do our best to answer your questions.

Please contact us if you are interested in arranging a visit.

Yes, here are a few!

• Make direct contact with professors, especially if you are interested in having them as your advisor.
• Make sure your application is in early and that all supporting materials are sent promptly.
• In your personal statement:
  • Be as specific as you can in identifying your particular interests within a program. Reference to specific sections of the department or to specific staff members is especially helpful. 
  • Prioritize clear and concise writing in plain language over long, rambling or flowery prose.
  • Be sure to tell us who you are, what your degree goals are, what you are interested in, and why, specifically, you want to pursue that interest in Madison.
  • Make it clear that you understand the research orientation of an advanced degree and indicate any relevant research experience you have.

Get in touch with your program’s Graduate Program Coordinator by e-mail or phone. All inquiries will be answered as promptly as possible.

• Botany Graduate Program:
  • gradinfo@botany.wisc.edu,
  • (608) 262-0476
• Freshwater and Marine Sciences Graduate Program:
  • email
  • phone
• Integrative Biology Graduate Program:
  • email
  • phone