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Command Education Guide
How to write the university of wisconsin-madison supplemental essays, updated for 2024-2025.
Note that UW also offers the following guidelines:
“Keep these tips in mind as you work on your writing:
- Develop your thoughts before you begin the writing process, and create an outline.
- The maximum word count for each essay is 650, but we recommend planning for 300–500 words.
- Do not type directly into the web form. Instead, work on your draft in word processing software.
- Allow time to develop and revisit your writing.
- Check for spelling mistakes and ask someone to proofread your final version.
- Be genuine and honest in your writing.”
If you apply using the Common Application, you will be asked to respond to one of the first-year Common Application essays . If you apply with the Universities of Wisconsin Application, you will need to answer the following prompt:
Each student is unique. Please tell us about the particular life experiences, talents, commitments, and/or interests you will bring to our campus.
Explanation:
This prompt is asking you to highlight what makes you unique and how those aspects will contribute to the campus community at the University of Wisconsin. The admissions committee wants to understand who you are beyond grades and test scores. They are looking for insights into your character, values, and what you can bring to the university environment.
Start by focusing on what makes you uniquely you. Think about the life experiences, talents, and passions that define who you are. Reflect on significant moments or challenges that have shaped your journey, such as leadership roles, impactful volunteer work, or personal growth. Highlight your specific skills and talents—whether it’s a knack for organizing events, a commitment to social justice, or a creative problem-solving approach. Once you have identified these unique aspects of yourself, connect them to what you can contribute to the UW-Madison community. Research UW’s values, mission, and campus culture to find intersections between your interests and their priorities. If you’re passionate about gender equality, for example, mention how you’re excited to engage with the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center and other related initiatives.
Finally, show your experiences and skills align with the university’s goals and how you plan to actively participate in or contribute to campus life. For a strong supplemental essay, make sure you illustrate your potential impact by providing specific examples from your past achievements. Describe how your experiences have prepared you to make a difference at UW-Madison. Whether it’s through leading a club, organizing community service projects, or tackling social issues, make it clear how these achievements have equipped you to contribute meaningfully to the university environment.
“When you educate a girl, you educate a family, a community, a country,” Michelle Obama declares as the crowd, including myself, erupts in wild cheers. It’s International Day of the Girl, and I’m in Times Square, watching the former First Lady of the US as she is interviewed by Today Show hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie. In spite of having to wake up at 3 a.m. to participate in this event, I’m ecstatic and overjoyed by being in the presence of my biggest role model. Her passionate advocacy for girls’ education resonates deeply with me, and as I observe the crowd—filled with members of organizations like Girl Scouts and She’s the First—I am struck by their collective dedication and enthusiasm. This moment of shared purpose is both inspiring and affirming.
As the President of my high school’s She’s the First club, I have seized numerous opportunities to champion girls’ education. Organizing fundraisers and raising over $1,100 for young Kenyan students has been incredibly rewarding. Coordinating an event to meet Michelle Obama, while challenging, further ignited my passion and commitment to this cause. The support from my friends, peers, and teachers has been instrumental in navigating these challenges. Their encouragement has helped me cultivate a supportive network of like-minded individuals who are equally committed to making a difference.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison stands out to me as the perfect place to continue advocating for girls’ empowerment. UW’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as its robust support for student organizations, aligns perfectly with my values and ambitions. I am particularly excited about the opportunities to engage with like-minded peers through the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center and to participate in initiatives that promote gender equality.
UW’s vibrant campus community and its dedication to social justice are particularly appealing to me. I am excited to bring my experience in organizing impactful events and my passion for gender equality to the university. At UW, I plan to contribute to the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center and participate in initiatives that align with my commitment to social change. I hope to leverage the interdisciplinary nature of this program to develop innovative strategies that address barriers to education for girls in underserved communities. The program’s robust curriculum will provide me with a deep understanding of gender dynamics, policy analysis, and social justice frameworks. By collaborating with like-minded peers and faculty at UW, I aim to contribute to cutting-edge research on gender inequality and develop actionable solutions.
I am particularly excited about the prospect of engaging with the University’s research centers and community partnerships like the Center for Research on Gender and Women (CRGW) and Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Social Justice Committee to pilot programs that address educational disparities and promote gender equity. Ultimately, my goal is to influence policy and practice on a global scale, advocating for systemic reforms that ensure every girl has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally. I am confident that UW will provide me with the education, experiences, and network I need to achieve my goals and make a difference in the world.
The second prompt is asked of all applicants, regardless of which application platform they are using to submit their application.
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.
It’s important to make your response to this supplemental question as specific and personal as possible. Start by thinking about what excites you most about UW-Madison. What drew you to this school? Maybe it’s the school’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, or perhaps its vibrant campus life and the wealth of academic resources. Mention these aspects early on to show you’ve done your research and that you’re genuinely excited about what the university offers.
For instance, you could highlight the university’s renowned Morgridge Center for Public Service if you’re interested in social justice or civic engagement. Explain how their programs will provide you with the academic foundation and practical skills necessary to further your passion for gender equality and educational access. If there are specific professors, courses, or research opportunities that particularly excite you, be sure to mention them. Connect your academic interests to your chosen major. If you’re set on a specific major, discuss what sparked your interest in this field. Reflect on your past experiences that led you to this decision. Clubs, extracurricular involvements, or perhaps a class that had a great impact on you are a great place to start. Also, be specific about how you plan to engage with the campus community; highlight any specific resources or programs, such as the university’s research centers, that will help you achieve your goals.
Lastly, describe how the university’s environment will help you grow both academically and personally. Share your enthusiasm for becoming an active part of the campus community and how you plan to make a positive impact. Whether it’s through student organizations, academic research, or community engagement, make it clear that you’re ready to contribute to the university and make the most of the opportunities it offers. By grounding your essay in specific details about UW and your own experiences and aspirations, you’ll create a compelling narrative that demonstrates why you’re a great fit for the university.
Attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison excites me because of its strong academic programs, renowned faculty, and vibrant campus community. As a prospective double major in Urban Studies and Sociology, I am eager to explore how these fields intersect and deepen my understanding of social structures, patterns, and phenomena related to socio-economic background, gender, and race. Classes such as “Urban Social Problems” and “Race and Ethnicity in the United States” will allow me to examine government policies and the economic and social factors affecting metropolitan areas, specifically Madison.
Professor Katherine J. Curtis, whose research focuses on population dynamics and environmental change, is someone whose work I admire greatly. I would love the opportunity to assist her in her research on the socio-economic impacts of environmental changes on communities. This aligns with my long-term mission to develop solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness, especially those transitioning from foster care, juvenile justice, and residential treatment services.
The Urban Studies major at UW-Madison places a great emphasis on community engagement and fieldwork, which is something I deeply value. Having gained experience in documentary-making through interviewing my grandmother about her Korean War experiences, I am excited to take courses such as “Documentary Research in Social Science,” where I can hone my skills and learn about the historical and sustained importance of documentaries. I am eager to get involved in the Morgridge Center for Public Service, where I can apply my skills outside the classroom by working with nonprofit organizations and recording my findings and reflections to raise awareness about social issues. Additionally, the Wisconsin Idea Fellowship offers a unique platform for students to address community challenges through applied research, and I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to such initiatives.
Professor Jenna Nobles’ research on migration and public policy is particularly inspiring. I hope to join her research initiatives on wealth inequality and the economic struggles of ethnic groups in diverse geographic and demographic contexts. Courses like “Sociology of Economic Change and Development” will enable me to understand the impact of migration on receiving societies and the link between population, development, and poverty. Beyond academics, I am excited to engage in UW-Madison’s dynamic campus life. With my experience in teaching children and advocating for education rights through my involvement in my local Korean school and organizations like Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science and She’s the First, I hope to continue my spirit of social activism by volunteering with initiatives like the PEOPLE Program, which supports students from underrepresented backgrounds.
“When you educate a girl, you educate a family, a community, a country,” Michelle Obama declares as the crowd, including myself, erupts in wild cheers. It’s International Day of the Girl, and I’m in Times Square, watching the former First Lady of the US being interviewed by Today Show hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie. In spite of having to wake up at 3 a.m. to participate in this event, I’m ecstatic and overjoyed by being in the presence of my biggest role model. Her passionate advocacy for girls’ education resonates deeply with me, and as I observe the crowd—members of organizations like Girl Scouts and She’s the First—I am struck by their collective dedication and enthusiasm. This moment of shared purpose is both inspiring and affirming.
As the President of my high school’s She’s the First club, I have seized numerous opportunities to champion girls’ education. Organizing fundraisers and raising over $1100 for young Kenyan students has been incredibly rewarding. Coordinating an event to meet Michelle Obama, while challenging, further ignited my passion and commitment to this cause. The support from my friends, peers, and teachers has been instrumental in navigating these challenges. Their encouragement has helped me cultivate a supportive network of like-minded individuals who are equally committed to making a difference.
I am particularly excited about the prospect of engaging with the University’s resources, such as its research centers and community partnerships, such as Center for Research on Gender and Women (CRGW) and Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Social Justice Committee, to pilot programs that address educational disparities and promote gender equity. Ultimately, my goal is to influence policy and practice on a global scale, advocating for systemic reforms that ensure every girl has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally. I am confident that UW will provide me with the education, experiences, and network I need to achieve my goals and make a difference in the world.
It’s important to make your response to this supplement question as specific and personal as possible. Start by thinking about what excites you most about UW-Madison. What drew you to this school? Maybe it’s their strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, or perhaps the vibrant campus life and the wealth of academic resources. Mention these aspects early on to show you’ve done your research and that you’re genuinely excited about what the university offers.
For instance, you could highlight the university’s renowned Morgridge Center for Public Service if you’re interested in social justice or civic engagement. Explain how their programs will provide you with the academic foundation and practical skills to further your passion for gender equality and educational access. If there are specific professors, courses, or research opportunities that particularly excite you, be sure to mention them. Connect your academic interests to your chosen major. If you’re set on a specific major, discuss what sparked your interest in this field. Reflect on your past experiences that led you to this decision. Clubs, extracurricular involvements, or perhaps a class that had a great impact on you are a great place to start. Also, be specific about how you plan to engage with the campus community; highlight any specific resources or programs, such as the university’s research centers, that will help you achieve your goals.
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