Admission Guidelines
Freshman admission is competitive and selective. For the fall 2011 semester, approximately 7,100 applications were received for a freshman class of 1,950 students.
Academic preparation and success are the primary considerations for admission, although non-academic factors are also considered. Each application for admission is given a comprehensive review. Freshman applicants are considered using the following guidelines:
- Applicants must present evidence of graduation from a recognized high school or equivalent certificate.
- Successful completion of the following academic units (one unit equals one year of study). These are the minimum required courses; most students will exceed this expectation.
| Courses | Specifications | Units |
|---|---|---|
| English | at least 3 composition and literature | 4 |
| Foreign Language | in a single language | 2 |
| Mathematics | algebra, geometry, 1 adv. college prep. math | 3 |
| Natural Science | none | 3 |
| Social Science | 1 must be world or American history | 3 |
| Additional Course Work | in any of the above areas, and art, music, computer science, or other academic areas | 2 |
| Total |
17 Units |
In addition to a rigorous high school curriculum, academic factors include high school class rank, high school grade point average, trends in grades, and test scores. Secondary non-academic factors may include, but are not necessarily limited to: leadership, community service, achievement in the arts, athletics, or other areas, and diversity in personal background and experience.
Freshman Profile
Profile of admitted Freshmen |
Average ACT of new freshmen
|
24+ |
|---|---|---|
| Average class rank percentile | 78% | |
| ACT of middle 50% of freshmen | 23-27 | |
| Rank in high school class of middle 50% of freshmen |
68%-89% | |
|
[Middle 50% means that 25% of admitted students fall below these scores and 25% place above.]
|
||
Apply to UW-Eau Claire
Students applying to enter UW-Eau Claire as freshmen for the fall semester should submit the following items to the Admissions Office after Sept. 15. Priority deadline is December 1 with a final deadline of February 1. Students applying to enter as freshmen for the spring semester should submit the following items after June 15. Priority deadline is November 1.
- A completed UW System application for admission. Check out the Apply Online link on the left or apply.wisconsin.edu.
- A $44 non refundable application fee payable to UW-Eau Claire.
- An official transcript of all completed high school credit. *Students who have not graduated at the time of application should arrange to have their high school forward a final transcript to UW-Eau Claire.
- An ACT or SAT score report for all students under the age of 22. ACT is preferred. Students will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process by taking one test rather than the other. UW-Eau Claire's ACT code is 4670; SAT code is 1913. Visit www.actstudent.org for more information on taking the ACT. Visit www.ets.org for more information on taking the SAT. (Test score report from high school accepted for admission. Direct score report from testing agency preferred.)
We do not require recommendation letters. If you wish to submit recommendation letters, please use them to help explain something about your application or tell us something we can't know from your other application materials and essays.
If you change your senior year courses please contact Admissions to discuss any changes to a core academic course (English, math, science, social science, foreign language).
*Applicants who wish to be admitted on the basis of high school equivalency must submit official documents such as the Certificate of General Education Development (GED) or another appropriate certificate. Include an official transcript of GED scores.
After you are Accepted
- After being admitted, you must send in your $100 enrollment deposit by May 1 (also refundable until May 1). Your $100 check must accompany your tuition deposit form (found at the bottom of your acceptance letter) and should be sent to: Student Accounts, UWEC, PO Box 5000, Eau Claire, WI 54702-5000. A waiver may be requested due to economic hardship or inability to pay: call 715-836-5415. If you've misplaced your tuition deposit form, please e-mail admissions@uwec.edu.
- You will receive a University Housing information packet, sent directly from our Housing and Residence Life Office, one to two weeks after your acceptance letter. You will be given information about how to apply for housing and submit your $75 housing deposit (refundable up to May 1). The sooner you apply for housing, the better your chances of getting your desired residence hall.
- After January 1 (and before March 15, the financial aid priority date), complete the financial aid application process. You can pick up an application at your guidance office or a college financial aid office. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office.
-
Admitted freshmen who meet the scholarship criteria and have submitted ACT/SAT scores are automatically considered for incoming student scholarships. The majority of scholarships have no separate application, as your application for admission serves this purpose. There are a few scholarships that do require a separate application including the Blugold Fellowship research scholarship. Descriptions, amounts and applications for UW-Eau Claire Foundation Scholarships can be found on the Scholarships for Incoming Students website. Students admitted by December 1 will be considered for the first round of awards. The final deadline for all other awards is February 1. Late applications may be considered if scholarships are still available. Students in the top five percent of their class with an ACT composite of 28 or above (SAT 1870) are guaranteed at least a $1000 scholarship. These students may also be eligible for the University Honors Program.
-
If you are a Wisconsin resident and signed the Wisconsin Covenant, you will want to complete all of the paperwork for the Office of the Wisconsin Covenant by April 1 of your senior year to receive any grants or financial aid that you are eligible for through the Wisconsin Covenant. The Office of the Wisconsin Covenant will make the paperwork available to you starting in January. In addition, you will want to complete the FAFSA by April 1. For more information, check out our Wisconsin Covenant Program website.
-
All students who have paid their $100 tuition deposit are mailed information about the summer orientation and registration program for new freshmen. Although the deposit is not due until May 1, the Orientation Office will begin sending information in March, so an early deposit is advantageous.
-
Regional placement testing is required of all new freshmen; information is mailed to all accepted students when it is available in late spring.
-
During the summer prior to your freshman year at UW-Eau Claire, attend the new freshmen orientation program. For more information about summer orientation call (715) 836-5053 or check out the Orientation homepage.
