Admissions for Undergraduates

Student Center D105 • 262-595-2355

The Office of Admissions and New Student Services provides admission counseling, support for prospective students and families, processing of applications for admission, as well as course placement. 

Degree-Seeking Status

Degree-seeking students are those expecting to complete requirements for a degree or second degree. To be accepted as degree-seeking, students must meet the appropriate admission requirements in effect at the time they complete the application.

Students are subject to the general education requirements in effect at the time they are accepted as a degree-seeking student. Students’ specific program requirements (major, minor, certificate, concentration) are determined by the date their program declarations are accepted by the appropriate department. 

Admission Requirements

New Freshmen

To be considered for admission as degree-seeking candidates, applicants must submit the University of Wisconsin System Application, the required application fee, and official transcripts from high school (or the equivalent). New freshmen applicants that complete college level work while in high school must submit official college transcripts upon completion of the course(s). In addition, all applicants under 21 years of age on September 1 of the academic year in which they plan to enroll must also submit ACT or SAT scores.  NOTE:  For 2021-23, UW System has temporarily suspended the ACT/SAT admissions requirement.

Freshman applicants must demonstrate that they are prepared to do satisfactory academic work and, that as members of the campus community, they will benefit from and enrich the educational environment and the quality of UW-Parkside. UW-Parkside completes a comprehensive review with each application received.  Both academic and nonacademic factors that are presented in an application are used to make an admission decision. Academic factors include quality and rigor of high school coursework, grade point average, class rank, trends in grades and standardized test scores.

In addition to the academic background and qualifications of applicants, nonacademic factors will also be considered. These include, but are not limited to, leadership, community service, special talent and ability, and personal characteristics that contribute to the strengths and diversity of the university. The most competitive candidates for admission present factors in their application that are both academic and nonacademic. Academic factors will continue to be of primary importance in the comprehensive review.

Since there are no specific requirements to guarantee admission, and in an effort to help students plan their academic future, students likely to be admitted will rank in the upper 50th percentile of their high school class or have a minimum ACT composite score of 21 (or SAT equivalent) and complete the academic units listed below.

New freshmen must complete a minimum of 17 high school units with the following distribution:

Admission Requirements

Academic Subjects	Units
English	4 (3 units must be composition and/or literature)
Mathematics	3 (must be algebra or higher)
Natural Science	3 (including one lab science)
Social Sciences	3
Additional Electives	4 (from the above areas or other academic areas such as fine arts, business, etc.)

Transfer Students

Transfer students are those who enter UW-Parkside with 12 or more transferable credits earned from another accredited college, university, or college-parallel program.

Transfer students must submit the University of Wisconsin System Application for Undergraduate Admission, pay the required application fee, and provide transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Applicants who have completed the foreign language requirement with high school course work should also provide high school transcripts (see the foreign language requirement in the Policies section of this catalog) .

UW-Parkside completes a comprehensive review with each application received. Both academic and non-academic factors that are presented in an application are used to make an admission decision. Academic factors for admission include the academic rigor of the completed college courses, the earned number of college transfer credits, individual course grades and collegiate cumulative grade point average. A transfer applicant’s high school academic record, including curriculum, GPA, class rank and ACT or SAT score may also be considered when less than 24 semester transfer credits have been earned at the time of application.

In addition to the academic background and qualifications of applicants, nonacademic factors will also be considered. These include, but are not limited to, leadership, community service, special talent and ability, life experience, and personal characteristics that contribute to the strengths and diversity of the university. The most competitive candidates for admission present factors in their application that are both academic and nonacademic. Academic factors will continue to be of primary importance in the comprehensive review.

Important information about academic policies that apply to transfer students can be found in the Policies section of this catalog.

Failure to inform UW-Parkside of attendance at any other institution of higher education may constitute grounds for disciplinary dismissal. If, after receiving complete transfer records, the university determines that the student is on academic or disciplinary suspension status at another institution of higher education, that status will be honored by UW-Parkside and the applicant’s registration will be canceled.

International Students

Students from approximately 25 countries currently attend UW-Parkside. The Office of Admissions assists international students in completing the admissions process and determines eligibility for scholarship assistance.

Admission of international students depends on scholastic achievement, English language competency, and the student’s ability to secure the required financial support. To apply, students must submit the following: The University of Wisconsin System International application, official transcripts in English translation documenting completion of secondary school and attendance at all other institutions of higher education (if applicable); the required application fee; and official Statements of Financial Support. Students must also arrange for the university to receive official scores showing English Language proficiency. Students whose prior education was not conducted in English are required to submit proof of language proficiency. English proficiency may be demonstrated by submission of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) , or IELTS examinations, ACT, DuoLingo or Pearsons. Minimum TOEFL score of 71 (internet based) or minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or ACT English subscore of 23 or higher, DuoLingo score of 100 or higher, Pearson score of 45 or higher is required. In addition, upon admission, international students may be required to take a placement test to determine English proficiency prior to course placement. 

Students who have taken any university-level courses or completed an undergraduate degree must submit official college or university transcripts for each institution attended to UW-Parkside. Additionally, these transcripts must be submitted to a professional evaluation service that is recognized through NACES (naces.org). The following credential evaluation services are recommended – Education Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE), World Education Services (WES). An additional fee will be charged by the evaluation service.

International students are generally required to finance their entire education. United States immigration regulations restrict almost all off-campus work and limit on-campus work to 20 hours per week.

All UW-Parkside international students are required to have international health insurance that includes medical evacuation and repatriation. International students are automatically enrolled and billed for an international student plan. 

Re-entry Students

Applicants who previously attended UW-Parkside but have not been enrolled for more than one year must complete the UW System online re-entry application. Students who were previously enrolled and left due to military active duty deployment are eligible to re-enroll at the university with the same academic standing as when they last attended.

In addition, students applying for re-entry must submit high school transcripts and transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended unless they have been provided in the past. Applicants who have been dropped for academic reasons from another institution since last attending UW-Parkside are not eligible to return to the university. Appeals for extraordinary circumstances will be considered.

Applicants seeking re-entry after having served a period on academic suspension from UW-Parkside must complete a re-entry application through the Office of Admissions.

Veterans

UW-Parkside is approved by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the Wisconsin State Approving Agency for the education of military members, veterans and dependents of veterans under all federal and state education benefit programs.  All benefit programs are administered by the UW-Parkside’s Education Benefits Coordinator as one of the services provided through the university’s Military & Veteran Success Center.

UW-Parkside’s Military & Veteran Success Center (MVSC) advises military members, veterans and their dependents on both federal and state veteran education benefit programs and provides assistance in applying for benefits.  New or transfer students are encouraged to consult with the MVSC’s Education Benefits Coordinator upon admission.  Current students who become aware of potential benefit eligibility or have questions about eligibility are advised to schedule a consultation promptly.  To ensure benefits are applied to a student’s account in a timely manner, a student must submit a Request for Veteran Benefits (R-VAB) upon enrollment in any term.  Once an R-VAB is submitted, students are required to report any change in enrollment status promptly, as changes may impact benefit entitlement.  

Federal and state financial aid regulations may require some military and veteran benefits to be considered as part of a financial aid award package. Most benefits do not impact a student’s ability to qualify for either federal or state financial aid and students are encouraged to apply.  

In accordance with WI State Statute, priority registration is given to all veterans, service members and ROTC cadets who are serving or have served in the U.S Armed Forces under honorable conditions.  

Advanced Placement

Applicants who have exhibited outstanding scholarship and participated in the College Entrance Examination Board’s Advanced Placement Program may be considered for advanced college placement or credit. For instructions to submit AP scores to UW-Parkside, please visit www.collegeboard.org. 

Visit https://www.uwp.edu/live/services/placementtesting/apequiv.cfm for a complete listing of courses and minimum scores. 

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee Plan

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers a four-year graduation guarantee that assures eligible entering freshmen a degree at the end of eight regular semesters.

Under the Chancellor’s Four-Year Guarantee Program, students work closely with an academic advisor to carefully plan a sequence of courses in order to complete UW-Parkside’s degree requirements within four years of enrollment. The program is designed to help undergraduate students enter the work force full time as soon as possible, or to pursue a graduate education, and avoid unnecessary tuition expenses.

To be eligible for the program, first-time freshmen entering UW-Parkside must express their intent to complete one major and degree program, have the necessary academic preparation to begin course work at the entry level for general education and their chosen major, and enroll in at least 15 credits their first semester.

To remain eligible, students must complete an average of 15 credits each semester, maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average (some degree programs may require higher grade point averages), declare their major as soon as allowed by the academic department, develop a four-year plan with their academic advisor and meet with that advisor each semester prior to course registration. There is no penalty for students who enter the program but are unable to complete it; there is no obligation to stay in the program.

UW-Parkside provides participating students with a four-year academic plan, appropriate academic advising, and courses required for the declared major and degree. The university also provides substitutions or waivers of requirements or even free tuition or tuition reimbursement for participating students if the required courses are not available and the student is not able to graduate in four years.

Placement Tests

First Year Students are placed into math and English based on their high school GPA. The university, however, recognizes alternative placement measures including ACT/SAT scores and the Wisconsin Placement test. Students may submit an ACT or SAT score or take the Wisconsin Placement test in an attempt to place into a different level course. Students who do not have a recent HS GPA should take the Wisconsin Placement test. 

Transfer students are required to take the Math & English Placement Tests unless (a) the student has transfer credit that satisfies the Math and/or English requirement or (b) has taken a math and/or English course that places the student into the next, sequential course.

All students interested in enrolling in a Foreign language course must take the Foreign Language placement exam.

A current student is eligible to take a Placement Test only if the student has not enrolled in and attended any Math, English or Foreign Language courses.

More information can be found on the Placement Testing website.

Non-Degree-Seeking Students

UW-Parkside welcomes students pursuing studies for personal or professional enrichment. Persons currently not pursuing a degree, and those wishing only to audit courses are admitted as non-degree-seeking students. Such students must submit the University of Wisconsin System Application for Undergraduate Admission. No application fee is required. Non-degree-seeking students are classified as special students at the graduate or undergraduate level and are not eligible to receive financial aid.

Most non-degree-seeking students are required to re-apply for admission for each academic term. Exceptions to this rule are students with UW-Parkside bachelor’s degrees who return to work toward an additional major, minor or concentration; students seeking a certificate; students enrolled in the Parkside Access to College Credits (PACC) program; students participating in student exchange programs or students enrolled in the Gateway Technical College AA or AS Degree Program that have completed the Declaration of Intent to Transfer to UW-Parkside. Students in the PACC and student exchange program must reapply each academic year (an academic year for this purpose is defined as Fall, Spring, and Summer). Students in the Gateway Technical College AA or AS Degree program must reapply every two years.  All other non-degree-seeking students must re-apply each term. 

A non-degree-seeking student may not enroll for more than 15 credits in a given semester without permission from the Advising and Career Center. A non-degree-seeking student cannot declare a major. Academic probation and drop policies related to grade point averages and earned credits apply. Completion of appropriate placement tests is a required prerequisite to enrollment in English, mathematics, or second-semester or higher foreign language courses. 

Non-degree-seeking students who desire to be degree candidates must file a degree-seeking application and submit transcripts from all high schools and all other institutions of higher education previously attended. Students must meet the admission requirements in effect at the time they complete their files and are ready to be considered for admission as degree-seeking students.

Students are subject to the general education requirements in effect at the time they are accepted as a degree-seeking student. Students who have been granted degree-seeking status and wish to declare a major may petition to do so. Students’ specific program requirements (major, minor, certificate, concentration) are determined by the date their program declarations are accepted by the appropriate department.

High School Special Students

High school juniors and seniors with superior high school records may enroll as non-degree-seeking students in one or two UW-Parkside courses while working toward a high school diploma. Students must consult with their high school counselors before undertaking university work and present written permission from the appropriate high school official. High school special students are responsible for the payment of all tuition, fees and books.

Parkside Access to College Credits (PACC)

The Parkside Access to College Credit Program (PACC) allows eligible high school students to earn college and high school credit simultaneously by taking and successfully completing designated courses at their high school, known as concurrent enrollment. By taking college credit in high school, students also set themselves apart by demonstrating that they can succeed in college-level classes. Go to https://www.uwp.edu/learn/departments/professionalstudies/pacc/ to learn more about the PACC program.

Early College Credit Program

Students in Wisconsin public high schools may be eligible to take college courses for both high school and college credit and have those courses paid for by their school district. Interested students should consult their high school counselors for information about this program. Minimum qualifications for the Early College Credit Program require that students must:

• Be in the junior or senior year.
• Rank in the upper 25% of their high school class or if ranking is not available, have a cumulative 3.00/4.00 GPA.
• Have the approval from their high school.
• Submit all appropriate and official applications and documentation as approved by their high school.

Social Security Disability Recipients and Senior Citizens

Persons receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and senior citizens aged 60 or older may audit courses without paying a fee. (See section entitled “Audit” in the Policies section of this catalog.)