College Application Process

1. College Application Process UW System Schools Private Schools Madison College

2. Applying ● Apply to colleges early in your senior year (September, October, November for priority admission) ● On average, students apply to 3 schools (usually one “stretch,” one “sure thing,” and one in the middle.)

3. UW System Schools • Online application preferred. • Need to fill out separate application for each UW school you apply to (a drop-down menu is available so you only need to complete most information once). • Go to specific school’s website to locate application. You can apply to all UW schools at apply.wisconsin.edu. • Applying online saves you and the college time.

4. Preparing to fill out the application ● Prepare the following: -List of extracurricular, community and/or volunteer activities -Honors/Awards Earned -Involvement in school organizations, religious and service organizations, family obligations -Employment *Be Specific with position held, hours spent, length of time involved

5. UW System Schools Essay • UW System Schools’ Essay Prompts: -Briefly explain in 50-100 words which activity you were involved in was the most important to you. -Tell us about the particular life experiences, perspectives, talents, commitments and/or interests you will bring to our campus. How will you enrich our community?

6. Private School Essay ● Private Schools applications vary. Let’s look at Marquette’s essay prompt (Choose one/300 words): -Less than 1 % of the world’s population has a college degree. What do you hope to accomplish with your Marquette degree? -What is the best advice you ever received? Why is that important? -Why Marquette?

7. Advice on Essays • Be specific with answers. • Use examples. • Be brief (doesn’t need to be lengthy). • Focus on what is unique about you. • Describe how you will make an impact on the school’s campus. • Talk about your character, defining life moments, hardships you’ve overcome and cultural awareness you have. • Have someone proofread your essay/statement.

8. Things to do after applying • Ask your school counselor to send your transcripts to the schools you are applying to. • Give your school counselor copies of letters of recommendation to send to the schools (if needed). • Have ACT and/or SAT scores sent to the schools (check to see if “official” scores are needed).

9. Madison College (formally MATC) • Go to their website – www.madisoncollege.edu click on “apply/register” • Follow steps 1-3 to apply online. Remember to inform your counselor once your application has been submitted so we can send your transcript.

10. Important things to consider for Madison College • Is there a priority application deadline for the program I am applying for? • Are there certain requirements to fulfill to get accepted into the program I want? • Do I need to take the Compass Test by a certain date? • When do I submit my transcripts?

11. Crucial Application Date! • Many technical-degree programs at Madison College have waitlists. To ensure an early placement on a waitlist, students should apply by Monday, October 15. • Radiography and Associate Degree Nursing will not accept applications after Oct. 15.

12. Madison College does not require the ACT or SAT for admission. They require that students take the Compass test for placement. In most cases, the Compass test can be taken after the application has been submitted.

13. Almost all of the medical programs at MATC require the Compass test (or an ACT over 20) as part of the application. That means you must take the Compass test before they will consider your application. If you are applying for Radiography or Assoc. Degree Nursing, you must take the Compass and apply before Oct. 15.

14. Information about the Compass test and how to schedule it is available on their website. • Click on “C” at the top of the page, scroll down to “Compass Test Schedule,” click the “Compass” icon, select a date/time, and click on “register.”

15. Questions • See your school counselor. • Go to the school’s website. • Call the school.