Hi all! I'm thinking of applying to the University of Wisconsin and wanted to know what the average ACT score of admitted students is. Should I aim for a specific score to maximize my chances of acceptance?
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) typically provides a middle 50% ACT range for its admitted students, which can help give you an idea of the scores they're looking for. This middle 50% range is usually between 27-32, which means half of the admitted students had an ACT score within this range, while 25% scored above and 25% below.
To maximize your chances of acceptance at UW-Madison, it's a good idea to aim for a score within this range or higher. However, remember that test scores are just one aspect of your application. UW-Madison, like many other universities, uses a holistic approach to evaluate applicants, by considering factors like your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and essays alongside your ACT score. Make sure to work on these areas as well to strengthen your application.
If you're looking for tips on how to strengthen your overall application to UW-Madison, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-wisconsin-madison-essays
Finally, it is worth noting that UW-Madison is officially test-optional, so you actually don't have to submit an ACT (or SAT) score. That being said, you're smart to be thinking about a target ACT score, as there can still be many instances where including a standardized test score with your application can be a good idea. For detailed guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional
Overall, while your ACT score likely won't be the sole determining factor for UW-Madison admissions officers, achieving an ACT score within or above the middle 50% range would be a great starting point and provide a solid indication that you're academically competitive for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Good luck!
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