Current UW-Madison students who wish to become Business majors are classified as Pre-Business students in the College of Letters and Science during their first year. Students are considered Pre-Business majors until they either are admitted to the business school or declare a different major.
Our Sophomore Admissions model requires that students complete a minimum of 24 credits IN RESIDENCE at UW-Madison before they can be admitted to the Wisconsin School of Business. This 24 credit minimum does not count AP or other transfer credits and must include Communications Part A, Economics 101, and Calculus I (Math 211, 217, or 221), and Psychology 202. (To be clear, AP credit can be used to satisfy Pre-Business curriculum requirements, but they DO NOT count toward the 24 credit in-residence requirement.)
Students may apply while required classes are in progress. That is, students may be enrolled in classes fulfilling the abovementioned requirements the same academic term they apply for admission to the business school.
Admission decisions are based upon a combination of academic performance in college coursework and non-academic strengths and factors (e.g. leadership experience, campus involvement, writing and communication skills, motivation, initiative, work ethic, and other qualities) over time.
The Wisconsin BBA Admissions Director will host information sessions each semester to give Pre-Business students information and pointers for completing their applications. Please watch myBiz for session dates.
Application Policies
- Students can apply to the school of business only twice.
- Students may formally appeal a decline.
- No late applications are accepted at all.
- Students are notified of admission status the summer before the sophomore fall term.
Current UW-Madison students with 100 or more credits are NOT eligible for admission. The 100 credits includes all transfer, AP, and retroactive language credits; in-progress credits, however, are not counted. The 100 credit rule also applied to second degree candidates. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for admission to the Wisconsin BBA.
Prospective Business majors apply online through the Wisconsin BBA page. This application will be available until the Friday before April 1.
Students who matriculated to college before the summer of 2008 and are not subject to the 10 semester rule must satisfy the Pre-Business Junior Admissions Requirements. View Junior Admission Requirements.