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How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements

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The University of Wisconsin System has a holistic admissions process that includes at least one personal statement. The flagship campus in Madison requires two essays. Applicants can apply using either the Common Application or the University of Wisconsin Application. This article addresses strategies for responding to the essay prompts. 

The Personal Statement for all University of Wisconsin Campuses

The main campus of the University of Wisconsin in Madison as well as the campuses in Milwaukee, Stevens, and Stout accept either the Common Application or the UW application. For these four schools, applicants can choose to apply using the Common Application and reply to one of its seven essay prompts . This gives you the freedom to write about anything you choose, for not only do the prompts cover a wide range of topics, but option #7 allows you to write on a topic of your choice .

Every campus of the UW system, however, accepts the University of Wisconsin application. The main prompt on this application asks the following:

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

You have so many options here that you might find the essay prompt daunting. As you figure out what the "something you've done" is that you should write about, keep in mind the reason why the University of Wisconsin is asking this question. The admissions process is holistic, so the university wants to get to know you as a whole person, not just as a set of empirical data such as grades, class rank, and standardized test scores. Your extracurricular activities and employment history are part of the holistic portrait, but they don't tell the whole story. 

Use this prompt to explore something that isn't obvious from the rest of your application. If one of your jobs or extracurricular activities is particularly important to you, you could use this essay to explain why that is so (much like a typical  short answer essay ). Or you could use this essay to present a side of your personality that doesn't appear on your application at all. Perhaps you like rebuilding motorcycles, fishing with your younger sister, or writing poetry.

Almost anything that's important to you is fair game here, just make sure you follow through and explain  why  it's important to you. If you fail to explain what you learned and how you've changed, you've failed to present the admissions folks a full window into your passions and interests. Also make sure your essay is forward looking since the prompt asks you to project ahead into your college years.

The Additional Essay for UW-Madison

The University of Wisconsin flagship campus in Madison requires a second essay. The prompt is the same whether you use the Common Application or the UW Application. It asks the following:

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

UW-Madison has packed a lot into this essay prompt, and it might be best to view it as two essay prompts, not one. The first—why UW-Madison?—is typical of the supplemental essays for many other colleges, and you'll want to avoid common supplemental essay mistakes . The key here is to be specific. If your answer could be applied to schools other than UW-Madison, then you're being too vague and generic. What  specifically  about UW-Madison appeals to you? What unique features of the university distinguish it from other places you're considering?

Similarly, with the question about your academic interests, be sure to do your research. Make sure you know what the university offers so that you know what opportunities you can take advantage of should you be admitted. UW-Madison is trying to make sure applicants are familiar with the university's academic offerings and have clear interests that map well to the school's curriculum.

For both pieces of this essay, keep the "why" at the forefront. Don't just describe your academic interests or the features of UW that you like. Explain why you like these things. Why do you get excited about a certain subject area? Why does UW appeal to you? In addressing "why," your essay becomes about you. The admissions folks get a glimpse into what you value and what it is that interests and excites you.

The Additional Essay for UW-La Crosse

Of all the campuses in the University of Wisconsin system, the only other school to require a second essay is UW-La Crosse . The essay prompt reads:

Please respond to the following: How will your life experiences, commitments, and/or characteristics enrich the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse campus community? Tell us why you are interested in attending UW–La Crosse and what aspects of the campus are especially important to you?

Here, as with the UW-Madison prompt, you're getting the "Why our school?" question. Be sure to be specific. Any response that could be applied to universities other than UW-La Crosse are too generic. Show that you are familiar with UW-La Crosse and that the university has unique features that align well with your interests, personality, academic goals, and professional aspirations.

The main part of the essay prompt is refreshing in its directness, for, in truth, it is asking what every college admissions essay asks—How will you "enrich our community?" Colleges want more than students with good grades and high test scores; they also want students who will contribute to campus life in a positive way. Before you write your essay or take part in a college interview, you'd be wise to figure out your own answer to the question. What is it that you will contribute? Why will the college be a better place because of your presence? Think about your hobbies, your sense of humor, your quirks, your academic passions... all of the features that make you you .

Nearly all application essays are really getting at this very issue. Whether you are writing about a challenge you've faced, a problem you've solved, an important accomplishment in your life, or an important dimension of your life experiences, a good essay shows that you bring to campus the type of passion and personality that will enrich the university community.

Make Your University of Wisconsin Essay Shine

You have lots of breadth in choosing what to write about, but you'd be wise to steer clear of bad essay topics that often go astray. Also, don't just focus on what to write, but also how you write it. Pay attention to the style of your essay so that your narrative is tight, engaging, and powerful. Also be sure to follow the tips on the UW website .

• Tips for the 8 University of California Personal Insight Questions
• UC Personal Statement Prompt #1
• Sample Supplemental Essay for College Admissions: Why This College?
• UC Essay Examples for the Personal Insight Questions
• Addressing Diversity in a College Application Essay
• Sample College Transfer Essay
• Common Supplemental Essay Mistakes
• 5 Tips for a College Admissions Essay on an Important Issue
• How to Write an Outstanding College Application Essay
• Common Application Essay Option 4—Gratitude
• Tips for Writing an Essay on an Event That Led to Personal Growth
• 2020-21 Common Application Essay Option 4—Solving a Problem
• Tips for Writing a Winning College Transfer Essay
• Tips for the Pre-2013 Personal Essay Options on the Common Application
• Model Essay on Identity
• Should an Application Essay Be Single-Spaced or Double-Spaced?

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University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Undergraduate College Application Essays

These University of Wisconsin - La Crosse college application essays were written by students accepted at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

Art as sanctuary brita olmstead, university of wisconsin - la crosse.

Each morning when I entered my preschool classroom, I would cling to my mother, peering out from behind her legs where I would try to make myself invisible. It was only when guided to the children’s table and given some crayons and paper that I...

Recent Questions about University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

The Question and Answer section for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

College Essay Prompts

Your college essay is a crucial piece of your application. Because interviews are not typical when applying for an undergraduate degree, admissions officers are relying on you to create and submit an essay that will show them exactly who you are and why you will be an asset to their institution. This is your time to brag about yourself, your accomplishments, your skills, your experiences, and your abilities that will set you apart from other applicants! It is a good idea to review essay prompts well ahead of time so that you can begin to brainstorm topics and flow for your essay. A number of common essay prompts are included below for your review. 

All UW Campuses

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

UW-Madison (additional essay)

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

UW-La Crosse (additional essay)

Please respond to ONE of the following: (1) How will your life experiences, commitments, and/or characteristics enrich the UW-La Crosse campus community? OR (2) Tell us why you are interested in attending UW-La Crosse and what aspects of the campus are especially important to you.

Common Application Essay Prompts (2023-24)

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Degree Requirements - Undergraduate

Undergraduate program lengths, second baccalaureate degree policy, second major or minor policy, associate of arts degree requirements.

• B.A. or B.S. in general studies

Special degrees

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's baccalaureate degrees (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) are typically four-year programs (120 credit minimum). The associate degree program (Associate of Arts) is typically a two-year program (60 credit minimum).

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

• Fulfill the general education requirements.
• Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
• Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
• Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA. 1, 2
• At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
• Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA 1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
• A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement .)
• Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

A graduate who has earned one baccalaureate degree at UWL and who subsequently becomes a candidate for a second baccalaureate degree must meet all core, professional, and major requirements for the second degree and must earn at least 30 resident credits 2 beyond the first degree. Students with a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution must meet all core, professional, and major requirements for the second degree and must earn at least 30 resident credits beyond the first degree. Students wishing to use credits from their first degree to fulfill requirements of a second degree must obtain approval from the dean of the college in which they are enrolled. All general education requirements are satisfied by students who have completed the first baccalaureate degree. Universities of Wisconsin policy requires that every student complete an ethnic studies course. If this was not done as part of the first degree, it must be fulfilled for the second degree.

Students cannot earn a second baccalaureate degree in the same major (different emphasis) as their first baccalaureate degree.

Resident credit means credit registered for and earned through UWL.

A graduate who has earned one baccalaureate degree at UWL, who wishes to complete the requirements for another major and/or minor, must meet all professional and major/minor requirements. A notation will be made on the student’s transcript that an additional major/minor has been completed. Students with demonstrated evidence of a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution, who wish to complete the requirements for another major/minor at UWL, must enroll as a special non-degree student and fulfill all professional and major/minor requirements. If all required courses are earned in residence, a notation will be made on the student’s transcript indicating an additional major/minor has been completed.

Candidates for the Associate of Arts degree must complete the following:

• Earn a total of 60 or more semester credits applicable to a bachelor’s degree at UWL. At least 15 credits must be earned at UWL.
• Achieve a 2.00 cumulative grade point average.
• Students must earn a minimum of 42 credits of general education courses.
• New students, and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned, must take a first-year seminar course ( FYS 100 ) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
• Complete a minimum of 13 credits in general education skills courses. See "Skills" section below.
• Complete a minimum of 26 credits of general education liberal studies courses. See "Liberal Studies" section below.
• Complete one two-semester sequence of courses.
• File an application for the associate degree with the Office of Records and Registration.

First-Year Seminar

This course meets the Universities of Wisconsin shared learning goal of "Individual, Social and Environmental Responsibility."

(Must be completed in the student's first two semesters at UWL.) 

Proficiency tests are available in skills courses. Contact appropriate department for information.

Literacy: Tools for skilled communication

All courses in this category meet the University of Wisconsin shared learning goal of "Effective Communication."

(Six credits required)

Students receiving a grade lower than a "C" in ENG 110 or ENG 112 and CST 110 must repeat the course.

Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages: Tools for structured analysis and communication

All courses in this category meet the Universities of Wisconsin shared learning goal of "Critical and Creative Thinking Skills." The mathematics courses also meet the Universities of Wisconsin shared learning goal of "Knowledge of the Natural World," and the language courses also meet the Universities of Wisconsin shared learning goal of "Intercultural Knowledge and Competence."

(Minimum of seven credits required; minimum of four credits must be taken from the mathematics section below.)

Liberal studies

Minority cultures or multiracial women's studies.

All courses in this category meet the Universities of Wisconsin shared learning goals of "Intercultural Knowledge and Competence" and "Individual, Social and Environmental Responsibility." All courses in this category also fulfill the Universities of Wisconsin ethnic studies (ES) requirement. 

(Minimum of three credits required)

Science: understanding the natural world

All courses in this category meet the Universities of Wisconsin shared learning goals of "Critical and Creative Thinking Skills" and "Knowledge of the Natural World."

(Minimum of four credits required; one course must be from the natural laboratory science section below.)

International and multicultural studies/self and society

All courses in this category meet the Universities of Wisconsin shared learning goal of "Knowledge of Human Cultures," and the global and multicultural studies courses also meet the Universities of Wisconsin learning goal of "Intercultural Knowledge and Competence."

(Minimum nine credits required. Must take at least one course each from the world history, global and multicultural studies, and self and society sections)

Humanistic studies and the arts

All courses in this category meet the Universities of Wisconsin shared learning goal of "Knowledge of Human Cultures."

(Minimum of seven credits required. One course must be from literature. Two courses must be from the arts: the aesthetic experience section)

Health and well-being

All courses in this category meet the Universities of Wisconsin shared learning goal of "Individual, Social and Environmental Responsibility."

(One course required)

Two-semester sequence of courses

(One two-semester sequence required)

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in general studies

The General Studies Program allows students to complete a UWL Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree through the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH). It is designed for students who are advanced in their credits and in need of an efficient way to complete a bachelor’s degree without a disciplinary focus. The general studies major is only available to students who have been accepted to this program and is not recommended for most UWL students.

Eligibility to apply

Students can apply for admittance to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse General Studies Program if they are:

• have earned at least 90 undergraduate credits accepted at UWL;
• have never received a bachelor’s or higher degree from any institution, including UWL;
• are current UWL students with a declared major in any UWL school/college (CBA, CASSH, CSH, or SOE) or are former UWL students who left without completing a degree, and have not subsequently earned a bachelor's or higher degree at another institution. Former UWL students must complete and submit the Universities of Wisconsin application as a reentry student.

Application process

A student from any UWL college/school interested in the General Studies Program must complete an application and correspond with the Academic Services Director (ASD) of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities (CASSH), who will consult with the student’s advisor, the ASD of the school/college of the student (if not CASSH), and may consult with other applicable unit(s). If the ASD denies the application, the student may appeal to the Dean of CASSH. The Dean’s  decision is  final .

Candidates will be admitted for a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in general studies if their general education credits more appropriately align with the B.A. requirements of the college or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in general studies if their credits more appropriately align with the B.S. requirements of the college.

Requirements

To complete the General Studies Program, students

• must be admitted through the general studies application process as noted above;
• general education requirements,
• at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course,
• at least 40 credits earned in 300/400-level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400-level apply to this requirement. 
• 120 earned semester credits,
• 2.0 minimum UWL cumulative GPA, 
• a t least 30 semester credits in residence at UWL.
• are encouraged to complete a minor or certificate if possible.

Students accepted into the program are exempt from college core requirements.

Re-entry into program

If a student in this program leaves UWL and re-enters under a new catalog year, they must be readmitted to the General Studies Program before they can finish it.

The awarding of a degree is the pinnacle of the college experience. It is an honor bestowed upon those that satisfactorily complete a course of study. Occasionally events take place where the need to consider additional degree options arise.

The goal of these policies is to honor those who have provided exemplary service to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and/or to extend sympathy and compassion to the families and friends of deceased students. Below is a means of addressing different circumstances surrounding the awarding of Posthumous, Extraordinary, and Honorary Degrees and the procedure associated with each degree.

See the full Posthumous, Extraordinary, and Honorary Degrees policy  for UWL's specific procedures.

Trump to host Town Hall in La Crosse on Thursday

by Kayla Robins, FOX 11 News

LA CROSSE (WLUK) -- Former President Donald Trump will host a Town Hall in La Crosse in advance of the upcoming presidential election this November.

The event will take place Thursday at La Crosse Center.

Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m.

In order to attend the event, you must register for a general admission ticket .

In a recently released news statement, Democratic Campaign Director Kristi Johnston responds to Trump's plan to visit La Crosse on Thursday.

“Next week in La Crosse, Donald Trump will have to answer the key question on Wisconsin voters’ minds: why is he trying to make life harder and more expensive for my family? In every corner of the state, Trump’s extreme Project 2025 agenda would hurt Wisconsinites: killing Wisconsin jobs and shipping them overseas, imposing a tariff that could cost middle-class families $3,900 a year, banning abortion in the state and across the country, and cutting essential support for farmers. Wisconsinites look forward to his explanations.”

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Posted 7:51 a.m. Tuesday , Feb. 21 , 2017

Seniors, first-year students encouraged to participate in survey on UWL experience

• How often they have experienced certain types of learning activities in their courses (e.g. collaborative work, faculty/student research)
• How they spend their time, their satisfaction with their interactions with students/faculty/staff
• Beliefs about how their UWL experience has impacted their skill development (e. g. writing, speaking, working effectively with diverse groups of people).

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