How to Apply

In Step 1, you will select your program and enter information about yourself.  This typically includes contact information, details about your academic standing and your background.

Essays or personal statements may also be included here.  Essay questions can vary, but these typically ask about your reasons for applying and how you are prepared to be successful on the program.  You must also complete a brief survey about the program selection and application process.

When all items in Step 1 are complete, a “Submit” button will appear.  You must click “Submit” or your application will not be considered.  Note: Once you click “Submit” in Step 1, no further changes can be made to what you have entered in Step 1.  You must also complete all required items in Step 2 by the application deadline.

After making a program selection in Step 1, you will be provided with instructions for additional (program-specific) forms and activities to complete in Step 2.

Additional forms and activities can include official/unofficial transcripts, program-specific essays, resumes/CVs, reference letters, identification documents (such as a scan of your passport) or other items.

For some programs, you may need to complete a separate application to the program partner.  If this is required, it will be listed in Step 2 of the UW-Madison study abroad application with instructions.  In some cases, students complete an application for a partner after they have been accepted by a UW-Madison study abroad office and will receive instructions for it then.

Note:  There is no “Submit” button in Step 2.  When an item in Step 2 is complete, a green “Yes” will display in the “Complete” column.  When physical materials are mailed or turned into our office, it can take several business days before the item is marked complete.

Your UW-Madison study abroad application will be considered complete when you have finished and submitted the online application in Step 1, and you have uploaded or turned in any required additional materials in Step 2.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.  Be sure to complete your application by 4:30 p.m. CST on the UW-Madison study abroad application deadline date.

In Step 1, you will enter information about yourself. This typically includes contact information, details about your academic standing and your background. No essays are required in this section. You must also complete a brief section about the internship, pre-departure orientation and credit.

When all items in Step 1 are complete, a “Submit” button will appear. You must click “Submit” or your application will not be considered. Note: Once you click “Submit” in Step 1, no further changes can be made to what you have entered in Step 1. You must also complete all required items in Step 2 by the application deadline.

After submitting Step 1, you will be provided with instructions for additional (internship-specific) forms and activities to complete in Step 2.

All internships require you to submit a resume, a cover letter, and an unofficial transcript. Some internships may require additional forms or documents, such as a writing sample or proof of language proficiency. Upload each document using the “Upload Form” button. When an item in Step 2 is complete, a green “Yes” will display in the “Complete” column.

After uploading all required documents, click the “Submit Forms” button at the bottom of the page. Note that you will not get a confirmation email, and your application status may not update, but you will see “Forms Submitted On” and a date stamp next to the button once you have clicked the “Submit Forms” button.

Your UW Signature Internship application(s) will be considered complete when you have finished and submitted the online application in Step 1, and you have uploaded any required additional materials in Step 2.

Only complete applications will be reviewed.  Be sure to complete your application by on the UW-Madison study abroad application deadline date.

Application Open Schedule:

We use the following general schedule for opening applications – some programs do not follow this schedule so check the program specific webpage to confirm.

Subscribe to our email list to receive study abroad updates, including when program applications become available.

Study Abroad Programs:

International Academic Programs, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and College of Engineering

• August 1 the year prior
  • Fall term programs
  • Academic Year term programs
  • Summer term programs
• May 1 the year prior
  • Spring term programs
  • Calendar Year term programs
  • Spring Break term programs
• March 1 the spring prior
  • Winter term programs

Wisconsin School of Business Programs

• Find application schedule and process here

UW Signature Internships:

• September (early) the semester prior
• • Spring term internships

• January (mid) the semester prior
  • Summer term internships

Application deadlines vary by program.  Check the specific program webpage for the application deadline.  Even if a partner application deadline is later, you should adhere to the UW-Madison study abroad application deadline.  Be sure to complete your application by 4:30 p.m. CST on the UW-Madison study abroad or internship application deadline date.

Applications are reviewed following the application deadline, unless stated otherwise on the program webpage (reference information provided in the “Apply Now” tab).

Some programs have a rolling application review schedule (noted on the program webpage). This means an application can be reviewed before the deadline, and as soon as it is fully completed and submitted.

We do not charge an application fee.  The program partners and providers we work with often waive their application fees for UW-Madison students.  Before paying an application fee, contact your program Enrollment Manager to find out if that fee can be waived for you.  Find their name and email address in the “Contacts” tab of the program webpage

Study Abroad Programs:

You may only apply to one program per duration, for instance one fall term program in 20XX year.  This is primarily because you would only be able to participate in one program per duration.

The only exception to this is summer term.  You may apply to more than one program in summer if the program dates do not overlap, and you would be able to fully complete each program.  To request a second program application for summer, contact the Enrollment Manager for each program.

Although you can only apply to one program per duration, there is no limit on the number of programs or durations you can apply for.  Students can participate in multiple programs during their time at UW.

UW Signature Internships:

You may apply to more than one internship per duration. In many cases, internship hosts may only be able to accept 1-2 students. For this reason, we can help you develop a strategy in case you don’t receive an offer from your top choice organization.

We encourage you to focus on a select number of internships. This can help you to develop stronger applications that are more tailored to each experience.

Please reach out to an Intern Abroad Advisor if you plan to apply to more than one internship.

Any student can submit an application for a program, but a program may not be able to accept a student who does not meet all of the eligibility requirements.  Before applying, you should contact the program Enrollment Manager to talk about the requirements and your situation.  There may be extra steps for you to do to request an exception to a requirement.  Please know that eligibility requirements can be firm, and exceptions may not be possible.

Eligibility Appeals

To be eligible for a UW-Madison study abroad program, you must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.  If you are not in good standing, it may be possible for you to appeal your eligibility for a program (note: this is not always possible).  You should contact the program Enrollment Manager for information and guidance.

Currently enrolled means that students are enrolled for courses at UW-Madison (or their current institution for transfer students) at the time of application and the semester prior to their program.  If a student cancels their enrollment or withdraws from UW-Madison (or their current institution for transfer students), they no longer meet the program’s eligibility criteria of being currently enrolled.

When the Red Gym is open, physical materials may be brought to the Study Abroad Resource Center on the 3^rd floor.  Reference: Hours and Location.

If needed, application materials can be mailed to:

International Academic Programs
Attn: [Program Title] – Please use the program title found on the program webpage
301 Red Gym
716 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706

Applications are reviewed following the application deadline, unless stated otherwise on the program webpage.  If a program is reviewed on a rolling basis (and this is noted on the program webpage) an application can be reviewed before the deadline, and as soon as it is fully completed and submitted.

It may take up to 4-6 weeks for your application to be reviewed. You will receive your application decision by email.

Study Abroad Programs:

We aim to accept as many qualified applicants to a program as possible.  A qualified applicant is someone who, through their application, demonstrates that they meet all eligibility requirements for the program.

A program is considered competitive when there are more qualified applicants than there are spaces available.  Spaces on a program may be limited for a number of reasons: exchange programs require enrollment agreements with the host university, some faculty-led programs can only accommodate a fixed number of students, and some programs have rolling review and acceptance schedules.

If a program has been competitive for multiple durations, a note will be posted to the program webpage about this.  It is possible for any program to become competitive, and all students are encouraged to have a second choice or alternative program in mind when applying.

Find information about application review and competitive selection here.  We encourage all students to review our Tips for a Strong Application.

If you have questions about the competitiveness of a program, contact the Enrollment Manager.  Find their name and email address in the “Contacts” tab of the program webpage.

UW Signature Internships:

In many cases, internship hosts may only be able to accept 1-2 students.

Intern Abroad Advisor can discuss which internships may be more competitive than others and help you develop a strategy in case you don’t receive an offer from your top choice organization.

Program advisors will contact you with information about why you could not be accepted*, and guidance for next steps.  It may be possible to be added to a waitlist.  Students on a waitlist will be notified if a space on the program becomes available.  You may be able to apply to another program for the same duration.  You may also apply to the same program again in the future.

*our team may not be able to provide this information for students who applied to UW Signature Internships.

Contact the Enrollment Manager for the program.  Find their name and email address in the “Contacts” tab of the program webpage.  You may schedule an application advising appointment through Starfish.

For general questions (not specific to a program), schedule an appointment for Study Abroad Exploration Advising, email peeradvisor@studyabroad.wisc.edu or call us at 608-265-6329.
We are available during our regular business hours Monday – Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM.

For questions related to international internships, email:
internships@international.wisc.edu

After notification of acceptance, you generally have 2 weeks to confirm or decline your intention to participate. To confirm your participation, you will need to complete all required confirmation tasks outlined in your MyStudyAbroad account by the provided deadline, which will include paying a non-refundable IAP Acceptance Deposit.
Your program provider or host institution may require you to confirm your participation with them directly as well, and will provide you with instructions for how to do so – potentially via their own online portal.