Pre-Business Students

• Admissions Requirements
• Course Selection
• Running a DARS Report
• Reading a DARS Report
• Application Information
• Calculate Your GPA
• Pathways to a Business Career
• Additional Major in L&S
• Part Time Enrollment

For a summary of the different majors offered within the School of Business, see our Major Summary page. For more specific major information, please see the Majors section of this site.

 

Admission Requirements

School of Business admission requirements and curriculum requirements are based on the semester and year a student began ANY college/university coursework (excludes college-level coursework completed while in high school). Students who transferred to UW-Madison or returned to UW-Madison after an extended absence should be aware of the ten semester rule.

• Students who have matriculated in Summer 2008 and beyond should refer to these links below to learn more about admission to the Wisconsin School of Business:

• New Business Curriculum Chart
• New Business Curriculum Factsheet/FAQ

• Students who matriculated (first started college coursework) between Summer 2003 to Spring 2008 should follow these requirements: 

Students pursuing a business degree must complete 54 credits (junior standing) and the Pre-business Requirements prior to admission consideration to the School of Business. Completing these requirements however, does not guarantee admission. The School of Business Admissions web page lists all admissions criteria, including course requirements, based on the year and semester a student began college/university coursework.

Students who have completed 100 or more credits may not be eligible to apply for admission.

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Course Selection

Most students complete all of the Pre-business Requirements (courses to be completed prior to School of Business admission consideration) while completing their first 54 credits (junior standing).  The course requirements listed below are the requirements that are currently in effect. Depending on your first college matriculation date, your specific requirements may be different. Typically, students complete a combination of courses prior to admission including: 

1. Pre-business Requirements.  These must be completed prior to School of Business admission consideration.
2. Prerequisite (if needed) courses.  Some requirements (i.e. Math) require pre-requisite courses prior to completion.
3. Liberal Studies Requirements.  Completed prior to graduation for the BBA.
4. Elective coursework.  Students are permitted to take courses that meet the students interests - even if the course is not required for a degree.
5. Coursework required of other majors a student is interested in pursuing.  Many students interested in Business are also interested in other majors.  Exploring other majors is encouraged.

Students who began college coursework Summer 2003, Fall 2003, and thereafter often find the Pre-business Checklist helpful during course selection. 

Students may also request a DARS or schedule an advising session for course selection assistance.  DARS reports may be requested through My UW Madison.

Students who are having trouble enrolling in courses should refer to our Enrollment Tips page for helpful suggestions and troubleshooting options.

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Running a DARS Report

A DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) Report shows a student which courses they have taken as well as which courses they still need based on a particular major. Students can request their own DARS Reports in My UW Madison in the Student Center. Instructions for running a DARS can be found here (pdf).

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Reading a DARS Report

For instructions on how to read the DARS report you just requested, click here.

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Application Information

Sophomores who wish to apply for admission to the School of Business must complete an application. During application periods, applications are available on this website.

Under the Junior/Senior requirements, students are first eligible to apply to the School of Business at the beginning of the semester in which they will complete 54 or more credits. In addition, Pre-business Requirements must be complete by the end of the semester in which the student applies. Applications will be due on November 1st for students applying for admission beginning in the spring semester, and April 1st for students applying for admission beginning in the fall semester of the following academic year. All students must adhere to application deadlines.

Under the Sophomore requirements, students are first eligible to apply to the School of Business during the semester in which they will complete 24 or more credits.  In addition, Pre-business Requirements must be complete by the end of the semester in which the student applies. Applications will be due on November 1st for students applying for admission beginning in the spring semester, and April 1st for students applying for admission beginning in the fall semester of the following academic year. All students must adhere to application deadlines.

Admission decision letters will be mailed to the student applicant's WiscMail email address as soon as the Admission Committee has made its decisions. Students who apply at the beginning of the fall semester for spring admission usually receive the decision letter by late January. Spring applicants for fall admission usually receive the decision letter by late June. The Admissions Committee does not meet until after grades are posted for the semester.

Students completing required pre-business coursework prior to admission to the School of Business over the summer should apply at the beginning of the following fall semester.

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Calculate your GPA

Learning how to calculate your GPA is useful, particularly if you were given a guaranteed GPA for admission to the School of Business.

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Pathways to a Business Career

Students are strongly encouraged to explore all of the Business related options available to them. There are many majors on campus that students find useful in pursuing professional careers. Because of the competitive nature of the Business School admissions process, we strongly suggest that students be familiar with several major possibilities. Planning well is the best way to ensure success. Students might consider the following options.

1. Selecting another major on the UW-Madison campus. For a list of other business related majors offered at UW- Madison but, outside of the School of Business, students should read, Pathways to a Business Career.
2. If a student is not admitted, but still would like to pursue a BBA degree, they may consider transferring to another business program within the UW-System.

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Additional Major in L&S

Students admitted to the Business School may complete one major in Letters and Science in addition to their major in Business.  These students make a request to graduate with a BBA (Bachelor’s in Business Administration) and have two majors.  Example: BBA with majors in Marketing and Psychology.  The additional major in L&S should be declared the semester the student is admitted to the Business School. A L&S major MUST be completed concurrently with your Business major.

For more information, click here.

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Part Time Enrollment

Students who are considering dropping below a full time course load should consider the effects it may have on a variety of situations. Full time is considered 12-18 credits during the Fall and Spring semesters. Take a look at the Part Time Checklist to see how you may be affected.

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