What If I Don't Get Admitted?

Regrettably, each year some current and prospective students are not admitted to their limited enrollment program of choice. Here are some possible next steps for students who are denied admission.

Contact EAS staff

Because students near the top of the waiting list in some programs may have a very good possibility of admission, applicants who receive a denial letter should immediately contact EAS admission staff to determine their position on the waiting list. Contact Ms. Christine Dzesmske at cdzemske@education.wisc.edu. Admitted applicants are usually given two weeks to accept their offer of admission. At the end of that period, individuals on the waiting list may be offered admission if any admitted applicants refuse their admission offer.

Students are encouraged to consult with their EAS advisor about the likelihood of their admission based on previous admission periods, to reconsider course scheduling for the succeeding fall, and to look at possible academic alternatives.

Consider these academic options

Students denied admission to their program of choice generally choose from among these options:

1. Remain at UW-Madison and reapply to the program for the following year. This is a more viable option for students who are denied admission early in their academic career. Another year of courses may improve their grade-point average significantly, especially if the last 60 credits rule permits the forgiveness of a poor first semester. For other students, who may already have three or more years of college behind them, this may not be a reasonable option.
2. Remain at UW-Madison and complete another major, often with the plan to pursue professional preparation at the post-baccalaureate level or master's level. (See more about post-baccalaureate and master's level professional preparation below). Examples include the following:
   • Secondary teacher education students often complete their content area as a major in the College of Letters and Science. If these students have planned carefully with EAS and L&S department major advisors, they generally can earn their UW-Madison undergraduate degree in four years and lose little time in their quest for teacher certification.
   • Elementary Education may choose to major in Human Development and Family Studies in the School of Human Ecology or convert a minor area interest into a major.
   • Special Education students may make these same choices, but may also consider a major in Rehabilitation Psychology.
   • Kinesiology students may choose a Biology or Zoology major.
3. Transfer to another campus. This option often requires careful planning to meet program and institutional application requirements and deadlines. Because professional program structures and course work differ markedly across institutions, students may be forced to retake classes and extend their time to graduation. See "Considering other professional programs?" below for more considerations and resources around transferring.

Transfer to another institution

Students sometimes assume that they can transfer quickly and easily to professional programs at other institutions, and especially to other UW-System schools. However, like Madison, these and other institutions may limit admission to their professional programs. Some require students to complete course work on campus before applying. Specific institutional structures and requirements may be handled in different ways at different institutions. Admission application deadlines at these institutions may be past by the time students receive word about their admission status at Madison. This means that students must plan early and carefully if transferring to another program is their chief alternative.

Wisconsin offers over 30 approved teacher education programs in the state. See the following site for the Wisconsin State Department of Public Instruction index for programs offered by institution: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlsis/tel/indexed.html.

Consider post-baccalaureate and master's level professional options

Some students, including both those who are denied admission and others who are offered admission, choose to finish their undergraduate bachelor's degree at UW-Madison and seek advanced study and certification/licensure at the post-baccalaureate or master's level.

In teacher education, many institutions nationwide offer post-baccalaureate and master's with certification programs for students with a previous degree. In fact, some excellent professional programs prepare students only at the post-baccalaureate or master's level. Sometimes these programs are more flexible than the traditional initial degree program, permitting students to take classes on nights and weekends, or even allowing students to work in schools while simultaneously completing course work. Unfortunately, there is no central national clearinghouse of information for post-baccalaureate, master's, or alternative certification programs. Since requirements for teacher certification can vary dramatically from state to state, EAS advisors encourage students to begin by considering where they may wish to teach. Then seek out teacher preparation programs in that state or area. Resources like www.petersons.com and the individual state departments of education can be helpful first steps in locating a teacher preparation institution.

Seek out academic and career advising services

EAS staff usually want to meet with students who are denied admission and need to consider other options. This can be a traumatic time for students. Some students are surprised that they were denied admission. For many, this may be the first experience of something other than success over the course of their entire academic career. Advisors want to provide a safe space for students to be sad, hurt, and angry. Expressing these feelings may be necessary before students can move on to problem-solving and decision-making.

EAS advisors will often refer students to Cross College Advising Service (CCAS) and its excellent Exploration Center (http://www.ccas.wisc.edu). CCAS was established several years ago to serve undecided students as well as those students not admitted to limited enrollment programs. Here students can consider the range of academic majors available on campus with the aid of an advisor who has the broadest campus perspective and understands the stress involved in changing directions. At the Exploration Center students can assess their interests and strengths, consider career options, and match majors to life goals.

Students who leave the School of Education for the College of Letters and Science or for the School of Human Ecology may find the L&S/SoHE Career Services office a valuable resource. The unit's website (http://www.lssaa.wisc.edu/careers/) includes several self-assessment tools and valuable information on career exploration.

Consulting staff at the School's Educational Portfolios and Career Services (EPCS) can offer general career counseling services, as well as information and support around professional preparation beyond college. EPCS has the most current data on job openings in teaching and information on contacting state departments of education.

Comments or Problems: easinfo@education.wisc.edu.
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