Frequently Asked Questions

We use a holistic approach when reviewing applications. We have guidelines for our comprehensive review process and a chart reflecting the percentage of applicants admitted for the previous fall based upon class rank percentile and ACT composite score.  For students from high schools without class rank, the student's grade point average will be used in the admission decision.

Weighted Class Ranks/GPA vs. Non-Weighted Class Ranks/GPA

The Admissions Office will use the class rank/GPA that benefits the student most in the admission process. For most students, the weighted class rank/GPA will be used.

Each semester, students transfer to UW-La Crosse to continue their education. While academic preparation is the primary criterion used in the admissions review process for transfer students, we consider other nonacademic secondary factors that may contribute to the strength of an application.  Transfer students are expected to complete the application essays.  Students with fewer than 60 transferable college credits must also submit high school transcripts.

Initial transcripts need to be sent when you apply for admission; these transcripts can be from your high school or college/university. Unofficial and official transcripts can be used for initial review.

New incoming freshmen will need to submit FINAL high school transcripts once they have completed high school.  Transfer students will also need to submit a FINAL transcript from their previous institution(s).

The ACT Testing Code is 4672.

UW-La Crosse processes applications on a rolling basis. That means applications will be accepted until the freshman or transfer class for that semester is filled.  Since many more students apply for admission than we can accommodate, it is recommended that students apply as early as possible. 

New freshman applications for fall semesters are processed starting August 15. New freshman applications for spring semesters are processed beginning April 15. Transfer applications for fall semesters are processed starting August 15. Transfer applications for spring semesters are processed beginning April 15.  Apply online.  

• New Freshmen Priority Deadline is February 1st.  Applicants are encouraged to complete their application by February 1st for the next fall; after that date applications are reviewed on a space available basis.
• Transfer students are encouraged to complete their applications as early as possible. The earlier your application is complete the sooner you will receive your admission decision and information to register. If space is available, applicants may apply up until the beginning of each term but this is not recommended.   

The total cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, meal plan, and housing costs. Consistently noted as a Best Value in Public Universities by Kiplinger's Magazine, UW-La Crosse offers a strong combination of affordability and academic quality. Great opportunities included in your tuition and fees are: textbook rental, use of the Recreational Eagle Center, and a city bus pass!

Residence Life is a very important part of your college experience! If you are looking for a place to live on campus, we have many options available. New students can choose from 10 residence halls on campus. All of our residence halls are co-ed. In most halls, men and women live on separate floors or cubes.  Eagle, Sanford, and Laux Hall are the only exceptions since men and women live next door to one another as neighbors. Incoming new freshmen are assigned rooms based on when they submit their housing application and deposit.  All of our Residence Halls have first year students living in them with the exception of Reuter Hall. The Office of Residence Life provides information about each residence hall, room dimensions, room amenities, and involvement opportunities. Be sure to fill out the online housing application after you have made the $100 enrollment deposit. Please contact the Office of Residence Life (ORL) at 608-785-8075 or via email at housing@uwlax.edu. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!

All of our visit options include everything from daily tours to full day visit events. If you are unable to schedule a formal visit or you are visiting on the weekends you are welcome to stop by the Admissions Office (Mon-Fri 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m.) or the Student Union, on the weekends, and pick up information and self-guided tour maps at the Student Union Information Counter.  The folder of information will have materials available about UW-La Crosse and campus.  A self-guided tour map is also included in the folder for you to explore campus. UW-La Crosse is a friendly campus, so if you are lost or have a question, just ask a student, staff or faculty member for help. 

UW-La Crosse is also mobile!  The new UWL mobile application is available for free from the iTunes store (as an iPhone app only). The mobile application allows users to take a virtual tour of campus or if you are on campus, you can have a personal tour guide as you walk around campus.  We recommend taking our virtual tour.

Web-based or GPS Directions:

615 East Ave N
La Crosse, WI 5460

Special Group Visit

To schedule class or group field trips to UWL, please call the Admissions Office at 608.785.8939 and ask for Ken Koelbl.  Ken will be able to coordinate larger groups and make special arrangements for groups wanting to learn about UW-La Crosse and admission to UWL.

La Crosse Lodging Information

The La Crosse area has numerous hotels, motels, and camp sites in the area.  If you are interested in staying downtown La Crosse, Onalaska, Holmen, or West Salem lodging is available.  

Parking instructions and directions are emailed to registered admissions visitors 2 days prior to your event. Please double check your junk/clutter folders as sometimes emails are redirected. If you cannot locate your parking directions, please enter the following GPS address to park in Lot C-12 or the Parking Ramp. Proceed to the Student Union for your admissions visit. Admissions Staff will confirm if you have parked correctly.

Web-based or GPS directions:

Student Union, 521 East Ave N, La Crosse, WI 54601

UWL's home is in the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin.  It is quite a place; in fact, Kiplinger.com listed La Crosse as one of the "50 Smart Places to Live."  It was the top ranked city in Wisconsin!  Be sure to explore La Crosse before you come and while you visit campus. 

Over 52,000 people live in the city of La Crosse nestled between majestic bluffs and the mighty Mississippi River.  The La Crosse metropolitan area has over 100,000 people.  Towering bluffs, densely-wooded coulees (gorges between bluffs), three rivers, and a lush marsh provide prime locales for all kinds of outdoor pursuits including: hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, skiing, and much more. A regional center for shopping, business, and industry, La Crosse combines big city excitement with small-town warmth and neighborliness.  Getting around town is easy.  The bus or your bike will take you anywhere.  The U-PASS allows students to use the city bus by simply showing their student ID.  If you are looking for concerts and other events, check the La Crosse Center schedule.

On campus entertainment for students is sponsored every weekend.  Activities include: live performances, dances, comedians, sports, and much more.  The Campus Activities Board sponsors most of the events and are either free or a low cost for students.

The Academic Calendar lists all of the dates and deadlines important to each school year at UW-La Crosse.  Classes at UWL will begin the Tuesday after Labor Day.  UW-La Crosse operates on a semester schedule with a winter break (late December through late January), spring break (a week in March) and summer break (mid-May through Labor Day).

New Student Orientation is UW-La Crosse's way of welcoming new students to campus and welcoming back those returning from summer break. Activities are coordinated to familiarize new students with campus while strengthening relationships with new and returning students.  Each year's events are different.  You will find that even before you are fully moved in, there are a variety of happenings around campus. Move-in occurs on an assigned day during Labor Day weekend. 

Parking on Campus - Follow the Signs!

Parking on campus requires a parking permit.  There are two types of parking lots on campus - residential lots (R) and commuter lots (C).  Only students living on campus with a residential parking permit may park in the residential lots.  If you are planning to visit campus and scheduled your visit through the Admissions Office, you will be sent a confirmation email for your visit with instructions on how and where to park.  Follow the rules on your parking permit and the signs at the entrance to each parking lot.  If you don't follow the rules, you will likely receive a parking ticket. Follow the rules to avoid a parking ticket!

If you have additional questions about parking, when to apply for parking permits and parking ticketing, you may contact the Parking Office at 608.785.8061.

Parking on Campus Is Limited  - You may bring a car to college, but we don't recommend it.  Parking permits are sold on a seniority basis.  That means freshmen are the last to be able to purchase any remaining permits.  Parking on campus requires a permit and many of the areas surrounding campus are one-hour and two-hour parking zones.  In addition, alternate side parking is in effect November 1 through April 1, which requires cars to be moved every day.  Since you are able to ride the La Crosse bus system for free as a UWL student, the need for a car is low.  It only takes eight to ten minutes to walk across campus, and many students bring bikes for on and off campus transportation.  Also, ride boards are located in many buildings across campus to assist students in coordinating travels back to hometowns for the holidays.

City Bus Stops On Campus  - UW-La Crosse students can ride the city bus by simply showing their student ID.  It's a program called U-Pass.  With this option, it's pretty easy to get to the movies, the mall, or even your off campus job.  Taxi cabs are also available if you prefer that way to get around the city.  If you don't have a vehicle on campus and are traveling a distance there are bus lines, railroads, and an airport to get you where you need to go.

Are you sure?  Although we hope you choose UW-La Crosse, we also understand that you may decide to attend another school.  To formally cancel your admission, please email: admissions@uwlax.edu. Please include your full name and student ID number with your correspondence.

All New Freshmen entering for the Fall Semester have until May 1 to receive a full refund for both the $100 Enrollment Deposit and the $150 Housing Deposit.  Admission to UW-La Crosse cannot be deferred.  To be considered for a future semester, please submit a new application for admission. Feel free to contact us in the future should you like to pursue your education at UW-La Crosse.

General Education - An Essential Part of Your College Degree  - General Education is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL.  It is uniquely concerned with the broad education of the whole person, and plays a vital role in preparing students for life beyond the university.  The program consists of two major components: skills and liberal studies.  Skills courses improve students' abilities to learn, think, and communicate effectively.  Liberal studies courses engage students in the study of important areas of knowledge and experience and focus on central questions, issues, and problems we share as people and as members of the same society.  The primary purpose of General Education is to cultivate knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential for independent learning and thinking.  As a result of General Education, students will be more knowledgeable in a wide variety of subject matter areas, and also better able and more willing to ask significant questions, seek appropriate solutions to complex problems, make sound judgments and formulate rational beliefs.

WINGS Student Center - As a student at UWL you will use WINGS to access your student profile.  Using both your Student ID (your student ID number is listed on the upper right-hand corner of your UW-La Crosse admission letter) as Username and an assigned password, you will be able to access the following information:

• Register for Courses
• View/Pay Student Bill
• Display Financial Aid Status
• Add Tower Tender
• Update Address
• Display Class Schedule/Grades
• Display Open Classes
• Check Advisor and Major
• Apply for Graduation
• Display Tax Reporting Information
• Request official unofficial transcripts
• Change your PIN number.

Your WINGS Username and Password were sent to you via email after you applied for admission. If at any time you have questions about WINGS, you can contact the Eagle Help Desk, 608.785.8774 or helpdesk@uwlax.edu.