According to university officials, over the last three years the UW-Madison Office of Admissions has accepted many freshman students with first-generation status or whose parents did not earn a college degree.
The admissions office not only takes test scores and course rigor into account, but also factors in the importance of the diversity that a first-generation status provides to each freshman class.
Rob Seltzer, director of admissions, said the office has an interest in the success of first-generation students because it affects the stability and strength of the freshman class as a whole.
Out of 5,774 students in this year's class, 1,170 are first-generation students. According to university officials, about 20 percent of each freshman class has consisted of these students since 2005.
Building a strong cohort of first-generation students shows this university's commitment to ensuring that all residents have an equal opportunity to get an education here, even when their parents may not have had the chance to attend college,"" Seltzer said.
Many first-generation students said they have felt a sense of success at UW-Madison and have taken advantage of resources on campus like the Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity for Learning and Summer College Experience.
Precious Woodley, a UW-Madison first-generation freshman, said such programs have given her a clear idea of the true college experience and have helped her navigate the campus.
People with questions can contact the Office of Admissions at (608) 263-2400.
