FAQs - Admissions

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When is the deadline for applications?

December 1 is the deadline for priority consideration for fellowships. We continue to accept applications until January 15th; however, most admission decisions are made in the December 1 pool of applicants. Later applicants are considered only if the quota by area programs has not been filled. The best chance for admission is to meet the December 1 deadline.

The Admissions Committees begin looking at the files in mid-December. Committee recommendations are made in early- to mid-January and final decisions are made in late January. Letters of admission and refusal are sent in early February.
Fellowship decisions are announced in late February or early March.

What additional materials should I submit with my application?

In addition to the application, statement of purpose or reasons for graduate study, and the 3 letters of recommendation which are submitted online, we require a writing sample, 2 sets of transcripts from each of the schools you’ve attended, and 2 additional forms (the selection of study sheet and the supplementary information for fellowships forms). Please send hard copies of these additional materials to the department.
Please visit our Web site at http://history.wisc.edu/graduate/admissionsprocess.htm for the additional forms and requirements to make your application complete.

Are GRE scores required?

GRE scores are required.  Scores older than 5 years will not be accepted. If you have multiple test scores to report, we will accept the highest test score from a single test date.
LSAT scores may not be substituted for the GRE.

What is the average GRE score for admitted students?

GRE scores are an important part of the applicant’s dossier, but they are not the most important part. The average GRE scores of admitted students are in the mid 600s by individual score.

Is it possible to request a waiver for the GRE?

In very rare cases the scores may be waived. To do so, the applicant must request a waiver in writing from the Director of Graduate Studies.

What is the average GPA of admitted students?

The Graduate School requires a 3.0 undergraduate gpa. Most admitted students have an undergraduate gpa of 3.5 or above, with a gpa of at least 3.5 in their history courses.

What is the typical length of the writing sample?

The average length of the writing sample is 15-20 pages. A senior thesis may be submitted and, when applicable, a Master’s thesis should be submitted. It’s the applicant’s preference regarding style—single-spaced or double-spaced. Writing samples should be sent directly to the department.

How many letters of recommendation are needed?  How should they be submitted?

We prefer 3 letters of recommendation from professors who can attest to your academic abilities. They will be submitted online.

How do I apply for UW-Madison and departmental fellowships?

To apply for a fellowship, simply check the fellowship box on the online application form, indicating the fellowships for which you would like to be considered. Once your application is complete and you are recommended for admission, you are automatically entered in the fellowship competition. Please note that fellowships listed on the form are specifically for applicants to the history Ph.D. program and are not Post-Doctorate fellowship opportunities.

We encourage all prospective students interested in modern Jewish history and LGBT history to apply for the George L. Mosse LGBT Fellowship. For more information: http://history.wisc.edu/graduate/funding/history_sources/mf.htm

Prospective students interested in American Jewish history, environmental and American western history, and US racial and ethnic history to apply for the Julie A. and Peter M. Weil Fellowship. For more information: http://history.wisc.edu/graduate/funding/history_sources/ack.htm

How many applications do you receive each year? How many students do you admit?

We receive over 450 applications a year. We admit around 100, and we usually have an incoming class of 25-30.

I’m interested in a terminal Master’s degree.  What are my chances for admission?

The program is designed to meet the needs of the Ph.D. candidate. We only occasionally admit a student for a terminal Master’s degree.

How do I check the status of my application?

After you have submitted the online application, you will receive an email containing a unique URL and campus ID number to track the progress of your application, receipt of fee and test scores, and demographic information.
We receive 450 applications annually. It takes time to process the applications; please don’t call the department on December 2nd expecting to learn the status of your application. The best way to check your application status is through the online system described above.