The college admissions process can be stressful and time-consuming for high school students, their families and supporters.
UW-Stout’s Admissions Office team aims to simplify the process for first-year, transfer, re-entry and international students.
To support a college-going culture, a new partnership between UW-Stout and Menomonie High School is streamlining the process with Direct Admissions, to give eligible MHS students a jumpstart with guaranteed admission to UW-Stout even before completing an application.
“Direct Admission takes the pressure off the application process, as students receive an Admissions decision before applying. We are removing barriers. There’s no application fee, no test scores and no admissions essay,” said Admissions Assistant Director Lacey Seefeldt.
“We’re hand-in-hand supporting the student through the enrollment process. We believe in what we do at UW-Stout and want to be accessible for students to reach their dreams,” she said.
All 2024 and 2025 Menomonie High School students who are on track to graduate are eligible. Students are encouraged to meet with an MHS guidance counselor to opt in and talk about next steps. Participation is open until Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Students, families and supporters may speak with MHS guidance counselors about participation or may reach out to UW-Stout Admissions Counselor Abbie Hartung at hartungab@uwstout.edu or call or text 715-232-3199 with questions.
Partnership supports students, state’s workforce
UW-Stout’s partnership with MHS and the community is committed to meeting the college and career goals of students to increase access and degree completion in Wisconsin.
Ediz Kaykayoglu, vice chancellor for Enrollment and Strategic Initiatives, believes UW-Stout is a great opportunity for community members.
“Direct Admissions supports our Menomonie High School and its students, where we create more opportunities for their success and enhance our educational experiences,” he said. “Our polytechnic identity and 99.4% employment rate for graduates are wonderful assets for our students. We make sure students are successful and support the local and state workforce.”
MHS Principal Casey Drake believes that students benefit from the streamlined application process.
“This allows students to have a stress-free experience when determining their application status for an outstanding institution right in their backyard,” Drake said. “Additionally, time is saved so that our students can continue focusing on their high school academics, activities and outside-of-school responsibilities.
“UW-Stout offers a supportive and individualized partnership for the people they serve,” he added. “Identifying and supporting post-secondary goals through the lens of the individual within a streamlined process is important so that additional educational experiences are within students' reach and at an affordable rate. This program is one of the many ways in which this partnership's values are put into real-life practice.”
Students who are admitted through Direct Admission are not committed or required to attend UW-Stout and may decide to attend after the fact.
Applying is easy; college can be affordable
UW-Stout’s first-year student application process is designed to be a seamless and stress-free journey, with just two steps to apply:
- Complete either the UW System Application or Common App
- Submit an unofficial high school transcripts or GED Certificate/HSED Diploma
Submitting an ACT or SAT score is optional through spring 2025. Admissions is also simplified for transfer, re-entry and international students. The Admissions team is available to help with any questions.
The Financial Aid Office provides services to help students, and 75% of first-year, full-time undergraduates receive financial support, with the average financial aid package totaling more than $11,200. There are hundreds of scholarships available for incoming and current students, including the $2,000 Blue Devil First-Year Student Scholarship.
And with a third of students coming to UW-Stout from other institutions, the $1,000 Transfer Student Scholarship is awarded to 50 new entering transfer students each year.
UW-Stout’s Direct Admissions partnership with Menomonie High School has been approved by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents. Representatives from UW-Stout and MHS will meet as necessary to evaluate academic and administrative aspects of the program, as well as identify barriers and provide solutions.
Universities of Wisconsin is planning to launch a Direct Admissions program for eligible Wisconsin high school students for fall 2025.
