I do think that if you think your chances are 50 to and you are interested then spend a lot of time on the essay . I don’t think this has to be about the physical place but do some research

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is pretty well known that UW cares about the Why WI essay. That is different than DI with a tour, although information and little tidbits learned on the tour help write a more authentic Why WI essay. WI and MI are similar in that they want to see that you are committed to the idea of the University (for instance, the WI Idea at UW), and they use the essays to gauge that.

100% this.
The essay is demonstrated interest. The kids who talk about the weather, games, Bucky the Badger all get deferred.... make that (long!!) essay count. Research the university. It takes weeks to write a good Why WI essay. It's not dropping professors and classes.
Same for Michigan btw.

My kids were admitted to both (EA) and spent most of August drafting their Why Michigan essays (then used that jump off into Why WI)....niche and specific. Always better.

This makes sense. But outside of this, generally, I think most public schools (I know there are exceptions like W&M) don't track this. It's an equity issue. Middle class and lower can't spend $ and time off work going from east coast to WI to prove they're interested. Many schools have virtual tours. Some of them you need to register for and perhaps they count that as DI.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is pretty well known that UW cares about the Why WI essay. That is different than DI with a tour, although information and little tidbits learned on the tour help write a more authentic Why WI essay. WI and MI are similar in that they want to see that you are committed to the idea of the University (for instance, the WI Idea at UW), and they use the essays to gauge that.

100% this.
The essay is demonstrated interest. The kids who talk about the weather, games, Bucky the Badger all get deferred.... make that (long!!) essay count. Research the university. It takes weeks to write a good Why WI essay. It's not dropping professors and classes.
Same for Michigan btw.

My kids were admitted to both (EA) and spent most of August drafting their Why Michigan essays (then used that jump off into Why WI)....niche and specific. Always better.

My kid got in EA and wrote the essay 3 hours before the deadline. Some kids are just more skilled than others at essay writing.

Agree that touring will help the “why us” essay. Definitely go!!

A visit will definitely help write a better essay. Think about how many kids apply. How would they ever differentiate them all? Actually visiting the school and having more knowledge seems like the best way to do this.

I think the larger schools like UW that get over 70,000 are less likely to track DI. As mentioned above, focus on a strong essay (and a visit can certainly provide more context and inspiration for what the student will want to highlight, but it’s not absolutely necessary and won’t be the difference between admission or denial).

Anonymous wrote:I think it is pretty well known that UW cares about the Why WI essay. That is different than DI with a tour, although information and little tidbits learned on the tour help write a more authentic Why WI essay. WI and MI are similar in that they want to see that you are committed to the idea of the University (for instance, the WI Idea at UW), and they use the essays to gauge that.

100% this.
The essay is demonstrated interest. The kids who talk about the weather, games, Bucky the Badger all get deferred.... make that (long!!) essay count. Research the university. It takes weeks to write a good Why WI essay. It's not dropping professors and classes.
Same for Michigan btw.

My kids were admitted to both (EA) and spent most of August drafting their Why Michigan essays (then used that jump off into Why WI)....niche and specific. Always better.

I think it is pretty well known that UW cares about the Why WI essay. That is different than DI with a tour, although information and little tidbits learned on the tour help write a more authentic Why WI essay. WI and MI are similar in that they want to see that you are committed to the idea of the University (for instance, the WI Idea at UW), and they use the essays to gauge that.

If you are close enough to visit, take the opportunity...pretty much from now to the end of November, the weather and campus should be lively and good.

Your kid can do online sessions instead of in person if that is not feasible. My kid is a senior and is OOS admitted to UWisconsin with no in person visit. I have heard that it is a beautiful campus and it may be enjoyable to visit.

Anonymous wrote:OP, curious where you heard this?

We are thinking of visiting in summer as that is the only possible time. My junior loved UMich, so I figure Wisconsin should be on the list.

Above PP. I am the person who just visited Wisconsin. I have a Michigan grad degree. I was favorably impressed by campus and some of the online reading about the programs that I did afterward. Also consider Indiana at Bloomington. The large Midwestern flagship universities have a lot in common and to offer their students.

I am not sure exactly what your question was but most schools have essays where you can discuss why you want to attend. Impressions gleaned from a campus visit are good support points.

OP, curious where you heard this?

We are thinking of visiting in summer as that is the only possible time. My junior loved UMich, so I figure Wisconsin should be on the list.

PP. Is your kid already a senior? When do you expect the decision if so? If they don't have a chance to wrote about their visit, isn't it a long shot that any tour attendance would get noticed this cycle?

I just visited Wisconsin Madison for the first time last summer. I don't have a kid in application mode.

We had a nice couple of days. Mostly looking at Frank Lloyd Wright and modern architecture and going to restaurants.

Why not go in the summer if you live close?

I know the CDS for Wisconsin/Madison says it doesn't track demonstrated interest. I have heard that they kind of do on an un-offical basis, meaning that touring in person might help. Has anyone else heard rumblings of that? We are within driving distance so could make the trip, but it involves a hotel and an overnight and we are running out of time this school year. DD is interested so I want to do all I can to help her chances, but if they truly don't consider demonstrated interest I would rather tour after if she ends up getting in. Honest thoughts?