Myth: Being postponed is the same as being on a wait list.

Not quite. The difference may be semantic, but it’s important. Universities that use a wait list are implying that admissions counselors have essentially made up their minds about admitting a student, and they’re just waiting to see if there’s enough space to make an offer.

UW-Madison, however, doesn’t use a wait list. Instead, counselors can choose to “postpone” a decision.

Doing so doesn’t ensure that a student will be admitted later, but it does mean that counselors will take a fresh look at a student’s application one more time later in the process, then make a decision.

Next myth » An A is always better than a B.

• Introduction
• Myth: It’s a secretive process.
• Myth: A formula determines whether students are admitted or denied.
• Myth: UW-Madison has raised its admissions criteria in recent years.
• Myth: The UW turns away students with perfect GPAs.
• Myth: Some students get special treatment in the admissions process.
• Myth: It’s impossible for regular students to get in anymore.
• Myth: No one reads personal statements.
• Myth: It pays to apply early.
• Myth: Minority students get in with lower grades than some white students who are rejected.
• Myth: UW-Madison caps the number of students who can be admitted from one high school.
• Myth: Back in the day, UW-Madison let everybody in.
• Myth: Applicants from outside Wisconsin are taking up spots that could go to state residents.
• Myth: Connections with important people can get you in.
• Myth: Alumni can get their kids in if they pull the right strings.
• Myth: Being postponed is the same as being on a wait list.
• Myth: An A is always better than a B.
• Myth: One grumpy admissions counselor can doom an application.
• Myth: Admissions counselors like rejecting people.
• Myth: My son or daughter isn’t emotionally ready to be turned down by the university.
• Myth: It’s a perfect system.