Myth: Some students get special treatment in the admissions process.

True. Veterans, adult students, students with disabilities, children of alumni, some athletes, some minority students, some exceptional musicians, and students who are the first in their families to go to college all get some special consideration.

If an applicant in one of these groups is clearly admissible, or clearly not admissible, nothing unusual happens; a counselor simply makes a decision and follows the normal process. But in borderline cases, counselors are instructed to give students in these groups some extra consideration when they feel a decision could go either way. “It’s one more penny on the scale,” says associate admissions director Reason. “It’s not a pound on the scale. It’s nowhere near as important as academics. But it’s a penny in their favor.”

The rationale for special treatment is that the university believes admitting these students fits with its goal of building a diverse student body. “These are individuals who in their own way can make a specific and unique contribution to the university,” says Seltzer. “They are typically students who are underrepresented [in higher education], and the university and our society say that they should not be underrepresented on our campus.”

Does that mean students in these groups get in with lower grades than others? Occasionally, yes. “But they have some other set of extraordinary qualifications that justifies them being here,” says Reason. “To be a Division I athlete is extraordinary; to be an outstanding musician is extraordinary. These students add something very meaningful to the university.”

Another consideration is that the university often has resources to support students in these categories who might not fit the typical academic profile. The athletic department’s academic services unit, for instance, offers tutoring and study halls for student athletes, which Seltzer says allows for some wiggle room.

“The question is, can they succeed here?” he says. “We will never admit a student if we don’t believe he or she can succeed.”

Next myth » It’s impossible for regular students to get in anymore.

• 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.