Admissions FAQ

BDS welcomes applications from all students who meet the entrance requirements and have serious interest in pursuing graduate study in Biomedical Data Science. Often, applicants have undergraduate majors in statistics, computer science, math, biostatistics, or biological sciences. PhD applicants should have at least two semesters of college calculus (similar to UW’s Math 221–222), a linear algebra course (similar to UW’s Math 340), a course in programming and data structures (similar to UW’s CS 200 and CS 300). MS applicants should have a similar, but likely less advanced, background.

We cannot provide preliminary evaluations or chance for admission and we do not pre-screen applications.  The Admissions Committee reviews each application carefully using a holistic process, considering all application materials including personal statement, recommendation letters, transcripts, etc., and weighing applications against others in the applicant pool each year.

No, there is no advantage to applying early. Applications are not reviewed until after the deadline.

If you are requesting an application fee waiver, please first check if you qualify for a waiver from the Graduate School. If you do not you may choose to complete the form to request a waiver from BDS. Requests must be made via form submission are very limited.

UW-Madison charges a non-refundable $75 application fee that must be paid by credit or debit card in the online application system. In addition to the $75 application fee, non U.S. citizens will be charged a $6.00 international document processing fee. Both fees will be processed upon submission of your application.

No. It is unnecessary to contact faculty. Students must submit all application materials via the Graduate School online application.

Current UW graduate students should submit their request through the Graduate Portal. All application materials must be compiled into a single pdf. Reference letters can be emailed to: maxted@wisc.edu
Please review the steps on the Grad School webpage

No. BDS only offers fall semester admission.

Provided that they make satisfactory progress towards their PhD, all BDS PhD students are guaranteed a competitive stipend and tuition remission for the duration of their graduate studies. The benefits package also includes the opportunity to purchase excellent University of Wisconsin health insurance at a reasonable price. MS students do not receive guaranteed funding, but many area able to find funding as a TA, RA, or PA.

Admitted students complete three laboratory rotations in labs of BDS trainers before choosing a faculty advisor. More information can be found in the Lab Rotations section of the BDS Handbook.

No, GRE scores are not required and will not be considered when applying for the PhD or MS program

Please refer to the Graduate School Admissions English proficiency requirements. The Graduate School currently accepts test results from TOEFL, IELTS, IELTS Indicator, and Duolingo English Test to fulfill the English proficiency requirement.  The required proficiency scores are: are listed below. We do not accept scores compiled from multiple tests to meet English proficiency requirements. Scores are valid if they are less than two years from the first day of the anticipated enrollment term.

• • Minimum TOEFL requirement:92 for tests taken before January 21, 2026
  • Minimum TOEFL requirement:5.0 for tests taken on and after January 21, 2026
  • Minimum IELTS requirement:7.0
  • Minimum IELTS Indicator requirement:7.0
  • Minimum Duolingo English Test requirement:125
• How to submit English proficiency test scores
  • TOEFL scores must be submitted electronically via ETS. Our institution code is 1846.
  • IELTS scores can be submitted electronically or by mail via IELTS. To send electronically, select our account name University of Wisconsin Madison Graduate Studies. To send by mail, use the following address:
    
    UW-Madison Graduate School, Office of Admissions
    232 Bascom Hall
    500 Lincoln Drive
    Madison, WI 53706
  • Duolingo English Test scores must be submitted electronically via Duolingo to University of Wisconsin – Madison – Graduate Admissions.

Double check to make sure the reference email is correct

The email could have been put into your recommender’s Junk or Spam email inboxes, so please have them check their Junk and Spam folders in their email

Occasionally, our systems are overloaded by the amount of requests, so it may take up to 24 hours for the email to send, so please wait to see if the request arrives tomorrow

The email could have been blocked by a firewall; if that is the case, you may want to resend the request to a different email address (a personal email, for example)

The estimated Cost of Attendance can be found at the Office of Student Financial Aid.   The tuition rates listed in the cost of attendance are estimates only.