University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UW Oshkosh) was founded in 1871 as the premier teacher-training school in the state. Tuition was free to any student who agreed to teach in Wisconsin public schools after graduation.

Since then, it has grown into a comprehensive university that serves the academic needs of the residents of northeastern Wisconsin. It seeks to provide a liberal education that disseminates knowledge, teaches practical and intellectual skills, encourages community responsibility, and imparts tools that can be applied to a variety of a situations.

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Information Summary

Ranks 15th in Wisconsin and 604th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	85.4
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$19,493
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT 75%ile scores	24
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	21 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	78% / 33%
Enrollment Total (all students)	16,410

Academics

UW Oshkosh has a student population of around 13,000. The campus has 52 buildings, of which ten are academic and 11 are residence halls. The school was ranked #76 among regional universities in the Midwest according to the 2011 U.S. News and Word Report’s Best Colleges review.

Students can choose from 57 majors or 17 master’s degrees in four different colleges: Letters and Science, Education and Human Services, Nursing, and Business. UW Oshkosh’s College of Business is the only AACSB accredited college in the region.

The Center for New Learning makes higher education accessible to students who can’t devote time to a full academic schedule. Perfect for adult learners, online class-takers, and students who have full-time jobs, this program makes it easy to earn a degree without interrupting the rest of your life.

Honors Program

The University Honors Program allows exceptional students to further challenge themselves with an accelerated academic program and collaborative faculty/student research. Incoming freshmen who are eligible for this program are invited to apply in the spring before their first semester, and current students with a qualifying GPA after their first semester are also invited to join.

Study Abroad Programs

If you want to study abroad during college, you’ll probably pay a visit to the Office of International Education. UW Oshkosh offers more than 50 semester- and year-long study abroad programs in more than 25 countries. Programs are faculty-led, student exchange, or direct enrollment. There are many events and information meetings throughout the year to help potential study abroad students find the programs that are right for them.

UW Partnerships

UW Oshkosh has partnered with dozens of businesses, community groups, and other academic institutions to provide the most relevant experiences to its students. For example, the Cooperative Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) lets students earn college credit while still in high school, and the Fox Valley Writing Project brings local educators together to collaborate on effective ways to teach writing.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

UW Oshkosh seeks highly motivated, well-rounded students who will thrive in the university’s active community. Students can prepare by earning a good high school GPA, scoring well on the ACT (preferred) or the SAT, and writing an excellent personal statement and admissions essay.

To apply, go online to apply.wisconsin.edu and complete the UW System application for admission. Once you’ve applied online, send hard copies of all relevant information and material to the admissions office. Be sure to apply early – applications are accepted on a rolling basis!

Often, the transition to college can be stressful. The Titan Advantage Program (TAP) seeks to help ease this difficult period with a ‘transition semester’ in the summer before freshman year. Earn college credits and meet future classmates in a low-pressure, supportive environment with this unique program.

Financial Aid

More than 70 percent of UW Oshkosh students receive financial aid of some kind. Begin your search for support by filling out the FAFSA, which is available for free online at www.fafsa.gov. In addition to determining your eligibility for federal grant money, your FAFSA information may be necessary for a number of outside scholarships and awards.

UW Oshkosh awards more than $200,000 in scholarships to incoming freshmen each year. Most of these awards recognize exceptional merit, leadership, or academic achievement. Search through the dozens of options, which can be found online, to see if you are eligible for one of the many different awards.

If you are an out-of-state student, you may be eligible for a tuition reduction program, which helps to make earning a degree more affordable for non-Wisconsin students.

If you ever have questions about how to apply for aid or the best ways to earn scholarship money, contact the Financial Aid Office or take advantage of the University’s many online resources and search tools.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3408th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Wisconsin.

Students

There are over 160 student organizations at UW Oshkosh. It’s easy to get involved in a social group, academic organization, or sustainability council. If you’re interested in Greek life, there are ten sororities and fraternities to choose from.

The school’s Model UN team, which was founded in the 1960s, is considered the most successful program in the world. It has won 25 consecutive Outstanding Delegation Awards and a Distinguished Delegation Awards in national conferences.

The Advance Titan, UW Oshkosh’s official school newspaper, keeps the campus informed about news, sports, and current trends. It has earned national recognition and awards as a top student newspaper. The A-T is always looking for new writers, editors, and more, so be sure to apply if you’re interested!

Visit the Titan Underground for a taste of on-campus nightlife. The social center has food and events on a daily schedule, and offers standing entertainment with its karaoke, dart boards, Nintendo Wii consoles, and pool games.

It’s also easy to get involved in community service on campus. University students contribute more than 50,000 volunteer hours per year. Join a student organization or one of the University’s partner organizations to donate your time or services to local and national causes.

UW Oshkosh values the diversity of its student body. The Multicultural Education Center and Multicultural Retention Programs seek to increase enrollment and improve the campus lives of minority and disadvantaged students. There are also a number of student-sponsored organizations that support and promote minority groups of all types.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

UW Oshkosh is a Division III college. It has 21 women’s and men’s varsity sports teams, including baseball, basketball, soccer, and wrestling. The Titans have won 42 national championships through their varsity programs.

For students who want to participate in sports more casually, there are 11 club sports teams and 12 intramural teams. Whether you’re an athlete or just want to have fun, you can participate in activities like racquetball, golf, water ski, bowling, and swing dance.

Take advantage of three fitness centers and numerous outdoor activity areas, free of charge. You can also sign up to participate in an Xpedition – exciting trips and activities that take place off campus and help you bond with other like-minded students.

Alumni

UW Oshkosh has a number of notable alumni in a variety of fields. Here are just a few:

Carla Altepeter: President and CEO of CitizensFirst Credit Union

Jim VandeHei: Co-founder and executive editor of Politico.com

Jessica (Martin) Riley: Finalist in the James Jones First Novel Fellowship with her novel, Driving Sideways

Paul Anger: President of the Des Moines Register, a newspaper with over 150 employees

James Geenen: Peace Corps director of Paraguay, founder of Fundacion NanPaz or “Road to Peace”

Additional School Information

UW Oshkosh is making great strides in sustainability and environmental conservation. It is ranked 36th in the Sierra Club’s Cool Schools national sustainability list, and became the country’s first Fair Trade school in 2008. There are dozens of opportunities to get involved in sustainability efforts on and off campus, so don’t hesitate to join the green movement!

Bibliography

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Web. 19 July 2011.

“UW Oshkosh | University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh | Best College | US News.” US News & World Report | News & Rankings | Best Colleges, Best Hospitals, and More. Web. 19 July 2011.

UW Oshkosh — University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Web. 19 July 2011.

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh