Students have an opportunity to attend an advising session before submitting their application.
A Group Advising Session for students interested in applying to this major usually takes place in early May, with additional sessions throughout the year. All students are encouraged to attend an advising session before applying. Only students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.600 or higher are eligible to apply.
Note that this is a competitive process. A 2.6 cum GPA is not a guarantee for admission into the program.Your application should include:
1. A cover sheet that gives your name, ID number, phone number, email address, And intended major and option (if Consumer Science major is selected) Cover Sheet pdf--26kb 
2. A beginning sentence that states the specific major or concentration (Retailing major or Consumer Affairs option or Personal Finance option in the Consumer Science major) that you are applying for and why you have selected that major or major and option. It is important that the admissions committee can determine that you clearly understand what the major or option that you selected is, and that you have applied to the one that most appropriately fits your needs.
3. This sentence should be followed with a one-page narrative describing your goals in relation to the major or concentration that you have selected.
- Include past employment experience.
- Include coursework that is relevant.
- Club & organization memberships
- Volunteer work
- Own experience in this field
- Be as specific as possible but contain information within one single-spaced page
4. Your current transcript - available in Room 123 Peterson Bldg. http://ordertranscript.wisc.edu/
5. A "what if DARS" in the major or major/option you have selected (see instructions for requesting via My UW-Madison). http://registrar.wisc.edu/students/acadrecords/dars/how_to_request.php
Please bring these application materials stapled together to the Student Academic Affairs office, Room 135 Human Ecology Building, 1300 Linden Drive no later than 4:00 p.m. on February 1.
Once applications have been reviewed, you will be notified of your acceptance or denial. Final acceptance into one of these majors requires that you attend the mandatory advising session held in the middle of the spring semester. The meeting will last approximately one hour.
- Students are advised not to plan to study abroad during the semester following their acceptance into the major
- New majors should expect to be in the major a minimum of three (3) semesters.
Criteria for admitting student applicants to the Consumer Science/Retail majors
A significant part of the evaluation is based on the student's overall GPA. However, other aspects of the evaluation such as statement of purpose, background experiences and achievements in science and math as well as other coursework are carefully considered.
