Admission to Programs with Limited Capacity

In accordance with State regulations and Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) guidance, Madison College admits students in the following sequence, using the date the student completed all application requirements to form the order of program admission within each group.

Madison College District Residents

Applicants who reside within the Madison College district will have first priority for program admission, provided applications are submitted by the following priority deadlines:

• January 1 for the following fall semester
• May 1 for the following spring semester
• October 1 for the following summer semester

If you are a Madison College District resident and apply after the dates above, you will be included in the next group (Non-District State and Minnesota Reciprocity Residents).

View WTCS’s Map of Colleges to see if you reside within the Madison College district.

Non-District State and Minnesota Reciprocity Residents

Applicants who reside in another part of Wisconsin outside the Madison College District and applicants with Minnesota Reciprocity will have the same priority as Madison College District residents who apply after the priority deadlines above.

Out-of-State Residents

Applicants who reside outside of Wisconsin will be offered a place in the program after district and state residents, if there are still spots available. Acceptance into the program is on hold until a month before the semester begins to determine if there is space in the program. Out-of-state residents are not eligible for admission to a program that has a waiting list.

When a program reaches capacity, Madison College District, Non-District State and Minnesota Reciprocity residents will be placed on a waiting list. The waiting list will be formed using the admissions priority criteria listed in the above accordion. Residency status is based on the original program application even if a student’s residency status changes. Madison College also reserves the right to confirm a student’s residency status with appropriate documentation.

Students on the waiting list get priority in future terms based on the date they completed application requirements. Having priority does not guarantee a place in the program. You can choose to remain on the waiting list until a spot becomes available, if you continue to follow the steps to notify Madison College that you want to remain on the waiting list.

All correspondence related to program admission, waiting list information, and the declaration process (if applicable) will be sent to your Madison College student email address, so it’s important to check that regularly.

Fall 2026 Notification Timeline

Students on the waiting list for programs without academic preparedness requirements will be notified in March 2026 about available spots. Those who remain on the list will also receive an update on their estimated wait times.

Some programs at Madison College have academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before a student may begin program classes.

Academic preparedness requirements include prerequisite coursework and other academic measures to ensure that students are ready for technical/occupational courses and can successfully complete program requirements.

You may complete academic preparedness requirements while on the waiting list for that program, but you will not be admitted to the program until you’ve completed all requirements and a place in the program is available.

When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements or are in your final semester of in-progress courses, you are ready to complete the declaration process. Priority will be given to students who have all academic preparedness requirements completed at the time of declaration before students who have requirements in progress.

Learn more about the declaration process for programs with academic preparedness requirements.

As you move through the program admission process, there are different classifications for admitted students. These classifications and waiting list order do not transfer between programs.

Pre-Core: A student who has not yet completed the requirements needed for core program courses. (This only applies to programs that have academic preparedness requirements.)

Core Ready: A student who has met academic preparedness requirements (if applicable) and is prepared to begin the program but is waiting for a program seat to become available.

Core Active: A student who is currently in the core classes for the program of choice.

Every spring semester, students on a program waiting list must complete a short confirmation form. This form will appear on your myMadisonCollege To Do List during the waiting list confirmation window.

What You Need to Do:

Confirm if you still want to stay on the waiting list; or

Indicate that you’re no longer interested and want to be removed

Important:

If you don’t complete the form by within the confirmation window, you’ll be removed from the waiting list.

If you choose to be removed or do not fill out the form during the confirmation window, you’ll need to reapply if you change your mind later—and you’ll be placed at the end of the waiting list.

Next Confirmation Window

January 15 – February 15, 2026

• Animation
• Associate Degree Nursing
• Automotive Technician
• Automotive Technology
• Civil Engineering
• Cosmetology
• Dental Assistant
• Dental Hygienist
• Interior Design
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Coding Specialist
• Nursing Completion LPN to ADN
• Nursing Completion Paramedic to ADN
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Paramedic
• Paramedic Technician
• Practical Nursing
• Radiography
• Respiratory Therapy
• Surgical Technology
• Veterinary Technician