How to Apply

MEDLI Summer 2025 session dates: June 16 – August 8

MEDLI Application Instructions

If you are interested in joining MEDLI Summer 2025, please wait until the online application opens later Fall 2024 and be prepared to submit the following materials:

  1. Copy of Official or Unofficial Transcripts: You must submit a copy of your most recent academic transcripts. However, those out of school for more than five years are exempt from this requirement. If you will not be submitting a transcript, please state this in your Personal Statement.
  2. Personal Statement: In approximately 500 words, please address your personal, academic, and professional reasons and goals for wanting to participate in UW-Madison’s Wisconsin Intensive Summer Language Institutes (WISLI). Include how you plan to meet the challenges of an intensive language learning environment and how you can personally contribute to this learning environment. In addressing the latter, you may discuss your interpersonal and leadership skills, ability to adapt to new and unexpected situations, and interest in creating a environment where each participant feels valued, respected, and supported. Feel free to share other relevant info that could impact your time on the program.
  3. Application Fee: Pay the nonrefundable $25 application fee via the following link: MEDLI Fee Payment

(Optional) Apply for financial aid and scholarships/fellowships for use at MEDLI.

    • Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) awards through UW-Madison: MEDLI students are highly encouraged if eligible to apply for a FLAS award. Students may apply for FLAS funding through multiple centers. Applications for Summer 2025 and Academic Year 2025-2026 are anticipated to open in late fall 2024. Apply at https://flas.wisc.edu/.
    • WISLI Tuition Scholarship, Madison Gateway Scholarship & Other Funding Opportunities: https://medli.wisc.edu/funding-2/

PRIORITY MEDLI APPLICATION DEADLINE:

To be considered complete by the priority deadline, all applications and accompanying materials (including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and application fee) must be received by March 15th of the program year.

Potential applicants who miss the March 15th priority deadline should contact us at medli@lpo.wisc.edu to see if there is space on a wait list before applying.

ADMISSIONS:

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Admission to the program is contingent on our enrollments and ability to offer all levels in each language.

Please contact us at medli@lpo.wisc.edu with inquiries.

Once you have been accepted to the MEDLI program (acceptance letters sent out on a rolling basis), you will enroll to become a UW-Madison Special Student.

You must become a UW-Madison Special Student in order to receive UW-Madison academic credit. The instructions below will guide you through the application and enrollment process as a UW-Madison Special/Nondegree student. Please allow 30 minutes to answer the application questions to the best of your ability.

  • Apply to become a UW-Madison student by completing the Special Student web application for the Summer 2024 term.
    • Select Nondegree/Special as your reason for applying
    • Select Pre-Selected Populations (UNPS) as your “Applying as” option
      • list “MEDLI” for your academic plans.
  • As for Residency for Tuition Determination, please be guided by the following:
    • Wisconsin Statutes, Section 36.27(2), govern resident status for tuition purposes. If you do not qualify as a Wisconsin resident, in most cases your tuition will be assessed at the higher out-of-state rate. Although these questions are quite detailed, please answer them to the best of your ability to avoid processing delays.
  • When you receive your UW-Madison Student ID number, forward it to the MEDLI office for authorization to enroll in summer classes. (If you are a current UW-Madison student send your ID number to the MEDLI office and skip the next step.)
  • Using your student ID number, activate your NetID and password. This will give you access to the University’s online systems for enrollment, tuition & financial account, email, etc. Your UW-Madison email address is the official means of communication for University business – make sure you check it regularly or forward to another address.
  • Follow the instructions you receive from MEDLI to enroll in your language class online at MyUW. Verify your enrollment by viewing your class schedule. Enroll before arriving in Madison to make sure you avoid the late enrollment fee.

Note that students who previously attended in UW-Madison but have not been enrolled for one or more semesters are considered reentry students. If you recall your MyUW NetID and password, you may submit the shorter Reentry Special Student Application & Residence for Tuition Purposes Application in your Student Center.

After you have enrolled in classes, the Bursar’s Office will send you an email about your electronic tuition bill for $5,000 (out-of-state) or UW-Madison WI/MN in-state resident fee. Your student financial account, along with payment instructions, can be accessed through MyUW in the Student Center.

Students who have never taken a class at UW-Madison will be charged a one-time new student transcript fee of $130, which allows for unlimited transcript orders. If you have already taken a course at UW-Madison, you should not have to pay the fee. For more information, click https://registrar.wisc.edu/documentfee/.

Pay attention to the tuition deadline to avoid a $100 late fee.

If someone will be sponsoring you to attend MEDLI (i.e., an external fellowship), contact us as soon as possible for information on setting up a third-party payment.

QUESTIONS

MEDLI-related questions, contact medli@lpo.wisc.edu or (608) 263-3724.

UW Special Student Application questions, contact Adult, Career and Special Student Services at 608-263-6960 or advising@dcs.wisc.edu.

UW NetID questions, contact the DoIT Help Desk at 608-264-4357.