As you work toward your graduate degree, the Graduate School, together with partners across campus, will support you so that you can take full ownership of your graduate education and follow the career trajectory that you imagine. UW–Madison graduate students thrive in a vibrant community that embraces diversity and values a distinctive mix of lively city life and natural beauty.
Academics
The Graduate School offers support from admission through degree completion. Below are several key resources to support your success.
Academic Policies and Procedures >>
Diversity
We are committed not only to providing a robust education in a world-class research enterprise, but also to building a diverse community of scholars.
Professional Development
When you participate in professional development, you build skills needed to succeed academically and thrive in your career.
Individual Development Plan >>
The Graduate School cares about your overall well-being. Success in graduate school involves learning to effectively balance your physical, mental, and social needs with your academic life. There is a wealth of resources to assist graduate students in taking care of their health and wellness.
Wellness
Inclusion and support
We encourage graduate students to take advantage of the many resources offered in order to cultivate a healthy lifestyle and community.
University Health Services
UHS offers a safe and confidential environment with a variety of support services available free of charge and open to all graduate students.
Graduate Students with Children
The UW–Madison Office of Child Care and Family Resources offers an array of services and information to support graduate students with families.
Getting Involved
You'll find myriad opportunities to engage in campus and community life. Doing so can improve your research and scholarship, through networking and cross-collaborative interactions.
Additional wellness information can be found in Graduate Student Life, specifically in Chapter 10: Living Well, with tips on balancing academics and wellness.
UW offers awesome opportunities for graduate students to escape from their unending duties: workshops, lectures on relevant topics, mini-courses . . . and let’s not forget the activities waiting to be lived in Madison, from salsa dancing to windsurfing on Lake Mendota, from fresh sushi on Library Mall (as fresh as it can get in the Midwest), to organic beef and frozen custard. If you dare, come and experience Madison!
Eulàlia Puig Abril, Life Sciences Communication
Living in Madison is an experience unlike any other: the natural beauty of the multiple surrounding lakes partnered with a diverse city filled with award-winning restaurants, shops, and attractions create a vibrant and bustling community that has activities no matter the season.
If you’re looking for activities suitable for each season, check out UW–Madison’s seasonal activities site. Visit Madison and Isthmus feature calendars where you can find all the events happening in the area.
New graduate students
The Graduate School offers support and resources to help you transition to life as a graduate student, including:
- New Graduate Student Welcome, the orientation day for all new graduate students;
- Welcome Week programming ranging from productivity tips, to networking opportunities, to national speakers;
- checklists of important tasks to complete before and when you arrive on campus; and
- onboarding messages and publications to help you get settled in to your new role as a UW–Madison graduate student.
Graduate Student Life
This publication covers campus area housing, where to shop for food and necessities, what to do on your occasional night out, resources for graduate students with children, tips for staying healthy while you’re on campus, and much more.
