Precollege Academic Campus Experience (PACE)
The PACE program gives students finishing grades 5–8 an opportunity to explore their current interests and passions with like-minded peers in a college setting. Students will spend one week taking an enrichment course designed specifically for advanced middle-school learners. Three week-long sessions are offered. Students may enroll in one or multiple sessions. Scholarships are available.
Why PACE
PACE offers the opportunity to engage your academic interests in a college setting. During class, don’t be surprised if you lose track of time geeking out on your favorite subject while facing unique academic challenges. In the classroom, you will become a more independent learner and increase your confidence when approaching challenging academic tasks, both individually and in teams.
By the end of the program, you will develop better time management skills and improve your understanding of yourself, your strengths, talents and areas where you can continue to grow. When you are not in class, be ready to explore different parts of campus, which may further spark your curiosity!
Overall, PACE will help you feel more comfortable and confident sharing your ideas with a broad community of intellectually motivated peers.
At a glance
2025 Program Dates
- Session 1: July 7–11
- Session 2: July 14–18
- Session 3: July 21–25
application open
January 13, 2025 to May 1, 2025
Format
In-person on the UW-Madison campus
grade level
For students finishing grades 5-8
cost
Non-refundable registration fee: $50
Tuition: $600 per session
Limited financial aid available. Tuition due on May 15th and June 1st.
instruction hours
25 hours per session
How to apply
Look through the course options available and choose your first-choice course for each of the sessions you wish to enroll in.
Ensure you have the required supplemental documentation ready to submit. PACE students will need to submit the answers to the application questions and their most recent transcript (an unofficial copy is acceptable). If you plan to apply for a scholarship, be sure to review the scholarship application process before applying to the PACE program.
Log in to the online application system and complete the application. You may log in via the “Apply Now” button at the top of this page after the application opens in January.
Submit the application and non-refundable application fee. You will receive an email confirming your submission immediately.
If you would like to request accommodations, you will be able to do so after acceptance. Learn more about accommodations.
Upcoming classes
- UW Art: Behind the Curtain (Grade 5-8)
- The Graphic Novel (Grades 7-8)
- Neuropsychology (Grades 7-8)
- Introduction to Computer Science (Grades 5-8)
- Classical Mythology (Grade 5-6)
- Biotechnology (Grades 7-8)
- A Touch of Business (Grades 5-6)
- A Class of Characters (Grades 5-8)
- World Mythology (Grades 7-8)
- Themes in Literature: Bravery (Grades 5
- The Plant Kingdom (Grades 5
- Finance Fundamentals (Grades 7-8)
- UW Science: Behind the Scenes (Grades 7-8)
- The World of Insects (Grades 5-6)
- Tech Talk (Grades 7-8)
- Storytelling (Grades 5-6)
- Space Exploration (Grades 5-6)
- Lyrics and Poetry (Grades 7-8)
- Human Anatomy (Grades 5-6)
Admission Questions
Please answer the following questions in 4-6 sentences. Take time to answer these questions thoroughly as they will be reviewed by the admission committee and will be used for decisions about program admission, class placement, and consideration for scholarship (if you apply for financial aid, please review the information here). Please know your responses may be shared with your course instructor.
- Why do you want to participate in this program?
- What interests you about your course selection(s)?
- Could you tell us about an accomplishment you are proud of? (This could be school, sports, hobbies, personal goals, etc.)
Then, in 1-2 sentences, please answer the following questions:
- Tell us what you like to do. For example, what are your favorite subjects to study and/or activities to participate in (in school or outside of school)?
- The most challenging thing I have had to do in school is…
- The most helpful thing a teacher has ever done for me is…
Students who participate in PACE typically have been successful and interested in classwork related to their course selection(s). They are motivated to attend an academic program focusing on one specific subject per week.
Admission process
Each application is reviewed on a rolling basis by a committee which takes into consideration the student’s academic achievement and motivation for participation in their choice of course(s). The comittee will review the question responses, grade reports, and any supplemental materials submitted to demonstrate interest, achievement, or speak to extenuating cirumstances. The committee may request further information to make a determination.
After committee review, a student may be Admitted, Conditionally Admitted, or Denied. When a student is Conditionally Admitted, they may have been waitlisted or need to provide additional information for the Committee to make a final decision. Students will be given an amount of time to complete needed steps. Waitlists are generated on a first-come, first-served basis. If the student is unable to complete the additional steps or the additional documentation does not meet required standards, Badger Precollege reserves the right to determine when and how denial is communicated.
Badger Precollege has varied funds to provide assistance to youth who demonstrate financial need. Prior to applying, a student may request a waiver for the application fee by emailing your scholarship documents and any supporting rationale to [email protected].
Acceptance to the program and scholarship allocation are two different parallel processes. Scholarship requests are being reviewed by the scholarship committee on a rolling basis. All materials supporting your application for scholarship assistance must be submitted with your registration form or received within two weeks of program application. Scholarships cannot be allocated to students who have not been admitted to a program. As such, a student’s program application must be completed by the scholarship deadline.* No new applications for scholarships will be accepted after March 24, 2025.
*Application materials can still be submitted after the scholarship deadline, but the student will not be eligible for the aid from Badger Precollege.
For multi-session programs like PACE, scholarships are limited to one week-long session per student per program. One student can request a scholarship for a maximum of one of the three PACE sessions. The same student can still apply for a scholarship for other Badger Precollege middle school programs like STEP or SMC Junior.
Learn more about our full scholarship policies and other financial information.
Application process
If you are eligible for free or reduced lunch, submit the Wisconsin DPI Financial Aid Form.
If you are not eligible for free or reduced lunch, Badger Precollege offers a very limited number of need-based, partial scholarships. To apply for a need-based, partial scholarship, please submit the first page of the 1040 form of the most recent year’s tax return. If extenuating circumstances (i.e. loans, loss of employment) are not reflected on tax return but are affecting your family’s finances, please also submit a letter of explanation.
Additional information (essay, interview, phone conversation, etc.) may be requested from students and/or families prior to notification of aid.
Notification of aid
Families will be notified of scholarship decisions within one month of submitting full application and scholarship application package. Badger Precollege is committed to making an allocation of scholarship funds to allow the largest possible number of students to attend our programs. Families will be required to submit their intent to accept a scholarship award. Failure to do so by the deadline posted in your award letter may result in a loss of partial or full aid award.