Students statewide know the chords to the song that boasts state pride and screams “I’m a Badger”: Jump Around.  They dream of jumping along thousands in Camp Randall and one day being one of the 32,000 that will graduate from the prestigious UW-Madison.

However, this dream for some at Arrowhead High School can be a difficult feat.  Many apply but only those who worked for their Bucky dream will receive the anticipated admission letter.

The 2014 acceptance rate at UW-Madison comes in at 51.1 percent.  This decreased 3.56 percentage points from two years ago.  The rate for acceptance is decreasing while the  standards in high school are slowly increasing. AP classes are at most times a necessity for a Madison student as well as an outstanding ACT score.

“Madison is definitely a dream school of a lot of kids at Arrowhead.  I’ve grown up wanting to be a Badger.  If only admission standards weren’t so difficult,” said Alyssa Stark, a senior at Arrowhead High School and hopeful Madison applicant.  Stark along with alongs applied in early September or October and could possibly not hear back until February or March.

Madison provides an academic life with more than 4,200 course listings and 136 undergraduate majors.  This gives incoming students a wide variety of where they can steer their future.

On Wisc.edu, The University of Wisconsin-Madison claims their institution is, “a world-class university, nationally and internationally recognized for our academic excellence, incredible students, inspiring faculty, exceptional value, and an amazing campus and community.”

The exceptional value attracts the wide pool of Arrowhead students each year.

When applying as a Wisconsin resident, students can qualify for in-state tuition totaling around $24,000 per academic year, compared to $40,000 for an out of state student.  The average award of financial aid given to students is around $12,000.

The student life at the university is known nationwide for Badger football games as well as a red and white sea throughout the capital on these treasured game days.  Students chant Bucky’s pushups at each touchdown and celebrate on state street with a brat in one hand and cheese curds in another.  State street lies in the middle of campus with convenient shopping  as well as the beautiful Wisconsin state capitol.

To be a Badger or not to be is the question for many Arrowhead students this time of year.  Hopeful Badgers need to sit back, relax, and have some cheese curds while they wait for their question to be answered.