The Opportunities in Engineering Conference (OPPS) is an opportunity for outstanding undergraduate juniors and seniors to visit the UW-Madison campus and explore graduate programs in engineering. Available graduate engineering programs are listed in the table below. Opportunities for summer research programs and industrial employment will also be addressed.  

Participants will also interact and network directly with current engineering graduate students. Programming will be relevant to current undergraduate juniors and seniors as well as graduate students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in engineering with a diverse support network of peers and professional development opportunities.

Students from all over the US and Puerto Rico enjoying OPPS with some University of Wisconsin pride on display

College juniors, seniors, graduates, masters students, and anyone interested in pursuing a graduate degree at UW with majors in engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, math or other physical sciences. All participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Students from traditionally underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, first-generation students, and students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

OPPS participants and current GERS students gather on their first night visiting UW-Madison after ice-breakers and a banquet dinner in November 2022.

The conference will include presentations on research, funding for graduate school, the graduate application process, and career options with graduate degrees in engineering. Students will have opportunities to meet with faculty and tour campus facilities, the University of Wisconsin campus, and the broader Madison community. Additionally, there is a large amount of interaction with current graduate students, who are a wealth of knowledge regarding both the university and living in Madison.

Students will arrive in Madison by Wednesday evening, November 1st, 2023, and spend Thursday and Friday learning about graduate school and research opportunities. Students will remain in Madison through Sunday, November 5, 2023. Those students who drive can depart on Saturday or Sunday. There will be a dinner Friday night hosted by engineering graduate students and faculty, and group activities all day on Saturday.

All travel and lodging will be covered by the conference as well as meals on Wednesday night, and all day Thursday and Friday.

Please fill out the Opportunities in Engineering Conference application form. Also provide an unofficial copy of your transcript (transcripts must be in English), and one letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation may come in the form of email, but must come directly from the reference. All applications must be received no later than October 13, 2023. It is preferred that all application materials including references and transcripts be sent via email to oppconf@engr.wisc.edu. No faxes, please.

For further information, contact Kelly Burton at kelly.burton@wisc.edu or (608­)263­-4583.

Opportunities Conference Coordinator
University of Wisconsin­-Madison, College of Engineering
258 CAE Building
1410 Engineering Drive
Madison, WI 53706
E­mail: oppconf@engr.wisc.edu