First Wave Scholarship Overview

First Wave is a full-tuition, four-year scholarship program for students that are seniors in high school or first-year freshmen in college that are applying to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the upcoming Fall Semester. Please go to the First Wave Application page for additional information on the application process. The First Wave Scholarship application is typically due in early February each academic year. See the application for the specific deadline each cycle.

With the support of affiliated UW faculty, UW staff, artists, First Wave Alum, and community members, First Wave scholars:

develop their artistic craft as part of a high-level artistic community;
pursue their academic and career goals by studying fields that merge their artistic interests with professional development;
engage the community in creative service-learning projects that combine multicultural arts and activism;
showcase their talents around the campus, city, country and globe by presenting at conferences, traveling in the First Wave touring ensemble, teaching workshops in schools and communities, performing at high-level events, and more

If you have any questions please email OMAI.Staff@wisc.edu with your name, question, and contact information.

First Wave Freshman Summer

First Wave freshman students get a head start on their UW-Madison careers by taking part in the Summer College Experience (SCE), a summer bridge program designed to help incoming students make a successful transition to college. Participants attend collegiate academic courses during the summer session and they meet with First Wave artistic mentors to get a head-start on developing their craft. They also get to meet a great group of fellow incoming students, get adjusted to the college academic and social environment, and enjoy fun trips and cultural activities. The cost of tuition, books, and room and board in a residence hall is covered for all participants. PLEASE NOTE: Attending SCE is a requirement of the First Wave Scholarship. Failure to attend SCE may result in the revocation of your scholarship.

First Wave Freshman Fall Program

Once on campus in the fall, First Wave scholars are supported by affiliated faculty and advisors to take courses that nurture and challenge their creativity to its fullest potential. Scholars select their own majors based on personal interests and long-term goals, while also having the opportunity to enroll in courses designed specifically for the First Wave community.

First Wave scholars live together in The Studio Learning Community in Sellery Residence Hall, fostering a distinctive, supportive environment that encourages academic, social, and artistic growth. Study sessions and open mics often take place right in the residence halls, helping scholars stay connected and inspired.

Beyond the classroom, scholars participate in monthly gatherings that bring together different First Wave cohorts to share dinner, build community, and exchange ideas across generations of the program. They also take part in regular professional development workshops hosted by OMAI, designed around the program’s three pillars—Academics, Arts, and Activism—which provide opportunities to strengthen creative practice, leadership, and social engagement.

Each scholar is also enrolled in a First Wave First-Year Interest Group (FIG)—a cluster of linked courses that offer an intimate educational experience and direct, substantive contact with UW–Madison faculty.

First year First Wavers perform as a cohort during the Office of Multicultural Arts’ Initiative’s annual Line Breaks Festival each Spring.

First Wave Sophomore Year

The First Wave sophomore year provides for more flexibility and requires that the students develop projects which showcase their academic and artistic development. Also, sophomores have the opportunity to participate in more local, regional, national, and international traveling as part of the First Wave Touring Ensemble.

First Wave Junior Year

Students are encouraged to study abroad, which provides the students with an international experience and deep immersion into language fluency. Each year, First Wave scholars study abroad in a multitude of countries. Our scholars maintain blogs about their experiences and stay in close touch with their fellow First Wavers studying in Madison. First Wave Scholars have traveled to Australia, Portugal, Brazil, England, France, Japan, China and Ghana, to name just a few destinations. Scholars are also required to complete a collaborative project that captures the hear of the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives’ three pillars, Academics, Arts, and Activism.

First Wave Senior Year

The First Wave senior year is characterized by a capstone seminar and senior arts project as well as in-depth career advising and portfolio development that will provide the the First Wave students with the tools to be successful in their professional endeavors upon graduation.