Waiting List

Information Last Updated: April 7, 2026

Blackhawk is committed to ensuring transparent, consistent, and fair access to programs with limited capacity. A number of our programs are transitioning to a waiting list system to prioritize Wisconsin residents.

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Priority Acceptance Dates Proof of Residency Academic Preparedness

Current Waiting List Programs

Program start availability is updated annually before each academic year. To better understand how demand may impact admission and program start times, applicants are encouraged to review the typical availability for the programs below.

Program	Estimated Program Start Time*	Academic Preparedness Requirements
Dental Hygienist	1-2 years	View Requirements
Diagnostic Medical Sonography	1-2 years	View Requirements
Electric Power Distribution	1-2 years	Coming Soon
Nursing	1-2 semesters	View Requirements
Radiography	0-1 years	View Requirements

*Estimated wait time for eligible students to be offered a seat in the program. Eligibility requirements are listed below.

What it Means for You

For programs with limited capacity, accepted students will be ordered based on application acceptance date and residency, prioritizing in-district students by priority application acceptance dates. The Blackhawk application only allows students to choose one program, but students can apply for up to two different programs. Please contact Admissions at (608) 757-7710 or admissions@blackhawk.edu if you are interested in applying for two programs and we will assist you through the process.

Priority Application Acceptance Dates

In-district residents who apply by the following dates will have priority on the wait list.

Spring Programs

Priority Date: May 1

Summer Programs

Priority Date: October 1

Fall Programs

Priority Date: January 1

Proof of Residency

Students are ordered on the waiting list based on their program admission date and residency. Residency is broken into three categories: in-district, out-of-district state, and out-of-state. The following documents are accepted to demonstrate residency. More information can be found in the Academic Preparedness Requirements for each program.

State issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Operators License, or Identity Card)
Tax Return Document (Most Recent Filing)
Vehicle Registration Document
Bank Account Statement with Address
Voter Registration Document

Academic Preparedness

Some programs have established academic preparedness requirements based on accreditation and/or student success data. These requirements must be completed before a student is eligible to start core program courses. Academic preparedness helps ensure students can progress successfully when they begin core program courses.

Specific academic preparedness requirements can vary by program (i.e., coursework, testing, proof of residency) and can be found on the respective program web page(s).

Pre-Core

Currently working through the academic preparedness requirements (if applicable) for core program courses.

Core Ready

Meets the academic preparedness requirements (if applicable) for the program; waiting for an available program seat.

Core Active

Currently enrolled in core program courses.

Core Ready

Students must be Core Ready prior to the deadline to be considered for a seat in core program courses. The start term for core courses can vary by program; some may have multiple start dates. Being Core Ready means that a student has satisfied all pre-core requirements and is currently waiting for a seat to become available.

Core Ready Deadline for Students: Students must have all academic preparedness requirements completed before the Core Ready Deadline in order to be considered Core Ready. Refer to the chart below for the deadline based on the program and term start.

Core Ready Communication to Students: Students who meet the academic preparedness requirements will receive an email to their Blackhawk account that they are core ready, but a seat is not yet available. Students will need to respond to the requested actions by the stated deadline in the email. No student response will result in removal from the waiting list. Refer to the chart below for when this communication will go out based on program and term start.

Term Start	Program	Core Ready Deadline for Students	Core Ready Communication Sent
Summer	Diagnostic Medical Sonography Radiography	February 1	First Full Week in February
Fall	Dental Hygienist Electric Power Distribution Nursing	February 1	First Full Week in February
Spring	Nursing	July 1	First Full Week in July

Core Active

Blackhawk student email will be used to communicate to students who are offered seats based on the waiting list process. Students will need to respond to the requested actions by the stated deadline in the email.

If students accept the seat, they will need to complete the program-specific core active task list by the stated deadline. The task list will be provided by the program in which you have accepted a seat.

No student response will result in removal from the waiting list.

Core Ready students who were not initially offered a seat may be notified via Blackhawk email of an available program seat up to seven days before the start of the semester if additional seats become available.

All program waiting lists are managed by Student Services and administered in accordance with Wisconsin TCS 10.07 and Blackhawk Technical College J-115, J-115.1, and J-115.2.