SOAR – Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration

Ready. Set. SOAR.

Welcome #FutureBadgers and Badger families! Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) welcomes all incoming students to their first year at UW–Madison. Let’s get started…

Quick Links

What to Expect at SOAR

Develop your academic plan

Work with an advisor to develop your first-semester academic plan and enroll in first semester classes. Remember: Complete the “Preparing for SOAR” module in MyUW and your "Pre-SOAR" Canvas course to provide your advisor with up-to-date information.

An advisor and student sit at a computer during SOAR advising and course registration.

Connect with other Badgers

At the Student Evening Program, freshmen will have the chance to connect with fellow new students over a full evening of small-group conversations, games, sports, crafts, and other memory-making activities as a Badger.

New students play card games during the SOAR Student Evening Program.

Explore campus

Locate your residence hall, explore the Southeast and Lakeshore neighborhoods, discover the Wisconsin Union, and more! We encourage SOAR attendees to explore campus while they are here.

Aerial view of the UW–Madison campus, shot from above Lake Mendota

Get ready to start the semester

During the SOAR Resource Fair, ask questions and connect with campus offices and resources that will support you throughout your academic career. Plus, pick up your Wiscard student ID at Union South.

Guests ask questions to campus offices and departments at the SOAR Resource Fair.

Our Mission

SOAR facilitates the successful transition to the UW-Madison community through a shared experience for all new undergraduate students and their families.

Our Vision

Our vision is for all new undergraduate students to successfully join the UW-Madison community and that this transition is commonly understood as a journey beginning with SOAR and continuing throughout students’ first year.