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…
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Highlights from SOAR

















Have Questions? Contact Us.
Other UW–Madison Resources
- Bursar's Office
- Campus and Visitor Relations
- Off-Campus Housing Services
- Division of Information Technology (DoIT)
- McBurney Disability Resource Center
- Office of Admissions and Recruitment
- Office of the Registrar
- Office of Student Financial Aid
- Parent and Family Program
- Testing and Evaluation Services
- University Health Services
- University Housing