SOAR

The Office of Admissions provides lots of information for new freshmen, transfer, and international students who are transitioning to UW-Madison. Please complete the correct checklist for your admit type before continuing with the SOAR registration process.

• Admissions Checklist for New Freshmen
• Admissions Checklist for Transfer Students
• Admissions Checklist for International Students

You will need to complete placement testing before attending your SOAR session; placement testing is the way advisors learn more about your skills and help correctly advise you about your first-semester courses.

Freshmen are required to take English (or English as a Second Language, ESLAT) and math placement tests, regardless of previous coursework. Testing in a world language is also highly encouraged.
Transfer students are informed via e-mail by Admissions which test(s) they are required to take.

You must register for your placement test(s) before making your SOAR reservation; however, you do not need to complete your placement test(s) before selecting a SOAR date. Testing must be completed before attending the SOAR program.

The FAQ page for the Testing & Evaluation Office can provide you with additional information about testing and how to register for your placement test. To confirm which test(s) you need to take, consult your admission letter or contact the Office of Admissions at (608) 262-3961 or e-mail onwisconsin@admissions.wisc.edu.

• Placement Testing FAQs
• Registration for Placement Testing (includes regional pencil-and-paper and Computer-Based testing)
• List of testing locations for Computer-Based Testing (for students needing to take the ESLAT and students who are located outside of Wisconsin)
• Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
• Information about taking placement testing in world languages

• Review all the content listed on the SOAR Program Overview page.
• Students should determine which advising group they will advise with at SOAR. Review the information provided by the Office of Undergraduate Advising at advising.wisc.edu.

 

The SOAR program strives to ensure all participants can fully participate in the program, if students or guests need accommodations for the SOAR program, please follow the links below.

• Request Disability Accommodations for the SOAR Program, Placement Testing, and the School Year
• Request language interpretation for the SOAR Parent/Guest Program

University Housing is the recommended overnight accommodation for freshmen and their guests attending SOAR. Students can reserve a room online through University Housing. Overnight accommodations are not automatically included as part of the SOAR reservation process; they must be made separately.

For transfer students and guests not wishing to stay on campus, here is a list of local hotels offering discounts to SOAR participants.

For international students arriving in the country prior to Residence Hall move-in, fall transition housing is available, more information is available at www.housing.wisc.edu/residencehalls-moving-transition.htm.

• Complete the Preparing for SOAR module in MyUW. This must be completed prior to arriving at SOAR.
• Pay any outstanding SOAR fees.
• Download the 2017 SOAR Guide on the UW Guides App.
• Visit youatuw.com and connect with other #futurebadgers using #youatuw on social media.
• Learn more about academic advising on campus and about how advising will work at SOAR by visiting the Office of Undergraduate Advising’s website.

Review this information to prepare for your SOAR experience. SOAR gives you a closer look at what life is like for a UW–Madison student. Come to Madison prepared, and discover the exciting resources waiting for you.

• Please take some time to fill out the SOAR Program Evaluation after you complete your SOAR session.
• Begin exploring the Wisconsin Welcome Events App (released in late July)