SOAR – Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration

SOAR Checklist

Before coming to campus, use this website as your guide to prepare for your SOAR session. The checklist includes links to a variety of campus offices and resources to help you access the most up-to-date information. If you have additional questions, you can also always contact the SOAR office by email at soar@studentlife.wisc.edu or by phone at (608) 262-4707. We can’t wait to see you on campus!

1. Complete Your Admissions Steps

The Office of Admissions provides 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.

Admission Checklist for Spring-Admitted Students

2. Plan Your Placement Test(s)

You will need to complete placement testing before attending your SOAR session. Placement tests help advisors learn about your skills and correctly advise you about choosing courses.

Freshmen who have previous experience in Spanish, French, or German and who plan to take coursework in this language at UW–Madison, must take a placement test in that language to qualify and enroll in classes beyond the entry level language course. Previous experience may include native speakers and those who have previous coursework in the language. If you are interested in taking a course in another world language, visit languages.wisc.edu/placement-testing/ for more information.
Many programs have a world language requirement. Be sure to review the Guide to determine your degree requirements for world language and consult with your advisor at SOAR.
Transfer students are informed which test(s) they are required to take via email from the Office of Admissions. Information about which test(s) you need to take is also available at the bottom of your Transfer Credit Evaluation, located in your Student Center.

If you have any questions regarding placement testing, please review the Testing & Evaluation Services website or contact their office at frontdesk@exams.wisc.edu or (608) 262-5863.

3. Prepare to make your SOAR Reservation

Review 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.

4. Make your SOAR Reservation

Spring Admits

The SOAR reservation system will open on December 2, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. CST for Spring-admitted freshman and transfer students.

5. Accommodations for Disability and Language Interpretation

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:

6. Reserve Overnight Lodging

January SOAR Program

There are no overnight housing accommodations available during our January SOAR program. If you plan to say overnight in Madison, a list of hotels near campus offering competitive rates, and private hotels offering discounts to SOAR participants is available at soar.wisc.edu/hotels.

7. Get Ready to SOAR

Review this information below 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.

Complete the Preparing for SOAR module in MyUW. This must be completed prior to arriving at SOAR.
Thoroughly review our January SOAR Confirmation Packet.
Learn more about academic advising on campus and about how advising will work at SOAR by visiting the Office of Undergraduate Advising’s website.
If you have any outstanding SOAR fees, please pay via our online payment system. Due to security reasons, we are unable to accept payment over the phone. In order to speed up your check-in process at SOAR, we highly recommend making your payment online before your session. Failure to pay before attending will significantly slow down your check-in process.