SOAR FAQs

There are two components to SOAR: Academic Advising & Course Enrollment and Student Life & Transition. The content of the SOAR program is designed to help you have a successful transition as a new Badger based on these themes.

The SOAR program consists of the following:

• Having an individual meeting with an academic advisor
• Enrolling in your Fall courses
• Enrichment content and events focused on student life & transition

Yes, if you are an incoming freshman student and are from the United States, your SOAR will be held in person as a two-day program.

If you are a transfer student from the United States, you will have the option to complete SOAR in person as a one-day program or virtually.

If you are an international student your SOAR experience will be held online.

Yes, for those who attend SOAR in-person there are fees depending on the number of guests, parking, and housing accommodations. The cost of the SOAR program for the student will be included in the New Student Fee which will be charged on the student’s first-semester tuition bill. However, each guest that the student decides to bring will cost an additional $50. There are also fees associated with parking and housing options available for SOAR, those fees can be seen in the SOAR reservation system.

No, the cost of the online SOAR program for both students and their families will be included in the New Student Fee which will be charged on the student’s first-semester tuition bill.

There are times when you must complete required tasks in a timely manner and attend live meetings during your session. You do not have to dedicate all your time to SOAR during your session. Go to our Virtual SOAR Program Overview page for a full list of tasks and time commitments for the SOAR program. You will also schedule an appointment time with your SOAR advising group that works for you based on your schedule.

Beyond your session, your time spent engaging with our Student Life & Transition content events is up to you! There will be more opportunities to learn about Student Life once you arrive on campus in the fall. We encourage students to participate in SOAR events and connection opportunities throughout the summer to connect with their Badger community and learn key information to prepare for their first semester.

As a first-year student from the United States, you will attend SOAR in-person, you are expected to attend the full two-day program. Please refer to the in-person program schedule for more information.

As a transfer student from the United States, you have the option to attend SOAR in-person and if you do, are expected to attend the full one-day program. Please refer to the transfer student page for more information.

You may receive some initial communications to the email you used to apply to UW-Madison. For this reason, we ask students to activate their Wiscmail account (@wisc.edu) once they pay their enrollment deposit. Most information from university offices is sent to this account. To access your Wiscmail account, go to the MyUW homepage and click the Email tile. You can also change your preferred email in your Student Center through MyUW using this step-by-step instruction page. 

If you feel that you are not getting SOAR communications, be sure to do the following:

• Check your SOAR reservation to ensure all emails are correct (e.g. no misspellings, incorrect punctuation, etc.)
• Check the junk, spam, and deleted folders of your personal email you used to apply to UW-Madison and Wiscmail account.
• If you need any help with your Wiscmail at any point, it is best to contact the DoIT Help Desk for help.

If you already have an active NetID and have accepted your admission, you may need to activate IT Services in order to access your @wisc.edu email account.  You can activate missing IT Services by following the instructions on the NetID – Activate Missing Services page.

Note:  Your IT Services may take up to 24 hours to activate. You will need to wait 24 hours before you attempt to login to your newly activated Office 365 email account.

If you have not yet activated your NetID, Use the instructions on the NetID – Activating Your Account page to complete the activation process.

Yes! We understand the value of connecting current students to each other as they make their transition to UW-Madison and start building their Badger community. New students and their families will be able to connect with SOAR New Student Leaders (NSLs) and UW-Madison staff throughout the summer about campus, different aspects of college life, and any questions you have in an open and honest way if your SOAR session is in-person.

If your SOAR is online, you will be able to connect with incoming students once you get to campus in the fall. There will be a schedule of events and opportunities available such as small group meetings and question-and-answer sessions for you to connect with current and incoming Badgers. More information about these opportunities will be posted once we get closer to the fall.

Review our Placement Testing and Tasks Before your Session sections of our Transfer Student Page, First-Year Page, or International Student Page to see a full list of tasks you must complete before your SOAR session.

Summer SOAR guests with reserved parking: If you plan to drive to campus, you should have indicated a need for a parking space during the SOAR reservation process. If you requested parking, enclosed in your confirmation packet will be your gate code and parking instructions.

Summer SOAR guests without reserved parking: If you did not reserve a parking space and anticipate needing to park on campus, a list of available lots with real-time vacant stall counts can be found on Visitor Parking Availability website or map.wisc.edu (click Public Parking box to see lot locations and availability). Parking costs $15 a day; you can pull a ticket when you enter the lot and pay when you leave.

The SOAR registration process is mobile friendly and all SOAR program content is viewable on a mobile device. However, there are portions of the program which are best to complete on a desktop or laptop, if possible.

To be able to access the SOAR reservation system, you must have accepted your admission offer for the summer/Fall 2023 semester in MyUW. Check your Admitted Student Checklist for instructions on that process. Review our SOAR Program Overview for more information and a link to our reservation system.

You can go into the SOAR reservation system at any time and update your information. Any changes to your SOAR reservation must be made at least 2 weeks before your SOAR session. After 2 weeks, changes are not permitted. Our SOAR office staff are happy to help if you have any questions.

The SOAR reservation system is the only way to see what SOAR program options are available to you.

No, you will finish SOAR with a full schedule of classes that fulfill undergraduate degree requirements. University administration officials closely monitor course enrollment throughout to ensure a maximum number of options for all incoming students.

In general, very popular courses and popular dates and times may not always be available, but students can work with their academic advising team to see if and when they may be offered in a future semester. We encourage students to keep an open mind and be open to different possibilities.

Advisors will work directly with students if they have concerns or issues with course access. We are committed to student access to courses that are needed for graduation, and there are a lot of interchangeable parts in the first four semesters. Advisors will work with students to make a schedule that works for them.

The most common reason is that you have not yet paid your enrollment deposit to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, or your payment has not finished processing. Paying your enrollment deposit is the way students confirm their intention to attend UW-Madison and authorizes them to access our reservation system. If you have not accepted your admission offer, please refer to the instructions in your Admitted Student Checklist from the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Please note: It can take up to 48 hours after payment for the University to process your deposit. If it has been more than 48 hours after paying your enrollment deposit and you cannot access the SOAR reservation system, please contact the SOAR office.

Deferred students: Students who deferred their admission to Fall 2022 from a previous semester should contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment to check their admission status. You must confirm with the Office of Admissions and Recruitment that you intend to start UW-Madison courses during Spring 2022 so they can activate you for the Fall 2022 term. This must be done before you will be eligible to make a SOAR reservation. 

Reentry/readmitted students: If you are entering the Fall 2022 semester as a reentry student, you will not go through the SOAR program and will be unable to access the reservation system. Your next steps are to:

• Connect with the school/college academic advising office that matches your intended major or degree program. Visit the Find an Advisor page on the Office of Undergraduate Advising website for the contact information for each advising office.
• Complete your Admitted Reentry Student Checklist from the Office of Admissions and Recruitment

The availability of specific SOAR session weeks depends on a variety of factors. If you receive this error message, please contact the SOAR office and we will help you complete your reservation.

If you are considering deferring your enrollment, please thoroughly review the Office of Admissions’ Deferred Enrollment information page. Please contact the Office of Admissions as soon as possible to discuss your options. 

The most likely cause is that you have an uncompleted prior step on your reservation. To ensure you have all steps completed, go into your SOAR reservation and click MyUW SOAR Reservations in the top left corner. This will take you to the dashboard for your SOAR reservation and all the steps you have completed so far.

To unlock the step, Steps 1-7 need to have a green checkmark showing on your dashboard (see picture below for reference). If you do not have a green checkmark on a certain step, here’s what to do:

• Click that step’s Edit button
• Enter the necessary information or complete the action needed for the step
• Click Save and continue. You should now have a green checkmark.
• Click MyUW SOAR Reservations again to verify that Step 8 is now unlocked.

If you have full green checkmarks on Steps 1-7 and Step 8 is still locked, please send us the following at soar@studentlife.wisc.edu:

• Your name
• 10-digit UW-Madison Campus ID number
• A screenshot of your MyUW SOAR Reservation dashboard

Students in the WESL program will know all their class requirements in advance. This will allow WESL students to schedule their SOAR requirements around their class commitments. If you have additional questions about the WESL program, please contact the WESL staff at WIExpSummerLaunch@wisc.edu. 

For up-to-date information on placement exams, please visit this website.

UW System Placement Tests: Math, English, and World Languages:

1. Go to go.wisc.edu/uw_testing.
2. At the top of the page, click the hyperlinked text: “registration form for Fall 2023 students”*
3. You will then be on a page titled Regional Testing 2023. At the bottom of that page, click the hyperlinked text: “registration form”
4. The registration form will then load onto the page. Fill out and submit the form to register!

*You must log in to this registration page using your UW-Madison NetID and password. If you’ve activated your NetID but have forgotten your NetID password, you can reset it online with the NetID Password Reset Tool. If you have forgotten your NetID, you can recover it using the self-service NetID Recovery Tool.

ESLAT (English as a Second Language Assessment Test)

You will complete the test in Canvas, the University’s learning management system, and no registration is needed. After you pay your enrollment deposit AND activate your NetID services, you will see the ESLAT exam appear within your UW Canvas dashboard by the following Monday. If you are required to take the ESLAT, please do not take the UW System English test.

Students must complete all their required placement testing at least 2 weeks before their SOAR program. Failure to complete all your required placement testing on time may result in your inability to enroll in all your courses during SOAR.

UW-Madison requires students to complete the Math B placement test. The Math exam must be proctored. Please see this website.

The UW system offers free testing options for the placement tests. English and World Language tests will be completed online free of charge.

For the Math placement test, UW-Madison students must complete the “Math B” exam. The Math exam must be proctored. There are various Regional Testing sites located all around Wisconsin and one in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Taking the test in person is free and strongly encouraged.

If students cannot take the exam in person, there is an option to pay a $40 fee to complete an online proctored exam. Reminder, students must complete the Math B exam.

Placement tests are how academic advisors learn about your skills and help you choose courses at the correct level in each subject. Placement testing requirements also vary depending on your student type. 

First-Year Students

Math & English: First-year students are required to take a math placement test and an English placement test (UW System or ESLAT), regardless of previous coursework or credit-bearing exams, such as: AP, IB, CLEP, and CAPP credit. You will have received an email from the Office of Admissions & Recruitment with additional information about the test(s) that you are required to take.

World Languages: Freshmen are strongly encouraged to test in the world language they studied in high school if they plan to continue in the language they studied. If you plan to continue studying French, German or Spanish and you already have experience with the language, you must take a placement test in that language to qualify and enroll in classes beyond the introductory level language course. More information on placement into language courses, including languages other than French, German and Spanish, can be found on the UW-Madison Languages Placement Procedures page. Be sure to review the UW Guide to determine your degree requirements for world language and consult with your advisor at SOAR.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are informed which placement tests they are required to take via email by the Office of the Registrar. Information about which tests are required is also available at the bottom of your Transfer Credit Evaluation, located in your Student Center in MyUW. If you have any questions regarding your placement testing requirement(s), please contact Credit Evaluation Services at crediteval@registrar.wisc.edu.

International Students

Students who were required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS will take the English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT) instead of the UW System English placement test. The ESLAT is used to assess students’ English language skills required for academic work and to place students in appropriate ESL courses. Visit the English as a Second Language office website for more information about the ESLAT.

Students who plan to take a language course above the introductory level at UW-Madison must take a placement test in that language. Additionally, many programs have a world language requirement. Be sure to review the UW Guide to determine your degree requirements for world language and consult with your advisor during SOAR.

Spanish, French, and German placement tests: These tests are offered by the UW System and are in the same online testing portal as the English test. Go to go.wisc.edu/uw_testing if you still need to register. Freshman are strongly encouraged to test in the world language they studied in high school or have previous experience with, even if they have anticipated AP test credit. Previous experience may include native speakers and those who have previous coursework in the language. 

Other World Languages: If you are interested in taking a course in world language other than Spanish, French, or German, visit the UW-Madison Languages Placement Procedures page for more information. 

First-year students are strongly encouraged to test in the world language they studied in high school, even if they have anticipated AP test credit. Freshman 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 world language other than Spanish, French, or German, visit the UW-Madison Languages Placement Procedures page for more information. Additionally, many programs have a world language requirement. Be sure to review the UW Guide to determine your degree requirements for world language and consult with your advisor during SOAR.

If you took AP tests, you may be granted credit for UW–Madison courses depending on the score(s). If your scores are not yet available when you participate in SOAR, your advisor will help you make contingency plans based on your predicted scores. You will also receive instructions on what to do next if you are waiting on an AP score that impacts their course enrollment.

International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Level (A-Level) students may be awarded either a diploma or course certificate to reflect their standard of work. The results will be based around students’ coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor, and quality control already built into the programs. When you meet with an academic advisor as part of SOAR, they will share how all your credits and exams will transfer. 

You can find more information about how these exam credits transfer on the Credit By Exam page on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

All students are expected to complete their placement testing at least 2 weeks before their SOAR session week. Failure to complete the test may result in an inability to register for all your Fall courses. If you still cannot complete your placement testing on time, please contact the SOAR Office to discuss your situation.

During the SOAR advising process, students will learn the information they need to successfully enroll in their first semester courses. All students will receive a full schedule that counts towards their degree requirements after they finish SOAR.

The SOAR advising process includes: 

• Completing the Preparing for SOAR module in MyUW
• Your required SOAR Advising Canvas course (based on your academic interests)
• An academic advising appointment with a professional advisor 
• Any consultations with key departments (if needed)

We are committed to providing every student at least one individual appointment with an academic advisor to discuss what they learned in Canvas and ask questions about course selection and the enrollment process. Advising staff will be available throughout the summer to assist students with the enrollment process. In addition, campus has worked over the past several years to make our enrollment tools easy to use and user-friendly. 

We are committed to providing all incoming students the opportunity to meet with an individual video or audio professional academic advisor within their SOAR advising group before enrolling in courses. You will receive instructions for scheduling your advising appointment(s) the week before to your SOAR session. You will work with your SOAR advising group to schedule an appointment time that works for you. Make sure you complete all your SOAR tasks on time.

We are committed to providing all incoming students the opportunity to meet with a professional academic advisor within their SOAR advising group before enrolling in courses. A significant portion of the SOAR program will be allocated to Advising, Academic Planning, and Course Enrollment during the second day of the program. Please refer to the in-person program schedule for more information.

In some cases you can do this and some cases you cannot, as it depends on the policies of each school/college. For SOAR, you should work with the advising group which matches your “primary” academic interest. If you are equally interested in both majors, you should work with Cross-College Advising Service to start. The SOAR reservation process and the Preparing for SOAR module will also help you identify the advising group that best matches your academic interests and career goals. 

There is no common curriculum for your student’s first at UW–Madison. It depends on your student’s major and degree program. Course selection is individualized and based on student interests, intended major, placement scores, and more. Students can explore semester by semester plans by major and degree program in the UW Guide. 

Your advisor will let you know if you have to take a particular course sooner rather than later, and there is no single “ideal” schedule. It’s hard to go wrong, especially in your first semester since all majors have room for some exploration.

Go to our SOAR Program Overview page (Virtual) for a full list of tasks and time commitments for the SOAR program. You do not have to dedicate all your time to SOAR during your session. There are times when you must complete required tasks in a timely manner and attend live meetings during your session week. 

We understand the SOAR program serves students in multiple time zones and our SOAR advising groups strive to accommodate students in their home time zones whenever possible. 

SOAR advising appointments will generally take place between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Please plan to have flexible availability for these timeframes during your session to complete your required SOAR advising and enrollment tasks. You will work with your SOAR advising group to schedule an advising appointment time that works for you based on your schedule.

You will finish SOAR with a full schedule of classes that fulfill undergraduate degree requirements. The University closely monitors course enrollment and availability. Very popular courses and popular dates and times may not always be available, but students can work with their academic advising team to see if and when they may be offered in a future semester. We encourage students to keep an open mind and be open to different possibilities.

Advisors will work directly with students if they have concerns or issues with course access. We are committed to student access to courses that are needed for graduation, but there are a lot of interchangeable parts in the first four semesters. Advisors will work with students to make a schedule that works for them.

Generally, around 15 credits per semester is recommended, but this is a very individual decision, and some students will select a schedule with slightly more or fewer credits than 15. 

1 credit typically equals 1 hour of instruction and 2 hours of work outside class each week.

Advisors will help students consider many circumstances in determining appropriate credit load, including obligations, jobs, course combinations, and their previous academic experience.

All incoming students have one Fall enrollment hold called ‘SOAR Advising Required’ that will be released after completing the SOAR program. During your advising meeting, your academic advisor will explain when your SOAR Advising hold will be removed and when you can begin enrolling in your fall courses.

If you have already met with an academic advisor, please refer to your SOAR Academic Advising Canvas course or contact your SOAR advising group for help with course enrollment.

We are collaborating with our partners in the McBurney Disability Resource Center to ensure the best options for students needing early course registration. If you anticipate needing accommodations for your courses this fall, please start the McBurney intake process.

We value disability as an aspect of diversity and want to ensure that you are able to complete SOAR requirements and fully participate in our programming. SOAR staff members are happy to assist you and your family members with needs you may have due to a permanent or temporary disability or condition. 

Confidentiality: The SOAR Program takes the confidentiality of student records very seriously. Disability accommodation information will only be shared with staff members on a need-to-know basis. Requesting accommodations will NOT affect your admission, advising experience, or course selection.

More information requesting accommodations for placement testing, the SOAR program, and the academic year (all of which are separate processes) is on our Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities page.

These are separate processes. Visit our Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities page for more information.

The university only has full in-person instruction for the Fall 2023 semester. For the most up-to-date information about UW-Madison’s COVID-19 response plans, please visit the UW-Madison COVID-19 Response website.

There will be an optional campus tour and housing tour after you’re the second day of SOAR is complete if you are attending in person. Campus and Visitor Relations also are offering in-person campus tours if you are interested in seeing the campus and are attending SOAR virtually.

For the most up-to-date information about UW-Madison’s plans addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the UW-Madison COVID-19 Response website. If you have any questions about these plans, you can email campus leadership at covidresponse@vc.wisc.edu or use the Ask Bucky service.

Domestic and international freshman students should have the New Student To-Do List app pre-loaded onto their MyUW home screen. If it does not appear automatically, you can search for the app in MyUW or use todo.newstudent.wisc.edu.

Yes, the New Student To-Do List is the broad list of tasks you must complete before you arrive on campus in the Fall. SOAR is just one part of your task list!

Fall move-in dates are not announced yet. All information regarding Fall 2023 Move-In is available on the University Housing Moving & Breaks page. Visit the University Housing Contact page for all questions about on-campus living. 

The Office of Admissions offers a virtual campus tour website designed to showcase the wide array of opportunities, programs, and services that our campus can offer you. 

In the coming months, we will share more information about what Wisconsin Welcome will look like to help students connect to campus resources, explore campus and Madison, and build community with fellow students.

All first-year students who attended a virtual SOAR session have a 2nd, in-person component to their UW-Madison orientation experience on Friday, September 1st. More details to come.

All transfer students who attended a virtual SOAR session have a 2nd, in-person component to their SOAR experience on Thursday, August 31st called the New Transfer Student Symposium. Follow the link to find more TTP Wisconsin Welcome events: transfer.wisc.edu/wisconsinwelcome/