University of Wisconsin–Madison
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Academic Advising at SOAR

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What to expect from academic advising at SOAR

A large part of your SOAR experience is all about academic advising and enrollment! You will meet and work closely with professional advisors and trained student staff to talk about your academic interests, ask questions, and explore course options.

You’ll leave your SOAR advising experience with:

  • Your first semester class schedule
  • An understanding of the enrollment process at UW–Madison
  • Contact info for any follow-up questions after SOAR
An advisor talks to students during SOAR
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SOAR advising groups

As part of SOAR advising, you’ll work with a specific SOAR Advising Group. Advising group options include UW–Madison’s schools and colleges, limited-enrollment programs, and the Cross-College Advising Service for undecided and exploring students. Your SOAR Advising Group will connect you with personalized academic advising from someone who is knowledgeable about your areas of interest.

When making your SOAR reservation, you’ll select the Advising Group that best matches your specific interests, goals, or your chosen major or program.

Learn about choosing a SOAR advising group

How to prepare for SOAR Advising

Before you arrive at SOAR, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your advising experience:

  1. Gather test scores and transcripts: During your SOAR advising meeting, you’ll review placement scores and any previously earned college credit. Plan to bring your test scores, transcripts, or grade reports if possible—but if that information is unavailable, your advisor can still help you make a plan! 
  2. Take some time to explore majors at UW–Madison: Check out the Guide to see all the undergraduate majors UW–Madison has to offer. You can use the Guide’s filters to browse by areas of interest and identify programs that excite you! 
  3. Prepare questions ahead of time: It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions during SOAR—excited, nervous, or even unsure. Write down your questions and concerns to ensure you leave feeling informed and confident. Advisors are here to help, so ask anything!
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Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes! This is normal and very common. Whether you’re undecided or deciding between multiple options, SOAR academic advisors can help you no matter where you are in the decision-making process.

First, remember that SOAR is just the beginning of your academic journey. Throughout your time at UW–Madison, you can talk with advisors from other groups to explore options, ask questions, and get support whenever you need it.

If you need to change your SOAR Advising Group, you will need to contact the SOAR 

office at 608-262-4707 or soar@studentaffairs.wisc.edu.

Yes! It’s perfectly normal to change your mind. UW–Madison has over 200 majors and certificates, some you may have never heard of. As you learn more about your interests and goals, you might decide to choose a different major than you had originally planned on. 

Academic advisors are a great resource to talk to when you’re thinking about switching majors. They can help through the process and talk about your new plan moving forward.