First-Year Students

Changes to SOAR reservations must be made at least two weeks prior to your SOAR date.

To make changes or review your SOAR session details, please log into the SOAR Reservation System via the link in your email. Cancellations made less than one week before your SOAR date cannot be refunded.

Placement tests must be completed at least two weeks prior to your SOAR session.

Note: Signing up for SOAR does not register you for placement testing.  

Placement testing helps advisors learn about your skills and correctly advise your first-semester course selection. Complete your placement tests at least two weeks before your SOAR session to avoid an impact on course registration. To confirm which test(s) you need to take, please check in your Student Center Notifications.

International Students – International students are also required to take the English as a Second Language (ESLAT) in place of the UW System English test. You will see the exam appear on your UW Canvas dashboard.

Transfer Students – For questions, please contact Credit Evaluation Services at crediteval@registrar.wisc.edu.

Freshman Students – For questions, please contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at onwisconsin@admissions.wisc.edu.

More Placement Testing Info

SOAR fees will be billed approximately two weeks prior to your session, not at the time of making your reservation.

We recommend paying your fees as soon as possible. Checks may also be mailed to Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement. If sending in a check, please include your student’s 10-digit CampusID and name in the memo. For security purposes, we cannot take payment over the phone.

Refunds & Cancellations – Because resources are committed in advance of your attendance, requests for refunds of parent/guest program must be submitted at least one week before attending your SOAR session. To make a refund request, please contact the SOAR office. Changes made less than one week before your SOAR session will not be eligible for refunds, except in extraordinary cases.

Financial Assistance – The university has limited funds available to assist students in paying the cost associated with SOAR. To qualify for assistance in paying a portion of your SOAR fees, the Office of Student Financial Aid must have received your FAFSA information and all requested documentation and you must meet one of the following:

1. You are eligible to receive a federal Pell grant,
2. You are eligible for Bucky’s Tuition Promise, or
3. You are a participant in the FASTrack or BANNER program

Check your financial aid status in the Student Center on MyUW. Students who meet these criteria will automatically have their optional SOAR program fees waived on their SOAR reservation.

Transcript Due Dates

• Transfer Students (Semester Schools): June 14
• Transfer Students (Quarter & International Schools): July 10
• First-Year Students: July 10

Exam Scores

If you have scores from the AP, CLEP, or IB exams, you might be eligible to receive course credit for your scores. Send your official transcript(s) and exam scores from CollegeBoard or International Baccalaureate program directly to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Your scores will arrive electronically, and admission consultants will confirm you meet the provisions of your admission before you will be allowed to enroll in classes. 

We also encourage you to have access to score reports for credit-bearing exams and unofficial transcripts of college coursework available during SOAR advising process.

If you have any questions about the process or the status of your transcript, please contact the Office of Admissions & Recruitment.

The SOAR Canvas Course must be completed the day prior your SOAR session.

Steps 1-4 of the “SOAR Academic Advising”. Find the course in Canvas for information on:

• The academic advising process
• Campus course enrollment tools

You will be able to save your progress as you go and complete the course in one sitting or several sessions.

Recommended Web Browsers: Google Chrome and Firefox

• You may use Microsoft Edge or Safari, but please note that the Canvas courses may not function properly in this browser. Avoid using Internet Explorer.

Before enrolling each semester, you are required to complete the Pre Enrollment Checklist – also known as the Financial Responsibility Agreement – in MyUW. The Pre-Enrollment Checklist (PEC) hold will be applied approximately two weeks before the start of  semester (early January). To release this hold, follow these step-by-step instructions. After you’ve completed these steps, the hold will be automatically removed.

If your Tasks tile does not show the Pre-Enrollment Checklist, then you have completed all necessary steps needed for this task.

If you need help completing the Pre-Enrollment Checklist or experience technical issues, contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@em.wisc.edu or 608-262-3811 or the DoIT Help Desk at help@doit.wisc.edu or 608-264-4357 (select Option 3 for MyUW support).

For more information about the financial responsibility terms and conditions, please review the Bursar’s Office Terms & Conditions FAQs page or contact the Bursar’s Office at tuition@bussvc.wisc.edu.

It is important to ensure your contact information is accurate. Update your personal information in MyUW Student Center and activate your UW–Madison email account. Please also set up your MFA-Duo login on a smart device ahead of SOAR. For help, contact the DoIT Help Desk. 

Please note: You are not allowed to share your Net ID, password or MFA-Duo login information with anyone per the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources. Failure to comply may result in suspension or loss of access to UW System IT resources.