January Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (JSOAR) is designed to help you successfully navigate your transition as a new Badger. This required, day-long program is held for incoming Spring 2025 undergraduate students at UW–Madison and includes two core components:
- Academics & Course Enrollment
- Student Life & Transition
You must attend the full program to enroll in spring-semester courses.
Before You Arrive
Please complete the following tasks in preparation of your JSOAR session.
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Pay Your SOAR Fees
SOAR fees will be billed approximately two weeks prior to your session, not at the time of making your reservation. We highly 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:
- You are eligible to receive a federal Pell grant,
- You are eligible for Bucky’s Tuition Promise, or
- 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.
Send Transcripts & 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.
Complete Placement Testing
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 on time to avoid an impact on course registration. To confirm which test(s) you need to take, please check in your Student Center Notifications.
For information on completing these tests and other FAQs, please see the Testing and Evaluation Services website. For students needing to complete the English as a Second Language Assessment Test, please visit the English as a Second Language website.
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.
Complete the SOAR Canvas Course
Steps 1-4 of the “SOAR Academic Advising, Spring 2024” must be completed by Monday, January 16 by 11:59 p.m. Central Time. 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.
Complete the Pre-Enrollment Checklist
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.
Set Up Your Technology
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.
What To Bring
Test Scores
Please bring reports for AP, IB, or other college-level tests.
Net ID & Password
Also, remember to set up your MFA-Duo login on a smart device ahead of SOAR.
Transcripts & Scholarship Info
These, in addition to test scores, will impact your course enrollment.
Note-Taking Materials
Take notes as you learn about campus resources and processes.
Weather-Appropriate Clothing
We recommend layers as you navigate Madison this time of year.
When You Arrive
JSOAR check-in will be from 8:00-8:45 a.m. During the program, students and guests will receive a light breakfast and lunch. The day will conclude no later than 2:30 p.m. (Advising times will vary based on individual student needs). A detailed schedule will be provided upon arrival.
Overnight Lodging
On-Campus Lodging
Residence halls and university hotels offer easy access to SOAR and the wider campus!
Off-Campus Hotels
See more of the Madison community by staying with our SOAR partner hotels.
Getting to Madison
Learn more about preparing for your reservation and traveling to campus.
Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) is run by the Office for Student Transition and Family Engagement within Student Affairs at UW–Madison.