Welcome to Wisconsin

Congratulations on your admission and welcome to the University of Wisconsin! This page includes some helpful links and a list of next steps to guide you through our enrollment process. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help.

Confirm Your Enrollment and Pay Your Enrollment Deposit

• Freshmen Admitted for the Fall Term: To hold your place in our freshman class, you must return the Enrollment Confirmation Form and your $100 enrollment deposit by May 1 (or 21 days from the date of your admission letter, whichever is later). The form and return envelope were included with your admission letter and folder. Late deposits will only be accepted if space remains available.
• Freshmen Admitted for the Spring Term: Students admitted for the spring term are not required to pay an enrollment deposit or complete an enrollment confirmation form. The Center for the First-Year Experience will send you an invitation to attend the January orientation program in November. Your reservation to attend orientation serves as your enrollment confirmation.
• Transfer Students: Transfer students are not required to pay an enrollment deposit. However, you must reserve your place in the transfer class by returning the Enrollment Confirmation Form that was sent with your admission letter. Enrollment confirmation forms for the spring are due by November 15 (or three weeks from the date of your admission letter, whichever is later). Enrollment confirmations for the fall are due by May 1 (or three weeks from the date of your admission letter, whichever is later).
• International Students: International students are not required to pay an enrollment deposit. However you must confirm your enrollment by returning the Enrollment Confirmation Form that was sent with your admission letter. Enrollment confirmation forms for the spring are due by December 1 (or three weeks from the date of your admission letter, whichever is later). Enrollment confirmations for the fall are due by May 1 (or three weeks from the date of your admission letter, whichever is later).
• Reentry Students: Reentry students are not asked to submit an enrollment confirmation, and there is no enrollment deposit due.

Activate Your NetID

Your Wisconsin NetID is a personal identifier that allows you access to many campus computing resources, including the MyUW Web portal and your student financial aid and account information. Activate your NetID today, if you haven't already, using your 10-digit campus ID number (found on your admission letter).

Visit Wisconsin

If you haven’t already, or would like to again, we invite you to visit us on campus. You can register for one of our Admitted Student Visit Days or attend our daily admission information session and walking tour. You can also sit in on a class and meet with an academic advisor in your area of interest. The easiest way to make a reservation is with our online campus visit reservation site. Please let us know you're coming at least two weeks in advance so we can tailor your visit to your interests.

Keep Your Contact Information Current

Various campus offices will continue to communicate with you over the next several months. It’s very important that we have your current mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number. If your contact information has changed, use the MyUW Web portal to update your contact information.

Set Up Your MyUW Home Page

The MyUW Web portal gives you all the information and features you need to stay connected with campus. You can view calendar announcements, the campus phone book, class lists and advising information, campus news, and financial aid information.

Housing

All students have the choice to live on campus, in one of our University Residence Halls, or in one of the privately owned residence halls, apartments, and houses that surround campus. Housing applications, contracts, leases, deposits, advance payments, and deadlines vary depending on where you plan to live. Visit University Housing for information on the University Residence Halls. To learn more about other options, visit the Visitor & Information Program’s Campus Area Housing Listing Service.

Financial Aid

All students seeking financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is very important that you complete the FAFSA as soon after it goes live on January 1 as possible to receive full consideration for awards. Be sure to list UW–Madison’s FAFSA code of 003895. Students who submit complete financial aid materials by February 15 will likely receive award notifications by May 1. Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information, forms, and deadlines.

Orientation

• Freshmen: Beginning in mid–April (if you were admitted for the fall term), we will e–mail you an invitation to attend Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR). This is our day-and-a-half-long summer orientation program that runs throughout June and July. Students who have paid their $100 enrollment deposit can go online beginning in mid-April to make their SOAR reservation. You must return your enrollment deposit to be made eligible for online SOAR registration. Spring term admits will receive information in November about our condensed one-day SOAR program that takes place in January.
• Transfer Students: If you are admitted for the spring term, information regarding January SOAR will be sent to you beginning in November. If you are admitted for the fall, information regarding summer SOAR will be mailed beginning in April. To secure your attendance at SOAR, you must make a SOAR reservation. Only students who have returned their Enrollment Confirmation Form will be allowed to make a SOAR reservation. Special SOAR sessions for students transferring from UW System schools are available. Eligible students will receive information about the UW System transfer orientation program with your letter of admission.
• International Students: SOAR for international students is offered before spring and fall term classes begin. If you are admitted for the spring term, information regarding January SOAR will be mailed to you beginning in November. If you are admitted for the fall, information regarding summer SOAR will be mailed beginning in April. To secure your attendance at SOAR, you must make a SOAR reservation.

Take Placement Tests During Spring Regional Testing

If you live in Wisconsin or a bordering state, you’re invited to take the required placement tests in math, English, and foreign language during spring regional testing dates. Online test registration opens February 1 and is conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who choose not to test during the spring program or who live outside the region will take their placement tests during the summer SOAR program.

Don’t Slack Off!

Your admission was based on our evaluation of a number of factors, including your reported senior year (or college) course work and predicted continued academic success. It is very important that you successfully complete the course work entered on your application. Any change in your curriculum could affect your admission status, and declining grades may be cause for revoking admission. If you must modify your senior year (or college) course selections, you will need to notify us in writing of the change. Send a letter or e-mail to the Office of Admissions.

Checklist to Enroll

To join us at UW and confirm your place in our entering first–year class, make sure you complete the simple steps on our Checklist for Enrolling Freshmen.