Accept Admission

Congratulations on being accepted to UW–Madison! Follow the steps below to complete your enrollment as a CAE Scholar at UW–Madison.

Questions?: 608-263-5068 or cae@saa.ls.wisc.edu.

1. Check your campus email account regularly

It’s the official place for information about being a CAE Scholar, Summer Collegiate Experience (for those choosing to do this), and much more about being a UW–Madison student. Log in using your NetID at email.wisc.edu. Instructions for configuring your campus email on your phone or desktop computer are at kb.wisc.edu/28350.

2. Complete the UW–Madison Admitted First-Year Student Checklist

The admissions checklist guides you through steps like set up your UW–Madison NetID access account, activate your campus email account, and confirm your enrollment.

Important steps in the checklist; do these as soon as possible:

  • Complete the CAE Student Agreement by May 15.
  • If you are choosing to attend the Summer Collegiate Experience (SCE), complete the SCE Agreement by May 15.
  • Pay your deposit by May 15 to guarantee enrollment at UW–Madison.
  • Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Having a completed FAFSA may give you additional opportunities for scholarships.
  • Explore Residential Learning Communities housing options. Complete your Housing preferences and application by May 15: housing.wisc.edu/residence-halls/assignments/freshmen.
  • Sign up for your SOAR summer orientation sessions (do this before May 30). Please read more about Key Dates on this page.
  • Register for and complete the required “Math B” and “UW English” (or English as a Second Language) placement tests. You may also choose a placement test in any world languages you have studied. Placement tests must be completed at least two weeks before your SOAR session. This allows time for scoring and sharing with your academic advisors. Students who choose to attend the Summer Collegiate Experience should take placement tests by May 24.

CAE Scholars participate in at least one high-impact practice like the Residential Learning Communities in campus housing (indicate this preference when you apply for Housing), First-Year Interest Groups (FIGS), or Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS; you can apply now). Start exploring these options.

3. Sign up for your online SCE course selection (for students participating in SCE) or pre-SOAR advising session (for students not participating in SCE)

Instructions for how to do this will be emailed to you in early May.

If you are attending the Summer Collegiate Experience, your pre-SOAR advising session will be in-person during SCE.

4. Select your preferred SCE courses and/or Fall high-impact practice

During your pre-SOAR advising appointment, you can request a seat in your preferred high-impact practice this Fall. This will be explained during your advising appointment.

Note, if you are choosing a residential learning community as your high-impact practice, you must indicate this in your Housing preferences by May 15.

If you are attending the Summer Collegiate Experience, your pre-SOAR advising session will be in-person during SCE.

5. Come to Madison for Summer Collegiate Experience or Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (if not participating in SCE)!

At summer orientation, you will learn a lot about student life, talk with advisors about your Fall classes, and enroll in those classes.

SOAR housing. — Students eligible for waived fees and free housing for SOAR will receive an email from the Office of Student Financial Aid before April 15. The email will include instructions and detailed information about what is included in the SOAR registration fee waiver.

If you do not receive SOAR financial assistance through the Office of Student Financial Aid but need a place to stay for SOAR, contact us at cae@saa.ls.wisc.edu before May 31.

Key Dates


April 25, 6:00-7:00 CDT

CAE and SCE info session via Zoom

May 15

Pay your deposit to confirm your enrollment, submit your Housing preferences, and complete the CAE Agreement (and optional SCE Agreement): UW–Madison Admitted First-Year Student Checklist.

SOAR Dates:

sign up for one SOAR session by May 30

  • June 24-25
  • June 27-28
  • July 11-12 (for students participating in SCE only!)
  • July 15-16

SCE Course Selection Advising (for students participating in SCE)

May 20-31; instructions to make an appointment with your advisor will be emailed to you.

Pre-SOAR advising (for students not participating in SCE)

During the month of June; instructions to make an appointment with your advisor will be emailed to you.

Summer Collegiate Experience (SCE)

Saturday, June 22 to Friday, August 2

Arrive on campus for Fall semester

Sunday, August 25 (Early date just for CAE Scholars and selected other student groups)

First day of Fall instruction

Wednesday, September 4