Visiting UW-Madison

Can you tell me some general information about your campus?

In achievement and prestige, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has long been recognized as one of America's great universities. View a collection of "Quick Facts" about UW-Madison including information about the current enrollment, student profile, notable alumni, and campus landmarks.

The Campus Slide Show also features popular images of campus.

How do I arrange a campus visit/tour?

Explore UW-Madison and its world of choices and resources with the help of an experienced student tour guide! You can quickly and easily make a reservation for a campus visit by going to the Campus Visit Web site. On this site, you can view available dates and times and make a reservation for an undergraduate admissions information session and walking tour. The walking tour includes the opportunity to see all nine undergraduate schools and colleges, as well as a visit to a model residence hall room. The site also provides information about academic information sessions, touring a recreational facility, directions to campus, parking, and lodging in the Downtown Madison Area.

How do I get to Madison? Where can I park?

Directions to UW-Madison, printable campus and visitor maps, and information about where to park can be found at the Visitor & Information Programs Web site. Also, you can view a parking map highlighting a number of conveniently-located public parking ramps and campus lots. UW-Madison is located in downtown Madison among many retail shops, restaurants, and state government buildings. Please plan extra time for parking when visiting campus.

Where can I stay overnight?

There are various UW-Madison Accommodations available to persons here for University-related functions (i.e. attending a campus tour or UW conference, affiliated with a University department, or here on University business).

Also, the greater Madison area has more than 85 hotels and 6,600 guest rooms and is home to several small inns and bed-and-breakfast options. For room availability and general accommodation information in Madison, visit the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau Lodging and Accommodations Web site or call the GMCVB directly at 1-800-373-6376.

What kinds of things are there to do while visiting campus?

UW-Madison offers a variety of campus attractions, including a dazzling array of performing arts events, nature activities, scientific discovery opportunities, historic sites, and athletic events for the whole family to enjoy. In addition, the Campus Events Calendar lists daily events taking place on campus.

The Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau has information about many area restaurants, accommodations, and attractions, including Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison Children's Museum, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, State Capitol, State Historical Museum, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Madison Art Center, Madison Civic Center, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Overture Center, Alliant Energy Center and other near-campus attractions.

How can I get information about UW-Madison sent to me in the mail?

Prospective undergraduate students can request an application and information packet from the Office of Admissions. For more general information about UW-Madison, such as a campus map or self-guided tour information, contact the VIP.

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UW Merchandise

Where is UW and Bucky Badger merchandise available for purchase? Can I purchase it on-line?

While the University does not endorse any particular merchandiser, below we have provided contact information for some campus, local, on-line, and catalog retailers of UW merchandise.

• Bucky's Locker Room (The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Official Sportswear Web site)
• Babcock Dairy Store online catalog (Babcock Dairy cheese boxes, apparel, and Wisconsin novelty items)
• UW Marching Band (UW Band clothing, audio/visual materials, and other accessories)
• Wisconsin Alumni Association (Badger clothing, furniture, golf equipment, and other UW-Madison gifts)
• Wisconsin Union Terrace merchandise (Terrace apparel, furniture, art, and other gifts)
• University Book Store

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Applying to UW

How do I apply to be an undergraduate student (freshmen, transfer, or international)? What are the admissions requirements?

Application Information can be found on the Undergraduate Admissions Web page. Specific Web pages highlighting admissions requirements include those for Freshmen, Transfer Students, International Students, and Reentry Students. The on-line application is available at http://apply.wisconsin.edu/.

How will my AP, IB, or CLEP credits transfer?

UW-Madison recognizes excellence in high school academic preparation and achievement with advanced placement, college credit, and course exemptions. View our Credit Policies on Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and College-Level Examination Progam (CLEP) credits.

How do I apply for graduate school?

Graduate School information is available on the The Graduate School Web page.

How do I apply as a special/guest student?

The Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) coordinates UW-Madison's University Special and Guest Studies programs. University Special Students take University Courses for credit at the regular per-credit undergraduate rate; Guest students audit (sit in on) classes, with the instructor's permission, at reduced rates.

What are the costs of attending UW-Madison?

Tuition is based upon your status as a student, the number of credits you are taking and your state residency status. Although the actual cost of attendance varies from student to student, view our estimates of Costs, Scholarships, and Aid.

How is residency determined for tuition purposes?

The Office of the Registrar sets policies on residency and tuition. For details, view their Web page on Residence for Tuition Purposes.

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Academics

How do I find out information about a specific academic program, major, or department?

Information about all UW-Madison schools and colleges is available on-line. Also see the following list of academic advisors for contact information for academic advisors in each major program as well as links to departmental Web sites. In addition, the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs describe academic programs and majors offered at UW-Madison.

How can I view important academic dates, such as the first day of classes or winter recess?

The Academic Calendar lists important academic dates by semester. In addition, the Registrar Calendar lists notable academic dates month by month.

Who is my advisor?

You can find your assigned advisor on your My UW-Madison portal under the "Academic" tab. You can also find advisors within the school/college in which you are enrolled. The Undergraduate Catalog includes a list of all undergraduate schools/colleges with their respective major departments and advisors.

If you are unsure of your intended major, contact:

Cross-College Advising Service
10 Ingraham Hall
Ph: (608) 265-5460 (Voice/TTY)
E-mail: advisor@ccas.wisc.edu

When do I register?

Registration dates and times are determined based on the number of credits you have completed. Continuing students register for...

• Summer and Fall semesters beginning in April
• Spring semester beginning in November

The Office of the Registrar sends Registration dates and times to all students via e-mail or US Mail. You can also find out your earliest registration time by checking My UW-Madison under the "Enrollment" tab.

How can I obtain a timetable?

The Timetable is available online in both web and .pdf formats only. The Timetable (for Fall and Spring semesters) is no longer printed.

Printed copies of the Summer Timetable are available beginning in January at the locations listed below:

• Registrar's Office, 21 N. Park St.
• Campus Information Center, 716 Langdon Street
• Continuing Studies, Middleton Building, 1305 Linden Drive
• Union South Games Room, 227 N. Randall Avenue

Where can I get an official transcript of my grades at UW-Madison?

Complete information on ordering transcripts is available at http://ordertranscript.wisc.edu/. The site includes FAQs and online demonstrations of the ordering process.

Transcripts cost $8.00 each and can be ordered online (Visa and MasterCard accepted), in person (check or cash), or by mail (check). No phone, email, or fax requests are accepted.

Are there places on campus that I can get help with my coursework?

There are a number of free tutoring services available on campus including Greater University Tutoring Service (GUTS) and the Writing Center. Additional academic tutoring services are offered for a fee. Make sure to check out the complete list of tutoring services available on campus.

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Finding UW Students, Faculty and Staff

How can I find contact information for a student/faculty/staff member?

Public access to student, faculty and staff addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses are available with the Campus Directory.

What if I can't find someone using the on-line directory?

The Campus Directory may not contain the person you are looking for because:

• Some current students, faculty and staff choose not to release their information to the public.
• The person you are trying to locate is new to campus (the directory is generally updated every few months).
• The person has left campus.

If you cannot find the person in the on-line directory,

1. Call the Campus Operator at (608) 262-1234.
2. If you still can't find the person, Visitor & Information Programs may be able to assist you with your search.

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Housing

What are my housing options?

There are a number of housing options, including University Housing, privately-owned residence halls, and Campus area housing (private apartments, houses, efficiencies, etc.) First-year students are not required to live in residence halls on campus.

• University Housing includes residence halls for undergraduate students, as well as University-owned apartments for single and married graduate students and their families. University Residence Halls offer students the opportunity to build personal connections to the University and community, and help new students successfully make the transition from high school to college.
• Students also have the option to live in one of the privately-owned residence halls on campus, which are owned and operated by the private sector. The private halls provide a group living situation conducive to meeting other students and help ease students into college life. Application procedures and lease agreements are solely the responsibility of the student renter, not the University.
• Campus area housing includes privately owned apartments, houses and rooms for rent. Visitor & Information Programs maintains the Campus Area Housing Listing Service, a searchable database of vacant off-campus housing units in Madison including empty apartments, roommate situations, private residence halls, co-ops, and rooms in private homes or boarding houses.

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Student Life

How can I obtain a student ID?

All UW-Madison students are entitled to a UW Photo ID card. To obtain an ID, you must present a form of identification, for example, a valid driver's license or passport, at the Photo ID Office. Newly admitted and reentering students and new staff members may obtain an initial card at no cost. Lost, stolen or misplaced cards will be replaced at a non-refundable cost of $15 per card.

Where can I buy textbooks from on campus?

There are a variety of bookstores near campus from where UW students buy textbooks. Students will need their class schedule, including the section number for each of the courses that they are taking, to find the appropriate textbooks required for their classes. The textbooks are generally arranged according to the course and section number.

What kinds of things can I get involved with on campus?

Whatever your interests, there are a number of activities for you.

• A variety of student organizations are available to choose from.
• Information about Club and Intramural sports teams are also available.
• Join Wisconsin Hoofers, an outdoor recreation club.
• Get involved in student government with Associated Students of Madison (ASM).
• Find volunteer and leadership opportunities at the Morgridge Center.
• Help plan and implement events and programs at the Student Unions (performing arts, music and entertainment, film, art, and much more) by joining the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD).

How can I find a part-time or summer job?

The Student Job Center lists part-time, limited term employment (LTE) and summer job openings located at UW-Madison and off-campus in the private and public sectors.

Where can I find information about internships?

As a UW-Madison student, a number of internship opportunities are available. Sources that may be of help when you are searching for an internship include:

• Your school or college's career office
• Your Advisor
• Your Dean's office
• Memorial and College libraries (job-related reference materials)
• Businesses with which you wish to intern

Can I use my student ID to make purchases on campus?

• Students, faculty and staff may deposit money into a WISCARD account, which is accessed via the magnetic strip of the UW ID. Simply present the ID when making a purchase, and the amount is automatically deducted from the account balance. Note: The Campus Cash account is separate from the Food Account, which is used by University Residence Hall residents in the Residence Hall dining rooms.
• With a Campus Cash account, your student ID card can be used to make purchases at both students Unions and the various Union Delis around campus.
• In addition, the WISCARD account can now also be used to make purchases at the University Bookstore and Digital Outpost.

I have a question about my computer/Internet/WiscMail. Who do I talk to?

The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) provides a wide range of technology support and services to UW-Madison students, faculty and staff. You can reach their 24-hour help desk at (608)264-4357.

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Parking and Transportation on campus

Will I have a problem parking my car?

Parking on or near campus is extremely limited and expensive, and for this reason, many students choose not to bring their car to campus. UW-Madison is pedestrian- and biker-friendly, and the bus service is excellent.

If you do choose to bring a car to campus, please note the following options:

• Privately-owned parking spaces can cost an average of $45-75 per month. To rent a privately-owned parking space, check out student and local newspaper ads, the VIP parking notebook (which lists privately-owned parking lots, spaces, and garages for rent; call (608) 263-2400 for details), campus bulletin boards or posted signs in your desired area.
• The city of Madison offers a Residential Parking Permit, which allows residents of a specific area to exceed the posted one or two hour parking limit on the street. However, this does not guarantee the resident a parking space!
• On-campus parking may be available if you are a student who commutes outside the Madison Metro bus lines or has special needs.

What are other forms of transportation on campus?

Buses and bikes are popular alternatives to driving on campus.

• Madison has an excellent bus service for most areas of the city. Included in the cost of tuition is an ASM (Associated Students of Madison) Bus Pass that allows students to ride all city buses for free.
• Biking is often much more efficient than driving. UW-Madison Transportation Services has comprehensive information on biking including bike registration, parking, routes, and more.
• Community Car is a member-based carsharing service that provides high gas-mileage and hybrid-electric vehicles by the hour for individuals and organizations. Through a partnership with UW Transportation Services, UW-Madison faculty, staff, and students may become a member and access vehicles located in reserved parking spots on campus and throughout Madison. Starting in September 2007, 19 and 20 year-old students will be able to use Community Cars if they have three years of driving experience, are an enrolled UW student, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Can I get to other cities by bus?

Transportation is available to other major cities by bus. Buses that can be taken directly from the UW-Madison campus include Badger Bus (Madison to Milwaukee), MAD-Bus and Better Bus (Madison to the Twin Cities), Van Galder Bus (Madison to Chicago) and the Greyhound Bus (a number of routes).

What are the current construction conditions on campus?

Both the City of Madison and UW Transportation Services maintain lists of current construction projects impacting traffic. For more information about construction projects affecting travel to Madison and Dane Count, contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation at 1-800-762-3947.

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UW Athletics

Where can I find a schedule for Badger Athletics?

Schedules for all Badger Athletic teams can be found at http://www.uwbadgers.com/ by selecting the specific sport in the drop-down box and then clicking on "Schedule."

How can I buy tickets to Badger Games?

Tickets can be purchased online or from the Badger Athletic ticket office at (800) 462-2343.

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Commencement

When and where are the ceremonies held?

Commencement ceremonies are held in the Kohl Center twice each year; the Spring ceremony is held in May and the Fall ceremony is held in December. The Secretary of the Faculty publishes the dates and times for the ceremonies each year.

Can you tell me about the ceremonies?

• Each ceremony will last approximately one and one-half hours.
• Tickets are not required; seating is on a first-come first-served basis.
• There is a designated seating area available for the elderly and persons with disabilities. If you or a family member needs special accommodations, contact the McBurney Disability Resource Center
• Parking will be available in most university lots and on city streets near the Kohl Center.

How do I let the UW know I am planning on graduating?

Each student must declare when they intend to graduate (May, August, or December).

• Undergraduate and professional students need to declare their intent to graduate through the My UW-Madison portal and should be able to do so after registration opens for the term in which they plan to graduate.
• Masters or Ph.D. degree candidates who plan on attending the upcoming commencement must report this to the Secretary of the Faculty at (608) 262-3956.
• August graduates who plan to attend the May commencement ceremony should notify the Secretary of the Faculty at (608) 262-3956 such that the graduate's name can be printed in the commencement program.

Where do I go if I have further questions about commencement?

The Secretary of the Faculty has comprehensive information about Commencement, including general information, schedules, and instructions for candidates.