Welcome to our Virtual Advising Week page! We are excited to connect with you for SOAR online this summer! We are looking forward to helping start your UW academic experience with confidence. This page serves as the guide for our Virtual Advising Week, as part of your online SOAR experience. This page includes:
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An overview of what to do during your Virtual Advising Week session
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Activity descriptions for each part of the program
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How to contact us when you have any questions
Overview
Our Virtual Advising Week includes a variety of activities – both live and on your own. Throughout the week, we also provide many ways to connect with UW students and staff while learning about campus. Our goal is to help you set the foundation for your first semester at UW.
What your Virtual Advising Week schedule looks like is up to you! We provide flexible options for advising appointments and all our live activities. We strongly recommend scheduling your advising appointment first, and then sign up for other live activities.
You will sign up for each activity using the following platforms:
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Starfish - to schedule your academic advising appointment
Starfish is a UW-Madison tool to connect students with advisors (both academic and career) and other support professionals. You will schedule your SOAR academic advising appointment using this tool.
Need to schedule your appointment? The following links will take you directly to the available advising appointment times with a professional advisor. Click the button that matches your student type:
International First-Year students Transfer Students. U.S. First-Year Students
Scheduling an Appointment
After clicking your direct link, you will be in the CCAS SOAR scheduling profile in Starfish. Select “Academic advising for SOAR” as the reason for making an appointment then click the Continue button in the bottom right.
You should then see all the open SOAR appointment times times for our advisors for your Virtual Advising Week. Select ONE meeting time that works for you, then click the Continue button.
On the next screen, select “Zoom-SOAR” as the location and then add in any notes you want to share with the advisor, if anything. This can include:
- Questions you want to cover during the meeting
- Any information you believe is important for your SOAR advisor to know
Click Confirm. You have scheduled your SOAR advising appointment!
Checking your Appointment Details:
After scheduling, you will get an invitation to your UW Microsoft 365 Outlook Calendar within 10-15 minutes. The invite will have the appointment details and the Zoom link to join the meeting. You can access your UW Outlook Calendar through the Email tile in MyUW and then clicking the Calendar icon on the left menu. If you need help accessing your UW-Madison email or Zoom account, contact the DoIT Help Desk.
You will also see the appointment listed in your Upcoming section listed in the navigation menu on the left in Starfish.
To access Starfish in MyUW:
You can also access Starfish from your MyUW dashboard. You will use Starfish to make appointments with your assigned advisor during the academic year.
MyUW:
- Login to MyUW
- Search for Starfish
- Note: Click Add to home for easy access later!
Doodle Sign-up Sheet - to register for a Keynote Kickoff and Group Chats
You will sign up for a Keynote Kickoff and Group Chat sessions using Doodle Signup Sheet. Follow the instructions below to sign up for these activities. Reminder: Please schedule your advising appointment before signing up for these sessions.
How to use Doodle Signup Sheet:
1) Click the Doodle Signup Sheet for your Virtual Advising Week below:
Sign up for Keynote and Group Chats (July 7-11)
2) The first page of the sheet will show all the days and times for Keynote Kickoffs and Group Chats. Scroll down the page to see all options.
3) Select all the sessions you plan to attend by clicking the checkbox to the left of the event title. If you select an event by accident, click the checkbox again to de-select it from your list.
4) After choosing your events, you will see the total at the bottom of the page. Click Continue.
5) At the top of the next page, enter your first and last name in the Your Name box. Please enter your @wisc.edu email in the Email box.
- If you do not know your @wisc.edu email or cannot access it, contact the DoIT Help Desk for help.
6) The next section of the page will show a summary of your chosen sessions. Click Confirm Booking to finish the sign-up sheet!
7) The next page will show you the list of sessions you signed up for. This is the end of the signup sheet!
8) You will also get a confirmation email showing the days, times, and Zoom links for each session. After getting your confirmation email, we recommend doing the following:
- Pinning this confirmation email in your UW Outlook email inbox to have easy access to these links.
- Creating a meeting for yourself in your UW Outlook Calendar for each session you are attending. Add the Zoom link as the location for each meeting. This will allow you to make a visual schedule for all your Virtual Advising Week activities.
Making edits to your signup sheet:
Need to change your session choices? Follow these steps to update your selections:
1) At the bottom of your Doodle confirmation email, click the View Event button. This will take you to your Selection Summary page.
2) At the top of the page, click the Edit booking button.
3) The selection page will be open. Update your events list by selecting the options you want and de-selecting the ones you do not want (if any). When you are done making updates, click Continue.
4) You will now see the new sessions you chose on the summary page. The sessions you did not change will say “Signed up”. Click Confirm booking to update your choices.
5) You will get a new confirmation email that shows the sessions you changed.
Must Do (by Friday of your week):
- Attend your 1:1 Academic Advising Appointment
- Complete the CCAS SOAR Academic Advising Canvas course
- Attend your Keynote Kickoff
- Participate in one Group Chat of your choice
- Enroll in at least 12 credits
- Complete your Post-Enrollment Reflection form (after you enroll in courses)
Encouraged:
- Participate in more than one Group Chat
- Attend a Design Your Path: Connecting Majors to Careers session
- Visit our Zoom drop-in advising when you have questions after your appointment
- Complete our recommended asynchronous activities
- Attend a Virtual Student Life Panel hosted by SOAR New Student Leaders (you will be invited via email by the SOAR office)
Example Virtual Advising Week Schedules
Below are example Virtual Advising Week schedules based on each day you can schedule your 1:1 academic advising appointment. These are only examples with all encouraged activities to show the different ways you can make your Virtual Advising Week experience. Your schedule will be unique to you! You also do not need to have a scheduled activity every day of the week.
As a reminder, we strongly recommend scheduling your advising appointment first, and then sign up for other live activities for the week. Our SOAR advising appointment times generally happen between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. US Central Time (UTC-5). We give you a variety of times for all your Virtual Advising Week activities. We recommend doing as many of the encouraged activities as you can this week. We believe these are valuable opportunities to help you:
- Build connections with fellow students
- Gain insights about UW’s academic opportunities and student life, and
- Feel more comfortable and confident heading into your first semester
We hope your Virtual Advising Week experience helps you feel more supported and informed as you begin your academic journey at UW!
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Example: Monday advising appointment
Schedule example times:
Day 1:
- 8:00-8:30 a.m.: Keynote Kickoff
- 9:00-9:45 a.m.: Advising Appointment
Day 2:
- 9:00-9:30: Group Chat #1
Day 3:
- 8:00-9:00 a.m.: Design Your Path: Connecting Majors to Careers session
Day 4:
- 8:00-8:30 a.m.: Group Chat #2
- 8:30-9:15 a.m.: SOAR Virtual Student Life Panel
By end of the week:
- Enroll in at least 12 credits
- Complete your Post-Enrollment Reflection form (after you enroll in courses)
- Visit our Zoom drop-in advising when you have questions after your appointment
Example: Tuesday advising appointment
Schedule example times:
Day 1:
- 9:00-9:30 a.m.: Group Chat #1
Day 2:
- 8:00-8:30 a.m.: Group Chat #2
- 9:00-9:30 a.m.: Keynote Kickoff
- 10:00-10:45 a.m.: Advising Appointment
Day 3:
- 8:00-9:00 a.m.: Design Your Path: Connecting Majors to Careers session
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.: Group Chat #3
Day 4:
- 8:30-9:15 a.m.: SOAR Virtual Student Life Panel
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.: Group Chat #4
By end of the week:
- Enroll in at least 12 credits
- Complete your Post-Enrollment Reflection form (after you enroll in courses)
- Visit our Zoom drop-in advising when you have questions after your appointment
Example: Wednesday advising appointment
Schedule example times:
Day 1:
- 8:00-8:30 a.m.: Keynote Kickoff
- 9:00-9:30 a.m.: Group Chat #1
Day 2:
- 8:30-9:00 a.m.: Group Chat #2
Day 3:
- 8:00-9:00 a.m.: Design Your Path: Connecting Majors to Careers session
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.: Group Chat #3
- 1:00-1:45 p.m.: Advising Appointment
Day 4:
- 8:30-9:15 a.m.: SOAR Virtual Student Life Panel
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.: Group Chat #4
By end of the week:
- Enroll in at least 12 credits
- Complete your Post-Enrollment Reflection form (after you enroll in courses)
- Visit our Zoom drop-in advising when you have questions after your appointment
Example: Thursday advising appointment
Schedule example times:
Day 1:
- 8:00-8:30 a.m.: Keynote Kickoff
- 9:00-9:30 a.m.: Group Chat #1
Day 2:
- 8:30-9:00 a.m.: Group Chat #2
Day 3:
- 8:00-9:00 a.m.: Design Your Path: Connecting Majors to Careers session
- 9:00-9:30 a.m.: Group Chat #3
Day 4:
- 8:30-9:15 a.m.: SOAR Virtual Student Life Panel
- 10:30-11:15 a.m.: Advising Appointment
By end of the week:
- Enroll in at least 12 credits
- Complete your Post-Enrollment Reflection form (after you enroll in courses)
- Visit our Zoom drop-in advising when you have questions after your appointment
Example: Friday advising appointment
Schedule example times:
Day 1:
- 8:00-8:30 a.m.: Keynote Kickoff
- 9:00-9:30 a.m.: Group Chat #1
Day 2:
- 8:00-8:30 a.m.: Group Chat #2
- 8:30-9:00 a.m.: Group Chat #3
Day 3:
- 8:00-9:00 a.m.: Design Your Path: Connecting Majors to Careers session
Day 4:
- 8:30-9:15 a.m.: SOAR Virtual Student Life Panel
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.: Group Chat #4
Day 5:
- 9:00-9:45 a.m.: Advising Appointment
By end of the week:
- Enroll in at least 12 credits
- Complete your Post-Enrollment Reflection form (after you enroll in courses)
- Visit our Zoom drop-in advising when you have questions after your appointment
Example: Late morning, afternoon, & evening schedule
Schedule example times:
Day 1:
- 5:00-5:45 p.m.: SOAR Virtual Student Panel
- 6:00-7:00 p.m.: Design Your Path: Connecting Majors to Careers session
Day 2:
- 9:00-9:30 a.m.: Keynote Kickoff
- 3:15-4:00 p.m.: Advising Appointment
Day 3:
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.: Group Chat #1
Day 4:
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.: Group Chat #2
By end of the week:
- Enroll in at least 12 credits
- Complete your Post-Enrollment Reflection form (after you enroll in courses)
- Visit our Zoom drop-in advising when you have questions after your appointment
Activity Descriptions
- Advising Appointment
- SOAR Advising Canvas Course
- Keynote Kickoff
- Group Chats
- Asynchronous Activities
- Zoom Drop-in Advising
- Enroll in Courses
- Post-Enrollment Reflection Form
- Connecting Majors to Careers
Your SOAR advising appointment is a 45-minute video call with a CCAS academic advisor. This meeting is a key part of your SOAR advising experience, and one that our advisors look forward to!
You must meet with a CCAS advisor to be able to enroll in Fall 2025 courses. You will choose a appointment time with Starfish, UW’s scheduling platform for advisors. Our SOAR advising appointment times generally happen between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. US Central Time (UTC-5). After your appointment, the advisor will remove the enrollment hold.
Still need to schedule your appointment? Click the button that matches your student type to see open appointment times.
International First-Year students Transfer Students. U.S. First-Year Students
In your 1:1 advising appointment, you will do the following:
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Review placement exam results, transfer credits, and degree requirements
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Get answers to your questions
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Discuss major and academic interests
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Confirm your plan for Fall 2025 courses
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Get connected with your assigned CCAS advisor for the academic year
The earlier you schedule, the more appointment times will be available. You may only schedule one advising appointment during your Virtual Advising Week. If you cannot meet during any of the available times, please email questions@ccas.wisc.edu and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
The CCAS SOAR Academic Advising Canvas course will introduce you to information that will help you enroll in your first semester classes. You will get access to the course in your UW Canvas Dashboard at least 7 days before the start of your CCAS Virtual Advising Week. Please complete Steps 1-5 in this course before your advising appointment so that you can enroll in courses afterwards.
- Step 1 | Learn about the Advising and Enrollment Process
- Step 2 | Welcome to Cross-College Advising Service (CCAS)
- Step 3 | How to prepare for your CCAS Advising Appointment
- Step 4 | What to do during your CCAS Virtual Advising Week
- Step 5 | Encouraged SOAR Activities
Keynote Kickoff is our welcome to you for Virtual Advising Week! Join us as we start off week with an introduction to advising, where you will learn how CCAS helps you explore majors, build a balanced schedule, and navigate the enrollment process with confidence.
During this session, CCAS staff will:
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Introduce you to the CCAS community and how we support your success as a student
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Help start your exploration of courses and UW’s academic opportunities
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Answer questions about Virtual Advising Week & advising with CCAS
We will host Keynote Kickoffs via Zoom on the Monday and Tuesday mornings of Virtual Advising Week. We also have unique sessions for both First-Year (freshmen) students and Transfer students. Sign up for the one that matches your student type.
July 7-11 Virtual Advising Week Keynote Kickoff time options:
- Monday, July 7: 8:00-8:30 a.m.
- Tuesday July 8: 9:00-9:30 a.m.
Still need to sign up for your Keynote Kickoff? Click the button below for instructions!
Our Group Chats are information sessions on various topics led by our advising team. Each Group Chat session will be on Zoom and offered twice throughout the week. Review your Virtual Advising Week welcome email for the sign up form. Group Chats are offered at various times Days 1-4 of your Virtual Advising Week. See the Doodle Signup sheet or the schedule at the end of this section for specific days and times. We encourage you to attend as many Group Chats as you can!
Our Group Chat sessions are the following:
Applying to the College of Engineering
CCAS is the dedicated advising office for helping any student intending to apply to the College of Engineering. Applying to the UW–Madison College of Engineering is the gateway to becoming a Badger engineer, and there are 13 majors to explore. Students must meet a set of minimum requirements to apply to one of these Engineering degree programs. Join us to learn more about the application process and taking the first steps toward becoming a Badger engineer!
Exploring 101
As an exploring student, you are a part of a large community of students within CCAS! This session will dig into the variety of strategies you can use to explore your interests and connect with other exploring students!
First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs)
First-Year Students only: A First-Year Interest Group (FIG) is a cohort of 20 first-year students who enroll in a cluster of three courses that are connected by a common theme. Each FIG is anchored by a seminar that is only open to the 20 students in the FIG. There are more than 60 different FIGs offered on a wide variety topics and many include field trips or other hands-on learning opportunities. FIGs are a great way to meet other students who share a common academic interest, develop a close connection with a faculty member, and engage in unique interdisciplinary thinking. All of the courses in every FIG count toward graduation, and most fulfill general education or breadth requirements that apply to every UW–Madison student. In this session, FIGs program staff will explain the program and answer any questions you have!
Pre-Health & Pre-Law
Thinking about a future in healthcare or law? This session will connect you with advisors in both Pre-Health and Pre-Law who can introduce you to the academic pathways, support resources, and steps to prepare for applying to professional schools.
Transitioning to UW
Whether you are starting college or UW-Madison is your new campus, this can be a daunting change. This session covers what to expect during your first year at UW–Madison and offers tips on navigating academics, campus life, finding community, and everything in between!
Still need to sign up for Group Chats? Click the button below for instructions!
Group Chat time options : July 7-11 Virtual Advising Week
Monday, July 7 – 9:00-9:30 a.m.
- Exploring 101
- First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs)
- Transitioning to UW
Tuesday, July 8
- 8:00-8:30 a.m.: Pre-Health & Pre-Law; Applying to the College of Engineering
- 8:30-9:00 a.m.: First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs)
Wednesday, July 9
- 8:30-9:00 a.m.
- Pre-Health & Pre-Law
- Applying to the College of Engineering
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.
- Pre-Health & Pre-Law
- Applying to the College of Engineering
Thursday, July 10
- 8:00-8:30 a.m.
- Exploring 101
- Transitioning to UW
- 11:00-11:30 a.m.
- Exploring 101
- Transitioning to UW
We have made a list of asynchronous, or “on your own time”, activities we recommend doing! We encourage you to do these by the end of Virtual Advising Week, or anytime before the fall semester starts.
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Start Exploring page (CCAS Website)
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New Student pages (CCAS Website):
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Explore ways to get involved on the Wisconsin Involvement Network
After your SOAR advising appointment, you can attend our drop-ins on Zoom if you need more help! Our Peer Advisors host these drop-in advising sessions for advising and enrollment questions. Peer Advisors are current UW students who are highly-trained in academic advising information. You can also attend more than one drop-in session if you have more questions throughout the summer. We are here to help you during your transition to UW-Madison!
Common topics for Zoom drop-ins include:
- Help with selecting and enrolling in courses
- How to add, swap, or drop a course
- Understanding waitlisted courses
- Help using Course Search and Enroll
- Learn where to find exam schedules and textbooks
- Discuss location of courses
- Any other academic questions!
For our full SOAR drop-in advising schedule and Zoom room link, visit the following page:
You will use the Course Search & Enroll website to explore courses and enroll in your Fall 2025 schedule. You should enroll in at least 12 credits by the Friday afternoon of your Virtual Advising Week (unless directed otherwise). More information about how to use Course Search & Enroll is in Steps 3 and 4 of the CCAS Academic Advising Canvas course.
For more enrollment help, visit one of our Zoom drop-in sessions and review the Office of the Registrar’s Enrollment help guides.
We want to hear from you! The Post-Enrollment Reflection Form gives the chance to review your Virtual Advising Week. This form contains:
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Opportunities to provide feedback on your CCAS advising experience
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Connections to information and resources to help you prepare for the fall
Please complete this form AFTER you have enrolled in fall courses and no later than the Friday of your Virtual Advising Week.
Not sure how your major fits into your future? Whether you have a career in mind or are still exploring, this session will help you understand how your academics, like your major and classes, connect to your career. Join staff from the Career Exploration Center and CCAS for Design Your Path: Connecting Majors and Careers!
In this relaxed 60-minute session, you will have the chance to ask questions in real-time (or just listen – no pressure) and hear from experts about how to progress through academics while strategically exploring and planning for your career.
Have Questions?
We understand that navigating through online SOAR information can sometimes feel confusing. We are here to help throughout your Virtual Advising Week experience! We strive to make your experience as smooth as possible.
If you cannot find the information you need, please contact us at the following email. A member of our team will respond to your message. This inbox is monitored Monday through Friday from 8:00-4:00 Central Time (UTC-5).
