Apply through the UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment
UW–Madison’s Admissions office manages all applications for undergraduate students: start there!
When admitted, students are enrolled in one of the university’s undergraduate colleges or schools, which awards their degree.
Students who select any Letters & Science major — including “Undeclared Major (College of Letters & Science)” or “Undecided” — as the first-choice major on their university application will have the College of Letters & Science as their academic home. Learn about other ways to enter the College.
You start in Letters & Science without a declared major, no matter what you selected on your application. You choose and declare any of the 65 Letters & Science majors when you are ready and eligible, usually in your second to fifth semester. Yes, you can earn more than one major, add optional certificates, or change your major after you’ve started. In fact, last spring’s L&S 3,500 graduates had 1,400 unique combinations of majors and certificates. Browse the majors offered in Letters & Science: these are listed in the Guide, UW–Madison's catalog of degrees, majors, certificates, and courses.
Current UW–Madison students who want to switch degrees to Letters & Science — talk with your academic advisor and request the change here: advising.ls.wisc.edu/transfer/
Orientation, advising, and choosing classes
All new students have an orientation (SOAR) before they start college. This campus-wide program introduces you to many services, activities, and people.
At SOAR you meet with Letters & Science academic advisors who help you get started developing your academic plan: what you want to study at UW–Madison, how to choose the classes that fit that plan, and how to explore the many programs, activities, and opportunities inside and outside the classroom that enhance your college experience.
You choose classes to explore different fields of study that could become your future major, complete L&S degree requirements, and learn almost any topic of interest to you.
