At UW–Madison you have abundant opportunities to learn collaboratively, in small groups and larger communities. These “high-impact programs” combine academic courses with intentional communities of students in that course, or are designed to enhance your educational experience in other special ways.
Many programs are specifically for your first year of college. Most have some kind of application process with a deadline. Refer to each program’s website for eligibility information, application steps, and deadline dates.
You build your campus networks through an extraordinary selection of campus programs, activities, clubs, and academic opportunities: here are a few.
First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs)
FIGs are groups of 20 first-year UW-Madison students who share a common academic interest and take (usually) three linked classes together as a group. Each FIG is anchored by a core seminar exclusively for the students in that FIG. More than 60 FIGs are offered on a wide range of themes — only in the Fall semester. All FIG classes apply toward Letters & Science degrees.
During SOAR orientation before your first semester, talk with your academic advisor about which FIGs fit your interests, then enroll in the FIG’s classes.
L&S Honors Program
College classes are designed for you to participate, be committed to learning, and embrace new perspectives and ideas—Honors classes have even more of this. It’s a great fit for students who enjoy active class discussions with both classmates and the teacher, and who want to dig deeper into the topics. Paths include Honors in the Liberal Arts and, after declaring a major, Honors in the Major. No previous secondary-school Honors experience is required.
All incoming L&S students may apply for Honors in the Liberal Arts. The application opens on January 1, and the final deadline for students starting in the Fall semester is typically in late April: honors.ls.wisc.edu/incoming-students-admissions.
Biology Honors
Biocore is a four-semester set of Honors biological science courses. This community of highly motivated students works with dedicated faculty to extend opportunities for scientific research, communication, integrative learning, and collaboration through lecture and laboratory courses, research, outreach and leadership opportunities.
Apply during your first, second, or third year after consulting with your academic advisor.
Learning Communities in University Housing
Live in a University Housing residence hall with its own UW course and activities. Each learning community is based on a theme like biology, environment, gender, or multiculturalism — and houses dedicated to specific international languages. To name two: in the Chadbourne Residential College you learn about the foundations of a liberal-arts education; in Spark you explore how the University of Wisconsin turns ideas and research into solutions to real-world problems. Learning communities organize special events, faculty guests, field trips, and many ways for students to create their community on campus.
After you are admitted to UW–Madison and before the deadline shared by University Housing: when you sign up for Housing (go.wisc.edu/my-housing), select your preferred learning community and also choose “learning communities” as your priority for hall preferences.
Center for Academic Excellence (CAE)
The CAE Scholars program offers community, connection, academic mentoring and other resources to a select group of invited students each fall. CAE Scholars have access to comprehensive support that includes personalized advising, academic resources, and paid research opportunities. CAE fosters personal and professional growth by connecting students with learning communities and impactful academic experiences that promote collaboration and a strong sense of belonging.
Study Abroad
As a university with global influence, UW–Madison has 260 study-abroad programs in 65 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards.