To enroll in classes, you are assigned a specific enrollment appointment time, which is the earliest that you can begin enrolling in classes for a term. This is referred to as the “priority enrollment” cycle for continuing students.
The pattern below represents the typical timeline for publication of the schedule of classes in Course Search & Enroll and the priority enrollment cycle for continuing students.
| Enrollment Term | Courses Visible in Course Search & Enroll | Priority Enrollment Begins |
| Spring | Mid-October | Mid-November |
| Summer | Early January | Early April |
| Fall | Early March | Mid-April |
New undergraduate first-year and transfer students enroll with the assistance of advisors when they attend SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration).
New fall-term graduate students typically enroll in fall courses at the end of June.
Find your day and time
After times are assigned, you can find yours on the “Course Search & Enroll” tile in MyUW. Additionally, you will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar with your enrollment appointment time.
How appointment times are assigned
Enrollment appointment times are based on a student’s academic program, projected class standing (e.g., senior), and number of earned credits.
- Specific student populations receive priority enrollment.
- Some large groups, like sophomores, have enrollment appointment times distributed across multiple days.
If your assigned time is significantly different than what you’d expect, please contact us.
Retroactive Credits (in foreign languages)
Retroactive credits are entered on the university transcript during the term following the term in which these credits are earned. Retroactive credits do not advance a student’s enrollment priority for the term immediately following the term in which the course to earn retroactive credits was taken. For more information, read the University of Wisconsin-Madison Language Institute’s page on retroactive language credits.
The approximate schedule for the earliest that continuing and reentry students may have appointment times is in the table below.
The approximate schedule for the earliest that continuing and reentry students may have appointment times is in the table below. Large student populations such as seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen will have appointments distributed across several days.
| Graduate, Law, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy Professional, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Genetic Counselor Studies, Professional Capstone Certificate | Monday, November 13, 2023 |
| Senior | Tuesday, November 14, 2023 |
| Junior, International Special (UNIS), Engineering International Special (EINS), Education 2nd Certification (EDCS) | Thursday, November 16, 2023 |
| Sophomore, Visiting International Specials (UIUL/UIGL/UIDL) | Tuesday, November 21, 2023 |
| Freshman | Wednesday, November 29, 2023 |
| College Special | Friday, December 1, 2023 |
| University Specials: Personal & Professional Development (UNDS), Pre-selected Special (UNPS), Graduate & Professional School Prerequisites (UNRS), Personal & Professional Development (UNDS) | Monday, December 4, 2023 |
| University Specials: Intensive English as a Second Language (UNES), High School Special (UNHS), Visiting Undergraduate (UNVS), Online Only Special Student (UNOL), Other Special (UNOS) | Thursday, January 18, 2024 |
| University Guests: Guest Senior (UGSR) and Guest Student (UGST) | Tuesday, January 23, 2024 |
The Summer 2024 Schedule of Classes will be available in Course Search & Enroll beginning January 10, 2024. Continuing students are scheduled to receive notice of their Summer 2024 enrollment appointment during the week of March 18, 2024.
The Fall 2024 Schedule of Classes will be available in Course Search & Enroll beginning March 13, 2024. Continuing students are scheduled to receive notice of their Fall 2024 enrollment appointment during the week of April 1, 2024.