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 Language Credits
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 expected date for publication of the Spring 2025 Schedule of Classes is October 18, 2024. Continuing students will receive notice of their Spring 2025 enrollment appointment during the week of November 4th. Spring priority enrollment will begin November 11th.
A detailed enrollment release schedule will be posted here in mid-to-late October 2024.
To be announced. Class schedule and enrollment-related timelines for Summer 2025 will be available/updated in December 2024.
To be announced. Class schedule and enrollment-related timelines for Fall 2025 will be available/updated in January 2025.