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 Spring 2025 Schedule of Classes is now available in Course Search & Enroll. Continuing students received notice of their Spring 2025 enrollment appointment during the week of November 4th. Spring priority enrollment began November 11th.
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 11, 2024 |
| Senior | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 |
| Junior, International Special (UNIS), Engineering International Special (EINS), Education 2nd Certification (EDCS) | Thursday, November 14, 2024 |
| Sophomore, Visiting International Special (UIUL/UIGL/UIDL) | Tuesday, November 19, 2024 |
| Freshman | Friday, November 22, 2024 |
| College Special | Tuesday, November 26, 2024 |
| University Special: Personal & Professional Development (UNDS), Pre-selected Special (UNPS), Graduate & Professional School Prerequisites (UNRS) | Monday, December 2, 2024 |
| University Special: Intensive English as a Second Language (UNES), High School Special (UNHS), Visiting Undergraduate (UNVS), Online Only Special Student (UNOL), Other Special (UNOS) | Thursday, January 16, 2025 |
| University Guest: Guest Senior (UGSR) and Guest Student (UGST) | Tuesday, January 21, 2025 |
January 8, 2025: Expected publication date of the Summer 2025 Schedule of Classes in Course Search & Enroll.
March 17, 2025: Continuing students will be notified of their Summer 2025 enrollment appointment througout the week.
March 31, 2025: Summer 2025 priority enrollment begins.
March 12, 2025: Expected publication date of the Fall 2025 Schedule of Classes in Course Search & Enroll.
March 31, 2025: Continuing students will be notified of their Fall 2025 enrollment appointment throughout the week.
April 7, 2025: Fall 2025 priority enrollment begins.