Getting oriented with SOAR

• SOAR sessions for new students and their parents start Sunday, June 20, and continue through Friday, Aug. 13.

• The 30-year old program represents a coordinated effort by the university’s Office of Admissions and academic advisors from every school and college on campus. It is designed to register students for fall classes and acquaint them and their parents with campus life.

• Overall, there will be 42 SOAR sessions for new freshmen and transfers, running Sunday through Friday, except during the July 4th holiday period.

• As of mid-June, 5,171 new freshmen and 6,556 parents had signed up for SOAR. Nearly all students attend SOAR; the targeted enrollment for first-year students this coming academic year is 5,400.

• At the program’s peak, in mid-July, a fresh wave of 300 to 400 students and parents will start SOAR each day. Students and parents will be assigned to smaller groups they will stay in throughout the program.

• Four student coordinators and 20 student guides lead discussions, serve on panels and conduct campus tours. SOAR emphasizes an interactive approach with opportunity for students and parents to meet each other and participate in discussions.

• The goal of SOAR is for students to leave campus feeling comfortable and confident as UW–Madison students and for parents to leave with a sense of confidence that their children will have a positive and rewarding educational experience, says Peg Davey, SOAR director.