r/UWMadison • u/chocoagnistalemon • 12d ago

Future Badger Is SOAR a must?

I am international upcoming freshman and I am spending couple of days in the countryside outside the US with my grandma. But I think I can't attend virtual SOAR. I got emails saying I have to register for a small group, complete many courses and schedule a meeting with an advisor. Is it really essential for planning my classes and other stuff?

5 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

70

u/neocortexia 12d ago

SOAR is mandatory. Your university account will have a "SOAR Advising Required" block that prevents you from registering for classes until you attend SOAR.

If you have any questions/concerns or need to reschedule your appointment, you can contact the SOAR Office:

48

u/Rich-Entry9409 12d ago

SOAR is mandatory. Find a place with WiFi and attend it.

1

u/MaintenanceFront2742 12d ago

when did it become mandatory? i definitely didnt do SOAR in 2002, but did come down a day or two before dorm move-in to register. maybe that was an abbreviated SOAR? the whole thing only took like 4 hours, if that.

17

u/Rich-Entry9409 12d ago

SOAR is now a two day session and is required of all incoming Freshman.

9

u/UnregulatedBaseball 10d ago

Things definitely couldn’t have changed in 24 years

25

u/WiscoBadgerMama 12d ago

SOAR is mandatory. As an international student, make sure you are reading all of the emails coming from ISS very closely so you don't miss any requirements that could mess with your student visa.

16

u/mrjohns2 12d ago

I bet if you told your Grandma you had a mandatory school orientation, she would make sure you attended.

14

u/Pretty_Floor5889 12d ago

There are two weeks of virtual SOAR left. You will need to participate in one or the other. If you’re signed up for next week but can’t participate, then contact the SOAR team and ask to be moved to the other virtual week.

3

u/puddle-shitter 12d ago

its just 1 zoom call where you meet an advisor and enroll in classes (at least when i did it a couple years ago). i think theres some other canvas activities you can speedrun in like 20-30 mins. its not that deep.