Current Student-Athlete FAQs
Who should I see for academic advising?
As an incoming college freshman, you will be admitted directly to a college (there
are nine undergraduate schools and colleges). There is a Dean's staff member who
is responsible for your academic record and advising you in each college. You will
also find academic advisors in the various departments within the colleges. They
can also assist you with matters pertaining to graduation, course selection, etc.
You also have an advisor in the Office of Academic Services within the Athletic
Department. Each athletic team is assigned an athletic academic advisor. Please
refer to the
Academic Services Staff page to locate your assigned advisor.
It is up to you to seek these individuals out and ask for assistance. They have
many resources and are interested in helping you make good academic decisions during
your stay at UW Madison. It is recommended that you see an advisor at least one
time per semester during the registration period (November and April are when you
will register for classes each semester). Remember to make your appointments EARLY
in order to be served in a timely manner.
Back to Top
What deadlines and dates should I be aware of?
There are a number of important deadlines with respect to adding and dropping courses,
taking classes pass/fail, etc. All pertinent information is outlined by the Office of the Registrar. Since your eligibility depends
on your maintaining full-time status, the most important deadlines would be adding
and dropping courses. The add deadline is the end of the 2nd week of classes. Modular
courses (those that meet fewer than the full 16 weeks) have different deadlines;
see your timetable or an advisor for this information. The drop deadline is the
end of the 9th week of classes. Check the timetable for specific dates each semester!
You must register for pass/fail privileges by the end of the 4th week of the semester.
Other important dates and deadlines concern the process of registration for classes.
It is very important to watch your email for registration information and pay close
attention to your day and time of registration. Once you have registered you are
able to make changes to your registration through the 2nd week of classes. The deadline
for withdrawal from the University is the end of the 12th week of classes.
It is always a good idea to check with an advisor prior to dropping, adding, or
registering for courses. A good rule of thumb is add first, drop second! As a student-athlete
you will have a "credit hold" placed on your electronic record - essentially once
you have enrolled in 12 credits you will be blocked from dropping below 12 credits.
This prevents you from competing below full time status! If you need the hold removed,
for whatever reason (i.e. dropping and adding classes), please see your athletic
academic advisor.
Back to Top
How do I get a tutor?
You can request a tutor through myuwbadgers.com.
Follow the procedures on the Tutoring page of the Academic Services website.
Back to Top
Go to the myUW webpage and enter your student id and password. Once you have entered
that information click on "student center". Once you have clicked on student center,
on the left hand side of the page there are a number of actions you may do with
your schedule. One of the options is "drop class". Click on the "drop class" command;
this allows you to place on "x" on whichever course you wish to drop. Once you placed
an "x" by the course click "drop course" at the bottom of the page. The next page
will say "continue to drop course". Click "continue to drop course" and the course
will be taken off your schedule. The schedule of classes (located under academic
tab), which is located on the front page of the UW webpage informs you of the last
day to drop a course. If it is past this date, you must get a deans permission to
drop a course.
Back to Top
Can I drop classes even if it is the fifth week of classes?
Yes! You may drop classes up to the 9th week of the semester. You must make sure
that you are enrolled in at least 12 hours.
Back to Top
An enrollment hold makes it so that you cannot register. Typically you receive an
enrollment hold if you have not paid something. Some examples of enrollment holds
include unpaid fines, a delinquent loan account, has refused to return books or
property of the University, has refused to replace or repair University property
which the student has damaged, or is otherwise indebted to the University. There
will be contact information on your account indicating where the hold is coming
from. Get in touch with the contact to clear things up.
Back to Top
It is your responsibility to consult with instructors prior to making an athletic
trip. Athletic academic advisors will work with you, when requested, to provide
official verification (travel letters) that you are missing class due to athletic
competition. However, it is always best if you meet with your instructors beforehand
so that s/he is clear on any assignments that might be missed and aware of any and
all deadlines for making up missed exams and/or class assignments, presentations,
and projects.
Instructors determine how your work will be made up for their class. If the instructor
will not allow a make-up exam, you may be required to remain on campus to complete
the required activity. The professor has the final word. Speak to your athletic
academic advisor if you have any issues regarding make-up work/exams.
Back to Top
If I am injured, how do I get to class?
The Office of Academic Services has vouchers and a form you can fill out for transportation
accommodations. You must first get a Cab Voucher Form from your Athletic Trainer.
Typically these Cab Vouchers are for those student-athletes with injuries that make
it difficult to walk from class to class. Cabs can be arranged to pick you up from
one place and take you to another. If you have an injury that prevents you from
walking for a few months, you can apply for temporary handicapped parking.
Back to Top
Students should consult an advisor as early as possible to explore appropriate majors,
and assure that they are preparing appropriately for their intended major. For eligibility
purposes, you must declare a major by your fifth semester in school.
Admission to UW-Madison does not necessarily guarantee admission to the major of
a student's choice. All majors have required procedures, and often prerequisites,
for enrolling in the major.
Majors entered by declaration: Students enter some majors simply
by completing a declaration of major form. All interested students who meet the
minimum qualifications are admitted to the major. Students should review the program
entry in the Undergraduate
Catalog and contact the program advisor to declare the major.
Majors entered by application: Some majors have limited space and
are entered by application. Entrance to these majors is competitive, which means
that not all students will necessarily be accepted, even if they have the minimum
qualifications. For programs that require a strong GPA for admission but don't specify
a minimum GPA, the minimum GPA is listed as "competitive." Students should review
the program entry in the
Undergraduate Catalog and contact the program advisor to initiate the application
process.
The bigger question may be, "How do I decide which major to choose?" To remain eligible,
you need a declared major by the onset of your third year of study. Exploring your
options and taking a wide variety of course work up to that point is helpful in
narrowing your choices. Take time to discuss your interests and major possibilities
with your athletic academic advisor. It also may be a good idea to take an interest
inventory at the
Career Exploration Center (6 Ingraham Hall), speak to a Cross-College advisor, or spend some time interviewing
different advisors in potential major areas. Remember, the departmental undergraduate
advisors often do not work in the summer months. Do not wait until the August prior
to your third year to make this decision! Start thinking about major declaration
early!
Back to Top
How do I obtain a DARS(Degree Audit Reporting System) report?
All schools and colleges at UW-Madison use the DARS to audit the progress of most
undergraduate degree programs and certificates to advise their students for registration.
The DARS degree audit is one of the most important tools a student can use to maintain
timely degree progress and completion. A student cannot graduate until the DARS
indicates that you have met all requirements for your academic program(s).
Go to your My
UW and access the Student Center to request your DARS. You can also request
DARS for programs, majors, or certificates that you have not declared but are interested
in declaring. These reports are called 'what-if' reports. "What-if" DARS reports
are provided so that students may explore degree programs, additional majors, and
certificate programs other than those they have officially declared. "What-if" DARS
reports are unofficial and intended to be used as an informational tool only. Because
requirements are subject to change, students seriously considering changing colleges,
degreeprograms, majors, or certificates are strongly encouraged to consult an academic
advisor and should not rely solely upon a "what-if" DARS report for academic planning.
Students are ultimately responsible for knowing the requirements for any degree,
major, or certificate they choose.
*Note: Not all degree programs are available in DARS. For
information about requirements in a program not available in DARS, contact an advisor
in the school or college that is offering the program.
Understanding the DARS can be somewhat difficult at first. For help reading and
interpreting your DARS, take your audit to your major or athletic academic advisor.
Back to Top
Can I receive summer school aid? When should I apply?
Summer school aid may be provided according to the following guidelines:
- Aid will be provided first for those students who need to attend summer school in
order to meet eligibility requirements or who need additional credit hours in order
to meet graduation requirements.
- An exception is in the sports of football, men’s basketball, men’s hockey, women’s
basketball, women’s hockey, and volleyball. In those sports, student-athletes may
request summer school aid for reasons other than eligibility, however, aid will
only be provided for courses that are necessary for degree completion.
- If provided, aid will be in proportion to the amount of athletically related financial
aid received by the student-athlete during the previous academic year.
- Aid will be provided only to those students who have made a conscientious effort
to pursue degree requirements and have given full cooperation to college, departmental,
and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics personnel in all matters of an academic
nature.
Please see your athletic academic advisor in mid-March to discuss summer school.
All student-athletes apply electronically through BadgerNet. Those individuals in
sports other than those listed above must have your coach complete a Summer
School Aid Request Petition form.
Back to Top
Can I attend summer school at another institution?
Yes. If you want to attend summer school at another school, it is very important
to find out if the courses you take there are transferable. Please go to the Summer Course Equivalency Service (SCES) website to find
out if courses are transferable. You will need an official course description for
the course(s) you wish to take. You can also obtain course equivalencies from the
Transfer Equivalency
Database (TED), which includes courses frequently transferred from two-year
schools in Illinois and Minnesota. If you plan to take a course at another UW System
school, you can see how courses will transfer at the UW Transfer Information System website. It is a very good
idea to check with your athletic academic advisor when considering course work at
another institution.
Remember:
- Courses you take at other schools do not count in your grade point average
- You must earn at least a C for the credits to transfer
- Freshmen student-athletes must pass at least 24 credits at UW-Madison during their
first year
- Your final 30 credits must be taken in residence at UW-Madison
Back to Top
Where can I get help with my job search, resume, interviews, etc.?
There are career services offices within each school and college that offer career
and job search assistance for students. Among other services, they offer workshops
and individual appointments to assist students with identifying skills and values,
developing a personal resume, preparing for interviews, organizing a job search,
and identifying potential employers. Check with your school or college for information
about your career services office.
The Academic Services and Student-Athlete Development staff also will be planning
various career-oriented activities throughout the year, such as resume workshops
and an annual career fair. Freshman through seniors should get involved - it's never
too early to begin your career exploration!
Back to Top
I don't have a lot of extra time but want to enhance my leadership
abilities and be more involved. Are there opportunities in the Athletic Department?
Yes! Get involved with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and/or Student-Athletes Equally Supporting Others
(SAESO).
SAAC and SAESO are student run and meet once a month. They provide an outlet for
discussion of various issues specific to dealing with the rigors of student-athlete
life. You'll serve as the "voice" for your athletic team and have the opportunity
to be the student-athlete "voice" before the Athletic Board.
Back to Top
Who do I talk to about scholarships, books, and housing?
The Compliance
Office handles most of these concerns. If you have questions regarding your
athletic scholarship (the amount or how it is disbursed, etc.), Assistant Compliance
Director Greg Offerman is the person to see. Any scholarship or grant you receive
must be approved as acceptable by Greg. If you are thinking of applying for a scholarship
or grant see Greg to confirm it is something you can actually accept. Your recruited
status and if you do or don't have an athletic scholarship all play a factor in
your ability to accept other aid.
Greg is the Athletic Department's liaison with UW Housing and is willing to help
answer any questions you may have in regards to that. If you are on athletic scholarship,
he can explain how the money is getting applied to housing. Greg is also the person
you will see if you plan on using a car or scooter on campus. He has the auto registration
forms that you need to fill out. In addition, if you are planning on getting a job
(paid or unpaid) you need to be registered with Greg.
In order to get your books, you will fill out a book form, indicating the books
you need for the classes in which you are enrolled in. Greg checks to make sure
you have the correct books for the classes that you are taking. Once he signs your
book form, take the form to the bookstore, pick out your books, and hand the cashier
your book sheet.
If you are a freshman, the majority of your scholarship money will be sent to housing
for room and board along with tuition fees. The remainder of the money will be used
for a meal plan. You can use your WISC card for meals (just swipe card at the dining
halls). If you live off campus, you will get a monthly scholarship check that can
be used rent, bills, etc.
Back to Top
|
