Academic Planning-Before you go

Choose the right program

Choosing the program that’s right for you can be difficult. You should think about programs that fit into your academic goals and your personal interests. Come to the Study Abroad Resource Center, your first stop in this process, and speak with a Peer Advisor who will help you narrow down your choices and understand the academic and non-academic components of the programs that interest you. Then, make an appointment with your academic advisor in your major department (or your potential major department) to discuss how study abroad can fit into your academic plan.

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Know your DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System)

Knowing where you are in your academic career is essential to choosing the study abroad program that’s right for you.

UW-Madison students can request a DARS through “MY UW”. A DARS report is a record of an undergraduate student's progress toward a degree or certificate program. It shows which requirements have been completed and which requirements still remain to be completed. If you have not yet declared your major, you can run a “what-if” DARS that will show how far you are to completing your degree and intended major.

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Apply

Once you are ready, you will apply online.

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Pre-departure Advising

Once you have been accepted, you will need to speak with your academic advisor(s) to go over your progress towards your major(s). You will make an appointment with her or him to fill out an Advising Worksheet. It is also a good idea to stay in contact with your advisor, especially when you are choosing courses while abroad. Note: you should make a copy of this worksheet and keep it for your own reference once you are on site and choosing classes.

Pay attention to your degree requirements and “credit-rules”. Each school on the UW campus has its own policies. The Undergraduate Catalogue is a great place to begin checking you’re the requirements for your degree and major(s).

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Orientation

The more you prepare for your program abroad, the more you will benefit in terms of academic progress, cultural knowledge, and personal growth. Your orientation process will include an on-line orientation, and program-specific orientation session on campus before you leave, and an orientation period upon your arrival.

Please take the time to learn as much as you can about the program and its location. In addition to the many Internet and printed references that you will find, you also have your Peer Advisors, your IAP, your Study Abroad Advisor, and returning students who are always willing to share their guidance and advice.

While you may not be able to completely avoid “culture shock”, you can minimize its influence on you. These websites may help:

UW-Madison School of Engineering

Texas A&M

Indiana University

University of Michigan

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Information for non UW-Madison students
Non-UW-Madison students applying for IAP-sponsored programs must complete the regular IAP application (see above "Apply" section), as well as a University Special and Guest Student application for non-degree admission to UW-Madison.

Please note that not all IAP programs are open to non-UW-Madison students. Programs open to Non-UW-Madison students.

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