<p>Does going to SOAR early mean you'll get into your classes? If I go in August will a lot if classes be full?</p>
<p>Most freshman classes will be large intro level lectures with discussion sections led by Ph.D. candidates (TAs), and UW opens additional discussion sections in many classes as the summer progresses, depending on demand. A late summer SOAR date could mean that, in popular freshman classes, a student could have less desirable time slots for their discussion sections, but that is the case for many freshman. You might have Friday morning section, when those sophomores have taken up all the Tuesday afternoon slots – a later date should not mean that you are blocked out of courses all together, only that the “best” discussion section times are full. </p>
<p>Something my UW student only learned later was to take into account the walking distance between classes and whether he realistically had time to get from, say, Humanities to Bascom in 10 minutes, and then back down to Humanities for another class. A 10 minute gap might be possible, but it would mean he had to rush out of one class to get to the next, not linger and talk to friends, the TA etc. He could do it, but it wasn’t fun, especially in Nov or February. </p>
<p>I say it every chance I get, because it was such a wonderful experience for my UW student, but if you are looking to “shrink” the freshman experience, take a look at the FIG offerings – a cluster of courses which about 20 students take together, with a seminar plus enrollment in the same discussion section for the other FIG courses. Depending on your academic interests, you may find something you love. My son was good friends with his FIG mates, and reported that it made the transition to school much easier. </p>
<p>When is your SOAR date? What are you interested in majoring in?</p>
<p>Here are some FIG links:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.figs.wisc.edu/”>http://www.figs.wisc.edu/</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.figs.wisc.edu/fall-2014-figs.htm”>http://www.figs.wisc.edu/fall-2014-figs.htm</a></p>
<p>I looked at the current FIG options. It has evolved since son’s days. Even an Honors group of courses and several general biology options for the math and science courses included. However, do not enroll in a FIG if it means not being able to take other courses you want for your proposed major. UW is NOT a “one size fits all” campus. Don’t worry about class locations as much as getting the times and classes you want- it is possible to cross the campus in the 15 minutes. Did it 3 times a week one semester, no time chatting but worth the schedule.</p>
<p>Wis – I am just saying that, in choosing discussion sections etc, the time between classes can matter. My kid has looked at a 12:50 dismissal with a 1:00 start for his next class, going from Humanities to Bascom or Van Hise, and learned that he needs to think about whether that works for him. It is possible, yes. But will he do it and be on time, 3 times a week? It is something he learned to consider in developing his schedule, not an overriding concern, but a factor. </p>
<p>Ah- those 1 1/2 “hour” classes. Otherwise there would be extra time before that 1ish class. Once you get the class start times in your brain they remain forever- decades.</p>
<p>I hear the kids call them “power lectures”</p>
<p>They didn’t exist in my day. Nice to have 3 credit lectures not locked into the MWF format.</p>