High School Special Student Orientation

You are in a nondegree student status

• As a University Special (nondegree) student you are earning college credit, but you are not in a degree-seeking program. In other words, completing these courses will not culminate in a degree, though if you continue on to college after your high school graduation, you can send these credits to your degree-seeking institution for them to consider applying toward a degree.

You are the last to enroll in classes, and enroll on a space-available basis after all degree-seeking students

• Enrollment for high school Special students takes place just a few days before each semester begins. The university prioritizes undergraduate student enrollment as they are degree-seeking students and need these courses for graduation. Once their enrollment period passes, high school students are able to enroll. 
• There is no guarantee you will be able to enroll in a class!

You cannot continue as a Special student once you graduate from high school

This policy also applies to students who are denied undergraduate admission or apply too late.

Being a Special student does not guarantee you admission as an undergraduate to UW–Madison

• The office admitting Special students (our office) and the office admitting undergraduate students are two separate offices with different admission criteria.

Special student admission criteria

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 required.

Undergraduate student admission criteria

• Much more rigorous than the admission criteria for high school Special students.
• Typically a much higher GPA.
• Can I get into UW–Madison? from the Office of Admissions and Recruitment
• The average profile of an undergraduate admit is very competitive.
  • If you are interested in undergraduate admissions, and your high school GPA, class rank, and test scores are not competitive, even four semesters of excellent work as a high school Special student may not get you admitted.
  • Keep in mind that you will be competing for grades with undergraduate students.

You are taking a UW–Madison course and will be graded on par with all other students

• You will be treated as a regular student! That means no exceptions for missing deadlines, etc.
• Faculty will have the same expectations for you as they do for undergraduates.

What does that mean for you?

• Attend EVERY class session
  • Lectures
  • Discussions
  • Labs
• Read your syllabus, and do all your work.
• Do all readings, making sure to keep up with weekly assignments to avoid falling behind.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help from teaching assistants, Greater University Tutoring Service, the Writing Center, etc.

As a Special student, you are establishing a permanent UW–Madison record — that’s not something to be taken lightly.

Remember:

• The course(s) you take and the grade(s) you earn will appear on your official UW–Madison transcript.
• You will be required to submit your UW–Madison transcript to any college that you apply to in the future (failure to do is considered fraud).
• The grade(s) you earn in the course(s) you take will be recorded on your high school transcript and will be figured into your high school GPA after course completion (for ECCP students).
• Most high school Special students successfully complete the UW–Madison course(s) they take. But there are occasional grades of D and F, and in these cases, your school district will not pay their portion of the tuition.

To access your MyUW portal, you will need to activate your NetID. If you have not done this yet, please check your admission email for your 10-digit campus ID number.  Follow the steps below to activate your NetID.

Activating your NetID

Do not share your NetID and password with anyone (including parents or other family members).

Visit mynetid.wisc.edu/activate

Enter your 10-digit campus ID number and your date of birth; click “Activate.”

You will be prompted to create a password and security questions for your account. Follow the prompts through until the end.

The system will provide you with your NetID (typically some combination of your first and last name).

Test it by logging in to your MyUW account at my.wisc.edu.

Use your NetID and password to access your MyUW portal. MyUW is UW–Madison’s secure web portal for campus resources. Familiarize yourself with this page, the layout, and the various resources available. You will be using them throughout the semester. Those you may be accessing most include:

Course search and enroll

• You will use Course Search and Enroll to enroll in your course(s).

Email

• WiscMail is the official email address to which UW–Madison sends all communication. Make sure you check your email! Professors will send out important information via your wisc.edu email address.

Student Center

• Student Center is where you will access a variety of your student information, including financial information, academic records, and any holds on your account.

Canvas

• Canvas is the online learning management system (LMS) used by UW–Madison. Even if your class is not online, you will likely find additional readings, submit assignments, and share discussion posts in your course page.

For a guide on using, searching for apps, and customizing your MyUW homepage, this KB has you covered:

Searching and customizing your MyUW homepage

• In your MyUW portal, access Course Search and Enroll.
• Enter Search Criteria using the drop-down menus to select the appropriate term and subject to search. Once a class is selected you will see a course description, prerequisites, department information, and more details.
• You can also enter the course number if you know it.
• Select “See Sections” to view additional class information including the days and times offered.
• This Course Search and Enroll KB document provides overview of the app
• Please note, if a course lists prerequisites you will need permission from the department to enroll. Please contact them directly.

Your enrollment appointment time can be found when you log in to Course Search and Enroll.

High school University Special students always enroll after all degree-seeking students have had a chance to enroll, typically three business days before the start of each term.

At or after your enrollment appointment time, follow our pre-enrollment and enrollment instructions to get enrolled in your class.

• As an ECCP student, verify that you are enrolling in an approved course.
• If you enroll in an unapproved class, you will be responsible for all tuition and fees associated with the course.

Click on the My Courses tab or the cart icon

• If there are potential enrollment problems with the class, you will see a validation message.
• For “problems with course” contact the department hosting the course, and they can help you determine if you are eligible for the class.
• Exception, for any problem messages you receive for math courses contact an USSS advisor at highschoolcredit@dcs.wisc.edu.
• If you don’t get a problem message, you will be able to enroll (assuming there is space in the class) at or after your enrollment appointment time.

After enrollment, we encourage you to explore the Student Center to familiarize yourself with the functions and how to navigate the interface.

Here are just a few things that you will do in your Student Center:

• View your enrollment appointment time
• View any holds on your account
• View your tuition eBill
• Order transcripts

You are responsible for knowing the key dates and deadlines for each term you are enrolled. If you are dropping a class or withdrawing for the term, you are expected to adhere to all UW–Madison dates and deadlines.

Please review the deadlines and make note of these dates in your calendar.

Students make the decision to drop courses for a number of reasons.

Please be aware that there are drop and withdrawal deadlines that affect the amount of tuition reimbursement you are eligible to receive.

If you’re considering dropping a course, please do the following:

1. Review semester deadlines
2. Consult with an advisor in USSS: highschoolcredit@dcs.wisc.edu or 263-6960
3. Drop the course in Course Search and Enroll

Dropping a class vs. Withdrawing for the term

Wiscard: UW–Madison’s official campus ID card

• Wiscard allows you to access libraries, recreational facilities, and other campus services
• $25 replacement fee if lost

How? When? Where?

After you officially enroll in courses, you may pick up your Wiscard at Union South.

You will be asked to present a form of valid ID (driver’s license, passport, state, or federal ID).

Union South, Room 149 (next to Daily Scoop)
Phone:  608-262-3258
Email:  wiscard@union.wisc.edu

As a Special student, you are eligible to receive a free ASM bus pass, which is good for unlimited rides on all Madison Metro routes.

Learn how to get your student bus pass at the Transportation Services website.

Reminder, you must enroll in courses and pick up your Wiscard before you can get your bus pass.

Even if you are enrolled in a district-approved ECCP course, you will receive an eBill notification of your tuition summary. Your school district will be billed for your tuition and fees.

If you enroll in a non-approved course, or you are not an ECCP student, you will be billed 100% of tuition and segregated fees for your course(s).

If you drop your UW–Madison course beyond the tuition adjustment deadline, you may have to reimburse your school district.

If you have questions about your eBill or how your tuition will be charged, please contact our office: highschoolcredit@dcs.wisc.edu or 608-263-6960.

If you are not an ECCP student, or you enrolled in a non-approved course, you are responsible for 100% of your tuition and fees.

• Check Student Center for your tuition invoice under your Financial Account.
• Check tuition rates for the term you are enrolled.
• You will be assessed a $100 late fee if your tuition is not paid by the due date.
• You are responsible for all tuition and fees.

UW–Madison has over 30 campus libraries!

Visit library.wisc.edu to learn more about all of the libraries on campus and the resources that they have to offer.

Two of our most popular libraries:

Memorial Library, 728 State St Mall — largest single library collection in Wisconsin!

College Library, Helen C White Hall — undergraduate library

Check your class and section in Course Search and Enroll for the correct authors and editions to your textbooks.

There are many different options to purchase or rent your textbooks

• Amazon.com
• Chegg.com
• University Bookstore, 711 State Street
  • Note, you will need the section number for your course as books are arranged by course and section number

Your school district may be willing to reimburse you for the textbooks that you had to rent or purchase. Save your receipts and contact your school district to learn more.

Parking on campus can be kind of a headache. Please use the following resources to help you plan.

Campus parking

• Visitor parking
• Live parking availability tracker

Park near campus and take the bus – it is free with your ASM bus pass!

• Bus service to and around campus

SAFE Nighttime Services

We have provided a curated list of resources we think all Special students will find helpful. Please take a moment to review these resources and refer back to them as needed.

Why should I?

• You will likely be in college in the next couple of years. This is good practice.
• When you are one of a hundred or more students in the classroom, introducing yourself to your professors and TAs can go a long way to help you feel more supported.
• If you don’t think you can do this, then you need to reconsider taking a University class! If you feel too shy or intimidated to talk with faculty, you should reconsider whether you are ready to take a university course.
• As a college student, regardless of age, FERPA law prevents all faculty and staff from communicating with your parents/guardians.

Read your course syllabus! This is your guide and outline for the semester. There will be important dates and deadlines in your syllabus, and you will be held accountable for keeping track of all course dates.

Attend all lecture, discussion, and lab sections

• This may sound obvious but there have been students who found out the hard way by not attending regularly!
• If you must miss class due to illness or bad weather, contact your professor or TA.
• UW–Madison rarely closes due to bad weather. That said, please make safe choices about getting to campus. If you feel it is unsafe to get to class, let your professor or TA know you will not be there.
• Your school breaks and UW–Madison breaks may not line up. Planning a big trip with your family over your high school’s spring or winter break? It may not be a wise choice if the UW isn’t off at the same time.

Complete all course readings prior to attending class. This will help you to get the most out of your lectures and discussions.

Final exams are not usually scheduled at the same time as your class is regularly held. Check your exam schedule in Course Search and Enroll.

If you’re not available for office hours, reach out another way (email, Canvas, etc.). Your professors and TAs are willing to talk with and help you, but you must take the initiative.

If you are struggling, talk to your professor and/or TA and be in touch with a USSS advisor. Do not delay asking for help!