New students at ice cream social

Orientations – Undergraduate

As an international student, participating in New Student Orientation is required and it provides opportunities to learn about UW-Milwaukee and become familiar with your new network of support.  

Steps for F-1 students before arriving in the U.S.:  

  1. Complete the required online New Student Orientation for International Students course.  

    Register through the checklist item in your application portal. Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to complete the online course, which includes modules on:

    • Academic advising
    • Course enrollment
    • Resources to support your success
    • Campus technology
    • Student life

    The Orientation Requirement Hold will be removed from your PAWS account after completing these modules. If you have already registered for the course, you can access the course in Canvas. 

  2. Make and attend your academic advising appointment to enroll in courses.

    Freshmen students: You are required to meet with your academic advisor before enrolling in classes. You can schedule a meeting using Navigate360. During this meeting, your academic advisor will support you in finding the best classes for you and your program. At the end of this meeting, your advisor will release the “New Student Advising” hold on your PAWS account, so you can enroll in classes.

    Transfer students: After completing orientation, we will release your Orientation Requirement hold and you can enroll in classes. We recommend that you schedule a meeting with your advisor through Navigate360, so they can support you in finding the best classes for you and your program.

    If you have an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Hold on your PAWS account, you will not be eligible to enroll in other courses until you have registered for the appropriate EAP courses. For further information or questions, contact English Language Academy at el-academy@uwm.edu or +1 414-229-5757.

Steps for F-1 students after arriving in the U.S.:  

  1. Complete F-1/J-1 Student Orientation, an online Canvas course.

    After you have arrived in the U.S. and completed arrival check-in, you will receive access to the F-1/J-1 Student Orientation online Canvas course. You must complete the course before January 30, 2026.

  2. Attend UWM’s in-person F-1/J-1 Student Orientation + Panther Transition Experience.

    You are expected to attend UWM’s two-day in-person F-1/J-1 Student Orientation + Panther Transition Experience. Pre-registration is required and will be available in late December 2025.

    Day 1: 

    The session on Day 1 will focus on topics unique to F-1/J-1 international students.

    • Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
    • Time:
      • Check-in: 10-10:30 a.m.
      • Orientation programming: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
    • Location: To be announced

    Day 2:

    The session on Day 2 is for all new undergraduate students. Topics covered will include course enrollment, UWM technology tools, key campus resources and policies, UWM traditions, and more.

    • Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
    • Time:
      • Check-in: 8:30-9 a.m.
      • Orientation programming: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
    • Location: Check-In – Union Ballroom – 1st floor of the Union

J-1 Exchange Students:

J-1 exchange students should email Sue Conway for information on your J-1 Exchange Student Orientation.