First-Year Students
UW-Milwaukee is transitioning from the terms “Freshman” and “Freshmen” to “First-Year.” This university-wide effort is part of a broader initiative to modernize and standardize language while fostering inclusivity across all student-facing and administrative systems.
The transition involves collaboration across key areas such as academic support, enrollment management, housing, financial aid and marketing. During this period, you may see both sets of terms used interchangeably—they refer to the same group of students.
First-Time First-Year Student
Historically labeled as a New Freshman, a first-time first-year student is generally defined as someone entering directly from high school, with no college coursework completed after graduation, or who is in their first year at their first college or university, regardless of semester.
First-Year Class Standing
A student with first-year class standing at UW-Milwaukee is any undergraduate student who has not yet reached Sophomore class standing. This includes students entering directly from high school, transfer students whose class standing is below the Sophomore level, and continuing students who remain below the Sophomore class standing level regardless of how long they have been enrolled.