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First-Year Adult Students at Milwaukee

Congratulations on choosing UWM – we’re thrilled to welcome you to the Panther Family! These steps are specific to our first-time college students who are 21 years old or older who are not in the First-Year Bridge program.

  1. Complete your orientation modules

    Go to your UWM Admissions Portal to access your Orientation and Transition Canvas course. These modules cover:

    • 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.

  2. Ensure you’ve completed your admitted student next steps

    • Access your PAWS account
    • Set-up multi-factor authentication
    • Access your UWM email
    • Complete course placement
    • Submit your ID photo
    • Complete your University Terms and Conditions Agreement
    • Send in your high school transcripts
    Admitted First-Year Student Checklist

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

    After you complete the orientation modules in your Orientation and Transition course, you are required to meet with an academic advisor to enroll in courses. Make an academic advising appointment by logging into Navigate360.

    Your New Student Advising hold in PAWS will be removed during your academic advising appointment allowing you to enroll in courses.

  4. Attend the Next Steps program

    On July 17, adult students are welcome to campus to complete admitted next steps and get your questions answered! At this program, you will:

    • Experience life as a UWM Panther.
    • Address any questions and concerns so you can feel confident in your decision to attend UWM.
    • Understand how to access resources to support your individual, holistic success as a UWM student.
    • And so much more!

    Go to your UWM Admissions Portal to select a date, share dietary needs, disability accommodations and guest registration information. Look for a confirmation email after registering. An email with more details will be sent closer to the program.  

    If desired, overnight accommodations can be made through UWM Guest Housing or at any of Milwaukee’s local hotels.

  5. Complete Panther Transition Training modules

    After completing orientation modules, you’ll see Panther Transition Training appear in your PAWS To-Do List. Panther Transition Training modules are located within the Orientation and Transition Canvas course. Please allow up to 2 business days for your Panther Transition Training to-do list item to be marked complete in PAWS.

  6. Attend your Panther Transition Experience

    Before the first day of classes, you’ll round out your orientation and transition process by participating in Panther Transition Experience and other UWM traditions on September 1.

    During the day, you will be welcomed to campus by participating in:

    • An academic welcome with your school or college 
    • Our annual class photo tradition 
    • A transfer & adult specific Panther Transition Experience program to explore campus and meet peers

    Keep an eye on your email for more details about your Panther Transition Experience, class photo, and academic welcome as we get closer to the start of the semester!

New Student Fee
All students are charged a nonrefundable $250 fee upon completion of orientation which covers the cost of orientation materials, the student’s PantherCard, and operating costs of Orientation and Panther Transition Experience programs. The $250 fee will be posted to students’ PAWS account upon completion of orientation and is due on the first day of the semester, even if the student does not ultimately enroll in courses. You can find tuition bill posting dates on the Important Dates by Term website.