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.

  1. Complete your orientation modules

    Go to your UWM Admissions Portal to access your Panther 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 Panther 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 an orientation program

    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.  

    At your orientation program you will visit campus to take care of your to-do list and explore campus. Orientation Leaders will guide you through the program and share stories about their experience on campus. While you’re here, you can expect to:

    • Experience life as a UWM Panther.
    • Address logistical 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!

    Program dates and times are listed in your Admissions Portal. Students can expect to be on campus for an afternoon and evening program with dinner provided. The guest program ends before dinner, and guests are encouraged to have dinner on their own in Milwaukee while students finish up the program that evening.

    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 Panther 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 Panther Orientation and Transition process by participating in Panther Transition Experience. You’ll participate in small group workshops, UWM traditions and officially be inducted into the UWM Panther family.

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.