Our early start programs allow incoming first-year students to take courses in the summer before their first fall semester. Early start programs give you a head start on your UW–Madison journey and help you make a smooth academic transition to college. Meet fellow students, earn college credit, get to know campus resources, and start work toward your degree.
The International Student Summer Institute (ISSI) benefits students from any major interested in working on English skills. Engineering Summer Launch programs are designed for mechanical engineering and computer/electrical engineering students. If you are still exploring your interests, the courses in this program can satisfy Introduction to Engineering requirements for other engineering majors too.
Choose the program that works best for you and helps you achieve your goals this summer:
Choose the program that works best for you and helps you achieve your goals this summer:
International Student Summer Institute (ISSI)
ISSI helps international students improve their academic English skills and become familiar with the UW–Madison campus and available resources.
Format: On-campus
Eligibility: International students who have accepted an offer of admission to UW–Madison for fall 2022.
Length: 4 weeks
Coursework: English as a Second Language 113: Academic Reading and Writing (3 credits).
Mechanical Engineering Summer Launch (ME Summer Launch)
ME Summer Launch is an opportunity for mechanical engineering students to take a course on campus and meet other students in their major before fall classes begin.
Format: On-campus
Eligibility: Students who have accepted an offer of admission to the UW–Madison College of Engineering for fall 2022 and intend to major in (or have a strong interest in) mechanical engineering.
Length: 4 weeks
Coursework: Mechanical Engineering 201: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (3 credits).
Electrical and Computer Engineering Summer Launch (ECE Summer Launch)
ECE Summer Launch is an opportunity for electrical engineering and computer engineering students to take a course on campus and meet other students in their majors before fall classes begin.
Format: On-campus
Eligibility: Students who have accepted an offer of admission to the UW–Madison College of Engineering for fall 2022 and intend to major in (or have a strong interest in) electrical engineering or computer engineering.
Length: 4 weeks
Coursework: Electrical and Computer Engineering 210: Introductory Experience in Electrical Engineering (2 credits).