Wisconsin Experience Summer Launch
The Wisconsin Experience Summer Launch Program (WESL) is an 8-week online program that allows incoming first-year UW–Madison students to take courses and engage with fellow incoming students during the summer before their first fall semester. Students have the opportunity to move to campus early in the fall and experience in-person programming with their cohort.
Get an early start on building your Badger community with opportunities to connect with faculty, other students and campus resources. Students will learn more about the Wisconsin Experience and what it means to be a student at UW–Madison.
The application for Summer 2024 has closed.
To apply for this scholarship, complete the following process:
Launch your UW–Madison academic career
Experience college courses and earn five credits towards your degree, before the start of the fall semester.
Participate online
All coursework for the program will be online. You can complete them from home, or wherever you spend your summer.
Build your Badger community
Connect and engage with other incoming students, faculty and staff. Dedicated seminar courses support your transition to college.
Program details
Eligibility
Application process & timing
Coursework
Early move-in
Costs & scholarships
Choose from many popular classes:
Students will complete a comprehensive questionnaire to determine which 3-credit courses could be most appropriate for their academic goals. If they have additional questions not answered by the questionnaire they will be given the opportunity to request to connect with an advisor.
courseoptions
These popular, high-demand courses have been selected as appropriate for incoming students and fulfill common requirements. Program participants will enroll in general sections of these courses with other UW–Madison students.
- Anthropology 104: Cultural Anthropology and Human Diversity
- Art 100: Introduction to Art*
- Communication Arts 100: Introduction to Speech Composition
- Counseling Psychology 225- Intersectionalities, Self-Awareness, and Social Actions for Change
- Asynchronous lectures and 50 minute synchronous discussion session. Discussion times will vary and students can select a session that fits their schedule. Discussion sessions will be weekly from June 17 to August 11
- Counseling Psychology 230: Race and the Developing Child
- Educational Policy Studies 140: Introduction to Education
- Electrical & Computer Engineering 252: Introduction to Computer Engineering
- Synchronous course that meets online every Monday, Thursday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11-11:50 from June 17th to August 11th
- Entomology 201: Insects and Human Culture- A survey Course in Entomology
- Entomology 205: Our Planet, Our Health
- Food Science 120: Science of Food
- Gender & Women’s Studies 103: Gender, Women, Bodies, And Health
- Geoscience 140- Natural Hazards and Disasters
- Inter-HE 201: Belonging, Purpose and the Ecology of Human Happiness: EcoYou
- Kinesiology 150- Foundations of Health Behavior and Health Equity — Synchronous lecture every Monday and Wednesday from 2:00-4:20 p.m. June 17 to August 11
- Life Sciences Communication 251: Science, Media and Society
- Nutritional Sciences 132: Nutrition Today
- Nutritional Sciences 377: Cultural Aspects of Food and Nutrition
- Plant Pathology 123: Plants, Parasites, and People
- Psychology 202: Introduction to Psychology
- Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education 100: Disability and Society
- Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education 125: Health and Rehabilitation Professions
This list is subject to change.
*Art 100- If a student is interested in pursuing an art major it is not recommended that they take this course.
Frequently asked questions
Is Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) included in Wisconsin Experience Summer Launch?
Is placement testing included in Wisconsin Experience Summer Launch?
Can I take another class during Wisconsin Experience Summer Launch?
Can I participate in more than one early start program throughout the summer?
How much time should I plan on spending on my classes?
Are all classes for credit?
Are Minnesota students eligible for reciprocity tuition rates during the Wisconsin Experience Summer Launch?
Get more of your questions answered:
If you have additional questions about the program, please email us.