Incoming Students

1. Will there be an orientation for incoming students?

Yes, orientation for new students will be on Thursday, August 29th from 8:30 AM-2:30 PM, a few days before the first day of classes which will be Wednesday, September 4th this year. Orientation will be an opportunity for you to meet some faculty members, students, and staff. Expect the orientation agenda to be emailed to you in late July.

2. When can I register for classes?

New graduate students can start registering for classes on Monday, June 24th. All new students have a space saved in their core courses, so if you cannot register until later in the summer you will still have a spot. You will receive enrollment reminders with more information from UW-Madison and from the La Follette Student Services Office to register for courses. On the Advising section of the La Follette School website you will can find a grid with courses that will be offered by La Follette this fall so you can start planning your class and work schedules. You can contact Admissions & Advising Coordinator, Mo O’Connor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with advising questions.

3. What courses should I take?

In your first semester, MPA and MIPA students take three courses together as a cohort: PA 800, 818, and 880. You can choose the discussion section that works best for you. Students in their first semester typically enroll in 10 credits, but if you would like to take more you may choose an elective. La Follette students have also compiled a list of courses they would recommend.

 

MPA	MIPA
PA 800: Professional Development Workshop	PA 800: Professional Development Workshop
PA 818: Intro to Statistical Methods for Public Policy Analysis	PA 818: Intro to Statistical Methods for Public Policy Analysis
PA 874: Policy-Making Process	Elective
PA 880: Microeconomic Policy Analysis	PA 880: Microeconomic Policy Analysis

4. How do I enroll in classes?

You will use the Enroll App.  Tutorials with step by step instructions on how to enroll in classes can be found here.

5. Who are my advisors?

All students are assigned a faculty advisor according to their policy interests in their first semester. The Admissions and Advising Coordinator, Mo O’Connor, serves as the academic advisor to all students.

Students are encouraged to meet with La Follette School faculty at any time during their program of study to discuss particular career interests or course options. Faculty advisors may help students make strategic decisions about career specialization, including decisions about course selection in their area of interest. Faculty are not expected to certify whether students are making satisfactory progress toward their degree or to monitor whether courses meet program requirements. The Admissions and Advising Coordinator oversees student progress toward degrees.

6. Can I look at previous course syllabi?

If you would like to look at last year’s syllabi, you can find them here. New syllabi for the fall 2019 semester will be available at the end of August 2019. Textbook information will be available in the Course Guide when you enroll.

Please do not make text purchases based on last fall’s syllabus.

7. Do I need to send official transcripts to the UW-Madison Graduate School?

Yes; however, if you received your degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison or if you are an accelerated student, you do not need to send official transcripts.

International applicant's transcripts or academic documents must include an official English translation done by the bachelor's degree granting institution or an official translator. See this link for country specific information.

If you are graduating in May, please wait to send your transcript to the UW-Madison Graduate School until you have graduated and your transcript shows a degree conferral date.

Directions to send official transcripts to the University of Wisconsin Madison Graduate School: 1) Order your transcript through your institution.

2) If you cannot choose UW-Madison Graduate School, then transcripts can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

3) For US institutions, the Graduate School prefers electronic transcripts if your institution offers that option.

4) For international institutions, and those domestic institutions that do not have an electronic option, they need the official hard copy sent to: 

The Graduate School Admissions Office University of Wisconsin-Madison

232 Bascom Hall

500 Lincoln Drive Madison, WI 53706

 5) Please do not send both a paper and electronic copy of the same transcript.

8. Do I need to complete any trainings over the summer?

Complete the online sexual violence prevention program, required for all new graduate students. You will receive an email from University Health Services with instructions on how to access the program. A hold will be placed on your enrollment if you do not complete it.

9. How do I activate my NetID

10. How do I get my student ID?

Your student ID, called your Wiscard, can be obtained in the Wiscard Office in Union South after you have enrolled in classes. Wiscard is your official UW-Madison identification card. It will give you access to libraries, recreation facilities, and other campus services including door access. Your Wiscard can also be used to make purchases at over 60 locations across campus. The Wiscard account is a fast, convenient, and money saving way to make purchases.

Your first Wiscard is issued to you at no cost and is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. You will need to present a valid, government issued ID before you receive your Wiscard. A list of qualifying IDs and more information on how to get your Wiscard can be found here.

Your student ID will have your 10 digit campus ID number on it. Your student campus ID number is an essential part of your record at UW-Madison and will be associated with your permanent record. Your ID number is a university generated ten digit number (e.g. 9000001234). For questions regarding your ID number, contact Transcripts and Certifications within the Office of the Registrar:

 

11. What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

 

12. How do I get my student bus pass?

You will need to present your Wiscard in order to receive your free bus pass provided to you by the Associated Students of Madison. Dates and locations of fall 2019 student bus pass distribution have not yet been announced but once they are you will be able to find out where you can get your bus pass here.

13. What resources are available for incoming international students?

Please look at the International Student Services website.  ISS provides information and programs to international students about the campus and community and provides support and assistance concerning visas and related immigration issues. If you have questions about anything related to these topics, please contact their very helpful office.

There will be a mandatory orientation for all incoming international students. The orientation sessions will be held on Thursday, August 22nd from 3:00-5:00pm, Monday, August 26th from 3:00-5:00pm, and Wednesday, August 28th from 9:00-11:00am. You must attend one of the orientations and you can register here.

14. What resources are available on campus that support diversity and inclusion?

La Follette is committed to diversity and inclusion, and you can find our diversity and inclusion webpage here which includes links to many resources available on campus including the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, the McBurney Disability Resources Center, the Multicultural Student Center, the Veterans Services and Military Assistance Center, the Office for Equity and Diversity, Learning Communities for Institutional Change & Excellence, and more.

15. Where can I find information about funding and financial aid?

Graduate students fund their education in several ways including fellowships, on-campus appointments such as teaching assistantships and project assistantships, off-campus jobs, personal savings, and loans. La Follette’s funding & financial information webpage has several funding resources. If you are interested in applying for an assistantship, this document may be helpful in guiding your search. The best place to find on-campus positions for graduate students is the Graduate Assistantships page.  The Office of Student Financial Aid is also a great resource.  Tuition and fees information can be found here. Be sure you select the correct term and program to ensure correct information.

16. Are there options to pay tuition in installments rather than a lump sum?

Yes, the BadgerPay payment plan provides a means for paying tuition and fees through regularly scheduled payments. UW-Madison expects students to enroll in the BadgerPay payment plan or make payment in full for all charges by the payment due date for each term.

17. Where should I live?

Most La Follette students live off campus, but you can find more information about on-campus housing at the UW-Madison Housing website. The La Follette School Student Association (LSSA Housing Guide) was emailed out to incoming students and is a good resource as well. If you wish to live off-campus, this website can help you find a place that matches your criteria. The La Follette School Students page on Facebook is a good place to post to ask current students about advice on where to live or to find roommates. The UW-Madison Sublet and Roommate Board Facebook group is another place to look.

18. What does the academic calendar look like for 2019-2020?

If you need to make plans during breaks the academic calendar for the 2019-2020 school year can be found here.

19. How do I access my new UW-Madison email address?

Your email address is your NetID + @wisc.edu, i.e. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You will have access to it after you are matriculated for the fall semester. Typically this occurs mid-June, and prior to enrollment. You can access your Wiscmail through MyUW. Each student is issued a UW-Madison NetID and email account for use throughout the time the student is enrolled for classes at the UW-Madison. New users are responsible for activating their account from which you can do here. This will be the email address that all official communication will be sent to beginning in the fall from La Follette and other University offices.

20. What is MyUW?

MyUW is a portal that provides integrated information resources tailored to a student's needs and interests. https://it.wisc.edu/services/myuw/ 

21. Is there specific information I need to send to La Follette over the summer?

We ask that you send a short paragraph introducing yourself and your policy and/or public affairs interests. We pair this information with the photo that we will take of you during orientation. The paragraphs and photos will be compiled and sent to all new students, faculty and staff. We will share last year’s incoming class as examples and as an opportunity for you to get to know the second year students at La Follette. You can email this information to David at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

22. Is there an opportunity for me to brush up on my math and statistics skills before starting classes at La Follette?

Access to an online math review course will be available to you in July after you enroll in courses. We will send more information about math review in June.  Your admissions letter has indicated if you must complete the course. It is recommended for all students and most choose to complete it.

23. Does the UW-Madison Graduate School have an orientation?

Yes, they will hold an orientation on Wednesday, August 28^th. This orientation is held the day before La Follette’s new student orientation. You can find more information about the UW Grad School and their orientation as well as information for new students here.

24. How can I stay up to date with La Follette events and news over the summer?

You can like our page on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!