START

Learn more about the START program by reviewing the information provided: START 2025 program

The La Crosse area is a great place to call home! Learn more about what is happening in the La Crosse community by exploring La Crosse: Explore La Crosse

Be sure to review your housing information and make sure you have all necessary items completed: UWL housing reminders

Please complete the Student Health Center forms, which are due May 30, 2025. They are used to verify a student's immunization record, and to provide the SHC staff with information about specific health concerns and emergency notification contacts. Please note that all incoming UWL students should plan to submit an up-to-date immunization history, including vaccination dates.

Student Health Center

START advising guide 2024

START resource guide 2024

START music sheet

Be ready for your START day by following these instructions.

1. Review and complete the Canvas course "Before START Information" that will be emailed to you about a week before your START date.
2. Check-in is from 8 to 8:45 a.m. at the Student Union. Park in lot C-12 or the parking ramp. No parking permit is required for your visit. Please allow extra time as there is road construction near UW-La Crosse.
3. At check-in, you will receive a registration folder and other materials. 
4. Each student will be assigned a group at check-in that corresponds with their session rotation.

Please be sure to bring the following items with you to START.

1. We strongly encourage all students to bring a laptop computer. Having your own computer will be helpful during course registration. A limited number of computers will be available to those who do not bring a laptop. *If you have a MAC computer, please download Google Chrome to your device prior to attending START.*
2. Your WINGS username and password
3. Drivers License or government issued photo ID (needed to obtain UWL student ID). 

Schedule for the day

• 8-8:45 a.m.
  • CHECK-IN (Student Union, first floor)
• 9-9:25 a.m.
  • WELCOME AND GENERAL SESSION
• 9:40-10:40 a.m.
  • SESSION 1*
• 10:55-11:55 a.m.
  • SESSION 2*
• 11:55-12:40 p.m.
  • LUNCH (Provided for student. Cash and credit options are available for guest(s).)
• 12:45-1:45 p.m. 
  • SESSION 3*
• 2-2:45 p.m.
  • STUDENT REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
• 2:45-3:30 p.m.
  • COURSE REGISTRATION
• 2:45-4:00 p.m.
  • RESOURCE FAIR, RESIDENCE LIFE and DINING CENTER OPEN HOUSE (optional)

* Sessions 1, 2 and 3 will be rotating sessions. They include individual academic advising appointments and various campus resource offices.

Yes, START is a program that first-year students are required to attend. At START, first-year students will receive information about attending UW-La Crosse and academic advising to assist students in selecting their first-semester courses. Students will register for their first semester classes during START.

Students who have submitted the $100 enrollment deposit will receive registration information via mail for in early April for 2025 START!

• Admitted first-year students for summer and fall who have submitted the $100 enrollment deposit may sign-up for a START date.
• Students will be able to sign-up for a START date after reading through the mailed START Program.
  • The program will be mailed at the beginning of April. 
• Prepare for signing up for a date by ensuring you have access to your WINGS Student Center.
  • If you have lost your access information to login to WINGS, please reset your password. 
• Date sign-up occurs on a first-come, first-served basis, and dates will close when we reach the maximum number of students we can accommodate.  
• Log on using your username and password using a computer.
• Scroll down to the Admissions Section and click on START Registration.
• Complete the registration form and select a registration date no later than May 30, 2025. If you need to change the date, you may go back to the WINGS Student Center and follow the prompts to make any changes.
  • There is no ‘best’ date. Select a date that works in your schedule and allows you to spend the entire day with us. We have steps in place to open seats in classes throughout the START dates to ensure a wide variety of classes for all students to select - including those attending the final days.

Prepare by...

1. Reading through all mailed materials prior to signing up for your START date.
2. Signing up for a START date that works for you as soon as possible.
3. Take Placement Tests as directed by the Admissions Office. Specific information about the required exams can be found on the Placement Test Instructional Sheet. 
4. Completing Student Health Forms.

After May 15, 2025...

1. Install and set up the Okta App for Two-Step Authentication
2. Install and set up UWL Email and Microsoft Office 365.
3. Install and set up the NAVIGATE 360 STUDENT App
4. Learn more about Advising and Class Selection
5. Submit your Student ID Photo Online
6. UWL Dining Services Accommodation Form
7. Additional information will be emailed to your personal email account with items to complete and next steps prior to your START date.

All students are required to take the placement tests regardless of credit earned as it will allow you the greatest selection of courses during the START program. Students should plan to complete their placement tests prior to May 15, 2025.

Placement test scores are part of your student record and are used by your advisor to plan your course schedule. Students who have not taken placement tests may not be able to enroll in math, English, or some language or science courses.

• Math Placement Test is required for all students.
  • UW-La Crosse students should complete Math Test A, the un-proctored, online, on demand math test.
• English Placement Test is required for all students.
• World Language Placement Test is required to enroll in Spanish, French or German language courses, including those students who have taken college credit language classes as transfer courses.

Students admitted for summer or fall 2025 can complete their placement tests by following these instructions: Placement Tests

Students can register for their placement tests online: https://exams.wisc.edu/placement/regionaltesting/information.php 

There is no ‘best’ date. Select a date that works in your schedule and allows you to spend the entire day with us. We have steps in place to open seats in classes throughout the START dates to ensure a wide variety of classes for all students to select - including those attending the final days. There will be enough classes available to create a beneficial schedule for your first semester no matter which date you attend.

While we welcome family members to this event, only you (the student) are required to attend.

This can be taken care of when you register for your START date. Please log into your WINGS Student Center at https://wings.uwlax.edu and scroll down to the Admissions section. Click on ‘START Registration.’ You will be able to select a new major based on your interests. Click ‘save’ and your major will be updated. Students will only be able to register for the START program if they have submitted their $100 enrollment deposit. 

We understand there may be special circumstances preventing you from attending START. Please contact the Admissions office at 608.785.8939 or admissions@uwlax.edu.

View our campus map here!

GPS Location for the Student Union

521 East Ave. N. La Crosse, WI 54601

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

To request disability accommodations (accessible seating, interpreting, closed captioning, large print materials, FM systems, etc.) contact Sam Pierce at spierce@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8068.

If you are looking for hotel accommodations in the La Crosse area, visit www.explorelacrosse.com