The purpose of the FIGs Program is to help new first-year students make a successful academic and social transition into the university. Students from any UW-Madison college or school are welcome and we have options for almost any new student. Check out the full catalog of offerings here.
Discover the FIGs Advantage
Why do so many UW-Madison first year students choose to start their college journey with a First-Year Interest Group (FIG)? It’s more than just classes; it is about building a foundation for success and belonging.
Mentorship & Personalized Learning Experience the benefits of a small seminar led by the dedicated instructors who choose to teach in the program. They’ll get to know you as an individual, providing tailored support and guidance.
What students say:
“It honestly changed my outlook on life, majors, careers, and thinking. I felt challenged, yet seen and most importantly interested and supported through each professor I had, and especially my main FIG instructor.”
“This FIG was the best experience ever. The professor made this class so fun and enjoyable and I was able to connect with many other faculty around campus through them.”
“The professors in my FIG were the most influential and challenging professors that I have had in four years at this university…these were classes and experiences I never would have had if I wasn’t part of a FIG, and these were experiences that have shaped my perspective, my academic experience, and who I am now.”
A Built-in Community Navigate your first year with a group of peers who share your academic interests. Form study groups, attend events, and create lifelong friendships.
What students say:
“I thought it was helpful to have a group of people that I could rely on to go to for academic help as well as feel more settled socially in the beginning of my college experience.”
“I liked the immediate sense of belonging it gave me and I really enjoyed having familiar faces in each of the FIG courses.”
“I loved my FIG experience and would one hundred percent recommend it to any first year student at Madison. I really liked becoming close with my whole class as the professors encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and make conversation with everyone. What I liked the most was the close friends I made that I believe will be a part of my entire college experience.
An Integrative Academic Experience Explore interdisciplinary connections between your FIG classes and deepen your understanding of course material along the way. Since everyone is enrolled in the same package of classes, FIGs encourage you to think critically and to apply knowledge across different subjects. Seeing how each course connects to the FIG theme helps you learn in an integrated way.
What students say:
“I loved the hands-on experiences/opportunities which allowed a break from a typical classroom setting. I loved the content of my main FIG course and the variety provided by the linked courses, they were all interesting and connected but distinctly different.”
“I liked that the main FIG course tied the other two classes together, because prior to the FIG I didn’t see how they were going to connect. It really helped me see the connections.”
“The integration of class material has helped me to understand the classes I was taking from multiple perspectives. It helped me to not only think about my main FIG class but also relate it to the other classes I was taking and look at the concepts that were presented from different perspectives.”
A Proven Path to Success The award-winning FIGs Program has been going strong since 2001. Join the thousands of UW-Madison students and alumni who have found success and community through FIGs. Year after year, students report overwhelmingly positive experiences in their FIG.
What students say:
“I strongly recommend a FIG to any incoming freshman. Though my FIG ended up being my eventual major, I have had a lot of friends who participated in random FIGs and still loved them; they still interact with individuals that were in their FIG to this day. It’s a great way to transition into college and meet new people, as well as take some courses that you wouldn’t normally choose.”
“The FIG made me more comfortable with college and made me feel as though I could talk to my professors, especially those in bigger lectures. It gave me the confidence and courage to keep going here at UW-Madison.”
“My FIG absolutely shaped my college career. I met my best friends and favorite professors entirely due to my FIG and it ignited my interest in my major and all the disciplines surrounding it.”