Mechanical Engineering Summer Launch
A head start for incoming freshman!
July 27 – August 23
The optional Mechanical Engineering Summer Launch gives students a head start by taking ME 201: “Introduction to Mechanical Engineering” in the summer before starting at UW–Madison. All mechanical engineering majors take ME 201 in their first year. Students admitted into other engineering majors can take ME 201 in the summer, too, to satisfy those majors’ “intro” class credits.
Completing this class in the summer can help you:
- confirm that mechanical engineering is right for you;
- move forward with other mechanical engineering classes sooner;
- get familiar with our spaces and places and people, so you’re settled into campus life when the semester starts.
Summer Launch includes lots of social activities where you’ll meet other engineering students, start building your networks, and explore campus. Applications open February 16, 2026 and are due on May 3, 2026 at 11:59pm.
What is Summer Launch?
The UW-Madison College of Engineering offers two Summer Launch programs, one for Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and one for Mechanical Engineering (ME). The program is open to undergraduate students who have accepted an admission offer the UW–Madison College of Engineering for Fall 2026, and who are interested in mechanical engineering.
What Course Will I Take?
ME 201: “Introduction to Mechanical Engineering” gets you started in the fascinating exploration of stresses and motion through hands-on projects. There are no prerequisites like math placement scores.
The summer version of ME 201 gives you the same rigorous coursework and learning, but in a small class size and on a compact schedule. Completing this degree requirement early gives you some flexibility in the mechanical engineering path through the major. (Good for both students who want a little breathing room in their first year, or who will be ready to take specific engineering subjects sooner.)
Find the official class description in the
UW-Madison Guide.
How Do I Apply?
Summer Launch is open to undergraduate students who have accepted an admission offer to the UW–Madison College of Engineering for Fall 2026, and who are interested in mechanical engineering.
To apply for summer 2026, complete and submit the application form by May 3, 2026. Within a few days of submitting the form, you will be contacted by a Summer Launch coordinator.
Feel free to ask Tracy Spraetz your questions any time: mesummerlaunch@wisc.edu
Students who take ME 201 in the summer and enroll in the fall as a Mechanical Engineering major may be eligible for a partial credit on their summer tuition, applied to their fall tuition bill. Applicants can indicate interest in being considered for the partial tuition credit in their program application.
UW–Madison publishes tuition and fee rates. UW–Madison has various student fees, like a New Student Fee and Official Document Fee, that may be charged to your summer tuition and fees bill instead of your fall semester bull.
| Wisconsin Resident | Minnesota Resident | US Resident Not from WI or MN | International Student | |||
| Tuition & fees | $1,932.28 | $2,597.95 | $5,935.33 | $6,060.34 | ||
| Course Materials | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | ||
| Housing | $1,120 | $1,120 | $1,120 | $1,120 | ||
| Estimated Dining Costs | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
The Office of the Registrar determines Wisconsin residence for tuition purposes. Learn more at registrar.wisc.edu/residence.
Minnesota Reciprocity: Minnesota students must be approved for reciprocity for the Summer term to pay at the Minnesota rate. Since Summer is the last term of the academic year, students must submit a reciprocity application for the academic year prior to their Fall enrollment. For example, if you applied to start as a Freshman in Fall 2026, and you want to enroll in Summer 2026 courses, you will need to apply for reciprocity for the 2025-2026 academic year – even if you have already completed a Minnesota Reciprocity application for the 2026-2027 academic year. You can apply for Minnesota Reciprocity here.
International Student Requirements: International students are welcome to enroll in the Summer Launch program. International students must be enrolled in 3 credits, which ME 201 covers.
Questions? Contact Tracy Spraetz at mesummerlaunch@wisc.edu.
You stay in a campus residence hall near the Engineering buildings, with other Summer Launch students. The Summer Launch program coordinates this for students who opt-in to campus housing.
Summer 2026 housing will be in double rooms in Waters Hall. Move-in is Saturday, July 25th. The transition date from summer housing to fall semester housing will be Thursday, August 13th. Summer Launch students are required to have contracts with University Housing for the Academic Year 2026-2027.
Meal expenses are not included in the program cost. If you stay in campus housing, a very convenient option is using your new campus ID (WisCard), which can be loaded with funds to buy food in the many campus dining halls. Students and families should plan to spend approximately $500 on dining costs during the Summer Launch program.
Neither UW–Madison’s summer orientation program (SOAR) nor placement testing are part of Summer Launch. Students register for SOAR and placement testing on their own. Please schedule your SOAR date either before or after Summer Launch so you don’t miss any class time.
No placement tests are required for ME 201.
The Office of Admissions and Recruitment requires all incoming first-year students submit their final high-school transcripts by July 15, 2026. Follow the instructions on the Admitted Freshman Checklist. (A general date of June 7 is listed there for Summer students, but July 15 is the correct deadline for Mechanical Engineering Summer Launch.) Completing this step is required by campus to keep your enrollment in this summer class.
- Contact Tracy Spraetz with any questions at mesummerlaunch@wisc.edu.
- Learn more about the UW-Madison Department of Mechanical Engineering here.
- Connect with Mechanical Engineering on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube