Orientation and Advising

See the section on Academic Information and Regulations for information on registration procedures. Detailed information on procedures and deadlines is given in the Schedule of Classes.

Undergraduate students new to the University will receive information about the Student Orientation, Advising and Registration Program (SOAR), described below. New undergraduate students register for classes at the time they participate in SOAR.

Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR)

Orientation is required of all new freshmen and transfer students. The Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) is the method in which new students meet this requirement. The program affords students an opportunity to receive initial academic advising concerning general education and major requirements, assistance with course selection, and the ability to register for classes, as well as an orientation to student services and campus resources. The workshops take place in early January for spring admits and throughout the summer months for fall admits. There is also a two-day overnight SOAR program for freshmen students admitted for fall who would like a more extensive orientation experience.

Information about the SOAR program is mailed to newly admitted students and may also be obtained by visiting the department's website (www.csulb.edu/soar). There is a fee associated with the program. Participants receive a University Catalog, Schedule of Classes, academic planner, a one-day workshop parking permit, and lunch.

Freshmen SOAR Program

Freshmen are advised and register for courses based upon their level of preparation – as evidenced by high school achievement and the results of standardized testing (SAT, ACT, EPT/ELM). The core of the first semester schedule includes written composition or speech communication and a course that meets one of the General Education requirements. Students are also required to enroll in a one-unit academic orientation course (University 100) in their first (or second) semester. Major pre-requisites, mathematics, and elective courses are then chosen to complete the schedule. Students are encouraged to construct a balanced schedule that accounts for their hours of employment, extra curricular activities and the inherent stressors they may experience in their adjustment to the post secondary educational experience.

Freshmen who attend the SOAR Program and who have not chosen to participate in another CSULB learning community are encouraged to participate in Beach Beginnings which is a learning community that offers first-year students the opportunity to take two classes with the same group of students. The goal of Beach Beginnings is to ensure that students have a successful transition to college and take appropriate classes during their first year at CSULB. Advisors assist students with the selection of their Beach Beginnings package based on their English placement level. The Beach Beginnings package includes one large lecture general education (GE) course (i.e. Criminal Justice, Geography, History, Human Development Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, etc.) paired with a smaller English Composition, Communication Studies, Critical Thinking or pre-baccalaureate review course. Beach Beginnings classes count toward general education requirements and/or pre-baccalaureate credit (if needed). Courses can sometimes also be used to meet lower-division prerequisite and/or major requirements. Students who participate in Beach Beginnings tend to have a smoother adjustment to college-level work and report feeling a stronger connection to the CSULB campus community.

Transfer SOAR Program

The primary focus of the SOAR workshops for transfer students is to enable them to ascertain what courses they must take to meet major pre-requisites; identify upper-division major and General Educational requirements and to facilitate their initial connection with faculty major advisors. There are SOAR workshops assigned to each of the university’s seven Colleges. (Information about College majors may be found on the SOAR website.) Students are highly encouraged to attend the college-specific workshop date when their faculty advisor for their major will be present. This enables students to receive advice about what major specific courses they should consider taking during their first semester at CSULB.

Parent Orientation Program (POP)

The Parent Orientation Program (POP) is designed to inform parents about baccalaureate requirements, the University library, safety, financial aid, housing, and other important University issues so they may better assist their children with success at CSULB. Sessions occur in conjunction with SOAR each summer. POP is presented by the Academic Advising Center. For more information, call (562) 985-5458.