About SOAR

SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) is a comprehensive orientation workshop to help newly admitted freshmen transition – both academically and socially – to California State University, Long Beach. All new undergraduate students are required to attend SOAR before registering for classes. Read all CSULB mailers carefully and adhere to department/major regulations as your attendance at SOAR is a separate university requirement.

Which Exams Am I Required to Complete Before Attending SOAR?

All freshmen MUST complete any required placement exams prior to attending SOAR. Your CSULB Admission Letter explains if you are required to complete the English Placement Test (EPT) and/or Entry Level Math (ELM).  These exams are used to help advisors place you into appropriate academic courses. Your admission to CSULB will be rescinded if you do not complete these exams by the deadline.

If you believe you are exempt from the EPT and/or ELM, visit the Testing, Evaluation and Assessment web site to double check the required exam scores and download an exemption form.

What to Do Before & After Attending SOAR?

The following is a list of important deadlines and responsibilities all freshmen must complete.

1. Submit Admitted Student Reply and Enrollment Deposit by May 1 or within four weeks of receiving admission to CSULB. Use your MyCSULB account to accept admission and submit your deposit.
2. Register for and complete required placement exams (English Placement Test and Entry Level Math) before attending SOAR. Visit the Testing, Evaluation and Assessment web site for details.
3. Make your reservation for and attend a SOAR workshop. Log into your MyCSULB account and click on the SOAR Sign-Up link in MyMenu.
4. Send your final official transcripts to CSULB's Enrollment Services by July 15. This includes any college credit earned at a university and/or community college.
5. Pay fees within 30 days of registering for classes or by Wednesday, August 14 - whichever comes first. Pay via MyCSULB or visit Enrollment Services for payment options.
6. Purchase your CSULB Parking Permit online via the CSULB Parking & Transportation Services web site.
7. All new students must activate a CSULB email account.
8. New students are encouraged to register for BeachSync, which is CSULB's online community where you can interact with student organizations and stay up to date on campus events.
9. Update and keep current your contact information on MyCSULB. It is important for you to update your personal telephone numbers and email accounts so that CSULB can send you notices regarding critical information and upcoming deadlines along with keeping in contact with you in the event that an on-campus emergency occurs.
10. Welcome Back to The Beach...move i into the residence halls the weekend of August 24th. The first day of classes is Monday, August 26, 2013.

What Happens During SOAR?

SOAR provides you an orientation to life at The Beach and introduction to CSULB academic requirements. It is a day-long program that begins at 8 a.m. (check-in outside Brotman Hall) and concludes at approximately 5 p.m. (various locations throughout campus). You receive a SOAR lunch and a one-day parking permit with your paid SOAR fee. Here’s what to expect during the SOAR workshop:

1. Attend a welcome session that introduces 49er traditions, highlights CSULB accomplishments, and presents new student expectations
2. Receive a SOAR Student Handbook, CSULB ID card, and CSULB gifts
3. Take a walking tour that emphasizes buildings and resources specific to your declared major
4. Learn about opportunities to become involved with academic and student clubs/organizations
5. Become familiar with student support services, programs and resources
6. Participate in an academic advising workshop that
   introduces CSULB policies, procedures, deadlines and responsibilities; presents General Education and major requirements; explains how to use the online CSULB Catalog and Schedule of Classes; provides group and one-on-one academic advisement (faculty/major advisors will be available at college-specific workshops only); and assists with selection of first semester classes
7. Learn how to use MyCSULB including how to register for classes
8. Obtain a printed copy of your class schedule
9. Activate your Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) membership.

When Can I Attend SOAR?

Workshop Date and Description of Workshop

You will be able to choose your workshop date when you make your SOAR workshop reservation via MyCSULB. Freshmen must participate in one of two different orientation & advising experiences – a Two-Day, Overnight Program (offered during the summer only) or a One-Day Workshop. Each experience provides the essential components of SOAR – campus tour, academic advising, and assistance with class selection and registration.

Want to know which college your major falls under? Click on Colleges & Majors to see a listing of all undergraduate majors.

College Abbreviations
CBA: College of Business
CHHS: College of Health & Human Services
CLA: College of Liberal Arts
CNSM: College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
COE: College of Engineering
COTA: College of the Arts
Liberal Studies: College of Education (elementary education)

A confirmation email with your assigned start time and check in location will be sent to you prior to your scheduled workshop. Contact SOAR if you do not receive a confirmation email or have any concerns - call (562) 985-5515.

 

Summer 2013:
SOAR Freshman Workshops

Freshman Workshop Summer 2013 Schedule

Date	Eligibility Information
Monday, June 17	All Freshmen
Tuesday, June 18	All Freshmen
Wednesday, June 19	All Freshmen
Thursday, June 20	All Freshmen
Friday, June 21	All Freshmen
Monday, June 24	All Freshmen
Tuesday, June 25	President's Scholars and All Freshmen
Wednesday, June 26	All Freshmen
Thursday, June 27	All Freshmen
Friday, June 28	All Freshmen
Wednesday, July 31	All Freshmen
Thursday, August 1	All Freshmen
Friday, August 2	All Freshmen

Summer 2013:
SOAR Two-Day, Overnight Program

Date: Thursday, July 18 and Friday, July 19

Eligibility Information: Open to all Freshmen

Parent Orientation Program

What Is The Cost?

There is a separate fee for each of the freshman orientation programs - $62 for the One-Day Workshop or $130 for the Two-Day, Overnight Program (which is offered during the summer only).  To guarantee your selected workshop date, you must pay at the time you make SOAR workshop reservation.  Acceptable online forms of payment are e-check (no convenience fee) and credit card (MasterCard, Discover, or American Express with a 2.9% convenience fee - Visa is NOT accepted). 

The SOAR fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. There is no fee waiver for this program.

How Do I Make My SOAR Workshop Reservation?

The first day to reserve your space for a SOAR workshop is Monday, April 8. Reservations will continue to be accepted for a particular workshops as long as there is space available. The deadline to reserve your space for a SOAR workshop is Wednesday, July 17. New students who still need to make a workshop reservation after the deadline should contact SOAR for assistance. Call 562-985-5515 or e-mail soar@csulb.edu.

Submit your Admitted Student Reply and required CSULB Enrollment Deposit prior to signing up for SOAR. Please note that the CSULB Enrollment Deposit is separate from the SOAR fee.

Space is limited per workshop date and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Make your SOAR workshop reservation at least three weeks prior to the date you select to receive your workshop confirmation email and one-day parking permit.

Beginning Monday, April 8, you can make your reservation by logging into your MyCSULB account and clicking on the Student Center link located in the upper left-hand corner. At the bottom of the new page you'll find the SOAR link.