SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) is a comprehensive orientation workshop to help newly admitted transfer students transition – both academically and socially – to California State University, Long Beach. All new undergraduate students are required to attend SOAR before registering for classes. Some majors or programs may also sponsor a mandatory orientation for new students. Read all CSULB mailers carefully and adhere to department/major regulations as your attendance at SOAR is a separate university requirement.
Newly admitted Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate students are neither required nor eligible to attend SOAR. Call Academic Projects at (562) 985-4546 for information regarding the Graduate Student Orientation Program.
All freshmen MUST complete any required entrance exams by Saturday, June 14 (registration deadline of Friday, May 30). The CSULB Welcome Kit Letter explains if you are required to complete the English Placement Test (EPT) and/or Entry Level Math (ELM). These entrance 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 Your admission to CSULB will be rescinded if you do not complete these exams by the deadline.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 and Evaluations Services web site to double check the required exam scores and download an exemption form.
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 8:00 a.m. (check-in outside Brotman Hall) and concludes at approximately 5:00 p.m. (various locations throughout campus). You receive a SOAR lunch and a one-day parking permit with your paid SOAR fee ($50). Here’s what to expect during the SOAR workshop:
Workshop Date and Description of Workshop
Freshmen must participate in one type of SOAR workshop: Either a one-day or a two-day workshop. One-Day Freshmen SOAR Workshops jump right into the essential components of SOAR – campus tour, academic advising, and assistance with class selection and registration. Two-Day Freshmen SOAR Workshops enable you to experience the residence halls and establish new friendships with other incoming freshmen. During the first day of this workshop, educational and social activities introduce you to college life/issues and the CSULB campus. The second day is dedicated to academic advising, class selection and assistance with the registration process.
| Date | Eligibility Information |
|---|---|
|
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 |
Open to all freshmen.
|
There is a $50 fee for the One-Day SOAR Workshop, while there is a $115 fee for the Two-Day SOAR Workshop. To guarantee your selected workshop date, you must pay at the time you sign up for your SOAR workshop. 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.
The first day to sign up for a SOAR workshop will be Monday, November 24, 2008. Sign ups will continue throughout the summer as long as there is space available in a particular workshop. Summer SOAR workshop sign ups conclude on Thursday, January 15, 2009. New students who still need to sign up for a workshop after the January 15 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. Sign up for your SOAR workshop at least three weeks prior to the date you select to receive your workshop confirmation documents.
To sign-up for SOAR beginning Monday, November 24, 2008, log into your MyCSULB account and click on the SOAR Sign-Up link in MyMenu.
Parents and/or guardians of freshmen are encouraged to attend the Parent Orientation Program (POP). The Academic Advising Center (AAC) sponsors the Parent Orientation Program (POP). Unfortunately, this program is offered during summer SOAR workshops (for Fall Admits) only.
As our Guest Attendance Policy states, the SOAR workshops are for registered student participants only. We cannot accommodate guests in workshop classrooms. For transportation needs, visit CSULB's Getting Here & Getting Home page for information on airports, trains, buses, maps, etc.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page!
