SOAR Information for Transfers (Spring 2013 Admits)

What to Do Before & After Attending SOAR?

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

1. Submit Admitted Student Reply and Enrollment Deposit by December 1 or within four weeks of receiving admission to CSULB. Use your MyCSULB account to accept admission and submit your deposit.
2. Reserve your space to attend a SOAR workshop. Log into your MyCSULB account and click on the SOAR Sign-Up link in MyMenu.
3. Please be advised the General Education (GE) Certification is not the same as earning an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a a California Community College - speak with your community college counselor to verify GE certification or request certification.
4. Send your final official transcripts to CSULB's Enrollment Services by January 10. This includes all college credit earned at any university and/or community college.
5. Pay fees within 30 days of registering for classes or by Wednesday, January 9 - whichever comes first. Pay via MyCSULB or visit Enrollment Services for payment options.
6. Purchase your CSULB Parking Permit online via MyCSULB - request parking and pay by E-check or credit card under the Finance section of the Student Center. You can also purchase a permit from Online Parking Services.
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 emergency occurs.
10. Welcome Back to The Beach...first day of classes is Monday, January 22.

What Happens During SOAR?

SOAR provides you an orientation to life at The Beach and introduction to CSULB academic requirements. 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 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)
   • 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) student account and obtain your CSULB ID

When Can I Attend SOAR?

Transfer students participate in a full-day workshop that jumps right into the essential components of SOAR – campus tour, academic advising, and assistance with class selection and registration. You are required to attend the entire workshop, which begins at 8 a.m. and concludes by 5 p.m.

You will be able to choose your workshop date when you make a reservation for SOAR via MyCSULB beginning Wednesday, November 14. Transfers should select a college-specific workshop based on your declared major.

A confirmation email with your assigned start time and check in location will be mailed 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.

Why does my orientation take place so late in the year?
This is a common question SOAR gets from incoming transfer students. Hosting SOAR workshops in July/August and January allows Enrollment Services to receive and process a majority of official transcripts, which then helps professional advisors place newly-admitted transfer students in appropriate department and general education classes. Additionally, most departments reserve classes for new transfer students attending SOAR in July and January - these classes aren't available to continuing students. Students who attend SOAR transfer workshops are typically able to enroll in 13-16 units during their first semester at CSULB.

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)

What Is The Cost?

There is a $62 fee for the SOAR transfer workshop.  You must pay at the time you make your SOAR workshop reservation in order to guarantee your selected workshop date. 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 a SOAR Workshop Reservation?

The first day to reserve your space for a SOAR workshop is Wednesday, November 14. 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 Tuesday, January 8 . 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 documents.

Beginning Wednesday, November 14, 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.