Advising for Incoming College of Engineering First Time, First-Year Students (Freshmen)
The Engineering Student Success Center (ESSC) would like to welcome all newly admitted students to CSULB and the College of Engineering (COE)! The following information is for incoming first-time, first-year students who are Pre-Engineering Majors.
Steps to Start Your Journey
- Submit your Admitted Student Reply and Enrollment Deposit by Thursday, May 1, 2025 or by the deadline determined by Admissions. Use your MyCSULB account to accept admission and submit your deposit.
- Check your BeachMail and personal email accounts on a regular basis for directions and announcements. See How to Check BeachMail.
- Reserve your SOAR date starting April 2nd.
- Complete the two online Canvas courses:
- Online Pre-Orientation Program: this course is required as part of your orientation requirement.
- Online Advising & Registration Course: this course is required for your advising & registration requirement.
- Complete the mathematics class placement by July 11, 2025. ALEKS Math Placement will become available on your Single Sign-On (SSO) once you submit your Intent to Enroll and Enrollment Deposit. Please see additional information regarding the ALEKS Mathematics Placement exam below.
- Submit all transfer credit:
- Submit official AP or IB scores to CSULB.
- Submit official transcripts to the university.
- Complete the Freshman Academic Advising Survey once available. Additional information will be shared in the upcoming weeks.
- Fulfill your Orientation Process and Advising & Registration Process by attending your in-person SOAR appointment.
The SOAR Experience Overview
Student Orientation, Advising, & Registration (SOAR) is a two-component comprehensive new student experience designed to support your transition to CSULB. All new first-time students are required to attend SOAR, consisting of your Orientation and Advising & Registration. The Advising & Registration component of SOAR will be hosted by the ESSC Advising Office.
As a Pre-Engineering major, Advising & Registration will be offered late July- early August. Due to pending transfer credit (including AP, CLEP, IB test scores) and MATH ALEKS placement results, the College of Engineering opts to offer later Advising & Registration dates to ensure accurate course recommendations. During Advising & Registration, you will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding course placement and receive spring course registration assistance.
We look forward to meeting you and assisting you with registration!
Please note college advising and registration websites are still being updated at this time.
COE Pre-Majors who do not qualify for Calculus 1 (MATH 122) based on AP, CLEP, IB exams or SAT/ACT scores (see Math placement criterion/link below) are required to complete ALEKS Mathematics Placement. Chemistry Placement (CHEM ALEKS) is only recommended for Pre-Chemical Engineering majors. ALEKS Math and Chemistry placement programs require multiple days to complete. We recommend starting the placement modules no later than early/mid June.
ALEKS assessments for Math and Chemistry must be completed by July 11, 2025, for the College of Engineering.
- Math Placement and Course Recommendation Guide for Incoming College of Engineering Pre-Majors
- Chemistry Placement for Incoming Freshmen (Recommended for Pre-Chemical Engineering majors only)
COE Freshmen must officially submit all AP/IB exam scores and college credit(s) to CSULB (via College Board, official community college transcripts, etc.) to receive appropriate CSULB credit.Please see theCSULB AP/IB Credit Chart for additional information on how credit will be awarded.
Be sure to complete the Pre-Orientation and COE Advising & Registration Canvas courses prior to attending SOAR. These courses contain important information that will help you prepare for SOAR Orientation and provide resources for Pre-COE majors. Courses will become available on Canvas on: May 21, 2025.
Please contact the SOAR office at (562) 985-5515 or via email soar@csulb.edu to reschedule for the next available SOAR date.
The Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC) provides support to students with disabilities through accommodations and services, including but not limited to sign language interpreters, real-time captioners, assistive technology, and alternative media.
Complete the SOAR-BMAC Disability-Related Accommodations Form to request your needed accommodations/services. If you have additional questions, please visit the BMAC website, call (562) 985-5401, or email BMAC@csulb.edu.
If you have previously accepted your offer of admission and have decided not to attend CSULB, please follow the Cancel Admission instructions.
