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

  1. Submit your Admitted Student Reply and Enrollment Deposit by Wednesday, May 15th, or by the deadline determined by Admissions. Use your MyCSULB account to accept admission and submit your deposit.
  2. Check your BeachMail and personal email accounts on a regular basis for directions and announcements. See How to Check BeachMail.
  3. Reserve your SOAR date by June 1st or by the deadline determined by Admissions. 
  4. 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. 
  5. Complete the mathematics class placement by July 7th, 2024. 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. 
  6. Submit all transfer credit: 
  7. Complete the Freshman Academic Advising Survey once available. Additional information will be shared in the upcoming weeks. 
  8. 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, you can select a SOAR date ranging from July 31st-August 13th. Due to pending transfer credit (including AP, CLEP, IB test scores) and MATH ALEKS placement results, the College of Engineering opts to offer Advising & Registration later in the summer to ensure accurate course recommendations. During Advising & Registration, you will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding course placement and receive fall 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. Updated information will be available in late May.

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 7th (tentative), 2024 for the College of Engineering.

If you are required or recommended to attend Early Start Mathematics (ESM), you may be exempted from ESM requirement if you complete all 4 ALEKS Math Placement modules and score 60 or above on at least one of these assessments.

The College of Engineering is expanding its successful First-Year Community of Learners programs for Fall 2024. These programs aim to assist incoming students by providing structured academic (advising, tutoring, etc.), career, and social resources in a supportive environment. By utilizing the cohort model, students can enjoy several benefits, including developing a sense of community, fostering a collaborative learning environment, receiving more personalized attention from instructors, and having a more engaging and fulfilling learning experience.

The College of Engineering will have cohorts available for pre-major students placing in Pre-Calculus Math courses (MATH 111 and MATH 113), Calculus I (MATH 122), and major-specific cohorts for each Engineering program. The cohorts will consist of required major courses such as ENGR 101, JMATH 122, and GE courses offered in smaller class sizes. Please note that there is limited cohort availability and students may be automatically recommended for a cohort based on math placement or other criteria.

All COE Freshmen must complete the Advising Survey to report AP/IB scores, test scores, community college transfer credit, and other information that pertains to your Fall 2024 schedule. ESSC Advisors will use the self-reported information to make individual Fall 2024 course recommendations for each student. For accurate course recommendations, please complete the survey no later than: July 7th.

COE Freshmen Advising Survey: Link coming soon.

In addition to completing the COE Freshmen Advising Survey, all AP/IB exam scores and college credit(s) must be officially submitted 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: April 30th, 2024 (tentative). 

If you are an incoming student that was admitted as a Science, Math, Engineering, Environmental Science & Policy, or Nursing Pre-Major, you are eligible to switch to a COE pre-major. Please complete the COE Freshmen Major Change Request Form.

If you were not admitted as one of the Pre-Majors listed above, you are not eligible to switch to a COE Pre-Major at this time. If you have an interest in exploring majors in science and mathematics, please contact the University Center for Undergraduate Advising to switch to undeclared.

If you were admitted as a COE Pre-Major and would like to switch to another major outside of COE, please contact the advising center for your new major. If you are interested in switching to Pre-Nursing, please switch to undeclared through the University Center for Undergraduate Advising.

 

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.