Missouri State University SOAR Brochure 2012

soar

Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

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Read this booklet carefully. d It contains everything you nee to know about SOAR, including how to register and prepare for your session.

Detailed information also is

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www.missouristate.edu/soar/.

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Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

TULATIONS

on your admission and

WELCOME TO MISSOURI STATE!

You’re about to experience exciting new challenges, adventures and opportunities as a college student. At the same time, you might be anxious about choosing classes, making new friends and adjusting to university life.

Don’t worry — we’re here to help. The Student Orientation, Advisement & Registration (SOAR) program is designed to guide you through the transition of becoming a new Missouri State student and get you started on the right foot. At SOAR, you’ll meet with an advisor, register for classes, speak with current and new students, and learn more about Missouri State’s many opportunities and services.

All first-time freshmen are required to attend SOAR because research shows that students who participate in an orientation program are more successful during their first year of college. We want to give you every opportunity to succeed.

We’re looking forward to meeting you this summer. We can’t wait to help you follow your passion and find your place at Missouri State! www.missouristate.edu/soar

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WHAT WILL YOU DO AT SOAR? Speak with an academic advisor

Get a taste of campus life, programs and services

Register for your first semester of classes

Make friends and meet other students, faculty and staff

Take necessary placement exams

Get your BearPass Card (Missouri State student ID card), text books and parking permit Get answers to your questions about college life

Have fun!

tive View a tenta events schedule notfand family

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Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

SOAR SESSION DATES SOAR session dates are offered to students based on their admission date and student type; the session dates listed on this page will not be available to all students. Only those dates which are currently open and available to you will appear on the online SOAR reservation system.

Each session spans a day and a half. The first day of the program begins with check-in at 9 a.m. and ends around 7:30 p.m. While optional,

we encourage you to join us for evening social activities after 7:30 p.m. on the first day. The second day begins at 8 a.m. and ends with class registration. While the time it takes students to complete registration varies, you should expect to finish around 1 p.m.

Students admitted to the Honors College Monday, June 11 – Tuesday, June 12 Wednesday, June 13 – Thursday, June 14

Intercollegiate student athletes Monday, June 18 – Tuesday, June 19

Students are required to attend the ENTIRE SOAR session in order to register for classes. Please ensure you do not have any scheduling conflicts such as work, vacation or other prior commitments before selecting a session date. DO NOT make travel or lodging arrangements until you have received confirmation of your reservation via email.

Students admitted on or after February 1, 2012 Thursday, July 5 – Friday, July 6 Monday, July 9 – Tuesday, July 10 Wednesday, July 11 – Thursday, July 12 Monday, July 16 – Tuesday, July 17 Wednesday, July 18 – Thursday, July 19 Monday, July 23 – Tuesday, July 24 Wednesday, July 25 – Thursday, July 26

Students admitted before February 1, 2012 Wednesday, June 13 – Thursday, June 14 Monday, June 18 – Tuesday, June 19 Wednesday, June 20 – Thursday, June 21 Monday, June 25 – Tuesday, June 26 Wednesday, June 27 – Thursday, June 28 Monday, July 2 – Wednesday, July 3 www.missouristate.edu/soar

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REGISTER FOR YOUR SOAR SESSION! Registration for SOAR will open on April 2, 2012. Make your SOAR reservation as soon as possible, as some sessions fill quickly. Follow the steps listed below to reserve your space. you haven’t already done so, 1 Ifcreate your BearPass Login and password at www.missouristate.edu/ getaccount. Make note of your BearPass Login and password, as you will use them to register for classes at SOAR. Please note that you will not be able to immediately register for a session; allow one to two business days for the SOAR reservation system to recognize your newly created account. in to your My Missouri State 2 Log portal at my.missouristate.edu. On the Academics tab, select the “Register for a SOAR Session” link in the New Student channel. the reservation system’s 3 Follow on-screen directions. Proceed through the system until the screen displays a green “COMPLETE” message under the My Reservations section of the left navigation bar. Space in a session is not held for you unless you fully submit your reservation. your Missouri State email 4 Check account for a confirmation email, which contains important information about preparing for your SOAR session. Feel free to make travel and accommodation plans after you receive this email.

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Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

Updating your registration If you need to update your reservation details, log in to the SOAR reservation system using the methods previously mentioned, make the appropriate changes, and confirm your changes by selecting the “Submit” button on the My Reservation screen. It is important to ensure the following information is accurate: Your session date Your major On-campus accommodation information Family member attendance information Changes to your reservation must be made at least five business days prior to your SOAR session. If you are having difficulties making these changes online, please call the SOAR office at 417-836-7641 or toll-free at 888-352-7641 for assistance.

Are you a visual learner?

Visit www. missouristate .edu/ soar/register. htm to watch a vid eo of the SOAR reg istration process.

n and SOAR is your first step toward following your passio finding your place at Missouri State University. www.missouristate.edu/soar

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SOAR FEES Student Orientation Program Fee: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100 (includes materials, administrative costs, lunch and dinner on first day of program) Family Orientation Program Fee (per family member): . . . . . . . . . . . $30 (includes materials, administrative costs and dinner on first day of program) Overnight Accommodation Fee (per person, per night): . . . . . . . . . . $23

All fees are applied to your student account upon check-in at SOAR. Fees can be paid any time after the completion of your SOAR session at the Bursar’s Office on campus or through your My Missouri State portal online; they cannot be paid at the time of registration or prior to attending SOAR. All fees are nonrefundable after checking into the program.

Missouri State accepts cash, check or credit card (MasterCard, Discover or American Express).

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Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

PARENT AND FAMILY PROGRAMS Students aren’t the only ones making an adjustment to college life — family members transition, too! Our family orientation program is designed to help you understand your changing role and support your student through his or her own transition. You will learn about University services and activities, meet other families and members of the Missouri State community, and have your questions answered by our faculty, staff and students.

Family attendance is optional, but we encourage you to attend. Students will make reservations for their family members during their SOAR registration process. The family orientation program runs alongside, but separately from, the student program. As a family member, you will attend some portions of the program with your student, but will spend most of your time in sessions designed to meet your specific needs.

How can I help my student with his or her transition to Missouri State?

Parents and family members can do a great deal to help students transition. We recommend the following. your student take the lead 1 Let in registering for a SOAR session and completing checklist items in preparing for SOAR. This encourages personal responsibility, a trait highly beneficial for new college students to possess. your student to make 2 Encourage decisions and take an active role at SOAR. Doing so will help your student build confidence in his/her decision-making skills. your student attends 3 Ensure all SOAR activities. Each activity is designed to contribute to a student’s academic, social or personal success at college. your student’s 4 Support relationship with his/her academic advisor. Academic advisors play an important role in students’ success.

This relationship is so essential that we begin the advising process at SOAR. To foster this bond, family members are not permitted to attend students’ advising and registration sessions. However, you will have opportunities to receive information from your student’s advisor and share your thoughts with your student prior to registration.

www.missouristate.edu/soar

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PLACEMENT AND WAIVER EXAMS Math placement exam Placement in mathematics courses at Missouri State can be determined by your ACT math or SAT quantitative subscore OR your performance on our mathematics placement exam. You should take the math placement exam if you have scored an ACT math score of 22 or lower or an SAT quantitative score of 520 or lower. You should also take the exam if you are unsatisfied with your ACT or SAT math course placement, unsure of your skills in math, or interested in majors which will require high levels of math, such as science or health fields.

The mathematics placement exam will be offered on the morning of the first day of your session. Please be present at the Plaster Student Union lobby at 8:15 a.m., and a SOAR leader will escort you to the exam site.

Visit www.missouristate.edu/soar/examinfo. htm for detailed information regarding the math placement exam.

Foreign language placement Placement in French, German or Spanish courses is determined by an online placement exam you should take before your arrival at SOAR. The exam is optional, as foreign languages are not required for all majors or degrees at Missouri State. However, you should take the placement exam if you have had two or more years of high-school language classes or you are anticipating selecting a degree or major which requires foreign language credit for graduation.

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Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

The foreign language placement exam can only be taken once. If you place into a 102-level class or higher, you can receive credit for the classes you placed out of if you complete that class with at least a B and apply to the department to receive credit (credit is not automatically granted). Please visit www.missouristate.edu/soar/examinfo.htm for detailed information regarding the foreign language placement exam and a link to the exam.

For advanced credit in languages other than French, German or Spanish, contact the modern and classical languages department head.

Computers for Learning waiver exam The CIS/CSC 101 (Computers for Learning) Waiver Exam is offered to students who feel they meet the minimum computer literacy requirements for Missouri State University. Students who score 80% or better on the exam will be exempt from the general education requirement of CIS/CSC 101, but will not receive any credit hours from the exemption. The waiver exam is offered following each SOAR session, but advance registration is required. You are allowed up to two hours to complete the exam, and should plan accordingly. We strongly encourage you to review the practice exams offered before attending SOAR; students who do so are much more likely to pass.

Please visit www.missouristate.edu/soar/ examinfo.htm to see more information and register for an exam date.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS On-campus housing

Early arrival

Student and family members attending SOAR are welcome to stay overnight in Blair-Shannon House, a residence hall on campus. The cost is $23 per person per night. Accommodation reservations for students and family members can be made during the online SOAR registration process.

If you would like to stay on campus the evening before your SOAR session, you may check in at Blair-Shannon House beginning at 5 p.m. Front desk staff will be present 24 hours to assist with late night check-ins and other needs.

Towels, soap and linens are provided. Students and family members should bring toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.). Keep in mind that rooms are designed for student life; therefore, accommodations will not have the same amenities as a hotel room.

Off-campus accommodations Should you or your family members decide to stay off-campus, we encourage you to visit the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.springfieldmo.org/places-to-stay or call 800-678-8767 to request a list of area hotels. Unfortunately, we cannot make recommendations concerning Springfield hotels.

Studen t family m s and embers will sta y on se

p floors o f Blair- arate S h an and sh are a s non uite with ot her SO AR particip ants.

Blair-Shannon House

www.missouristate.edu/soar

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LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES Find your passion by joining one of our Living-Learning Communities (LLCs). Each community, spanning its own residence hall floor, provides its residents unique opportunities to live with other students who have similar interest or majors.

LLCs provide their students with numerous benefits, such as increased interaction with faculty through our Faculty Fellow program, participation in our LLC Rewards program, early move-in and additional staffing on their residence hall floor. These staff members are committed to providing residents with a unique experience that will assist in transitioning from high school to college.

We have five distinct communities for incoming first-year students.

Future Health Care 1 The Professional LLC may be of interest to you if you are considering becoming a health care professional. you want to be the next engineer or 2 Ifphysicist to develop state-of-the-art technology, check out our Physical Science, Math and Engineering LLC. you a fitness buff or an outdoor 3 Are enthusiast? The Fit and Well LLC might be right for you.

First-Year Experience LLC 4 Our is perfect for those looking to have the common first-year college student experience. settled on a particular major or 5 Haven’t career path yet? The Deciding Student LLC will help you explore possible careers.

Visit www.reslife.missouristate.edu/LLCmain. htm to learn more and join one of our livinglearning communities.

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Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

CURRICULAR LEARNING COMMUNITIES A Curricular Learning Community (CLC) is a small group of students who are enrolled in at least two general education courses together.

Each CLC is connected by a common theme, has integrated assignments and often includes co-curricular activities. CLCs provide students an opportunity to connect with other first-year students, build friendships, form study groups, and work with faculty members dedicated to students’ success.

Several CLC options are available this fall, but most include GEP 101, First-Year Foundations, and COM 115, Public Speaking. Visit www. missouristate.edu/learningcommunities to view more information about CLCs, including a list of themes. You will have the opportunity to register for a CLC during your SOAR session.

CLCs provide unique learning experiences, like this tour of Askinosie Chocolate, a local chocolate manufacturer that encourages community service and exposure to different cultures.

www.missouristate.edu/soar

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PREPARING FOR YOUR SOAR SESSION Visit www.missouristate.edu/soar/checklist. htm for a full checklist of tasks to complete in preparation for your SOAR session.

To do before SOAR Create your BearPass Login and password at www.missouristate.edu/ getaccount. Make note of your BearPass Login and password, as you will need them to register for classes at SOAR. Family members, please allow students to create their own BearPass Login to ensure it is memorable to him/her.

Register for a SOAR session using your My Missouri State portal.

Complete an Application for Housing with residence life and services online at www.missouristate.edu/ reslife. Your application or an exception to the University housing policy must be processed before you will be allowed to register for classes at SOAR.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Doing so allows you to be considered for financial aid programs.

Submit necessary transcripts to the office of admissions. These transcripts may include final high school transcripts or transcripts from other institutions noting any college credit you have earned while in high school.

Consider whether you need to take the placement and waiver exams mentioned above and prepare accordingly. Visit www. missouristate.edu/soar/examinfo.htm for more information.

Update your SOAR session reservation if any aspect of your reservation (such as your major or number of guests attending) changes prior to attending. Please make changes at least five business days before your scheduled session date.

Your SOAR leaders are excited to welcome you to campus.

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Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

Participation in SOAR will give you a jumpstart to meeti ng new friends and learning more about your Missouri State University.

Consider bringing the following items to your SOAR session: Recent college transcripts, if you believe our office of admissions has not received them. These unofficial transcripts will be used to help your advisor in recommending first-semester courses.

Driver’s License or other photo ID. Photo identification will be needed to obtain your BearPass Card (your Missouri State student ID card).

Your vehicle’s description and license plate number, if you wish to purchase a parking permit.

Casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes.

A light jacket or sweater for airconditioned residence hall and meeting rooms.

Appropriate clothing if you wish to play sports, exercise or swim during evening activities in Foster Recreation Center.

An umbrella or rain jacket.

Writing utensils.

Toiletries and an alarm clock if you will be staying in on-campus accommodations. Towels, linens and soap are provided. www.missouristate.edu/soar

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ARRIVING AT SOAR Parking

Check in for SOAR

Parking for SOAR is available in Lot 9 on Harrison Street.

This lot is identified on the campus map located on the opposite page. SOAR leaders will greet you at the entrance of Lot 9 on the morning of your session and direct you to check-in.

Please ensure that you park in Lot 9. You will be ticketed for parking in any other reserved, metered or visitor parking (including the Visitor Parking Lot on National Ave., and Monroe St.).

Check in to the SOAR program will occur from 9-10 a.m. in the Plaster Student Union, which is identified on the campus map located on the opposite page.

Please visit www.missouristate.edu/soar/ directions.htm to print a parking pass for your SOAR session and view driving directions to campus.

If you will be taking the math placement exam, please be present at the Plaster Student Union lobby at 8:15 a.m. Once the exam is completed, a SOAR leader will assist you in checking in to the SOAR program.

If you plan to stay overnight on campus, please check in at Blair-Shannon House prior to checking in to the SOAR program. Blair-Shannon House is identified on the campus map located on the opposite page.

Plaster Student Union

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Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

www.missouristate.edu/soar

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ORIENTATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS Non-traditional students may take part in alternative orientation and registration opportunities instead of SOAR. Non-traditional students are defined as students who: Are 22 years of age or older Are married and/or have children

To take advantage of these alternative services, please contact the office of adult student services at 417-836-6929 or toll free at 877678-2005.

Have not been in school for an extended period of time Are taking evening courses

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES We are happy to help arrange necessary accommodations for students with physical or learning disabilities. Please call the SOAR office at 417-836-7641 or 888-352-6781 as soon as possible, but no later than five business days in advance of your SOAR session.

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Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration

HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION SOAR Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-352-6781 www.missouristate.edu/SOAR 417-836-7641 Financial Aid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-283-4243 www.missouristate.edu/financialaid 417-836-5262 Residence Life and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-284-7535 www.missouristate.edu/reslife 417-836-5536 Dean of Students. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417-836-5527 www.missouristate.edu/dos Taylor Health and Wellness Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417-836-4000 health.missouristate.edu Financial Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417-836-5632 www.missouristate.edu/financialservices Dining Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417-836-5660 www.missouristate.edu/dining Disability Resource Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417-836-4192 www.missouristate.edu/disability Honors College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417-836-6370 www.missouristate.edu/honors Blair-Shannon House Front Desk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417-836-5196 Admissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-492-7900 www.missouristate.edu/admissions 417-836-5517

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issions Office of Adm University Missouri State Ave. 901 S. National O 65897 Springfield, M

www.missouristate.edu/soar

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Find SOAR on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MissouriStateSOAR Blogs Twitter facebook iTunesU YouTube News Blogs Twitter or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MoStateSOAR.

Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65897