New Student Orientation
Program Coordinator: Amy Morris
Location: Taggart Student Center 105
Phone: (435) 797-0283
E-mail: amy.morris@usu.edu
WWW: http://www.usu.edu/soar
New Freshmen
Newly admitted first-year students must participate in a Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) session before being permitted to register for classes. SOAR is designed to assist students in making a successful transition to USU. In addition to registering for classes, students have the opportunity to receive individual advice about degree requirements, as well as vital information about student services, campus life, and athletics. New students should be aware that a registration hold is placed on their file until some form of orientation is completed. After admission to USU, students will receive information about SOAR programs.
University Deposit
All new freshmen are required to reserve their spot at USU by paying a $100 deposit. The $100 will be applied toward a student’s account. It will cover the cost of the SOAR option selected, and any remaining balance will go toward tuition and fees.
Early Registration Request
Students beginning fall semester who pay the $100 deposit and register for SOAR prior to the posted deadline will be able to submit an Early Registration Request. The earlier students submit their deposit and register for SOAR, the more likely they are to get the classes of their choice and the orientation date of their choice. Students will not be allowed to modify their schedules until they participate in SOAR.
Students who miss the posted deadline must still pay the University deposit and register for SOAR. However, they will not be able to submit an Early Registration Request.
For further information or to receive more information about SOAR, call New Student Orientation at (435) 797-0283 or (800) 606-4878, or visit the SOAR website at: http://www.usu.edu/soar
Mathematics Placement Test
Depending on their academic background and selected major, some students may be required to take a Math Placement Test. The fee for this test is $10 (covered with the $100 deposit), and students attending SOAR will be given the opportunity to take this test while attending SOAR on campus at USU. The results of this test will be used to advise new students into appropriate mathematics or statistics courses. If you are not sure if you need to take the Math Placement Exam, find out at https://www1.usu.edu/clusters/mpe/index.php?step=1.
Transfer Students
A student is considered to be a transfer student if he or she has completed at least 24 semester credits of post-high school work at another institution. This does not include concurrent enrollment or AP credits. This does include credits a student is currently taking at another institution.
Newly admitted transfer students are required to contact their academic advisor before registering for classes. Transfer students are not required to participate in SOAR, but should complete an online transfer student orientation at www.usu.edu/transfer/orientation. There is quick Transfer Orientation available to Transfer students online at www.usu.edu/transfer/orientation.
Academic Advising
Upon admission to USU, all new students are assigned to an academic advisor. During New Student Orientation, students meet their advisors, plan their class schedules, and register for classes.
Each student should consult with his or her academic advisor on a regular basis, and as needed, until the student’s program of study is completed. The advisor can help the student to select, plan, and complete a program of study which is consistent with the student’s interests, abilities, and needs, and can assist the student in selecting appropriate courses in the proper sequence to complete all requirements for graduation.
Each student is responsible for learning and completing graduation requirements for academic programs selected.
For information about the Office of University Advising, as well as details about the advising structure and contact information for each of the eight colleges, see http://catalog.usu.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=1505.
An Undergraduate Advisor List by Major is available at: http://catalog.usu.edu/content.php?catoid=6&navoid=1118.
University Connections
Program Administrator: Lisa Hancock
Location: Taggart Student Center 105
Phone: (435) 797-1125
E-mail: lisa.hancock@usu.edu
WWW: http://www.usu.edu/connections
University Connections (USU 1010 ) is an academic graded course specifically designed to ease the transition to Utah State University and prepare students for an exciting collegiate experience. This unique course focuses on developing critical college study skills, time-management techniques, and test-taking strategies. Through this course, students are connected to the University environment, including academic expectations, policies and procedures, resources, services, and physical layout. Through a common literature experience, students are provided with an introduction to the challenging academic environment of the University. Students are also introduced to extracurricular activities designed to enrich their overall educational experience. Most importantly, Connections allows students to develop a support network of classmates, faculty, and staff to help ensure a successful beginning to their academic experience.
Course Format
Connections classes have 30-32 participants per class. The traditional model (for which students earn 2 credits) includes pre-semester sessions held the week before the semester begins, and three one-hour sessions held after the semester begins. The three semester sessions are designed to provide additional support during the student’s transition to the University environment, including crucial information necessary to academic success.
Registration
Students attending SOAR will be provided with an opportunity to register for Connections during their orientation session. Registration may also be accomplished online by logging into Banner at: http://www.usu.edu/myusu/
For more information about University Connections, visit: http://www.usu.edu/connections/
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