Student Orientation, Advising & Registration
S.O.A.R.
WSU Tri-Cities is dedicated to providing a supportive environment for students beginning their first year. Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) is the beginning to a program that spans over the year to foster new-student development and academic success.
In a collaboration between departments across campus, this first year program provides superior support services and programs throughout the first year that foster student engagement, persistence, completion of educational plans, and timely graduation.
Welcome new Tri-Cities Cougs! We are excited you have made the choice to join our family. As a new student, we look forward to seeing you on your Student Orientation, Advising & Registration day.
Students who have completed the Freshman Admissions Application process are required to attend a one-day First Year Student SOAR event. Graduating high school seniors who are participating in dual credit programs such as Running Start, or taking classes in high school for college credit, are required to go through the First Year Student process. There are five sessions offered during the second and fourth weeks of June, and one session during July.
Students who have completed the Transfer Admissions Application process will be required to attend a half-day SOAR event, offered during the second week of August.
SOAR information for Spring 2021 will be up soon!
Proudly sponsored by
Spring 2021 All Student Sample Agenda
Agenda
-
- 8:00-8:30 | Check-In
- 8:30-9:00 | Opening Session
- 9:05-9:50 | College Efficacy/Career Development
- 9:55-10:40 | Policies and Procedures
- 10:45-11:30 | Advising and Student Involvement
- 11:35-12:00 | Student Resources
- 12:00-1:00 | Lunch and Closing
Benefits of attending SOAR:
- Meet campus faculty and staff
- Learn about graduation and academic major requirements
- Receive Academic Advising
- Register in fall and spring classes at once
- Tour campus resources
- Learn about academic policies and procedures
- Engage with peers within your academic major interest
- Gain knowledge about how to be involved on campus
Prepare for SOAR:
- Complete your Admissions Checklist
- Complete any Placement Assessments needed for Advising & Registration
- Bring unofficial copies of college transcripts, current college class schedules, or AP scores for Advising & Registration
- Make sure your WSU email is set up
- To be informed of weather or campus updates, sign up for emergency alerts
- Come excited to receive information that will start you off successfully as a WSU Tri-Cities student
Spring 2021 Starting Students
Spring S.O.A.R. is made up of a 3-part series:
- Advising & Registration appointment
- Online Blackboard Sessions
- New Student Orientation Zoom Session on Tuesday, January 12 from 3:00-4:00PM.
Advising & Registration
Regardless if you are starting as a Freshman or a Transfer student, you can meet with an advisor as early as October.
If you have accepted your admission, you can contact Academic Advising at tricities.advising@wsu.edu or 509-372-7035 to schedule an advising appointment, or we will contact you beginning in October to connect you with an advisor.
Prepare for Your Advising Appointment
- Complete necessary Placement Assessments before your advising appointment
- Math Placement if you do not have a college level math (WSU Math 103 or higher)
- Writing Placement if you do not have college level English Composition (English 101)
- Bring unofficial transcripts to your advising appointment if you are currently in college level classes, (you are still required to send WSU final, official transcripts and AP scores)
- Register and take the Timed Write for the University Writing Portfolio (highly encouraged for transfer students
Register for the Writing Placement (required in order to register in English 101)
Register for the Timed Write (required for the University Writing Portfolio)
First Year Events
Academic Success Workshop Series
The Academic Success Series are engaging sessions and workshops that are offered throughout the year to aid you in your success. Topics range from Time and Stress Management, to How to Navigate BlackBoard.
We partner with departments across campus to promote a variety of opportunities to elevate your success while you’re here.
Week of Welcome
Week of Welcome is the first week of every semester. During this week various on campus departments, groups and student clubs and organizations host events to welcome students back to school as a way to kick off the new semester.
First Six Weeks
The First Six Weeks of classes is critical to the success and engagement of new students. The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, Academic Advising, and Student Financial and Support Services are committed to collaborating with departments on campus to provide extra programming and resources to support students at the beginning of their transition to campus.
Dead Week
Dead Week is the week before finals week. Different events and activities are held throughout the week to help students reduce stress and prepare for final exams.
FAQ
I have taken Running Start and College in the High School courses. Do I still attend SOAR for Freshmen?
Yes. Students who are graduating from high school and starting at WSU Tri-Cities the following fall semester are required to attend one of the First Year Student SOAR event days.
I have attended an orientation on another WSU campus. Am I required to attend orientation at WSU Tri-Cities?
Yes. Processes and procedures are significantly different between WSU campuses. It is important to your success that you attend SOAR so that you receive information specific to WSU Tri-Cities.
Those who applied, attended an orientation on another WSU campus but never attended classes are required to attend SOAR upon their return. Other situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
What if I live 75+ miles from campus and cannot attend SOAR in person?
No problem! If you completed the Transfer Admissions Application, advising will contact you and your appointment can be done over the phone.
If you completed the Freshman Admissions Application, you will begin your advising after the first week of SOAR. Academic Advising will contact you to schedule a phone appointment with your assigned advisor.
Will I be dropped from classes if I do not attend SOAR?
No. If you are already registered in classes, you will remain in that schedule until you take action to drop classes. For First Year Students, not attending SOAR will delay registration as that is done at SOAR.
If circumstances change, and you decide not to attend WSU Tri-Cities, you are responsible for dropping your fall and spring classes in myWSU before the first day of classes.
I am currently in a college level math at my high school or local community college. Do I still need to take the ALEKS math placement?
It is highly encouraged to go ahead and take the ALEKS math placement to secure a class schedule and begin the math sequence needed for your academic program.
Several math and science courses have math pre-requisites, and many classes are only offered during the fall or spring terms. Depending on your major, delaying enrollment in math and science courses could have negative impacts on your progression to graduation.
Feel free to email Academic Advising a copy of your current schedule and an unofficial transcript to review. We can then make the best recommendation on whether you need to take the ALEKS.
Helpful Links:
WSU Transfer Credit Search Tool (use the first red link)
I am currently in English composition. Am I still required to take the Writing Placement?
If you are taking English composition through a high school dual credit program, or at your local community college, we will not initially require you to take the Writing Placement. You will want to send all final, official college transcripts so that we can verify that you have taken and passed the appropriate course. If you took the AP exam, please request official scores from College Board to be sent to WSU.
Helpful Links:
WSU Advance Placement (AP) website
WSU Transfer Credit Search Tool (use the first red link)
What is Two-Term Enrollment?
WSU Tri-Cities is the only campus in the WSU system that enrolls students in a full years schedule. At the time of registration, you will be able to enroll for both fall and spring semesters at the same time.
The benefits of Two-Term Enrollment is you can begin planning well in advance, so to better manage your time in and out of the classroom.
Contact Us
Summer 2020 Starting Students
If you plan to start taking classes this summer and continue through fall, you are still required to attend a SOAR event. Please view the Fall 2020 Starting Students tab below to register for your SOAR Date.
Advising & Registration
Regardless if you are starting as a Freshman or a Transfer student, if you plan to take summer classes at WSU Tri-Cities, you can meet with an advisor as early as February.
If you have accepted your admission through your myWSU portal, you can contact Academic Advising at tricities.advising@wsu.edu or 509-372-7035 to schedule an advising appointment, or we will contact you beginning in February to connect you with an advisor.
Prepare for Your Advising Appointment
- Complete necessary Placement Assessments before your advising appointmen
- Math Placement if you do not have a college level math (WSU Math 103 or higher)
- Writing Placement if you do not have college level English Composition (English 101)
- Bring unofficial transcripts to your advising appointment if you are currently in college level classes, (you are still required to send WSU final, official transcripts and AP scores)
- Register and take the Timed Write for the University Writing Portfolio (highly encouraged for transfer students
Register for the Writing Placement (required in order to register in English 101)
Register for the Timed Write (required for the University Writing Portfolio)
Fall 2020 Starting Students
Registration for SOAR is closed.
If you have confirmed your admission and are in need of an advising appointment, please email tricities.advising@wsu.edu. Our advising team is glad to help you connect with your advisor.
Advising & Registration
First year students will receive full academic advising, and are able to register in classes the day of their SOAR event. Academic Advising will email you with updates and reminders leading up to your registered SOAR date.
Transfer students will be contacted by Academic Advising to schedule advising appointments. As long as you have accepted your admission to WSU Tri-Cities, Academic Advising will begin calling and emailing you in February to schedule an appointment.
Prepare for Your Advising Appointment
- Complete necessary Placement Assessments before your advising appointmen
- Math Placement if you do not have a college level math (WSU Math 105 or higher)
- Writing Placement if you do not have college level English Composition (English 101)
- Bring unofficial transcripts to your advising appointment if you are currently in college level classes, (you are still required to send WSU final, official transcripts and AP scores)
- Register and take the Timed Write for the University Writing Portfolio (highly encouraged for transfer students
Register for the Writing Placement (required in order to take English 101)
Register for the Timed Write (required for the University Writing Portfolio)
Spring 2021 Starting Students
Spring Orientation date TBD.
Orientation will begin at 8:00 A.M. and last through lunch time. Advising and registration will be available after the event.
Advising & Registration
Regardless if you are starting as a Freshman or a Transfer student, you can meet with an advisor as early as October.
If you have accepted your admission, you can contact Academic Advising at tricities.advising@wsu.edu or 509-372-7035 to schedule an advising appointment, or we will contact you beginning in October to connect you with an advisor.
Prepare for Your Advising Appointment
- Complete necessary Placement Assessments before your advising appointmen
- Math Placement if you do not have a college level math (WSU Math 103 or higher)
- Writing Placement if you do not have college level English Composition (English 101)
- Bring unofficial transcripts to your advising appointment if you are currently in college level classes, (you are still required to send WSU final, official transcripts and AP scores)
- Register and take the Timed Write for the University Writing Portfolio (highly encouraged for transfer students
Register for the Writing Placement (required in order to register in English 101)
Register for the Timed Write (required for the University Writing Portfolio)
First Year Events
Academic Success Workshop Series
The Academic Success Series are engaging sessions and workshops that are offered throughout the year to aid you in your success. Topics range from Time and Stress Management, to How to Navigate BlackBoard.
We partner with departments across campus to promote a variety of opportunities to elevate your success while you’re here.
Week of Welcome
Week of Welcome is the first week of every semester. During this week various on campus departments, groups and student clubs and organizations host events to welcome students back to school as a way to kick off the new semester.
First Six Weeks
The First Six Weeks of classes is critical to the success and engagement of new students. The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, Academic Advising, and Student Financial and Support Services are committed to collaborating with departments on campus to provide extra programming and resources to support students at the beginning of their transition to campus.
Dead Week
Dead Week is the week before finals week. Different events and activities are held throughout the week to help students reduce stress and prepare for final exams.
FAQ
I have taken Running Start and College in the High School courses. Do I still attend SOAR for Freshmen?
Yes. Students who are graduating from high school and starting at WSU Tri-Cities the following fall semester are required to attend one of the First Year Student SOAR event days.
I have attended an orientation on another WSU campus. Am I required to attend orientation at WSU Tri-Cities?
Yes. Processes and procedures are significantly different between WSU campuses. It is important to your success that you attend SOAR so that you receive information specific to WSU Tri-Cities.
Those who applied, attended an orientation on another WSU campus but never attended classes are required to attend SOAR upon their return. Other situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
What if I live 75+ miles from campus and cannot attend SOAR in person?
No problem! If you completed the Transfer Admissions Application, advising will contact you and your appointment can be done over the phone.
If you completed the Freshman Admissions Application, you will begin your advising after the first week of SOAR. Academic Advising will contact you to schedule a phone appointment with your assigned advisor.
Will I be dropped from classes if I do not attend SOAR?
No. If you are already registered in classes, you will remain in that schedule until you take action to drop classes. For First Year Students, not attending SOAR will delay registration as that is done at SOAR.
If circumstances change, and you decide not to attend WSU Tri-Cities, you are responsible for dropping your fall and spring classes in myWSU before the first day of classes.
I am currently in a college level math at my high school or local community college. Do I still need to take the ALEKS math placement?
It is highly encouraged to go ahead and take the ALEKS math placement to secure a class schedule and begin the math sequence needed for your academic program.
Several math and science courses have math pre-requisites, and many classes are only offered during the fall or spring terms. Depending on your major, delaying enrollment in math and science courses could have negative impacts on your progression to graduation.
Feel free to email Academic Advising a copy of your current schedule and an unofficial transcript to review. We can then make the best recommendation on whether you need to take the ALEKS.
Helpful Links:
WSU Transfer Credit Search Tool (use the first red link)
I am currently in English composition. Am I still required to take the Writing Placement?
If you are taking English composition through a high school dual credit program, or at your local community college, we will not initially require you to take the Writing Placement. You will want to send all final, official college transcripts so that we can verify that you have taken and passed the appropriate course. If you took the AP exam, please request official scores from College Board to be sent to WSU.
Helpful Links:
WSU Advance Placement (AP) website
WSU Transfer Credit Search Tool (use the first red link)
What is Two-Term Enrollment?
WSU Tri-Cities is the only campus in the WSU system that enrolls students in a full years schedule. At the time of registration, you will be able to enroll for both fall and spring semesters at the same time.
The benefits of Two-Term Enrollment is you can begin planning well in advance, so to better manage your time in and out of the classroom.