<p>I will be transferring to Cal Poly this fall as a junior(engineering major). I’m in my mid-twenties coming from a JC in the Bay Area. I’m curious if either SOAR or WOW would be beneficial to me. Both programs aren’t cheap with additional costs for SOAR(due to lodging).</p>
<p>Any older students or recent attendees have any insight on this?</p>
<p>I come from the bay area also, but I am in my late twenties, XD. I will attend SOAR since I think it’s helpful.</p>
<p>Hey! I’m from the East Bay! I live in SLO now and SOAR is highly encouraged as you will register for classes during it. WOW is optional and if you aren’t into the socialization aspect as much, it’s not required. WOW is more for meeting people, your dept., etc. SOAR is much more important and that is coming up so I would register ASAP. I am doing SOAR and not WOW but we are encouraged to do both ,obviously. Add me on Redirecting... and join the transfer group! I’ll send you the link once you add me</p>
<p>“SOAR is highly encouraged as you will register for classes during it”
NOT true. Registration will not be available for a few weeks. Students are given information on the registration process, however they do not register.
Soar is a non stop flow of information primarily aimed at incoming incoming freshmen. Some information is useful to all, some not so much. The SOAR Team did a very good job of making an awfule lot of information available, not every bit of information will be useful to every incoming student (or their paarent). The information about paying for registration (possibly housing and dining) applies to every one. If a student misses the cut off date they will be dropped from all classes. FERPA restrictions apply to every student. Some of that is pretty important information.</p>
<p>slolearner-</p>
<p>It’s actually true that transfer students will be signing up for classes during the transfer SOAR dates (August 13th and 14th). I don’t know when registration is for freshmen, but for transfers registration starts August 13th at 2pm. Here is the link that confirms that.</p>
<p>[Registration</a> Rotation Schedule Fall 2012 New Students - Office of the Registrar - Cal Poly](<a href=“http://registrar.calpoly.edu/content/registration-rotation-schedule-fall-2012-new-students]Registration”>http://registrar.calpoly.edu/content/registration-rotation-schedule-fall-2012-new-students)</p>
<p>I also called the admissions office a few days ago and they confirmed that transfer student will be registering for classes during SOAR and that there will be academic advisors to show us how to do it.</p>
<p>Much of WOW will be oriented towards the incoming freshman. However, it is a great intro to the campus and the city and you will make friends. I would call the WOW team and ask point blank if a transfer would benefit. They might even have special activities for transfers and put you in a group of folks your age. For my son WOW was a game changer and set the tone for his entire year. Here is all the info you need the tel # is at the bottom.
[WOW</a> - Student Life & Leadership - Cal Poly](<a href=“http://studentlife.calpoly.edu/orientation/wow/home/index.asp]WOW”>http://studentlife.calpoly.edu/orientation/wow/home/index.asp)</p>
<p>^Thanks Kona for backing me up on that one…for transfers SOAR is when we register which is why it is so encouraged that we attend. I almost second guessed myself when I read SLOlearner’s post! Glad you confirmed what I was told during the preview days by staff. Also nice to see the schedule up, finally! I’m taking my final early at Poly (through continuing ed/open university I’ve been taking classes here since Winter quarter concurrently with Cuesta) so I can attend SOAR which my final would have conflicted with. Can’t wait to start meeting people. If you guys haven’t already joined the Facebook transfer group I highly encourage it! add me and i’ll send you the link… Redirecting...</p>
<p>Osaka dad is right…most students I’ve talked to that have attended WOW and SOAR say WOW is much more social interaction that they were glad that participated in.</p>
<p>My mistake, sorry. I failed to note that Transfer SOAR takes place after registration opens. Lots of shotgun information, some useful whether transfer or first time fresmen. I have to admit it was a bit of information overload. Not much social interaction, probably much more at WOW. As well done as a big information dump could be expected.</p>
<p>^ No prob. I totally understand the information overload! I’m on campus most days lately as midterms and finals approach this quarter and witnessing all of the incoming freshmen walk around campus in their SOAR groups. Definitely lots of info for freshmen and transfers…they seem to have it pretty well organized though from what I can tell.</p>
<p>I’m just ready to start meeting people since most people I know either graduated Poly last year or transferred elsewhere from Cuesta…most Cuesta students do not end up staying and getting into Poly and eventually move away. There are a few who stick it out and get in/decide to stay, like in my case. I just love it here and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.</p>
<p>Poly is just a great community and although Im not living on campus, I plan to spend long hours there in the library, clubs, etc. Getting involved really helps socially and academically. Nothing you all probably didn’t know. :)</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for all your helpful responses. I will register for SOAR today.</p>