<p>Just a heads up, the SOAR cost to sign up is $100 (for a transfer student) and the WOW cost is $150. I had no idea these orientation programs cost anything. Just passing the info along.</p>
<p>are those mandatory?</p>
<p>Yes, from what I read. It’s to pay for all the arrangements they have to do for both orientation programs. The cost might be slightly less (or more) for freshmen admits, but transfers should expect to pay what I paid for both.</p>
<p>So if my son attended Open House and did the whole tour thing, is it really necessary to attend SOAR AND WOW? We were only planning on attending WOW since based upon reading about both, there seemed to be a lot of duplication from Open House for Admitted Students.</p>
<p>Also, do most students move in on the first day (Sept. 17th) and are there dining services already on campus? I’m just curious what exactly they do that entire week before classes actually start.</p>
<p>From what I heard, Open House is more for fun and putting the University on display, while SOAR is more about handling business. In fact, my SOAR email confirming my attendance said that I should bring transcripts and a laptop so my counselor can plan my courses, as well as a photo ID for my student ID, and other things of that nature. </p>
<p>I’m assuming WOW is more fun-oriented as well. If I had to choose 1, I’d probably go to SOAR. Seems like the more important orientation program.</p>
<p>Both are useful and well worth the costs. SOAR focuses on resources and academic success. It educates parents and students on the what to expect in the transition from high school to college. From living at home to the independence of college life. What to expect and what to anticipate, scholastically and socially. </p>
<p>WOW is focused more on immediately submerging the freshman in social activities and new friendships. The students are broken up into groups who spend the entire weekend of welcome together. They have the opportunity to go to the beach, kayaking, hiking hanging around in downtown SLO, etc.</p>
<p>Both are great programs for new students.</p>
<p>SOAR and WOW are not mandatory. </p>
<p>@anyhope - The dining plan kicks in with the dinner meal on the first day (Sept. 17). Those who move in on Sept. 17 and are not participating in WOW buy their books, wander around campus and the community, meet other students not participating in WOW (or students taking a break from WOW).</p>
<p>Sorry, they aren’t mandatory to go to. I meant they’re mandatory to pay for.</p>
<p>@en3mes: We attended SOAR with our daughter in 2010. It was very informative for both parents and students. However, of the two events, my daughter and MOST of the students will agree that WOW is THE program to attend if given a choice between the two. Week of Welcome (WOW) is just that; a wonderful ice-breaker, helping students transition to college life and meeting their fellow dorm mates, as well as getting to know their way around SLO and participating in fun activities, some of them at nearby beaches and hiking areas. Yes, there is business to attend to, as well. But, the majority of WOW is spent on fun and meeting others. </p>
<p>SOAR is fine, but WOW is just that: WOW!!</p>
<p>2Leashes,</p>
<p>Thank you for the information. Luckily, I’m signed up for both programs, so I’ll see what both are about lol.</p>
<p>So no orientations are mandatory?</p>
<p>Nope, none are mandatory. And if you do go to them, you don’t have to attend all the sessions or activities either, although it’s usually good to.</p>
<p>Saw today that for SOAR, freshman will have the option to stay overnight in campus housing. Does anybody know if this option is available for the transfer SOAR?</p>
<p>@EVILteddie: Yes, I believe the option to stay on campus during SOAR is available to transfers as well. I’m going to be working with housing as part of SOAR and stuff over the summer, so I should get more information soon. But if you have any other questions about that sort of stuff now, I can do my best to answer them :)</p>
<p>Last year my son stayed in Poly Canyon Village for SOAR thinking he might meet a few soon to be classmates. Not so. He was placed in a four bedroom apartment with a fifty something alumni for a roommate. It seems there was some sort of alumni gathering that week. Not the experience he was expecting. Housing makes no effort to provide any semblance of the ‘dorm life’ at SOAR.</p>
<p>slolearner: It’s shocking that Cal Poly’s housing office would do that to an incoming freshman for SOAR. I will be calling tomorrow to see if that’s an out of the ordinary occurrence. If not, I’m sure our son would prefer staying at our hotel rather than with an unrelated middle aged stranger.</p>
<p>Since its two days for soar, where are we supposed to stay at night? they gonna provide rooms or we have to go stay in hotel?</p>
<p>And what about parents</p>
<p>I was shocked too. By the time we realized what was happening it was over with. The school makes such a fuss about letting the students do it them selves, I did not find out until the next morning. I only mention it here to alert other parents and soon to be freshmen that housing/dorm life is not part of SOAR. I imagine the alum was as rattled as my son. How would you like to be sharing a dorm room with a high school boy? They never spoke.</p>