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SOAR - Frequently Asked Questions

How and when do I register for SOAR?

Admitted freshmen will receive a packet with information regarding SOAR in early June. The packet will include instructions to register for a SOAR date and a Block Schedule. Students will use the WOU Portal to rank their preferences for a SOAR date and a Block Schedule.

Do students or parents pay a registration fee to attend SOAR?

Admitted freshmen and their three guests do not pay a registration fee to attend SOAR.

What is Block Scheduling?

WOU provides the opportunity for freshmen to register for a Block Schedule their first term. Block Schedules guarantee freshmen a full-time class schedule and provide the first step toward fulfilling general education requirements. Most Block Schedules are designed to meet general education requirements; however there are some Blocks that are designed for specific majors. Students will access a list of Block Schedule options using the WOU Portal.

Students will have the opportunity to make changes to their Block Schedule during advising and registration at SOAR.

Note: Students admitted to the university under special circumstances, including Special Admissions, will be limited in their Block Schedule options.

Is Block Scheduling required?

Freshmen are not required to register for a Block Schedule. Students who do not register for a Block Schedule will use the Open Section List at SOAR to register for fall term courses. Students who do not register for a Block Schedule run the risk of facing a limited selection of courses at SOAR.

Do parents attend academic advising and registration with their student?

Students and parents are intentionally separated during advising and registration SOAR.

Faculty, academic advisors, registration facilitators and orientation leaders will provide the necessary support for students as they participate in advising and registration.

Parents are encouraged to review the Block Schedule information with their student and contact the Academic Advising Office prior to SOAR if they have questions.

Will WOU offer overnight accommodations for SOAR participants?

The Office of University Residences offers overnight accommodations for SOAR participants at a rate of $25.00 per person. For more information, please contact the Office of University Residences at 503-838-8311. A list off-campus lodging options can be found at www.wou.edu/lodging.

Placement tests during SOAR?

Placement for Math Courses

Students who wish to register for a math course Fall Term 2009 can use their SAT or ACT math score for placement purposes. If a student wishes to register for a math course at a higher level than their SAT or ACT score indicates, they will be required to take the math placement test at SOAR.

The Mathematics Department uses COMPASS®, which is a computerized, multiple choice exam, as a tool to place students into the appropriate math course. For a student’s convenience, the exam includes an online non-graphing calculator. Students may use that calculator (or their own non-graphing calculator) and pencil and paper during the exam, but no other materials. The exam has questions of increasing difficulty; problems are randomly selected and the difficulty of the problems increases as you answer the problems correctly.

You can find detailed information about math placement, including recommended placement using SAT or ACT scores, at www.wou.edu/las/natsci_math/math/placement.html.

Placement for German and Spanish Courses

Studying a language as a freshman is strongly encouraged due to the fact that two years of college-level foreign language is required for designated majors as well as the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. One key to success in a language is to enroll in the class that matches your skill level. If you are new to the language, for example Spanish, enroll in Spanish 101. If you averaged a grade of “B” or better in two years of high school language, you may be able to enroll in the second-year series beginning with 201. Similarly, if you averaged a “B” or better in four years of a high school language you may already have met the language requirement for the major and the Bachelor of Arts Degree.

To help determine your entry level for German and Spanish courses prior to SOAR, we suggest that you take the on-line placement test at http://www.wou.edu/germanweb (for German) or http://www.wou.edu/las/humanities/spanish/index.php (for Spanish). Students will have the opportunity to add a language course to their course schedule during SOAR.

Placement for American Sign Language Courses

Students who are new to American Sign Language should register for ASL 101. If you have prior experience with ASL and wish to enroll in a higher level course for fall term, please indicate Friday, June 26 and Saturday, July 11 as your preferred SOAR dates. Faculty will be available in the ASL/Special Education advising room on these specific dates to determine placement for ASL courses.

Placement for Writing Courses

A number of Block Schedule options with College Writing I (WR 115) or College Writing II (WR 135) are available for freshmen. To help improve their writing skills, students with an SAT Writing or Critical Reading score of 450 or lower are advised to register for a Block Schedule with WR 115. Students with an SAT Writing or Critical Reading score above 450 are advised to register for a Block Schedule with WR 135.

Students with an ACT Writing score of 17 or lower are also advised to register for a Block Schedule with WR 115. Students with an ACT Writing score above 17 are advised to register for a Block Schedule with WR 135.

Contact

The Office of Admissions toll-free at 1-877-877-1593 | or e-mail: wolfgram@wou.edu
Location: APSC room 408