Sign-up for SOAR

There will be a SOAR tab in CatPAWS. Click the tab and answer the questions.

Sign-up for SOAR

There are 8 days in June to choose from. One day is designated for Music majors and minors to attend, but other students may attend this day as well.  Music majors and minors attend on the same day so they can complete piano and theory testing.

The days do fill up but if you register online, you will know immediately which day you are scheduled for. If you send in the reply card, be sure to include a second and third choice of dates, in case your first choice fills up. The sooner you sign up, the more likely you are to get your first choice.

After you register, you will receive a confirmation packet within a few weeks. This includes details about your SOAR date, a campus map, payment policies, and other important information. Please read it carefully so you don't miss any information.

Check-in for SOAR is at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts between 8 and 9 a.m. and the program begins at 9 a.m.  It is not necessary to arrive before 8 a.m. The day usually ends around 3 p.m. unless you are doing placement testing.  

You can look forward to hearing from faculty, staff, and current students that will give you advise about transitioning to college life.  We try to give you all the information incoming students need, while keeping it fun. Students and families will be together the first part of the day, then we break off into sessions specific to each of you. In the afternoon, students will have advising with their SOAR leader and faculty advisor. Look for more detailed information in your SOAR invitation.

You will receive your schedule at SOAR during Advisement. During May our team works hard to develop a schedule that’s tailor-made for each freshman. This is done using a variety of information:

• Your major
• Optimal Course Schedules – which are recommendations from faculty and department heads
• Your ACT or SAT scores
• Your academic profile
• Any previous college credit
• Former student’s successful schedules
•  Your interests
• And other pertinent information such as high school coursework, whether you are an athlete, whether you received a music scholarship, etc.
• When you receive your schedule, you can make adjustments to all or part of it with your SOAR Leader and an advisor. We will create your schedules primarily based on when you register for SOAR. The first students to register will be placed into classes first. It does not matter which SOAR date you choose – just sign up early!

Although SOAR is highly recommended and students gain a huge advantage by attending, we do recognize that sometimes schedules just don’t work out. If you absolutely cannot attend, sign up for SOAR and mark the unable to attend option. This way we still know you are planning to attend Northwest and we can schedule your classes. We will then mail your schedule to you in July.

At SOAR, you will be placed into groups with other students based on similar majors and interests. SOAR leaders are current Northwest students who know the ins and outs of Northwest life. Your SOAR leader will guide you through the day’s activities and help you become acquainted with Northwest through a student’s perspective.

You should bring a picture ID that you will need to show when you take your picture for your Bearcat card.

Other than that, just bring an open mind and a good attitude.

• English: If your English subscore is a 1-18, you will be placed in English 10-110 Introduction to College Writing. This course will prepare you for college level writing courses such as English 10-111 and 10-112, which all students are required to take as a graduation requirement.  If you feel your ACT subscore does not reflect your writing ability, you may challenge your placement in English 10-110 by taking the writing challenge at SOAR or Advantage.
• Math: If your Math subscore is a 1-20, you will be placed in Math 17-090 Math Skills to prepare you for college level math courses. If your subscore is in this range you will be required to take a math placement test at SOAR or Advantage.

Scoring high enough on either placement exam will eliminate the need to take one of these developmental courses.

If you have already successfully passed a college level English or Math class for college credit, this supersedes your test score and you are not required to do the testing or take the developmental courses.

Testing at SOAR is done at the end of the day after Advising, so you should plan accordingly if you choose to do your testing then rather than at Advantage.

It’s okay! If you are undeclared/deciding you will be scheduled in general education classes which will go towards any major. We even have a SOAR group just for you. It’s fine to take your time in declaring a major and figuring out what you want to do. You can remain undeclared until you get an idea of what you would like to major in. We have some resources that you can take advantage of on campus that will help in making that decision once you arrive.

If you decided what you want to major in or need to change your major, call us so we can adjust your schedule and SOAR group accordingly (660-562-1951). You can also change at SOAR if you need to, although it’s helpful if we have some advanced notice.  

Remember to have an official transcript sent from any college through which you have completed any dual credit, AP, or college credit course.

Complete your housing application and pay your pre-payment through CatPAWS, if you have not already done so.  Housing and roommate assignments come out in mid-July and are available on CatPAWS.

Submit your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov 

Make sure you are up-to-date on your immunizations, including a meningitis shot.  You need to submit the health history records provided in your acceptance packet to the Wellness Services and provide proof that you’ve received a Meningitis shot.  You will not be able to move-in in the fall unless this is done or you sign a waiver saying you understand the risks of not receiving the shot.