SOAR: Student Orientation, Advising & Registration

As part of the academic advising component of Student Orientation, Advising and Registration, each student is required to attend an academic meeting. The academic meeting will provide information about BG Perspective general education requirements and highlight majors or areas of exploration within your college.

During this meeting, each student is assigned an academic advising appointment. During this appointment, held later in the afternoon of SOAR, students meet with their academic advisor and select classes for their first semester.

More information on academic advising.

Requirements

• Students who have decided on a college/major prior to SOAR or have chosen undecided in a particular college should attend that college's meeting.
• Students who have not decided on a college/major are part of Pre-Major Advising (PMA) and will attend the PMA meeting.
• Students admitted through the University Program for Academic Success (UPAS) are required to attend the UPAS academic meeting.

College Offices

Arts and Sciences
Business Administration
Education and Human Development
Health and Human Services
Musical Arts
Pre-Major Advising
Technology
University Program for Academic Success

Facilities used for SOAR are all barrier free.  Accessible parking is available in each parking lot on campus for persons who properly display a current state-issued disabled/handicapped plaque/card in accordance with Ohio Revised Code.

A wheel-chair is available upon request.  Other special accommodations for students or guests with disabilities, including interpreter services, will be provided upon request.  Please notify us of your need for accommodations at least two weeks prior to your arrival.  This can be done online as you place your reservation, by emailing orientation@bgsu.edu or by phoning (419) 372-0353.

BGSU students are required to obtain and carry an official University ID - the BG1 Card. This wallet-size card has many high-tech, exciting features that can help make life at BGSU a bit easier. The BG1 Card provides easy access to BGSU resources... and packs a wealth of innovative technologies into one powerful and convenient card!

During SOAR, students will get their picture taken for their BG1 card.  Make sure to bring an acceptable form of ID.  Acceptable forms of ID include:

• a valid state-issued drivers license with photo
• State-issued photo ID card
• Passport with photo
• Military ID card

Here are some of the uses for the BG1 Card

• accessing meal plan accounts
• using as an ATM card when attached to a PNC Bank account
• utilizing University Library services
• entering the Student Recreation Center
• tracking hours in departmental time keeping systems
• taking an exam
• purchasing tickets for and being admitted to University events
• participating in intramural sports programs
• requesting University Health Services

For more information, including how to deposit money onto your BG Bucks account and where those funds are accepted, visit the BG1 Card website or call them at (419) 372-4127. To learn how to make your BG1 card an ATM card visit the PNC website.

Books and other course materials may be purchased at the BGSU Bookstore in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union, at the BGSU Firelands Bookstore in Huron, Ohio, or ordered online through the bookstore for home delivery or store pickup. Check out the Bookstore Website for more information.

The easiest way to order your books after registering for classes is to go to MyBGSU, pull up your class schedule, and click on the "Buy Books" button at the top of the page.  Make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off before you click the button.

BGSU offers advanced standing credit for successful performance on either the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) test or on selected subject examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Students who took AP courses and/or examinations in high school should bring their examination score reports to SOAR so they may be advised accordingly. Click for more information.

Additional information on the AP examination program may be obtained by contacting the Office of Registration and Records, Room 110, Administration Bldg., (419) 372-7959. Information on the CLEP option is available from Adult Learner Services, College Park Office Bldg., (419) 372-8181.

SOAR is planned for students, family members, and guests.  While students meet with other new students and attend sessions specific to their academic and social transition to BGSU, parents and family members will participate in sessions that are designed to address their unique needs. Additionally, if you are bringing a child, they may participate in the RecWell Kids Camp. 

Sessions for parents and family members include: 

• information on financial aid
• bursar
• student health information
• campus resources and services
• parent and family involvement in the BGSU experience
• academic opportunities and expectations
• changing relationships. 
  

Research has shown that college students will contact their families first in times of need.  BGSU recognizes that parent and family involvement can directly affect the academic and personal success of students.

Visit the Parent and Family Programs web page!

On Facebook? Join the BGSU Parents' Facebook Fan page.

To receive financial assistance to help cover the costs to attend BGSU, students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The  Student Financial Aid (SFA)  office will begin mailing Award Notifications to new students in mid-March. Students may also view "My Financial Aid Status" using their MyBGSU on-line account.

Students who will be using their Federal Direct Stafford Loan (Subsidized or Unsubsidized Student Loan) must also complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note and Entrance Loan Counseling session on-line through the SFA website .  The Federal PLUS Loan is a loan that a parent may choose to borrow on behalf of their student.  Please note that the PLUS loan requires a separate application process in addition to the FAFSA.  Parent borrowers should go to studentloans.gov to apply for a PLUS loan.

If the amount of the financial aid offered on the student's Award Notification is not enough to cover all the students' costs, parents may obtain a loan in their name through the Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), or students may obtain a private educational loan in their name through an Alternative Student Loan Program for the balance. See the Student Financial Aid (SFA) web page for more info.

Note: Federal Work-Study (FWS) recipients do not subtract the amount of FWS funds awarded to you from your costs to attend BGSU. FWS funds are earned through on-campus employment and paid directly to students in the form of a paycheck.  FWS funds are not applied against your eBill with the Bursar before this aid may be utilized. See the link to Student Employment  for more information on employment opportunities available at BGSU.

SFA staff will be available during SOAR to discuss any final questions you may have. You may also contact the SFA office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at (419) 372-2651 or online at ask SFA a question.

Highly Recommended Immunizations

The Student Health Service requests that all students keep their immunizations up to date.

• Measles (Rubeola) – Must have 2 Measles immunizations or MMR injections, both after first birthday and at least 30 days apart.
• Mumps immunization
• Rubella immunization
• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis
• Completion of meningitis vaccination
• Completion of Hepatitis B vaccination
• TB screening required if signs or symptoms of active TB are present or student is a member of a high-risk group
  

Please refer to the Health Assessment Form and Immunization Record for more information or go to www.bgsu.edu/health and click forms. 

Other Recommended Immunizations

• Polio
• Hepatitis A
• Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
• Gardasil

The Student Health Service provides all immunizations.  The visit and immunization can be billed to the student's insurance or paid by cash, BG1 Card, check, or credit card. The Student Health Service also recommends a physical examination within the past 12 months.

What does the Student Health Service require prior to treatment or immunizations?

• Students must have a BGSU identification card
•  A completed Health Assessment Form must be on file at the Student Health Service or accompany student at the time of appointment
• Students under 18 years of age must have the Health Assessment Form signed by a guardian

What about Student Health Insurance?

Following a resolution passed by the University's Board of Trustees, students taking eight or more credit hours on the main campus and all international students are required to have health insurance coverage.  The resolution does not apply to students at BGSU Firelands or distance-learning students.

Under this "hard waiver" program, students will be required to have health insurance coverage that meets a basic minimum set by the University, provide that information to the University, and sign a waiver to that effect.  If they do not have a basic minimum coverage, they must purchase the University's Student Health Insurance plan.

There is voluntary enrollment for students with 5, 6, or 7 credit hours.

BGSU's student health insurance plan offers:

• Premium rates are the same as in 2008-2009
• Low deductible
• A large, nationwide network of healthcare providers
• Coverage for 12 months
• Coverage when traveling in the U.S. and internationally
• Prescription medication coverage
• Coverage for contraception
• Dental plan available on a voluntary basis
  

For more information, visit our website at: www.bgsu.edu/studentinsurance.

In short, BGSU requires that students fulfill their financial obligations to the University prior to the beginning of each semester in which they enroll.  Failure to do so will result in loss of course schedules and housing assignments.  Payment dates vary from semester to semester, please visit the Payment Policy website for specific details.

As an incoming BGSU student, you are required to complete Writing Placement by April 15 to ensure that you are placed in to an appropriate level of writing composition (General Studies Writing) for your first year at BGSU.   

Additionally, your advisor will use your Writing Placement results to pre-enroll you in your Linked Courses for fall 2013.  Linked Courses are new this fall for first-year BGSU students, and allow you to take three courses with the same group of first-year students.  Your particular Linked Courses will be based on your major or career interests.  Through these three common classes, you will develop meaningful relationships with other students and your faculty members while establishing and fostering important academic success skills.  It is important to note that you cannot be pre-enrolled in your Linked Courses until your Writing Placement is complete.

Who must complete the Writing Placement Test online?

The Writing Placement Test is required of all entering first year students, except those who scored 3 or above on the Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition Test or the English Literature and Composition Test and submitted those score before April 15th.   If you plan to take an AP test this year, you still need to complete the Writing Placement Test before April 15th because the AP scores will not be submitted in time for you to be enrolled in your Linked Courses.

To complete the Writing Placement Test:

• Log on to http://my.bgsu.edu.  If you do not have a home computer with an Internet connection, access is available at most schools and public libraries.
• Enter your BGSU username and password; click the login button to enter the Web portal
• Click on Blackboard near the top of the page.
• Click on the "Community" tab.
• Click on "Placement Tests".
• Click on the "Writing Placement Test Application". At the entry pages you can obtain instructions and additional information about the test, and proceed to complete the test.

Once you have successfully submitted your essay, you will receive an email sent to your BGSU FalconMail email account notifying you that BGSU received your test.  You will learn the results of your essay when you meet with your advisor at SOAR.

Important Test Information

Writing Placement Test

• Once at the placement test site, you will be directed to print out and read three documents: general information about the composition program at BGSU, directions for taking the placement test, and a short essay of general interest to college students.
• You will be given a choice of three possible writing prompts related to the essay you were asked to read. Read each prompt carefully and then choose ONE you wish to write on.
• While you are expected to spend no more than two hours writing an essay of no more than 800 words in response to the prompt you selected, you will actually have a 24-hour window within which to submit your essay. The 24-hour period will begin when you first access the site and will end 24 hours later; you may access the site an unlimited number of times within that 24-hour period, and you may submit your essay at any point within that 24-hour period. However, you may submit only one essay.
• You are encouraged to write your essay using your own word processing software (such as Word or WordPerfect), and must cut and paste your essay into the writing placement text box to submit your essay.
• When your 24-hour window for submitting your essay has ended, your access to the site will end, so be sure to complete and submit your essay within that 24-hour period.
  

Is assistance with the tests permitted? 
Do not obtain any form of assistance while taking the placement test. This includes consulting with a teacher, parent, or friend regarding content of the test or for proofreading or editing your written essay. It is imperative that you honor this important part of the testing guidelines. It is to your disadvantage to receive a score higher than your actual abilities. A score that is too high would place you in a course beyond your capabilities with a limited probability of success.

What if I have technical problems while taking the test? 
If you have computer-related questions, please contact tsc@bgsu.edu or the Technology Support Center at (419)372-0999.

Technical/computer-related questions might include the following situations :

• You are not able to enter or locate the test site.
• Your password is not functioning.
• Your computer system crashes during the test.
• Test pages are not loading correctly, or parts of the directions are not visible.
• You do not receive a confirmation email to your BGSU FalconMail email account within two days after submitting a test.

Computer requirements for completing the online tests include a minimum Web browser of Internet Explorer 6 or Netscape 7. If you have disabled the cookies on your computer, you will need to refer to the "Computer Requirements" link on the community entrance page for further information. If you need additional assistance regarding your computer settings, contact the Technology Support Center at (419)372-0999.

Why am I required to take placement tests online, by May 1st, or no later than two weeks before my scheduled SOAR date?

• Relaxed setting. When you are relaxed in the testing environment, such as your own home or another familiar location, your performance may be enhanced.
• Convenience. You can take the online placement tests at any time of day.
• Skills. You can take the test while skills from high school are still fresh in your mind.
• Decreased fatigue. Often after a long drive to campus, fatigue may affect test performance.
• Increased opportunities. With tests completed before you arrive, you can focus on learning more about BGSU as well as meeting other new students, faculty and staff.

Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program

SOAR is required for students who participated in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEOP) program while in high school. Students should arrange to have an official copy of their college transcript sent to the BGSU Office of Admissions. Please also bring an official copy of this transcript to SOAR so an adviser can help determine how your previous courses will fit into a degree program.

Questions

Students who participated in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options or High School College Credit program at BGSU should direct any questions about academic requirements to their college office.

• Arts and Sciences 
• Business Administration 
• Education and Human Development 
• Health and Human Services 
• Musical Arts 
• Pre-Major Advising 
• Technology 

To view your housing assignment online:

1. Access the BGSU Web portal at https://my.bgsu.edu
2. Enter your BG username and your authentication password (same as your email)
3. Go to the My Services box located on the main page.
4. Click on My Room & Meals
   (Incoming and Transfer assignments are available beginning Spring 2013).

If you requested a specific roommate using the online My Room & Meals Preference Form, located on the MyBGSU web portal, your request will be honored if both you and your preferred roommate requested one another and made all payments on time. If you need assistance making the initial payment please contact admissions. (Please see the Guide to Student Housing sent to you via U.S. mail or our website, for directions to request housing online).

Requests for a particular housing area are honored as long as space is available. When requests exceed the space available, they are granted on a senior, junior, sophomore and entering first-year student order of priority. As a result, some residences may house predominately upper class students while others may have mostly first-year students.

Rooms in the halls typically house two students and are furnished with carpet, beds, mattresses, study desks and chairs, bookshelves, drapes or blinds, dressers, closets, waste baskets,one telephone line with voice mail, Internet access and cable TV access.

Please contact the Office of Residence Life for questions. You can also visit the Office of Residence Life web pages for details of what to bring, optional items, and what to leave at home.

Residential Learning/Theme Communities

BGSU, in conjunction with academic departments offer smaller, academic living/learning communities within the residence halls for students to share interests and achieve common goals. To learn more about learning/theme communities or to enroll, visit the Learning Communities page. Below is a listing of the Residential Learning/Theme Communities at BGSU:

• Arts Village
• Aviation
• Batchelder Music Community
• Chapman Community at Kohl
• Construction Management
• Global Village 
• Health Sciences Residential Community
• Honors Housing
• La Comunidad
• La Maison Française
• Educators in Context and Community (ECCO)
• ROTC
• Wellness

BGSU connects students with a variety of employment options. More than 4,500 students choose to work on campus annually, while others work in local communities or return to a job at home during break periods. Whether you choose campus or community employment, Student Employment Services staff can assist you in finding a job that fits your schedule, interests, skill level, and prepares you for the world of work after graduation.

Documents

Please note that there are Federal Work Study (a source of Financial Aid), Regular (non-Federal Work Study), and off-campus jobs available. Once you are offered a job, you must provide specific documents so that you can be certified to work in compliance with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service:

• Social security card (unlaminated)
• Original (or certified) copy of your birth certificate
• Alien registration card
• Certification of U.S. citizenship of naturalization
  

Please note: International students must also obtain authorization to work from the Center for International Programs, provide their I-20 forms, and either a Social Security card or receipt verifying that they have applied for one.

If you are seeking part-time employment on-campus or in the Bowling Green community, you can access job vacancies via WorkNet, BGSU's web-based job database. WorkNet is found under "Misc. Services" in your MyBGSU web portal. After logging in for the first time, you will complete your user profile and then you can run searches based on your employment preferences. For details and additional information, refer to the WorkNet user guide online at bgsu.edu/stuemp, stop by Student Employment Services on-campus in 318C Math Sciences, or call (419) 372-2356.

For additional information, contact  Student Employment Services.

Payment of Tuition/Fees, Room & Meal Plan

During SOAR you may pay the balance of your tuition/fees, room, and meal plan bill while you are on campus. Staff from the Office of the Bursar will be available in the afternoon to discuss payment options.

Payment Deadlines

Fall Semester
Room, Meal Plan &Tuition/Fees due July 15
Spring Semester
Room, Meal Plan &Tuition/Fees due November 15

All tuition, fees, room, and meal plan charges must be paid in advance of the semester in which the student is enrolled. Students at Bowling Green State University may visit the Bursar's Office website for helpful information about charges, rates, and payment options, including the Installment Payment Plan (IPP).
 
Payment for tuition/fees, room, and meal plan may be made in person via cash, check and money order.  Credit card payments may be made online via my.bgsu.edu for students, via https://commerce.cashnet.com/bgsupay for parents or by phone 1-866-484-0436 (a convenience fee applies for credit and debt cards only). MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted. ACH payments are also accepted from checking or savings accounts with no convenience fee.

All new students and transfer students who have not previously attended Bowling Green State University are required to attend the SOAR.

Post Secondary Students:
Students who have taken post-secondary classes are required to attend SOAR.

Adult Learners and Evening Students
Evening students and Adult Learners are required to attend the SOAR.

Distance Learning Students:
New students taking both online and on-campus course are required to attend SOAR. New students who are completing an online degree program are not required to attend SOAR. Please contact your college office for more information.

International Students:
International Students are required to attend International Orientation through the Center for International Programs. If you are unsure of your status, please contact the Center for International Programs at 419.372.2247

Undergraduate with Degree Students:
Students who have already completed a Bachelor's degree are not required to attend SOAR.

Students Readmitted to BGSU:
Students who have previously attended Bowling Green State University are not required to attend SOAR.