About SOAR

Welcome to Missouri State University!

We are excited about the opportunity to meet and welcome you to Missouri State.  The university community is looking forward to showing you our beautiful campus and introducing you to all of the outstanding experiences we have to offer.

Student Orientation

For over three decades, the SOAR (Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration) program has been committed to helping new Missouri State students make successful transitions to university life.  During our required orientation sessions, our friendly and service-oriented staff provides students with information about life at Missouri State University—information students can use to make responsible and beneficial decisions regarding their own education and development.

Attendance at an orientation session is required of all first-time freshmen (defined as students with fewer than 24 transferable credit hours earned after their high school graduation) entering Missouri State.  National research shows that students who attend orientation programs are more successful than those who do not, and participation during SOAR gives students a better chance of starting a successful academic career at Missouri State.

Family Orientation

While the student’s transition is central to our mission, we recognize that family members have their own transition to navigate when their student heads to college.  The SOAR program offers optional orientation sessions for these family members.  Family orientation sessions are designed to provide families with information relevant to their own experience, as well as information to help them assist their student in making a successful transition.