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Before Your SOAR Session
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- Create your BearPass Login and email address
Visit missouristate.edu/getaccount to create your login. You will use this account to register for classes at SOAR, so memorize your Login ID and password. Your orientation confirmation email and other important information will be sent to your Missouri State email account, so check it frequently. - Register for a SOAR session
Upon completion of your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email at your Missouri State email account. DO NOT make ANY arrangements for either you or family members to attend until you have received this confirmation; this includes travel, accommodations, work, vacation or other commitments. Students will not be allowed to participate in any session for which they are not confirmed to attend. - Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Completion of the FAFSA is an essential component of applying for financial aid at Missouri State. Visit the link above for more information about financial aid.
At least two weeks prior to your session...
- Complete a University Housing Contract
A contract must be completed before students are allowed to register for classes at SOAR. Visit the link above for instudents for completing the contract online. - Send final transcripts
Request that all schools you attended (high school and college) send a final, official transcript to the Office of Admissions. If you believe Admissions will not receive these prior to attending your session, bring an unofficial copy for your advisor to use in recommending first-semester courses. - Review information regarding placement and waiver exams
Visit the link above to learn more about our math and foreign language placement exams and computers for learning waiver exam. These exams, while optional, are generally recommended and can be advantageous to students. Each exam is offered in a different time and format; please consult the website above for information on how and when each exam is offered. Take note of whether you need to take each exam. - Request accommodations for any disabilities
As soon as possible, students with physical or health disabilities should contact the Disability Resource Center to begin arranging accommodations; students with learning, psychological or neurological disabilities should contact the Learning Diagnostic Clinic. Participants needing mobility assistance should consider bringing a family member or friend for additional help, as we do not have staff for this purpose.
At least one week prior to your session...
- Review your reservation and update any inaccurate information
Check the SOAR reservation system's "My Reservation" screen to ensure your major, accommodation, and guest information is accurate five business days prior to your session; an accurate and current major is especially important as it will determine which advisement group you are assigned at SOAR. Because of the time required to prepare for your arrival, we cannot process changes to majors after this time. - Print a parking pass and get directions to SOAR parking areas
Visit the link above to print a parking pass for use in Lot 30, the designated SOAR parking lot. Vehicles parked in any other areas--including reserved, metered, or visitor parking--WILL be ticketed. - Print and complete the Medical History Form and Immunization Record
Taylor Health and Wellness Center staff use these optional forms to provide their patients with quality health care. Visit the link above to print them, and submit them directly to the Taylor Health and Wellness Center during your SOAR session. - Watch the Registration System Demonstration Video
View the video at the link above to learn how to use Missouri State's online registration system. Doing so will help make your registration process easier! - Consider bringing the following items to your SOAR session:
- Your BearPass number (example: M12345678)
- Driver's license or other photo ID to receive your BearPass Card (Missouri State student ID card)
- Your vehicle's description and license plate number for purchasing a parking permit
- Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
- A light jacket or sweater for air-conditioned rooms
- An umbrella or rain jacket
- Writing utensil
- Toiletries and alarm clock, if you will stay in on-campus accommodations (towels, linens, and soap are provided)
During Your SOAR Session
- Obtain your BearPass Card during the morning of your SOAR session. Be sure to bring a photo ID with you.
- Purchase a parking permit at the Parking Administration Office at 700 E. Elm from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. During our two-day sessions in June and July, parking permits can also be purchased at the Parking Administration table in Plaster Student Union.
- Reserve your textbooks for your first semester at the Missouri State Bookstore by completing the online form or the form included in the Orientation Handbook you will receive at SOAR.
- Create your Campus Link profile. Campus LINK is an online community that enables you to learn about and browse the 300+ student organizations Missouri State offers and join them online.
- Sign up for Missouri State Alert, Missouri State’s mass notification system, which uses a variety of methods to contact students in the event of an emergency or school closing. Students can choose to be alerted by any combination of phone calls, text messages, emails, and pager messages. Sign up by clicking the “Missouri State Alert Preferences” link on the “Profile” tab on your My Missouri State page; see the Missouri State Alert page for additional information.
After Your SOAR Session
- Check your Missouri State email account frequently, as important information will continue to be sent to this account. You can log into your email account by visiting your My Missouri State page and clicking the envelope icon in the upper right corner of the page.
- View Residence Life and Services' Move-In information page for tips and information related to moving into your new residence hall room.
- Print and review your class schedule by visiting your My Missouri State page and clicking on the links located in the Class Schedule area on the Academics tab. Feel free to plot our your class room locations by using the University's Campus Map.
- Contact or visit your academic advisor and class instructors near the beginning of the semester. These individuals can be very helpful resources to you, so get to know them right away. Your advisor assignment will be emailed to you at least two weeks after your SOAR session, but you can also find this assignment on the Advising Notes link on the Academics tab on your My Missouri State page.
- Get involved by attending Welcome Weekend activities. Welcome Weekend, the Friday through Sunday before fall semester classes begin, is packed with fun activities that will help you meet new people and get a taste of what student life at Missouri State is like. Our biggest events are Bear Bash, a large-scale party in the Plaster Student Union held on Saturday night, and New Student Festival, a fair full of booths from student organizations excited to welcome you to Missouri State. More information about these events can be found at the Office of Student Engagement’s website.
- Attend New Student Convocation. This ceremony, held on the Sunday afternoon before fall semester classes begin, officially welcomes new freshmen to Missouri State University. All new freshmen are expected to attend.
- Purchase the Common Reader book. Students enrolled in GEP 101: First Year Foundations will be required to purchase and read the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. We recommend reading this book during the summer to prepare for discussions you will have about the work in GEP 101.

