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SOAR FAQs answered

Regent University SOAR Orientation Team Answers Rising First-Year College Students’ FAQs

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (May 10, 2022) – Regent University is preparing for SOAR: Summer Orientation, Advising & Registration, an exciting two-day on-campus event geared toward rising first-year college students. Participants can expect an energized, informative, meaningful orientation experience.

Kyle Graham, Center for Student Happiness director, and Kristin Smith, Orientation & Student Engagement manager, provided this convenient reference list to help answer frequently asked questions about Regent’s summer orientation. 

What is SOAR?

SOAR (Summer Orientation, Advising, & Registration) is a two-day orientation experience for traditional-aged freshmen. Attendees will connect with other students, hear from campus leadership, meet with Academic Advising, and begin to envision themselves as a Regent student.

When and where will SOAR take place?

This two-day event will be held on campus in beautiful Virginia Beach. Choose from two date options:

Option 1: June 23 & 24

Option 2: June 27 & 28

Who should attend?

This event is for first-time, traditional-aged, freshmen (23 and younger) who plan to study on campus. However, students transferring with little college experience or from early college or dual-enrollment programs sometimes attend.

Transfer students have an opportunity to join us for our Welcome Week orientation in August. Additionally, online students have an online orientation called KEYS, which they can access through their Canvas accounts.

Can parents attend?

Yes! We will have activities and sessions for students and parents to participate in.

How much does it cost to attend?

SOAR is free to students. For each parent in attendance, the cost is $35.

What are the Top 5 benefits of attending SOAR?

  • Glimpse into college life at Regent
  • Learning from Regent leadership
  • Connecting with other new students (and maybe finding a roommate!)
  • Meeting professors
  • Leaving with confidence and excitement for college life at Regent!

How will attending SOAR affect your freshman year?

SOAR jumpstarts your college experience—you’ll enter the fall semester familiar with Regent’s campus. You’ll also have met with faculty and a chance to make friends in advance. SOAR attendees tend to soar higher in their freshman year, making this event evermore important.

What have other students said about SOAR?

 “It was very comforting to meet other Christians who have the same thirst for a relationship with the Lord and His Word. I now know Regent is where I am meant to be.”

“I absolutely loved SOAR! It made me feel super excited for Regent! I can’t wait!”

“I LOVED the breakout sessions! Meeting the faculty and getting to ask them questions while also seeing other psych students was incredible and made me very eager to begin classes!”

If students are nervous about attending SOAR, what would you suggest?

We know orientation is a big step in the college journey. That’s why Regent has created an event centered around welcoming students to campus. We want attendees to feel comfortable during their experience and fall in love with Regent. Our leaders, volunteers and staff are here to help, so reach out if you need anything!

Why should students attend even if they are local?

Our local/commuter students are an important part of the Regent community, and SOAR is just as much for them as any other student. SOAR is the perfect time to discover why we’re America’s premier Christian university, connect with other students, and stay overnight at the Commons—a rare opportunity for commuters. Whether traveling or living in the area, you’re also the first to befriend students from different parts of the country.

Is it true that students get a cool Regent T-shirt for attending?

Absolutely! Each student will get a T-shirt for their team color for the event at check-in!

Who are this year’s SOAR orientation leaders?

We have some fantastic leaders lined up: Thomas Wilkinson, Payton Parlapiano, Amanda Negley, Jonathan Landaverde, Gianella Angulo, and Kelli Perkins, led by their incredible orientation captains, Petra Bailor and Dylan Pond.

Anything else students need to know?

The SOAR event is what you make it, and the full experience can only exist if you join in. Make an effort to participate in the activities, games, conversations, and sessions.

What should I do if I still have questions?

The SOAR Orientation Team is happy to answer all your questions. Please email us at orientation@regent.edu.

For incoming on-campus freshmen who are attending Regent in the fall, we encourage you to register now for SOAR. Visit regent.edu/soar for details.

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including, business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for ten years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2022).

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Written by Katelyn Condrey – Katelyn is a sophomore at Regent University studying communications with a concentration in journalism. She is a department head at The Daily Runner and is passionate about several areas, including university news, American politics and humanitarian issues.