First-Year Student Orientation, Academics, and Resources (SOAR) Dates

First-Year Student Orientation, Academics and Resources (SOAR) program at FAU shares important information with students and their families regarding academic and student services as well as what it means to be an Owl. We are committed to providing all incoming students the resources to be successful as they enter the university setting. We strive to provide excellent student experiences and knowledge about Florida Atlantic University (FAU) by way of intentional and specific programming for first-year students, transfer students and their families. Our Orientations are designed with these goals in mind.

Each session has limited space available, and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. SOAR reservations are NOT confirmed until the orientation fee payment has been submitted. SOAR reservations close automatically once they reach full capacity. Reservations close three (3) business days before a session starts. Please do not make any arrangements until you have completed your reservation, paid your SOAR fee, and have received a confirmation email in your FAU inbox or spam. All SOAR session dates are not available to all students and are based on term of entry. 

 

 Students starting in the Spring will complete Orientation through a three-phase process:

Phase 1 - Self-Directed First-Year Virtual Orientation

Complete the course through Canvas. You must score 100% on all quizzes to satisfy the orientation requirement, and we encourage you to work on this as soon as possible. The deadline to complete the course and to avoid withdrawal from your course is the following:

  • Summer Starting Student - June 20 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Fall Starting Student - August 15 at 9:00 a.m.

Phase 2 - Live Orientation Day Experience (Reservations open early April - please keep an eye on your Owldone Portal).

First-Year students have options for their live Orientation Session. Review your options in the reservation system once available.

Phase 3 - Extended Orientation

Extended Orientation takes place on Saturday before the beginning of the semester. For all incoming Summer Students, How to Florida Atlantic will take place on June 21.

  • Fall Starting Student
    • First Saturday, August 16

Check your FAU email for more information as we get closer to the start of the semester.

Phase 2 Date Options:

First-Year students entering in the Summer & Fall will experience their live Orientation in-person.

  • Summer Starting Students
    • Thursday, June 5, 2025
    • Monday, June 9, 2025
    • Wednesday, June 11, 2025
    • Friday June 20, 2025
  • Fall Starting Students
    • Thursday, July 10, 2025
    • Wednesday, July 16, 2025
    • Monday, July 21, 2025
    • Thursday, July 24, 2025
    • Tuesday, July 29, 2025
    • Thursday, July 31, 2025
    • Friday, August 8, 2025
    • Thursday, August 14, 2025- Wilkes Honors College Session  Jupiter
    • Thursday, August 14, 2025- Out of State Students Only