NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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 SUMMER AND FALL WILL COMPLETE ORIENTATION THROUGH A THREE-PHASE PROCESS:

Phase 1 - Self-Directed First-Year Virtual Orientation (Mandatory)

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 26 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Fall Starting Student - August 21 at 9:00 a.m.

Phase 2 - Live Orientation Day Experience (Mandatory).

First-Year students can choose from a list of dates for their in-person orientation experience. Students can review our in-person orientation date options below and on our orientation reservation page.

Phase 3 - Extended Orientation (Mandatory)

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 27.

  • Fall Starting Student
    • First Saturday, August 22

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
    • Monday, June 15, 2026
    • Thursday, June 18, 2026
    • Friday, June 26, 2026 SOLD OUT
  • Fall Starting Students
    • Tuesday, June 30, 2026 SOLD OUT
    • Tuesday, July 28, 2026 SOLD OUT
    • Thursday, July 30, 2026 SOLD OUT
    • Monday, August 3, 2026
    • Thursday, August 6, 2026
    • Thursday, August 13, 2026
    • Thursday, August 20, 2026-Out of State Students Only
    • Wilkes Honors College Session - Jupiter August 19, 2026

First-Year SOAR FAQs

Students entering in the Summer and Fall

Phase 1 - Self-Directed First-Year Virtual Orientation

Complete the course through Canvas starting April 1. 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 avoid withdrawal from your courses is June 26 at 9:00 a.m. for students starting in the Summer and August 21 at 9:00 a.m. for students starting in the Fall.

Phase 2 - Live Orientation Day Experience

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

Phase 3 - Extended Orientation takes place on the Saturday before the beginning of the semester. For all incoming Summer starting students, How to Florida Atlantic will take place on Saturday, June 27. For all incoming Fall starting students, First Saturday in Paradise will take place on Saturday, August 22.

Yes. You will need to log in to Owldone.fau.edu and sign up for SOAR. If you have already reserved to attend one of our SOAR sessions, you will be automatically enrolled in our Canvas course and receive information via your FAU email regarding the phase process.

No. Students must only reserve Orientation through the Owldone Portal. Once reserved, students will receive a confirmation email with steps to complete the different phases of the experience. Students will also receive more details approx. three business days prior to the Phase II Experience.

The SOAR Experience is required for all incoming students. Please email admissions@fau.edu if your enrollment plans have changed.

Yes.

As a family member with a Summer and Fall start student, you can participate in a three-phase experience:

Phase 1- Virtual Orientation: Complete Virtual Family Orientation session through Canvas.

Students starting in the Summer must compete their Virtual Orientation course on Canvas by June 26 at 9:00 a.m. and August 21 at 9:00 a.m. for students starting in the Fall.

Phase 2 – Orientation Day

First-Year students will complete their Orientation experience in-person. In-Person Experience $35 for students, $75 for families. Families may reserve their Orientation with their student reservation at owldone.fau.edu.

Phase 3 - Family Success Conference
Families may attend our Family Success Conference at the start of the semester for no additional cost. More information will be shared soon.

Family member(s) will receive more information via the email provided in the Guests Section of the reservation form about Family Orientation.

Unfortunately, given a lack of space, staffing, and construction on campus, Walk-ins will not be available on-site on SOAR Dates. If you need assistance registering for your event at least three days prior, please contact our office, and we will gladly assist you, given that availability for additional people is possible.