SOAR: Summer Orientation and Registration

SOAR: Summer Orientation and Registration is designed to help incoming freshmen prepare for their first year on campus.

Registration for SOAR is now open for all deposited students.

2026 SOAR Orientation Dates:

  • Wednesday, May 27 – FULL
  • Monday, June 1 – FULL
  • Wednesday, June 3 – FULL
  • Tuesday, June 9
  • Friday, June 12
  • Tuesday, June 16
  • Thursday, June 18

All SOAR events begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 1:40 p.m.

If you need to submit your deposit, you can complete this step online, reach out to your admission counselor, or email admission@aurora.edu.

If you have submitted your deposit but still need to register for SOAR, have any questions, or need to change your orientation date, please email orientation@aurora.edu.

If you’ve already registered for SOAR, review the pre-orientation checklist you need to complete before attending orientation.

SOAR Schedule

Students and parents/families/guests have similar schedules. There are times during the day when you will be together and times when you will be apart. To see a more detailed schedule, download the Yapp App (iPhone or Android) before your session and follow the instructions to download the SOAR schedule.

7:30–9 a.m.  |  Resource Fair

7:30–8:15 a.m.  |  Student-Athlete Check-In*

8:15–8:45 a.m.  |  Athletics Presentation*

*These events are only for students who will be participating in intercollegiate athletics and their guest(s).

8:15–9 a.m.  |  Student Check-In

9–9:10 a.m.  |  Welcome to AU Jeopardy!

9:10–9:15 a.m.  |  Welcome

9:30–9:40 a.m.  |  Student and Parent Sessions Split

9:45–10:15 a.m.  |  Spartan Olympics

10:15–10:40 a.m.  |  Small Groups

10:45–11:15 a.m.  |  Student-Only Panel

11:15 a.m.–Noon  |  Lunch (Group A) or Academic Advising (Group B)

Noon–12:45 p.m.  |  Lunch (Group B) or Academic Advising (Group A)

12:45–1:30 p.m.  |  Tech Session

1:30–1:40 p.m.  |  Wrap Up

1:40–2:30 p.m.  |  Drop-In Services

7:30–9 a.m.  |  Resource Fair

7:30–8:15 a.m.  |  Student-Athlete Check-In*

8:15–8:45 a.m.  |  Athletics Presentation*

*These events are only for students who will be participating in intercollegiate athletics and their guest(s).

8:15–9 a.m.  |  Student Check-In

9–9:10 a.m.  |  Welcome to AU Jeopardy!

9:10–9:15 a.m.  |  Welcome

9:15–9:30 a.m.  |  Parent and Family Connection

9:40–10:10 a.m.  |  Academic Support for Families

10:25–10:50 a.m.  |  Breakout Session I

10:50–11:20 a.m.  |  Breakout Session II

Choose two breakout sessions to customize your experience and learn more about campus resources, student support, and life at AU:

  • Campus Experience: Learn about residence life, student involvement, campus safety, and student life at AU.
  • Student Support: Explore academic resources including tutoring, accessibility services, and student support programs.
  • College Journey: Discover career planning resources and wellness support that help students succeed in and beyond college.

11:25–11:40 a.m.  |  Guest-Only Panel

11:40 a.m.–Noon  |  Working Together for Student Success

Noon–12:45 p.m.  |  Lunch

We’ve created table options to help you connect in the way that feels most comfortable:

  • “Please Talk With Me” (Green Tables): Meet other families and engage in conversations.
  • Quiet Tables (Blue Tables): Enjoy a calm, low-key space while you eat.
  • Spanish-Speaking Tables (Sage Tables): Connect with other Spanish-speaking families.

12:45–1:30 p.m.  |  Tech Session

1:30–1:40 p.m.  |  Wrap Up

1:40–2:30 p.m.  |  Drop-In Services