Summer SOAR Guidance for Incoming Transfer Students

Please contact the faculty advisor for your major to schedule an advising appointment based on the advisor's availability during the summer.

• Biology (last name A-G)
  Dr. Kay Lee-Fruman
  Kay.Lee-Fruman@csulb.edu
  Availability: June 16 - July 7
• Biology (last name H-M)
  Dr. Amanda Fisher
  Amanda.Fisher@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 29 - July 7
• Biology (last name N-Z)
  Dr. Ashley Carter
  Ashley.Carter@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 29 - July 7
• Biology Education
  Dr. Amanda Fisher
  Amanda.Fisher@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 29 - July 7
• Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology (last name A-G)
  Dr. Deborah Fraser
  Deborah.Fraser@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 29 - July 7
• Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology (last name H-Z)
  Dr. Douglas Pace
  Douglas.Pace@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 29 - July 7
• Zoology, Botany, and Ecology
  Dr. Bruno Pernet
  Bruno.Pernet@csulb.edu
  Availability: June 29 - July 7
• Marine Biology
  Dr. Bruno Pernet
  Bruno.Pernet@csulb.edu
  Availability: June 29 - July 7
• Microbiology
  Dr. Deborah Fraser
  Deborah.Fraser@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 29 - July 7
• Biochemistry, Chemistry
  Dr. Jason Schwans
  ugrad-biochem.advising@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 30 - June 7, and June 16 - July 7
• Geology, Earth Science
  Dr. Nate Onderdonk
  Nate.Onderdonk@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 29 - July 7
• Math, Math Education, Applied Math
  Dr. Jeffrey Pair
  Jeffrey.Pair@csulb.edu
  Availability: June 12 - June 23
• Applied Statistics
  Dr. Olga Korosteleva
  Olga.Korosteleva@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 29 - July 7
• Physics
  Dr. Thomas Gredig
  Thomas.Gredig@csulb.edu
  Availability: May 22 - July 3

All new students are required to complete the SOAR and Advising Online Course on Canvas, the learning management system for CSULB. Course will go live towards the end of May. Check your email for future announcements regarding the course.

Incoming transfer students are required to take the GWAR Placement Exam (GPE) in their first semester of enrollment. To sign up and learn more about the GPE, please visit Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).

Courses, Registration, and Advising Questions

How do I know which classes to sign up for? I know some people in my major go to field work and some go the education route. How can I make sure I am on the right track?

You will receive course recommendations from your assigned faculty advisor. Your advisor will go over your record and course recommendations with you based on your major and career goals during your advising appointment.

Will my advisor get in contact with me to schedule our advising appointment?

Yes, you will receive an email with a link to available advising appointment time slots. You can find more information about registration including advisor contact info and availability on the Summer SOAR Guidance for Incoming Transfer Students.

Where do I register for classes and where can I find course offerings?

We currently do not have an app available for course registration. Students will use their MyCSULB Student Center to enroll in courses each semester. To enroll in classes, log-in to your Single Sign-On at sso.csulb.edu and proceed to the MyCSULB Student Center tile. From there, choose the 'Enroll' link near the upper left corner. Courses offerings including days, times, and location can be found on the Fall 2023 Schedule of Classes.

To learn more about the registration process, please review the Canvas course we created that details this topic. You may access Canvas through the same Single Sign-On portal mentioned above.

Is it recommended to put courses in my shopping cart before my registration date?

Yes! We recommend you load your shopping cart with the courses you intend to take after meeting with your faculty advisor and receiving your course recommendations. The morning of your registration date (around 8:00am), we recommend checking your shopping cart to verify that the course sections you selected are still available. If they are waitlisted or full, you will need to adjust your schedule so you can register starting at 9:00am.

Will I receive an email with information before my registration date?

Yes, you will receive communication with instructions and confirmation. Technical help will also be available via Zoom on both transfer registration days.

Should I wait to sign-up for classes or register right away in case they fill up?

You will be able to sign up for classes on your designated registration day and we will have seats in key courses reserved specifically for incoming transfer students. It is recommended that you enroll as soon as possible on your registration day.

Should I email unofficial transcripts to my advisor or should I just have them accessible during our advising meeting?

We recommend emailing your unofficial transcript to your faculty advisor in advance. You may find their contact information on Summer SOAR Guidance for Incoming Transfer Students.

If I am meeting my advisor on July 6, am I on time to register for my classes during my registration day?

Yes, you are on time. The advising center collects all faculty recommendations and works with the college office to reserve the appropriate number of seats for incoming transfer students.

Can we contact our advisor ASAP or should we wait until transfer credits are finished being under review?

We suggest you schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor as soon as you get an email from them. You can find faculty contact information and availability on Summer SOAR Guidance for Incoming Transfer Students.

Are there online classes available for those working full-time?

This will depend on the course. You can find course offerings and modalities on the Fall 2023 Schedule of Classes.

If I plan on adding a minor, should I meet with two different advisors this summer?

Before you can add a minor, you must have a CSULB GPA. For now, you can meet with your major advisor and let them know you are interested in adding a minor; they can direct you to the appropriate person to reach out to after your Fall 2023 grades are posted.

Does completing the IGETC pattern mean you’ve finished lower-division General Education requirements?

Potentially! When meeting with your faculty advisor, please be sure to ask about any lower-division General Education requirements so you can confirm which courses you've completed.

I'm going through the class schedule but don't see marine biology courses. Where are these courses listed?

Courses for the Marine Biology major are offered through the Biological Sciences Department. You will find them on the Fall 2023 Schedule of Classes under Biology or the BIOL acronym.

Are there summaries of degree requirements for different majors to get an idea of courses we need to take before the advising appointment?

Please see Major Requirements.

What is the best way to contact Admissions?

You can reach Admissions by contacting Enrollment Services at 562.985.5471.

SOAR Questions

I already visited campus. Is there a virtual SOAR event?

Please contact SOAR regarding virtual orientation options. You may email them at soar@csulb.edu or contact them via phone at 562.985.5515.

If I already paid for SOAR, can I get a waiver after the fact and get the money back?

SOAR is a mandatory experience for all CSULB students. Please contact SOAR regarding fee waivers or with any questions related to your orientation date. You may email them at soar@csulb.edu or contact them via phone at 562.985.5515.

During the SOAR workshop, will I learn how to register for classes?

Registration may be covered during the SOAR workshop; however, the best source of information is the SOAR Advising course that is available on Canvas. This mini-course explains the registration process and is available through your Single Sign-On. To access the course, go to sso.csulb.edu, log-in, and look for the Canvas tile. From there, click on ‘Courses’ and then on ‘CNSM Tranfser – SOAR Advising – CNSM Transfer – Fall 2023.’

Are waivers available for the SOAR fee?

Please reach out to the SOAR office to learn more. You can reach them at soar@csulb.edu.

How long does the SOAR Orientation Workshop last?

Per SOAR Orientation & Registration, orientation workshops are held from 8:30am-3:30pm.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR), GWAR Placement Exam (GPE), and Writing Intensive Courses Questions

Is the GWAR an essay or is it a class as well?

The GWAR itself is a requirement. The first step to meeting this requirement is to sign up and take the GWAR Placement Exam (GPE), which is a timed, written exam that can be taken either in-person or online. Based on the score received on the exam, you will either gain access to the Writing Intensive course, or you will be required to take either one or two additional preparation courses before you can take the Writing Intensive course. After completing the Writing Intensive course, you will satisfy the GWAR.

If we place high enough on the exam, can we skip the Writing Intensive course?

No, the GPE gauges your readiness to take the required Writing Intensive course – it not meant to place you out of the requirement. If you pass the GPE, you still need to take an approved Writing intensive course to meet the GWAR requirement.

Do I still need to complete the GWAR if I am a STEM major?

All CSULB students must complete the GWAR to graduate regardless of major.

I took the GPE two days ago; do I have to wait for my score to be able to enroll in a Writing Intensive course?

Yes, you must wait for your score to be uploaded to your record to be able to register for a Writing Intensive course. Before enrolling in a course, check with your faculty advisor to find out if there is a Writing Intensive course built into your major. In most cases, transfer students take a Writing Intensive course in their second semester at CSULB.

How do we know if our major needs a Writing Intensive course?

All students are required to take a Writing Intensive course. Some majors have a Writing Intensive course built in. When you meet with your faculty advisor, be sure to ask if there is a Writing Intensive course available within your major.

Do I have to take the Writing Intensive course during my first semester?

No. Typically, students will take the GPE the summer before their first semester or in their first semester and take the Writing Intensive course in their second semester.

Where can I register to take the GPE?

You can register for the exam via Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement Placement Examination (GPE).

Will there be more opportunities to take the GPE this summer?

The Testing office will not be adding another summer exam. Go ahead and sign up for the exam in September. You will still be on track if you take the GPE in Fall 2023.

I recently took the GPE; where can I check my score once it is published?

You will be emailed with your GPE score and it will also be available on your MyCSULB Student Center under "Test Score Summary." The Test Score Summary is in the Academics drop-down menu on the left side of the Student Center home page.

Is the GPE taken through Canvas?

Please see Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement Placement Examination (GPE).

Is a waiver available for the GPE fee?

Please email testing@csulb.edu to follow up regarding requesting a waiver for the GPE fee.

The camera on my computer does not work. Will that be problem if I am planning to take the GPE online?

Please email testing@csulb.edu to follow up regarding this question.

Are preparation workshops for the GPE offered online?

The preparation workshops will be posted on Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement Placement Examination (GPE) as exam days approach. Typically workshops are offered in-person and online via Zoom.

How much time are we given to complete the exam?

Students are given 75 minutes to complete the GPE. If you need to request accommodation, you may do so via the Testing website. Please view the Special Accommodations for the GPE tab on the GPE Bulletin for more information and instructions on how to request accommodations.

If you are interested in changing your major, please see the instructions relevant to your situation.

Admitted to a non-CNSM Major and Interested in Declaring a CNSM Major

Admission to all majors in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is competitive as we continue to have more qualified applicants than available new student spaces. All transfer students must declare a major when submitting their admission application.

Given that transfer admission decisions are based on meeting applicable major-specific requirements, students admitted to one of the non-CNSM majors are normally not allowed to declare CNSM major during SOAR. In rare circumstances, petitions to change majors to CNSM could be considered if student meets ALL of the following conditions:

1. Student qualifies by meeting all major-specific requirements in the new major.
2. Student demonstrates a progressively successful academic history that, in the judgment of faculty major advisor, reflects potential success in the new major.
3. The program currently has seats available to accommodate additional students.

Students interested in declaring CNSM major must contact the faculty major advisor for the intended major (see Faculty Advisor Contact Information above). The requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

More information for continuing CSULB students is available at Change of Major (Undergraduates).

Admitted to a CNSM Major and Interested in Declaring a non-CNSM Major

Students admitted to one of the CNSM majors but interested in declaring major in another college must inquire with the college of the intended major. Please be aware that major changes are allowed only if:

1. Student qualifies by meeting all major-specific requirements in the new major.
2. Student demonstrates a progressively successful academic history that reflects potential success in the new major
3. The program currently has seats available to accommodate additional students.

Please be aware that requests are reviewed by the college of the potential new major, and the final decision is determined at the college-level associated with the requested new major.

Please see Undergraduate Advising Resources for contact information.

For Advising, please contact your faculty advisor directly.

For Orientation, contact SOAR immediately to reschedule for the next available workshop. Call 562.985.5515 or email soar@csulb.edu.

The Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC) provides support to students with disabilities through accommodations and services, including but not limited to sign language interpreters, real-time captioners, assistive technology, and alternative media.

Complete the SOAR-BMAC Disability-Related Accommodations Form to request your needed accommodations/services. If you have additional questions, please visit the BMAC website, call 562.985.5401, or email BMAC@csulb.edu.

If you have previously accepted your offer of admission and have decided not to attend CSULB, please follow the Cancel Admission instructions.