SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) — one of the first steps of The Berry Journey — is an overnight experience in June designed to assist incoming first-year and transfer students and their families with the transition into the Berry community. SOAR offers sessions for students and their families to learn about the full Berry experience. Students will meet with an academic advisor, discuss courses offered in the fall, and learn about how they will make Berry their home away from home. Students will connect with classmates along with a team of upperclassmen SOAR Leaders who will share their experiences and answer questions about life at Berry.
New Student Orientation is a three-part process designed to support incoming freshmen, transfer students, and their families as they transition into the Berry community. The three components—Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR), Viking Venture, and BCC 100—serve as key elements of the Launch phase of the Berry Journey.
Kate Jackson and Caroline Powell will serve as our student leaders for this year’s program. Kate Jackson is a Music Education major from Midland, Georgia, and Caroline Powell is a Music Education major from Woodstock, Georgia.
2026 SOAR Dates
- SOAR #1: June 1-2
- SOAR #2: June 4-5
- SOAR #3: June 8-9
- SOAR #4: June 12-13
- Virtual SOAR: Late June (Exact dates to follow)
Registration for SOAR will open around April 1. Students register for their preferred SOAR session through their MyBerry Portal. Students are permitted to bring two guests to in-person SOAR. There is no limit for families/guests attending Virtual SOAR. Students will be housed on-campus during SOAR, but families/guests should arrange their own accommodations in the area.
Virtual SOAR for parents/families is available for any support persons of students attending the Virtual SOAR for students OR support persons who are not able to attend an in-person SOAR date with their student. Virtual SOAR is an abbreviated version of our in-person sessions. Click here to register for Virtual SOAR for Parents/Families.
What students should pack for overnight SOAR:
- Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
- Toiletries
- Phone charger
- Towel, Shower Shoes
- Pillow, linens for twin bed (XL)
- Snacks
- Athletic clothes for social time (optional)
- Original documents used for I-9 verification (for participation in the LifeWorks program), and a copy of your health insurance card (for students who have health insurance)
- A keychain to keep your room key on