Frequently Asked Questions

How do I receive an invitation to attend SOAR?

To receive an invitation to attend SOAR, a student needs to be admitted to the University. Invitation letters are mailed out in the Spring to each student's home mailing address. The Office of Orientation and Student Success will send out SOAR invitations once a week to students admitted after the initial mailing. Please allow 3 or 4 business days for your inivitation to arrive.

What activities will happen while I'm at SOAR?

During SOAR, students and their parents/guests will participate in a number of events, such as panel discussions, meetings with current students, staff, and faculty, and advisement for class schedules. Before leaving SOAR, each student will have registered for his/her Fall classes. 

Can my parents/guardians come with me to SOAR?

Yes, we encourage students' parents/guardians come with them to SOAR. During the program, there will be activities for both students and their parents/guardians.

I'm a Freshman. Do I have to attend both days of SOAR?

Yes, both days of SOAR are required. Students need to attend all of the scheduled events in order to register for their classes. Please do not reserve a SOAR session if you cannot attend the entire program.

I am not sure what the "Living & Learning Villages" are, how do I get more information?

Students registering for SOAR will be asked if they are interested in TTU's "Living and Learning Villages".  These "Villages" have been established at many universities nationwide and provide an opportunity for students to get involved within their campus community. Each year TTU establishes a new "Village" focused around a common theme. Students living on or off campus are encouraged to participate. For more information, please visit http://www.tntech.edu/reslife/livinglearningvillages/.

What are the attendance fees for attending SOAR?

To see a current list of attendance fees for students and their guests, please visit the "Attendance Fee" page.

Where will I stay overnight during SOAR?

Students and guests are invited to stay on campus in our residence halls during SOAR. There is an additional fee if you desire to stay overnight. A list of lodging fees is available on the "Lodging during SOAR" page.

Participants can also choose to make their own arrangement at a local hotel, or if feasible, can stay at home or with a friend overnight. For a list of hotels in the area please go to the Cookeville Visitors Bureau site: MustSeeCookeville.com.

Why is SOAR On-Campus Lodging not available for Session 10?

Only students who attend SOAR Session 10 in August and are living in a residence hall will be able to move in to their assigned hall on Sunday, August 19, 2012 between 3:00pm and 6:00pm Central or Monday, August 20, 2012 before 12:00pm Central. Resident Assistants (RAs) for each hall will be available to assist students checking in. Please visit the Residential Life website at http://www.tntech.edu/reslife/ for more information. *Please remember SOAR session 10 begins at 12:00pm Cental on Monday.

Why is the SOAR session I want closed?

Space is limited at each of the SOAR sessions, so please reserve your date as early as possible. Each session is available on a "first-come, first-serve" basis.

If a session fills up, it will be closed to any further reservations. Please choose a date that is open to ensure that you will be able to attend SOAR.

I can't attend any of the SOAR sessions. How do I register for classes?

If you cannot attend any of the sessions, you will be able to register the day before Fall classes start. For Fall 2012, classes start on August 27, so you would be able to register on August 24.

My friend is also going to be a new student at Tennessee Tech in the Fall. Can he/she come with me to SOAR?

Each student who is admitted to the University will receive an invitation to attend SOAR. A reservation for each student is needed in order to attend SOAR and register for his/her classes. SOAR Sessions have limited availabilty so students and their friends are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as they can to get the same session.

I reserved a SOAR date, but I won't be able to attend. How can I reschedule to another available session?

After creating your login and password for the reservation system, you will be allowed to make changes to your reservation up to 7 days prior to your inital scheduled date. Please refer to your SOAR Invitation letter regarding the link to access the SOAR Reservation System. You can also email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact the Office of Orientation and Student Success at (931) 372-3245 to make any changes to your reservation.

What payment methods are accepted to pay my SOAR reservation fees?

In order to make your reservation, you will have to have a credit card or debit card (with a Visa or MasterCard logo) available. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards. If you do not have a credit card or debit card (with one of the previous mentioned logos) available, we suggest purchasing a pre-paid credit card with the appropriate amount as your total SOAR fee(s).

Will I have to pay my tuition at SOAR?

No. Students will need to confirm their schedules and pay their tuition/fees by 11:59pm CST on August 14, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester. Students attending SOAR Session 10 will need to complete this process by 11:59pm CST on Sunday, August 26, 2012 (the day before Fall classes start) for the Fall 2012 semester. For more information regarding how to confirm enrollment and pay tuition & fees visit http://www.tntech.edu/bursar/confirmenroll/. Students who do not pay & confirm by the above deadlines will have their schedules purged and will be required to re-register for the upcoming semester.

I no longer plan on attending Tech, what do I need to do?

Students who no longer plan on attending TTU should complete the Not Attending Form. If you are unable to access this form please call the Office of Admissions 1-800-255-8881 or the Office of Orientation and Student Success (931) 372-3245 and we will be able to assist you with your decision.

I am a freshman, but I am starting TTU in the Spring semester...

If you are an incoming Freshman student starting TTU in the Spring semester then you may sign up for New Student Orientation once your admission to the University is complete. This is similar to our summer Freshman SOAR program, but is condensed to help new students adjust quickly to our campus. More information about New Student Orientation may be found at http://www.tntech.edu/orientation/newstuorientation/.

Who do I contact if I have questions about SOAR?

You can email any questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can contact the Office of Orientation and Student Success at (931) 372-3245 for answers about SOAR.

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