Orientation
Welcome to Your Orientation Experience!
Welcome, Future Koalas! We’re beyond excited to have you join us at Columbia College. Get ready to kickstart your journey with us!
This page will guide you through everything you need to do before your first day of class. From registering for orientation (known as SOAR) to getting involved in campus life, we’ve got you covered every step of the way. Let's make sure you're all set for a smooth, exciting start to your college adventure!
Step 1: Complete Your Virtual Orientation Experience
As soon as you receive your Columbia College email login, you’ll be invited to complete our Virtual Orientation Course on Canvas. This self-paced online course is your first big step to becoming a Koala! It covers all the essentials you need to know before arriving on campus, and you can work through it at your own pace. Here’s what you can expect to tackle in the virtual orientation:
- Financial Aid & FAFSA Tutorials: Step-by-step guides on financial aid, including how to complete the FAFSA and understand your aid package.
- Billing and Payments: Learn about tuition billing, payment plans, and how to manage your student account.
- Email Setup: Set up your Columbia College student email account and get comfortable checking your Webmail – this will be our main way to stay in touch.
- Course Planning: Explore how to plan your first-semester class schedule and get an overview of degree requirements.
- Advising Appointment Prep: Find out how and when to schedule your academic advising appointment and what to prepare for it.
Why this step matters: Completing the virtual orientation ensures you’re prepared and informed. By finishing it, you’ll feel confident and ready for the next steps of your journey – and you’ll already know a ton about being a Columbia College student before you even step on campus!
Step 2: Register for and Attend a SOAR Session
Next, it’s time to sign up for SOAR, our Student Orientation and Registration program. SOAR is a free, one-day, on-campus orientation session (we offer several throughout the summer). This is where you’ll get all the essential info in person, meet your fellow new students, and start your college experience off right! Choose the SOAR date that works best for you and register early to save your spot:
On your SOAR day, you’ll join other incoming students for a fun, informative introduction to Columbia College. You’ll tour campus, get your student ID, learn about campus resources, and maybe even win some CC swag. Our friendly faculty and staff will be on hand to answer questions and welcome you to the Koala family in person!
Orientation Checklist
We’ve made it easy for you to stay on top of everything with your personalized Orientation Checklist. These are the important tasks to complete before you arrive on campus for SOAR. Check off each step as you go!
- Pay Your Enrollment Fee
A non-refundable deposit of $155.00 is required to reserve your spot in the incoming class. This fee helps secure your participation in our Orientation, Advising, and onboarding programs — everything you need for a smooth transition to Columbia College.
- Submit Your ID Photo
Help us get your student ID ready prior to SOAR by uploading a photo of yourself.
- Upload Immunization Records
Columbia College requires all incoming on-campus students to submit their immunization record. Make sure to upload these to your application portal or email them to jmyers@columbiasc.edu.
- Submit Final Official Transcripts
Be sure to send in your final transcripts, including any AP/IB Scores and Dual Credit Transcripts, to ensure we have all the information we need for your academic record. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly from your educational institution to us.
- Take Placement Tests (if eligible)
If applicable, take the necessary placement tests to help us place you in the right courses. More details about this will be provided in the weeks leading up to SOAR.
- Complete Your Housing Form
Tell us about your living arrangements by completing the housing form. This helps us ensure you’re ready to move in and that your housing is confirmed.
Step 3: Participate in Koala Welcome and First Week Experience
Finally, get ready for an unforgettable welcome to campus! Koala Welcome is what we call our move-in weekend and the official kickoff of your Columbia College experience. This is when you’ll move into your residence hall and start settling into campus life. We’ll have tons of early arrival activities to help you get oriented: think helpful workshops, meet-and-greet events, and plenty of Columbia College traditions to dive into. It’s a fun, supportive way to start making friends and feeling at home.
Once classes begin, the excitement continues with our First Week Experience. Throughout your first week on campus, you’ll participate in even more community-building events and time-honored campus traditions designed to connect you with your new community. There will be social events every day, info sessions to introduce you to resources and clubs, and even a Leadership Kickoff event where you can learn how to get involved and grow as a leader at Columbia College. These activities help you acclimate to college life, meet new friends, and truly become part of the Koala nation. By the end of week one, you’ll know your way around and have a bunch of new connections – all while having a blast!
We can’t wait to see you on campus for Koala Welcome and the First Week Experience. Jump in, enjoy every moment, and know that your Columbia College family is here to support you every step of the way. Welcome to Columbia College!
Upcoming Events
There’s so much to look forward to as you prepare for your first year at Columbia College! Here are a couple of important events you won’t want to miss:
Campus Tours
Want to get a feel for the campus? Sign up for one of our Campus Tours to explore our beautiful 52-acre campus, check out our academic buildings, student spaces, and more! It’s the best way to see what life at Columbia College is really like.
Open House
Get ready for an unforgettable day at Columbia College! Whether you're exploring our undergraduate programs or considering graduate studies, our upcoming Open House is your chance to experience all that CC has to offer. Meet inspiring faculty, hear from current students, and enjoy fun activities like our campus carnival and scavenger hunt—with prizes up for grabs!
This isn’t your typical campus tour—it’s an immersive, high-energy introduction to life at Columbia College. Stay tuned and keep checking back for details. You won’t want to miss it!
Housing Info
Where you’ll live and how to make sure everything’s in place for move-in day.
Financial Aid
Got questions about scholarships, loans, or your financial aid package? We’ve got answers!
Campus Life
From clubs and organizations to campus traditions, there’s something for everyone!
Additional Resources
- Housing Info
- Financial Aid
- Health & Wellness
- Campus Life
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will I receive my housing assignment?
Housing assignments for anyone who completed their housing form prior to May 2nd will be ready on June 3rd. Housing assignments for those who completed the form after this soft deadline will be completed on a rolling basis and communicated appropriately.
- When should I buy textbooks?
Virtual textbooks are actually included in your tuition! At the start of classes you will be able to access your books online.
- What is covered in the meal plan? Are there different types?
The meal plan includes access to our campus dining facilities, where you’ll find a variety of meal options, snacks, and beverages. We offer several meal plan types to suit different needs, whether you’re on campus full-time or part-time. You can view the available options on the Dining Services page.
- How do I declare or switch a major?
Declaring or switching majors is easy! Just meet with an academic advisor during your advising appointment, and they’ll help you navigate the process. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need guidance before or after your appointment.
- How do I create my schedule? Can I add/drop classes later?
You will work with your advisor to create your class schedule. Once your schedule is set, you can still make changes, adding or dropping classes, during the designated add/drop period at the start of each semester. Be sure to check with your advisor to ensure any changes align with your academic goals.
- What kind of career/academic advising services are offered here?
We offer comprehensive academic advising to help you stay on track with your courses and major. Additionally, our career services team is here to assist with internships, job searches, resume building, and career exploration. We want to make sure you're prepared for success both academically and professionally.
- What academic resources are there?
Columbia College offers a range of academic resources, starting with the Pearce Communication Center which includes writing & tutoring services, workshops and more. Whether you need help with a specific class or just want to improve your skills, we’ve got the support you need to succeed.
- Are there campus-wide emergency alerts?
Yes! We have an emergency alert system to keep you informed about any immediate campus issues or safety concerns. Details on how to sign up will be provided at SOAR and throughout the semester.
- If I feel overwhelmed and need to talk to somebody, where should I go?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out to our Counseling Services. Our trained professionals are here to help with any personal or academic challenges you may face. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support.
- Is there a fitness center?
Yes! We have a fully equipped fitness center on campus, available to all students. It’s the perfect place to stay active and healthy while balancing your academic life.
- What sort of financial aid opportunities are available?
We offer a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and student loans. Our Financial Aid team is here to help guide you through the process and ensure you have the support you need.
- What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?
Our best piece of advice is: get involved and stay connected. Whether through clubs, events, or your classes, finding your community here at Columbia College is key to making the most of your college experience. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, explore new opportunities, and build lasting relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow students.
Contact Us
Need Help? Let Us Know!
We know you may have some questions as you go through this process, and we’re here for you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need assistance with any of the steps or just have a question!
If you need more help, feel free to reach out to your admissions counselor or admissions@columbiasc.edu. We’re always happy to assist!