SOAR FACTS…
SOAR is a mandatory program for all incoming ungraduate freshman, transfer and adult students!
Out-of-State Freshman Students
Being an out-of-state student is a unique and exciting experience. We recognize your specific needs and offer programming designed just for you! We want to make your transition as easy as possible. SOAR will be a great opportunity for you to meet with an advisor, register for classes, and learn about resources on campus.
Tips and FAQ:
- Is SOAR mandatory for out of state students?
- SOAR is a mandatory program for all incoming freshman.
- Is there SOAR session that is recommended for out of state students?
- All of our SOAR sessions provide the same information and programs. We welcome you to reserve your spot for any of the 8 sessions offered in June. However, we do offer a SOAR program in August especially for out of state students. This session is offered duing the week of move-in so your trips to NC will be limited and costs for you will be less. When logging in to make your reservation, you will be given the option of SOAR sessions in June and the one in August based on your out-of-state status.
- What should I do if I am traveling from a long distance?
- If traveling from a long distance, remember to set aside extra time to allow for traffic, emergencies or flight delays to arrive at SOAR on time. Consider staying in a hotel the night before SOAR so you can arrive on time and well rested.
- How do I request assistance or find out more information from the Office of Disability Services?
- Please contact us if you have any individual needs relating to a disability; you may also contact UNCG’s Office of Disability Services.
- Will I meet other out-of-state-students at SOAR?
- Yes, there will be an opportunity during a breakout session at SOAR to meet with other out-of-state students.
- When will I have a chance to get to know others from out-of-state better?
- During UNCG’s Rawkin’ Welcome Week in August, there will be an opportunity to meet new out-of-state students from across the country. We hope you’ll join us!
- I need to fly to Greensboro. Which airport do I use?
- We suggest that you use Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI). More information about the airport can be found through our website http://soar.uncg.edu/directions/. Another option that you may want to consider is Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Additional information about (RDU) can be found by following this link: http://www.rdu.com/
- Be sure to save enough time for all of our SOAR program activities. We suggest making plans to arrive the night before SOAR so you arrive on time for day 1. If you do arrive the night before, a hotel would need to be secured on your own. On day t2 of SOAR, expect to stay on campus until 5:00 pm and make sure to allow enough time to travel to an airport.
- How will I get to know Greensboro?
- An easy way to get to know Greensboro is to take advantage of the Greensboro Visitor’s Center. They have everything you need to know about our wonderful city. There will also be opportunities during SOAR to learn about what Greensboro has to offer, including an information table hosted by the Greensboro Visitor’s Center at our Spartan EXPO.
- I’m not living on campus. Is there somewhere I can look to find a place to live?
- Living off campus is a very different experience than living in the residence halls and we know how important it is to find a safe, convenient and affordable place to live. The Off Campus Housing Web site is a good place to begin your search.
For all your SOAR information, select the appropriate menu option under Freshman SOAR - Students
Expert Advice: Tips From Current Out-of-State Students
You might be wondering what life is like at UNCG. You might also be wondering about North Carolina and the South too. We asked several out-of-state students the following questions in the hopes that their answers will be useful to you.
Were you nervous about coming from out-of-state? What was the most intimidating thing for you when you first arrived at UNCG?
"The most intimidating thing I had to face when coming to UNCG was trying to find friends when many people already knew others from high school. I overcame it by joining organizations like hall council, RHA, and Chi-Omega."
"I was intimidated a little by the size of the campus, but taking a tour really helped me get my bearings and figure out where everything is."
"The most intimidating thing for me was being out here by myself. I didn't know anyone and it was incredibly scary not knowing anyone. Luckily, that feeling goes away. Once I found the group of people that I just "clicked" with, I really didn't find being here so intimidating. It's all about meeting people. Now, I feel like I've met people here that will be my friends for the rest of my life."
"The most intimidating thing for me was meeting all new people. Since I came from Massachusetts, I wasn't coming to school with any friends or people I grew up with so I had to really learn to get out there and be social. I'm normally a very shy person, so this was very hard for me to do. One way I learned to meet new people was by leaving my dorm room door open and just smiling and saying hello to people who walked by, or if I saw other people with their doors open I'd just knock on the door and introduce myself. After the first day, I had already met a lot of awesome people. One of them is one of my very best friends now."
"Not knowing anyone from high school that went here because I was so far away from home. SOAR helped a lot because I met people at orientation and hung out with them when I got to school and met their friends."
"I wasn't necessarily intimidated, but it did surprise me how many people are from North Carolina. My best advice is to find people who stay here on campus over the weekends. You'll find that the people you hang out with on the weekends and outside of class will be the ones who will be your good friends."
What challenges do out-of-state students face?
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"Distance from home was a tough challenge. Most students here are within reasonable driving distance from their parents and their high school friends. I'm from Maine, so I'm 15 hours away from both of those things. That's why I knew it was crucial to make friends here. Make friends with those other out-of-staters in your dorm, even if you just leave your door open or peek your head into someone else's open door. Go out of your way to talk to students in class or join an organization so you feel connected on campus and aren't always missing people at home."
"Honestly, the biggest challenge is just learning about places to go and trying to find directions. I've made friends who also are not from here, so it's most fun getting lost together."
"Friends. It seems everyone I know from North Carolina had people from their high schools that go here. But, people are very nice and everyone seems open to meet new people, so that made making friends easier."
"I guess the hardest part about being out of state and being far from home (I'm from Chicago) is the fact that it's harder to just go home. I didn't go home until Thanksgiving, and when that weekend came I couldn't wait! I suggest going home over fall break. Waiting until Thanksgiving, especially when you haven't been away from home before, is too long."
What has helped you to not miss home so much?
"Making good friends here really helped me forget about what I was missing at home. I talk to my mom regularly, but I also started my own life down here. Get involved in things to keep you busy, and you won't even realize how far from home you are, because this will become your second home."
"Lots and lots of pictures! Also, keeping in touch with friends and my family from back home with weekly phone calls. It also helps making friends with out-of-state students who are in the same boat as you are and who understand and are far away from home."
"Having a cell phone to call back home always helps. Not being able to go home helps too because I know I can't go home every weekend. I could never say that if nothing was going on during the weekend then I'll just go home. I had to find someone to hang out with or something to do, and usually there was always someone here to hang out with."
"GET INVOLVED. I'm an acting major, and I did anything and everything offered. Try out whatever interests you. Yes, it's scary, but so many people are in your boat...don't forget that. You'll feel like you have a place if you get involved. The less involved you are the more you wrapped up in home you are. You need to focus on being independent and find happiness here at UNCG!"
What’s the weather like in Greensboro?
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"Greensboro weather is weird, and its warmer here than where I'm from. You don't need that many winter clothes, but the weather changes often and sometimes daily."
"North Carolina is HOT! Maine gets very hot in the summer, but is a cool and comfortable state the rest of the year. I was not prepared for the humidity here at all. If you freak out when your hair starts to frizz in the humidity, that's something you're going to have to get over. Bring lighter clothes than you would have if you're from somewhere cooler, but don't let the summer fool you... you will need a good coat in the winter! We're not in the tropics here!"
"The weather is relatively similar to where I am from, it changes a little more drastically, but just be prepared, if you are from up north to be warm just a little longer than usual, if your from further south, you may catch a chill sooner but not a deathly freezing one, and most importantly, always carry an umbrella! Rain comes whenever it pleases here."
"Where I'm from, Philadelphia, the weather isn't drastically different, but there is a change. Summer and spring are much warmer down here, but winter is much milder. I would say, don't bring too many heavy sweaters, because you wont need them, but do make sure you have rain boots, and umbrella, and a heavy jacket for when it does decide to get cold. And of course, make sure you have lots of summer/warm clothing! I had to buy more!"
What helped you to learn your way around campus/ town?
"Just going places with my friends helped me learn my way around the town. And, my CA helped me learn my way around campus."
"Walking around this campus so much and going to class really helped me to learn my way around the campus. I know that the day before classes started I decided to walk around the campus to see where my classes are going to be held and to see how far I would have to walk from one building to the next. Learning your way around town is another thing; I still haven't completely gotten the grasp of that."
"Just getting up and going; the more willing you are to go out and just walk around, ride with people, take the bus, and get lost a couple times, the easier and quicker you'll adjust to where things are. The more you go out and about, the less likely you are to forget, and when you get lost, you'll find new things you never knew, or thought you'd need."
"Walking around the campus with friends before classes started my first semester here really helped me to learn the buildings around campus. I also found the specific buildings where my classes would be, that way on the first day of classes I wouldn't be nervous trying to find the right building and room. As for finding my way around town, I basically learned my way around by going out with people to eat, to the mall, the movies, etc. After a month or two, I pretty much knew my way around Greensboro and how to get to places, but I'm definitely still learning a lot of back roads, even 2 years later!"
What were the biggest differences between Greensboro and your hometown?
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"Greensboro is a lot friendlier, and the people are much more inclined to speak to you. It's strange at first but I got used to it."
"Greensboro is bigger than my hometown, so it's nice to have the opportunity to live in a city where there's a lot more going on than I'm used to. Pick up a newspaper to see what's going on, and be sure to pay attention to flyers around campus. The Internet is a great resource if you want to learn more about any city."
"I grew up 40 minutes south of Boston in a town of about 30,000 people. However, I was used to Boston's big-city atmosphere and all the people, so Greensboro didn't seem that big to me. It's definitely bigger than my hometown, but compared to Boston, it's fairly small. One of the things I did before I came to school was 'Google' Greensboro, North Carolina and tried to learn about the city. When you come to school here, though, you'll find a lot of people who grew up in or around Greensboro that will teach you about the city and probably show you around. There's definitely a lot to do around here... and coming from Boston, there's both the city atmosphere as well as a country one."
What have you found is the best way to keep in touch with your family?
"E-mail, e-mail, e-mail! My mom and I are very close, so we talk on the phone most days, but she also loves it when I send her pictures of my friends and me and what we've been up to, and I really appreciate when she sends me pictures of my cats or the latest snowstorm. It makes you feel so much closer to home, so make sure you take advantage of photo attachments."
"Cell phones and e-mail are the greatest forms of communication, especially with distance, and it will also prove beneficial to have an AIM account."
"Emails are really helpful because of their convenience and how easy they are. Sharing pictures though emails are fun too, getting a chance to see what they're up to and what you're up to. But of course, it's good to talk on the phone at least once a week-even if it's just to say hello and hear their voices."
What is one of your favorite places to hang out in Greensboro?
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"There are a lot of places I like in Greensboro. Downtown is pretty, the Inferno is good for night life, New York Pizza is good for a midnight snack, Tate Street Coffee is good anytime, and the mall and Friendly Center are definitely awesome as well."
“Friendly Center is also a cool place to go. The mall is nice, but I really love Tate Street. It has so many different places to eat. Tate Street Coffee is a great place to hang out, and Sisters has become one of my favorite stores."
"Anywhere you go with friends will be fun, but the bowling alley is usually entertaining and going to different campus events is fun as well. Wal-Mart at any hour is a good thing too."
"I like to go to the movies a lot, at either the Grande or the Carousel, both of which are very close to campus. If you like to shop, Friendly Center and the Four Seasons Mall both have a great selection of stores, and don't forget about the HEAT bus that can take you just about anywhere in Greensboro!"
What are some of the regional slang words that you weren't familiar with when you arrived?
"'Toboggan', 'cow tipping', and Cheerwine (never heard of it)."
"Y’all!! No one says ya'll up North! Some people say 'over-yonder'... which is very different for me also! A lot of ways people down here word things is very different from where I grew up. For example, when people go shopping, someone will say, 'What all did you buy?' No one in Massachusetts would ever say that. Up north we would say, 'What did you get?'"
"Well, of course I was familiar with it but had never really heard it used on a daily basis: 'y’alll.' I still don't use it, but mostly everyone does down here. Also, 'fixin', as in, 'I'm fixin chicken for dinner' or something."
"There wasn't much...just getting used to southern slang, which is so weird. They say "soda" or "Coke" and I say "pop." If you're from the north you'll get made fun of what you say, but hopefully in a joking way!"
If you are not from the South, how is the South different from your home region?
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"The South is different from Maine in a lot of ways. I was extremely frustrated by these differences at first, and found it discouraging to encounter so many people that were unfamiliar to me. This feeling will pass, I promise. The more you open your mind when you come here, the better experience you will have. Expect people's opinions to differ from yours in some pretty extreme ways. If you're prepared ahead of time, it won't be as frustrating."
"The South is different because everyone here is a lot nicer and they take their time more than they do at home. Just come to Greensboro being yourself and, over time, you will learn your way."
"The South is different in so many ways! First off, the accents are crazy! Some people down here have very thick southern accents, to the point where when my Dad and I came to visit and for SOAR we couldn't understand some of the things people were saying! (Although, they couldn't understand our Boston accents either!) There's some very country towns around here which I really enjoyed seeing because where I'm from you never see any towns like that. Also, everyone goes at a much slower pace around here than I am used to. In Boston, everyone is always rushing and doesn't have time to stop and relax. In the South, people are much more relaxed and calm. It took me a while to get used to, and I still find myself getting annoyed at people who aren't going fast enough for me, but I'm getting better at trying to relax and live like a Southerner! The only advice I have in order for someone to get well-adjusted is to take things in stride. It will be a big adjustment at first, but if you're meant to be here after a while you'll end up loving the Southern lifestyle!"
"Well like I said before, the South is a lot slower but sometimes nicer. It's not hard to fit in, the South feels very homey to me and I feel like people welcome you. When people give you a hard time about being a 'Yankee' and stuff, it's all just in good fun; embrace your Northern background and stand by it. People are just as curious and interested in you being from somewhere new as you are with where they are from."
What new favorite places/shops/restaurants have you discovered in Greensboro that you didn't have in your hometown?
"I love K&W, Golden Corral, yummy country food, the Waffle House, and Sisters down on Tate Street."
"There are a lot of things that we don't have in Maine, but I have to say I've developed a great appreciation for Cookout. They have a location on High Point Road and one on Battleground, depending on what part of town you happen to be visiting, and you will find the most deliciously greasy and unhealthy fast food anywhere... so don't make a habit out of it, but be sure to check them out during at least one late night out."
"My hometown doesn't have a Jimmy John's....and now I wish that it did!!"
"There's a really cute little ice cream shop that's basically on campus called Yum-Yums that has really good ice cream and is very inexpensive. (You can get a good amount of ice cream for under $2). There's a cute restaurant called Elizabeth's Pizza that's pretty inexpensive and has great food. There's also Chick-Fil-A (fast food) which we did not have up North. As for places, there's a lot more outdoor parks with trails to walk around than there was in Massachusetts, and I really enjoy being outside."
What was the best way to make new friends or meet other out-of-state students on campus?
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"Just by joining clubs and going to events, and generally being open to meeting new people and putting yourself out there. I know that I met a lot of my friends by going to the open house that was held for early admitted students. That is where I met my best friend."
"Leave the door to your dorm room open whenever you're in the room, and always try to talk to people you see in the hall. If someone else has their door open, stop by and introduce yourself. I met my best friends this way. Do things with the people in your dorm, even if it's just going to the Caf together. They are all freshman going through many of the same classes and situations that you are, so make sure you go through it all together!"
"The way that I made new friends really just getting myself out there and introducing myself to people in my dorm during the first week or two. As for meeting other out-of-states, it sounds kind of weird, but I actually met a lot of other out-of-staters on Facebook! People would notice that I was a long ways from home, and message me to say hey. Also, the girl that I roomed with at SOAR and I kept in touch throughout the rest of summer and were able to meet up when we got to school. The only way to really make new friends though is to really become social and no matter how shy you are, just get out there as much as you can! Also, don't be nervous, everything will fall into place and you'll end up really enjoying yourself! College is a great place to learn to really become an independent person!"
"DONT STAY IN YOUR ROOM ALL OF THE TIME! The more you get out to do things and meet people, the more out-of-state students you're bound to meet. Some of my best friends are from good old North Carolina. It's good not to stick to your 'own kind.' Also, Facebook is always a good way to at least find out-of-state students and know that they're around. It's comforting to see how many people are out there just like you."
"SOAR helped with meeting new people. Classes always help, but so does the Rec Center and the Soccer games early in the year."
"GET INVOLVED. Seriously, you'll be so happy you did!"
A special thanks to UNCG students: Chandra Baynes, Ashley Buell, Ashley Burrell, Megan Ciavarra, Heather Dark, Travis Handcock, Keonna Harrison, Lili Johnson, Kathleen Leary, Chelsea Litalien, Alyssa Starbuck, and Carla Vicens.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Suite 245 EUC, PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5231
FAX 336.256.2586
EMAIL soar@uncg.edu