New Student Orientation

SOAR (Freshmen, Transfers, Dual Enrollment) – The first step of the orientation process is a series of one-day sessions which take place in June, July, and August. You will select a SOAR session which best serves your needs and fits your schedule.

During SOAR, you will….

• Meet your fellow classmates coming to Reinhardt in the Fall of 2024.
• Learn about studying and living at Reinhardt and becoming familiarized with campus resources.
• Meet faculty and staff that are here to support your growth and development.
• Be introduced to your academic program, policies, curriculum and degree requirements.
• Meet our exceptional Orientation Leaders who want to help you transition to Reinhardt.

Once you have made your NSO reservation, you will have a one-on-one interaction with an academic advisor over summer. Your advisor will reach out to you to schedule an advising appointment through which you will discuss your first semester class schedule. Once you have meet with your advisor, you will be cleared to register for your first semester classes.

We have created a course in Canvas entitled Flight School that can be completed asynchronously (self-paced, independently). This online orientation will be like taking a class and includes different modules (units) covering campus resources, policies, and support services. You will receive access to Flight School once you have made your NSO Reservation.

The final step in a smooth transition to Reinhardt University and will take place in August (Saturday, August 10 – Tuesday, August 13) before the start of fall semester. transition to Reinhardt University.

You might have attended SOAR and completed Flight School, but you aren’t an RU student quite yet. It’s safe to say you aren’t officially an RU student until you have been through Eagle Bound.

Eagle Bound fully immerses you in becoming a RU Eagle and you begin to explore, embrace, and engage what it really means to be a thriving member of the Reinhardt community. Eagle Bound is an action-packed multi-day experience for new commuter and residential students before fall classes start.

With music, entertainment, presentations and games, participating in Eagle Bound is an excellent way to get to know other new students and get connected to the Reinhardt community! Each part of Eagle Bound has a specific purpose to serve new students and families in preparation for your first year at Reinhardt.

Once you’ve been admitted and you have submitted your tuition deposit, you will receive an email invitation to sign up for new student orientation. Submitting the registration form will reserve your date and spot for orientation.

New Student Orientation dates are available throughout June, July and August. Students must reserve their session prior to attending. Space in each session is limited, and students and families are not guaranteed seats in a particular date. The NSO reservation system only allows students to reserve sessions with remaining available seats.

By completing the New Student Orientation Reservation Form, you are reserving your seat for Reinhardt University’s New Student Orientation Program which includes all 4 elements: SOAR, Advising & Registration, Flight School, and Eagle Bound.

When completing the reservation form, you will be required to utilize the email address you used when you applied to Reinhardt. This is the same address where you received the email notification to reserve your seat in orientation.

Once the reservation form is completed, you will receive an email confirmation and check-in time for the event.

If you need to change your SOAR date, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@reinhardt.edu or 770-720-5526. Remember to add admissions@reinhardt.edu and orientation@reinhardt.edu to your safe senders list to ensure you receive all communications related to the event and enrollment processes.

*In order for your registration to process successfully, you must register with the email address that was used for your admission application. 

Summer 2024 NSO Schedule

NSO Dates and Schedules

Please Note: The schedules are subject to change. The final schedule will be handed out during check-in.

SOAR dates for Freshmen – (Click here to view schedule)

• Friday, June 21 — Freshmen
• Saturday, June 22 — Freshmen
• Friday, July 26 — Freshmen
• Saturday, July 27 — Freshmen
• Friday, August 9 Freshman/Transfer

SOAR dates for Transfer Students – (Click here to view schedule)

• Saturday, July 20 – Transfer
• Friday, August 9 Freshman/Transfer 

SOAR dates for Dual Enrollment Dates- (Click here to view schedule)

• Friday, July 19 — Dual Enrollment

Eagle Bound

• Saturday, August 10 – Tuesday, August 13

The New Student Induction Ceremony at Reinhardt University, a tradition in place since 2000, is truly the beginning of every incoming new student’s career as a student at this institution. Students, as well as faculty and staff, participate in this tradition every year.

New students sing the RU Alma Mater, learn about RU traditions, and will receive a personal welcome from the President of Reinhardt and other distinguished guests. These speakers give words of welcome, advice for a successful first year, and inspiration to Reinhardt University’s newest class. Those who attend will discover the meaning behind some of our traditional academic icons, will have an opportunity to sign the Reinhardt University Honor Pledge, most importantly, and will be inducted into the newest Reinhardt University class.

The New Student Induction Ceremony will take place during Welcome Week on Thursday, August 15, at 7:30 PM in the Falany Performing Arts Center. This official University ceremony will welcome you as a member of the Class of 2028.

Students should arrive no later than 7:10 PM at the Falany Performing Arts Center and will be seated according to their FYS class.

Please note that this event is mandatory for all freshman students and as this is a formal ceremony, please dress appropriately. Ladies should wear dresses or suits and gentlemen should wear suits or sport-coats with a dress shirt, tie and dress shoes.

SOAR is the first step of the orientation process and is a series of one-day sessions for new Freshmen, Transfer students and Dual Enrollment students, as well as their families. These sessions occur during June, July and August.

During SOAR, you will….

• Meet your fellow classmates coming to Reinhardt in the Fall of 2024
• Learn about studying and living at Reinhardt and becoming familiarized with campus resources
• Meet faculty and staff that are here to support your growth and development
• Be introduced to your academic program, policies, curriculum and degree requirements.
• Receive your first semester class schedules
• Meet our exceptional Orientation Leaders who want to help you transition to Reinhardt

Please select SOAR session which best serves your needs and fits your schedule.

Not to be confused with SOAR, Eagle Bound is the second step for new students in their smooth transition to Reinhardt University. You might have attended SOAR but you aren’t an RU student quite yet. It’s safe to say you aren’t officially an RU student until you have been through Eagle Bound.

Eagle Bound is the final stage of the orientation program that fully immerses you in becoming a RU Eagle and you begin to explore, embrace, and engage what it really means to be a thriving member of the Reinhardt community.

Eagle Bound is an action-packed multi-day experience for new commuter and residential students the weekend (Saturday, August 10– Tuesday, August 13) before fall classes start.

With music, entertainment, presentations and games, participating in Eagle Bound is an excellent way to get to know other new students and get connected to the Reinhardt community!

Each part of Eagle Bound has a specific purpose to serve new students and families in preparation for your first year at Reinhardt.

Please Note: New students who are residential students will move into their residence hall on the morning of Saturday, August 10.

For a preliminary copy of the Eagle Bound schedule please click the links below. The schedule is subject to change. The final Eagle Bound schedule will be handed out during check-in.

Parents, family members and guardians have an important role to play in supporting students throughout the college journey. New Student Orientation will help guide you through this process and introduce you to all our resources for parents and families.

By participating in New Student Orientation, you will have a chance to get answers to all your questions about academics and campus life, safety and community standards, health and wellness resources, as well as it what it means to belong to the Reinhardt Family.

Parents, Family members and guardians are strongly encouraged to participate in orientation alongside their students. Your student will be able to add up to two guests to their reservation when they sign up for orientation.

The mission of New Student Orientation (NSO), aligning with the institutional mission, is to holistically address the developmental needs of new Reinhardt students and families in transition within the Reinhardt University community. NSO and its related programs (SOAR and EagleBound) are designed and implemented to offer a comprehensive student and parent experience that introduce educational, social, and personal resources to facilitate the success of new students. NSO focuses on innovative collaborations with Reinhardt departments, and aims to develop skilled and confident Orientation leaders in order to meet the changing needs of our diverse community.

Learning Outcomes – New Student Orientation for Students:

• Meaningful connections with at least one faculty member
• An identity with one academic division or program
• Meaningful connections with at least one peer group
• Increased level of commitment to Reinhardt
• Increased awareness of academic and student life resources

Learning Outcomes – New Student Orientation for Parents and Guests:

• Understand the academic and social expectations of their students at Reinhardt University
• Contribute to their student’s success and support their education by becoming involved at Reinhardt University
• Develop a connection to the Reinhardt community through interacting with fellow parents, administration, faculty, staff, and student leaders
• Become aware of campus resources, services and programs
• Inform parents and guests about the history, traditions, campus cultures, and engagement opportunities to facilitate identification with and integration into the institution

Learning Outcomes – Orientation Leaders

• Demonstrate knowledge on how to appropriately access campus information and resources, especially those that ease new student transitions and effectively communicate this information to NSO participants
• Develop positive relationships with program participants, peers, faculty, and staff in order to establish a safe, inclusive and supportive community
• Develop an understanding of the transitions and changes associated with the collegiate experience and an ability to convey that information to new students and their family members
• Develop problem solving, conflict management, and organizational skills in relation to effectively managing events and interpersonal issues
• Gain an understanding and appreciation of Reinhardt University’s history and traditions and portray spirit and pride in Reinhardt to program participants