Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) is a mandatory event for all incoming first-year students. SOAR is designed to help you enroll in fall classes, complete your Financial Aid, and develop connections with students and staff who will assist you in your academic and personal journey.

SOAR Information

First Flight (Welcome Week) is a five-day, extended orientation program facilitated by the Orientation Leaders—upper-class students. This is an exciting time, immediately before school starts, for the first-year students to get to know one another, make connections with upper-level students and other students in their residence halls, get familiar with McMurry, and have fun!

First Flight Information

McMurry University’s First-Year Seminar Program prepares first-year students for college-level academic work while encouraging exploration of diverse perspectives around a shared subject, theme, or issue. These seminars are not tied to a specific major, allowing students to pursue topics that align with their interests.

Small class sizes foster meaningful engagement with faculty mentors and peers, creating a collaborative learning environment. As students’ first immersive college experience, the seminar emphasizes a well-rounded approach to learning and understanding issues from multiple viewpoints.

Through guided discussion, research, and creative projects, students develop essential skills for academic and personal success, including critical thinking, written and oral communication, and informed dialogue. Faculty instructors also serve as students’ initial academic advisors, while Peer Leaders—current McMurry students—provide additional guidance and support throughout the course.