Campus Links
Skip Sub Menu

Bright College New Student Checklist

It’s time to start getting ready for college. And we’re here to help.

This checklist will serve as your one-stop guide to all the tasks you need to complete as you prepare to start your first semester at Bright College. Check off each of the items as you complete them – if you decide in May that you are going to be a future Bulldog, please go back and review the tasks under the previous months to make sure you are all set. 

Pro Tip: Bookmark this page. This page will act as your living schedule, it will be updated frequently—so check back often.

April – Deposits and Orientation Registration

Summer Bridge Program registration opens this month – register for your spot!

  • Tuition deposit
    • In order to register for Summer Bridge Program, you must first pay your $100 non-refundable enrollment deposit. Visit drake.edu/admitted to make this payment.
  • Sign up for a Summer Bridge Program
    • Sign up for the Summer Bridge Program, August 12 - 16, at drake.edu/admitted. 

 

 

May - Welcome & Orientation Prep

This month, you'll complete items to prepare for your summer bridge experience including completing items on your new student checklist.

  • Follow our Drake Admits Instagram
  • If you are choosing to live on campus or if you plan to live at home but would like a commuter meal plan, complete your meal plan selection, complete your housing and meal plan selection (including housing deposit)  
    • Once logged in, click on “Apply Here”
    • Then begin your housing and meal application for the Academic Year 2024-2025.
    • Complete all required pages and be sure to click on submit on the confirmation page.
    • Meal Plan Changes can be completed in August of the Fall Semester and January of the Spring Semester, until the first Thursday of classes. After this date the meal plan cannot be changed.
    • Questions may be directed to housing@drake.edu

June - Orientation & Communities

This month, you'll hear from a Peer Mentor who will serve as your helpful guide for this summer and throughout your first year. 

  • Drake Student ID 
  • Submit your medical history form  
    • Students who have not satisfied the above requirements will not be permitted to register for the following semester’s classes. 
    • Medical history forms may be submitted via email (Studenthealthcenter@drake.edu), fax or dropped off at the Health Center on campus.

July - Learning & Exploration

This month, you’ll explore your interests, discover awesome ways to get involved on campus, and learn more about who you are as a person and a member of the Bulldog community.

  • Check your email you use to access your admitted student portal for communication from your Peer Mentor who will serve as your helpful guide for this summer and for details about the summer bridge program.
  • Start checking your Drake email  
    • Log in to myDrake 
    • Click the My Email icon under Commonly Used Apps. 
    • You will not be required to enter any more log-in information.  A new email window will open automatically.
  • Update your emergency contact information 
    • Log in through myDrake  
    • Select MyDUSIS  
    • Navigate to the personal information tab 
  • For those who accepted a work study award 
    • Complete the application form by July 17 at drake.edu/workstudyapp.  
  • Purchase a parking pass  
  • Deposit funds into your Bulldog Bucks account.
    • Your Bulldog Bucks can be used for printing, concessions, off-campus dining in Dogtown and Bookstore purchases. Bulldog Bucks are different than flex dollars associated with a meal plan 
    • Learn how by visiting drake.edu/studentservices/bulldogbucks.  
  • For students who have food allergies or special dietary needs 
  • For students who need academic accommodations 
    • Complete the intake form by selecting Forms at to start the process for requesting accommodations through Student Disability Services.  
  • Complete Online Sexual Assault Prevention Course
    • This course will educate students about preventing sexual assaults, bystander interventions and provide information about campus resources. Check your email on or after July 1st. It must be completed prior to the start of class to ensure your account is not place on hold, preventing you from registering for classes in the spring. 
  • Student Financial Planning
    • Email financialaid@drake.edu about any non-Drake scholarships you are receiving (Name/source of the scholarship and the amount)
    • Develop your plan to pay your bill. Financial planning worksheets are available here.
    • If utilizing loans, complete all required steps (instructions available here).
    • If utilizing a payment plan, enroll through the Student Accounts section of myDrake after you receive your first bill.
  • Student Accounts

August - Arrival & Welcome Weekend

This month, we’ll dive into the nuts and bolts of everything you will need to know to prepare to start at Bright College. We’ll cover logistics, welcome events, and academic preparation.

  • Attend the Summer Bridge Program
  • Send any relevant final transcripts to the Office of Admission.
    • Email transcripts to admission@drake.edu or
    • By mail to Drake University 
      Attn: Undergraduate Admission  
      2507 University Ave 
      Des Moines, IA 50311 
  • Steps for making meal plan change selection
    • Log into myDrake, click on the Fork & Knife Icon to access the Housing & Meal Plan Portal
    • Click on “apply here”
    • Select your current application
    • Click on Meal Plan Selection Tab
    • Click on Save and Continue
    • Click on the Final Confirmation Tab to complete this meal plan change
    • A confirmation email of the meal plan change will be sent to the students drake.edu email account.
    • Questions may be directed to housing@drake.edu
  • Fall Semester Billing
    • Fall Semester billing notifications are emailed out to students and authorized users.
    • Sign up for the payment plan begins once bills are emailed out and is available until the first day of the term. Setting up a Payment Plan in Touchnet
  • For students who are interested in working on campus 
    • Login to Handshake, is a comprehensive system providing both students and alumni access to employment opportunities, scheduling on-campus interviews and company profiles.
  • For students who are interested in joining the Fraternity and Sorority life. 
    • Learn more about recruitment and how to get involved in fraternity and sorority life by visiting www.drakefsl.com.
  • August 19: Available fall financial aid will start applying to student accounts
  • August 26: First day of the semester