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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 Drake. 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.
February - Register for Summer Orientation
Let's get started - Summer Orientation opens this month – get your spot early!
- Tuition deposit - if you haven't already
In order to register for summer orientation, you must first pay your $250 non-refundable enrollment deposit. Visit drake.edu/admitted to make this payment.
- Sign up for an Orientation Session
Sign up for your orientation session of choice at drake.edu/admitted. Date preferences are process on a first-come, first-serve basis.
March - Housing and Authentication
Select your Housing and Meal Plan.
- If you have not already done so, complete the Housing & Meal Plan Selection Application, for on campus housing with the $250 Housing Deposit or Commuter Fall 2023 for students who meet the commuter release residency requirements.
Full-time students must live in a Drake residence hall during any period of University enrollment within two years following high school graduation. Exceptions include individuals who are married or live within a 45-mile radius of Drake University with their parent(s)/legal guardian.- Students who qualify for an exception to the two-year residency requirement and are seeking commuter status must submit a commuter application and receive written approval from the Office of Residence Life. If you have any questions, please email housing@drake.edu
- Set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) so you can access key campus systems including myDrake.
See these MFA guides for directions
April - Fall Semester Class Registration Preparation
Preparations are underway for your arrival. Review academic information and submit your course registration questionnaire this month.
- Review the Advising Guide
We have designed the information to prepare you to fill out the course registration survey. We encourage you to thoroughly review all materials before filling out the survey. - Complete the Course Registration Survey available April 3
Students must complete the survey before Drake staff can prepare your fall semester schedule. Also, please note that this survey allows you to save and continue. However, once you hit submit, you can no longer edit.- Priority deadline: May 15
- Final deadline: June 1
- Submit your Medical History Form
- Students who have not submitted a medical history form 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 table during the services fair on day two of summer orientation.
- Prepare to get your Mobile Drake ID!
- Drake University offers a Mobile Drake ID. To create your ID, please start by submitting a photo online. Once your photo has been approved, you’ll be able to add a Mobile Drake ID to your phone and/or smartwatch. Instructions on how to load your Mobile Drake ID to your devices are also posted in the Knowledge Base.
- Check out Course Ready!
- This Fall, we are launching an innovative program that automatically provides students with all required course materials on or before the first day of class. The hassle of ordering textbooks and materials is over!
- Complete Language Placement Exam - if interested in pursuing studying a language.
- The Department of World Languages and Cultures looks forward to seeing you in our language and culture courses. To ensure the class best suited for you, we require a placement exam for everyone who has previous experience with the language. Please complete the placement process following the instructions below.
- *If you have NO prior experience with the language, you may simply enroll in a 001-level class (ex., Chinese 001, French, 001, etc.)
- Chinese, French, German, and Spanish - choose the appropriate link for your exam
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Spanish
- You will need to set up an account, and answer a series of informational questions. Be sure to use your Drake ID where it asks for ID number. After taking the multiple-choice exam, you will receive a score and a Drake placement level. It should take less than 20-30 minutes, on average. Your Drake account will be charged $5 to offset the cost of the exam.
- Japanese - Please click this link and fill out a Japanese learning history survey. After submitting the survey, you will hear from the Japanese instructor. You will work with them to determine your level.
- American Sign Language - email worldlanguages@drake.edu. A WLC faculty member will contact you regarding your placement exam. You will work with an instructor to determine your level.
- Note: If you are taking the exam in more than one language, please email worldlanguages@drake.edu and include the names of the languages. You will then receive a link to the second exam in an email. You can also contact this email address with any questions.
May - Welcome & Orientation Prep
This month, you'll complete items to prepare for your summer orientation experience including submitting deposits and completing items on your new student checklist.
- Upload your (future) Drake ID photo:
- You can upload the picture you want to use in your Drake ID. You can set up your ID at orientation, but in order to do so, you must upload your preferred ID picture at least 48 hours ahead of orientation. Once your photo has been approved, you’ll be able to add a Mobile Drake ID to your phone and/or smartwatch to use as your campus identification as a Drake student.
- If you’ve waited 24 hours after you’ve registered for orientation, and you are still having trouble logging into Drake systems, feel free to contact ITS for assistance. If you are having trouble with your mobile Drake ID or loading a photo, feel free to contact Student Services for assistance.
- Join our Class of 2027 Facebook Group
- Music majors: Look for a follow-up email from Mary Beth Holtey, Assistant Dean, with details about theory placement and keyboard placement.
- Student-athletes: Be checking your Drake email for communication from Stephanie Sledge (Associate Athletics Director for Student-athlete Success), containing specific information regarding athletics.
- Wait to purchase your technology until you have attended summer orientation. Check out New Student ITS information.
- Submit your 2024 Medical History Form
- Students who have not submitted a medical history form 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 table during check-in on day one of summer orientation.
June - Orientation & Communities
This month, you'll hear from an Orientation Leader (OL) who will serve as your helpful guide for this summer. You will also attend your summer orientation session to meet new fellow Bulldogs, review your fall semester schedule and learn about Drake resources and support services.
- Check your email you use to access your admitted student portal for communication from your Orientation Leader (OL) who will serve as your helpful guide for this summer and for details about your orientation session.
- Prepare for your Summer Orientation session
- Students will be assigned a room for the night. Linens, towels, and a thin blanket are provided for your stay in the residence hall. The following items are recommended:
- Extra blanket
- Alarm Clock
- Extra towel and toiletries
- Casual clothing and shoes
- Extra money for Drake apparel and snack (meals are provided)
- Sweater/Sweatshirt (temperatures in different buildings vary)
- Students will be assigned a room for the night. Linens, towels, and a thin blanket are provided for your stay in the residence hall. The following items are recommended:
- Prepare to get your Mobile Drake ID!
- Drake University offers a Mobile Drake ID. To create your ID, please start by submitting a photo online. Once your photo has been approved, you’ll be able to add a Mobile Drake ID to your phone and/or smartwatch. Instructions on how to load your Mobile Drake ID to your devices are also posted in the Knowledge Base.
- We are launching Course Ready in the fall of 2024 as the ultimate student resource for success and convenience. Course Ready takes care of the logistics by providing textbooks and required course materials for undergraduate students.
- Submit your Medical History Form
- Students who have not submitted a medical history form 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 table during check-in on day one of summer orientation.
- Set up your parent or guardian to have Proxy Access to receive communication from Drake or view your academic information.
- For those who accepted a work study award
- Please visit Work Study website for more information and next steps.
- Submit a roommate request through Housing & Meal Plan Selection Portal by June 30.
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.
- Start checking your Drake email
- Log in to myDrake
- Click the My Email icon under Commonly Used Apps.
- Update your emergency contact information
- Log in to myDrake
- Select My Information in the My Drake Profile section
- For those who accepted a work study award
- Please visit Work Study website for more information and next steps.
- 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
- Reach out to dietitian Samantha Matt via email at samantha.matt@drake.edu.
- 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.
- Housing Assignments will be available online starting Friday, July 26.
- To access your room assignment, follow these steps (after July 26):
- Log into my.drake.edu
- Click on the Self Service icon in the "Commonly Used Apps"
- Click on the "Housing Roommates" in the Student Record card
- Select term
- To access your room assignment, follow these steps (after July 26):
- If you live off campus you will be receiving an address verification email to receive your course materials through Course Ready. Make sure to select your preference for picking up course materials at the Bulldog Shop or your current address.
- Financial Aid
- Email financialaid@drake.edu about any non-Drake scholarships you are receiving (Name/source of the scholarship and the amount)
- Develop 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.
- Tuition and Billing Information
- Add anyone who you would like to receive billing notification or have access to your student account as an authorized user. Setting up an Authorized User in Touchnet
August - Arrival & Welcome Weekend
This month, we’ll dive into the nuts and bolts of everything from what you’ll need to bring with you to how you can prepare yourself to be healthy and safe at school. We’ll also cover move-in logistics, welcome events, and academic preparation.
- Log in to College Board or IB and have your scores sent to Drake. Your high school cannot send your scores, you must have them sent directly from College Board and IB.
- 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
- Email transcripts to admission@drake.edu or by mail to Drake University
- With school starting so soon, remember we've taken care of all required course materials this Fall for the first time ever through Course Ready.
- For students not enrolled in Course Ready, order your textbooks through Drake's Official Online Bookstore, powered by Books by eCampus. Sign in via myDrake to view a customized list of professor-selected course materials according to your schedule. Ship free to Bulldog Shop for convenient on-campus pickup; we'll hold your books until you arrive on campus.
- Making meal plan change selection
- Click here if you would like to make changes to your meal plan selection.
- Fall Semester Billing
- Fall Semester billing notifications 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.
- We highly encourage student employees to complete their direct deposit as soon as possible. This simplifies the payroll process for students and Drake’s payroll department. Attached is a visual to complete enrollment. Please reach out to student.employment@drake.edu if you have any questions.
- August 21: Move in Day
- Be sure to check your Drake email early August for information on how to sign up for a move in time.
- Visit the Office of Residence Life website for more details on move in.
- August 22 - 24: Welcome Weekend
- Check out Welcome Weekend details and schedule.
- August 26: First day of the semester
- Fall bills are due in full if you did not sign up for a payment plan. Making a Payment to your Touchnet Account
