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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. Important sections to review: 
    • First Year Seminar tab provides information on the First Year Seminar selection and registration process. 
    • First Semester Schedule Examples tab, provides first semester schedule examples to give you an idea of what you can expect out of your first semester schedule based on your major or college/school. 
  • Complete the Course Registration Survey available April 1 
    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
  • Complete the Language Placement Exam
    Please note, this is only needed if you are continuing coursework in any of these languages. To ensure that you begin in the course best suited for you, you will need to take the placement exam. 
    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. If you have NO prior experience with the language, you may simply enroll in a 001-level class such as Chinese 001, French, 001, etc.
    Please choose the appropriate link for your exam
    • Chinese
    • French
    • German
    • Spanish
      • Once there, you will need to set up an account, and answer a series of informational questions. Please be sure to use your Drake i.d. where it asks for i.d. number. Then you will take the multiple-choice exam. At the end, 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 
    • American Sign Language and Arabic Placement - email worldlanguages@drake.edu
  • 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.  

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.

  • 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 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) 
  • Drake Student ID card
    Students have the option of emailing their ID photo to studentservices@drake.edu or getting their photo taken at summer orientation.   
  • 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.
    See Authorizing Proxy Access (How-to)
  • For those who accepted a work study award 
    Please visit Work Study website for more information and next steps.  
  • Submit a roommate request through the 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.  
  • 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 Drake’s 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 28.
    • To access your room assignment, follow these steps (after the dates designated above):

      1. Log into my.drake.edu
      2. Click on the Self Service icon in the "Commonly Used Apps"
      3. Click on the "Housing Roommates" in the Student Record card
      4. Select term

  • Financial Aid
    • 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.

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 
  • 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 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.
  • 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 19: Available fall financial aid will start applying to student accounts
  • August 23: 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 24-26: Welcome Weekend
  • August 28: First day of the semester