Housing

Housing Application Steps to Sign Up

1. Log into my.drake.edu using your Drake ID number and Drake password.
2. Click on the fork & knife icon. Housing & Meal Plan Selection Portal will open.
3. Read through the home page and then click on “Apply Here” in the upper left-hand side.
4. Click on Academic Year 2021-2022 or Commuter Status Release for Fall 2021 and submit.
5. If ready, submit the $250 Housing Deposit for On Campus Students (this is due by May 1).

Housing Application Deadline

• There is no deadline but we suggest submitting all materials by June 30th.
• The housing deposit will be refunded as per the Housing Contract at the time of cancellation and deadlines minus any possible university costs that may be on the student’s university account.
• For Residence Hall details, go to drake.edu/life/housing/firstyearhousing.

Roommate Requests

• Students may submit a specific roommate request on the StarRez portal by going to my.drake.edu and clicking on the fork & knife icon in the Roommate Selection Management page and using the Search for Roommates section.
• Once the request is accepted, your roommate’s name will display in the Accepted Roommates section. Both students must complete their housing application in order to search the other’s name in StarRez. All roommate requests must be mutually accepted and confirmed by June 30 in order for you to be assigned together.

Random Roommate Pairing

The process for randomly pairing roommates is:

1. The First-year Seminar chosen as Fall 2021 class registration.
2. Comparing how the students answer their application’s lifestyle survey questions, including clean/cluttered, day/night person, requires absolute quiet/able to tune of most noises, and smoker/non-smoker (all residence halls and campus are smoke free).

Commuter Housing Release Information

Drake has a two-year residential requirement post-high school unless you live within 45 miles of campus and you reside with a parent(s) and/or legal guardian. New students can apply for a housing release prior to June 30th. Here are the criteria:

1. Students with immunocompromised conditions that are unable to live in a residence hall.
2. Students select to complete their fall semester coursework via remote delivery and living with my parent(s)/legal guardian..

Learn More

For a behind-the-scenes look at our dining and residence halls, view this student-produced video by McCade Gowdy, a sophomore studying Digital Media Production. The video titled "Inside the Halls," showcases student rooms, Hubbell dining hall, and much more.

Contact housing@drake.edu with any questions.

Dining & Meal Plans

Campus Dining Locations

• Hubbell Dining Hall: Our newly remodeled and features stations for salads, pizza, pasta, grilled items, international foods, comfort foods, desserts, and more.
• Cowles Café & Starbucks in Olmsted: These locations offer Starbucks coffee, cold beverages, smoothies, and pastries, as well as Simply to Go sandwiches, wraps, salads, and snacks.
• Spike’s Spot C-Store: Our campus convenience store is handy for picking up snacks, drinks, fresh and frozen groceries, and other items you can purchase with your meal plan flex dollars or reloadable Bulldog Bucks.

Food Allergies & Accommodations

• You will find everything in our dining hall from delicious comfort foods to a full range of healthy meals: natural, organic, locally-grown, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, all with nutritional information readily available.
• An on-campus dietitian can help plan meals for you if you have special dietary needs—email her at samantha.matt@sodexo.com

Student On-Campus Meal Plan Options (2021-2022)

• We offer a variety of meal plans, including meal swipes that students can use in Hubbell Dining Hall and flex dollars to spend at any dining location on campus. Unused Flex dollars carry over from the fall semester to the spring semester. All flex must be used by the end of spring semester.
• Unlimited Plus – Unlimited meal swipes plus $300 flex and 6 guest passes = $2,747 per semester
• Unlimited – Unlimited meal swipes plus $100 flex and 6 guest passes = $2,564 per semester
• 175 Block Plan – 175 meal swipes plus $650 flex = $2,564 per semester
• 205 Block Plan – 205 meal swipes plus $525 flex = $2,564 per semester

Student Off-Campus (Commuter) Meal Plan Options (2021-2022)

• 40 Block Plan – 40 meal swipes plus $300 flex = $567 per semester
• 75 Block Plan – 75 meal swipes plus $300 flex = $708 per semester
• 125 Block Plan – 125 meal swipes plus $200 flex = $820 per semester
• All Flex – $250 flex and 10 meal swipes for the student or guest = $253 per semester

Bulldog Bucks

• Bulldog Bucks provide a convenient way to spend money both on and off campus. Simply load funds onto your Drake ID Card and scan like you would a debit or credit card instead of using cash.
• Bulldog Bucks are completely optional and can be used for food at Drake dining facilities, including concession stands, our full-service Starbucks, and C-store, printing costs, Drake Bookstore purchases and select Drake Neighborhood businesses.

Learn More

Contact dining@drake.edu with any questions.

Financial Aid

Securing need-based financial aid (grants, loans, etc.)

• The first step is to complete the FAFSA.
• Only those who submit a FAFSA to Drake will receive a detailed financial aid packet that outlines all awards and costs.

Renewable Aid

• It is important to know if your offered financial aid is renewable each year. This depends on the type of financial aid you are receiving. Most Drake scholarships and grants are renewable unless otherwise noted, as long as academic renewal requirements are met.
• Federal and state financial aid are based on the FAFSA that you submit for each year and are subject to change.

Merit-based scholarships

• Some scholarships that Drake offers are awarded automatically to qualified students.
• Scholarships that require additional application and deadlines are summarized here.

Student Loan Application

• To be offered federal student and parent loans you must complete FAFSA.
• To accept and receive loans you must complete all required steps outlined here.

Special Financial Circumstances that are not reflected in the FAFSA

• You can find and submit a Special Circumstances form here.
• These are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and additional financial aid is not guaranteed.
• If you have further questions regarding financial aid topics, send an email to financialaid@drake.edu and a representative in the Drake Office of Student Financial Planning will be happy to answer your questions.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Drake Students who identify as Students of Color

• 23% of students in the entering class in 2020 identified as a person of color.
• The Crew Scholars Program and the Flight Program explores the diversity of student experiences on Drake University’s campus, with emphasis on the experiences of students of color and on issues related to racial identity.

Percent of Drake Students are part of the LGBTQ community

• 15% of students identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community
• Equity Action Partners are available for people who need to talk about their equity concerns and experiences in an informal, non-judgmental setting—analogous to the “safe zone” members available to LGBTQ+ campus community.

Multicultural organizations are at Drake

• Drake has 14 multicultural organizations, including African & Caribbean Student Association (ACSA), Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA), Coalition of Black Students (CBS), Disability Action Awareness Community (DAAC), Hillel, Interfaith at Drake, International Student Association (ISA), Intervarsity (IV), La Fuerza Latina (LFL), Malaysian Student Association (MASA), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Rainbow Union (RU), South Asian Student Association (SASA) and Student Activists for Gender Equity (SAGE).
• The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion is the focal point for diversity, equity and inclusive efforts on campus and in our community where you will find a wealth of resources, information, and ways for you to get involved.

Drake Faculty who identify as People of Color

• Drake is dedicated to being an inclusive campus for all Bulldogs and is always striving to be better. Diversifying faculty has been a core focus of the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the institution.
• 13% of faculty identify as people of color

Standing up for what is right & taking care of each other

• Drake University is committed to supporting and embracing all identities on campus and working towards systemic change that combats bias.
• All Drake Community members should go to drake.edu/ethicspoint to report any behavior or activity that doesn’t live up to our commitment to equity and inclusion.
• For more information visit drake.edu/diversity/

Summer Orientation

New Changes to Orientation

• Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, 2021 summer orientation programming will be virtual.
• All incoming first-year students are required to participate in a Virtual Orientation session.
• At virtual orientation you will be registered for classes, learn about your schedule and meet other Bulldogs. Preview the schedule for the day at drake.edu/orientation

Special In-person Sessions

• We are excited to offer a bonus option for your Drake Orientation experience, “Connection Days” for students and their Bulldog parent/family members will include campus tours, information about campus resources, and an opportunity for students to meet other new Bulldogs. Orientation Leaders will guide students during their Connection Day experience and answer any questions.
• "Connection Days” sessions have a limited capacity on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students may bring one guest.
• You may attend a Connection Day before or after your Virtual Orientation session. These do not need to be attended in a specific order.

Orientation Registration

• Before you can register for summer orientation, you must pay your non-refundable $250 Tuition Deposit.
• Reserve your orientation spot and find additional details through your Admitted Student Portal at drake.edu/admitted starting in March. You will have the opportunity select both your Virtual Orientation session as well as a Connection Day session.

Parent Involvement

We strongly encourage parents to accompany their student through Virtual Orientation and the “Connection Day” experience. Drake provides many sessions specific for parents and guests. You will have the opportunity to meet other parents who are going through the same experience as you.

Further information

If you have any questions regarding Summer Orientation, please email the New Student Programs Office at orientation@drake.edu.

Study Abroad

Study Abroad

Drake students can join a variety of programs including traditional study abroad program, but also international internship, research, or service-learning programs. Programs last anywhere from two weeks to a semester or academic year abroad.

Eligible Students

Any Drake student after their first year can join an education abroad program. Approximately half of Drake students graduate having had an international education experience. Drake is ranked 25th in the nation for undergraduate participation in study abroad among doctoral universities.

Timing for Study Abroad

Let your academic advisor know your first year if you are interested in studying abroad. They can let you know when is the best time to go for your major. Students can join education abroad programs sophomore through senior year, during graduate school, and even post-graduation.

Options and Locations

Drake offers January-term (J-Term), summer, and semester programs in over 60 countries. There are hundreds of options to choose from year-round and each program specializes in certain academic course work, so some locations and universities abroad are better for certain majors. Set up a meeting with the Drake Global Engagement office so we can discuss your goals and find the right program for you!

Learn More

Find more information when you visit drake.edu/global/studyabroad or follow us on Instagram @drakestudyabroad. Additional questions can be emailed to studyabroad@drake.edu.

Access & Success

Who we are

Access & Success is designed to support students’ personal, academic and social success at the University. Access & Success encompasses disability services, peer tutoring, academic coaching appointments, webinars, workshops and much more. Access & Success provides the tools and support you need to be the best you can be.

Academic Coaching

We believe sometimes students need a little extra support and resources, so no one appointment will be the same. Sometimes, we just serve as an accountability partner. We do goal setting, calendar planning, time management, and offer study strategies to help ensure success at Drake.

Peer Tutoring

Peer tutoring is available at Drake free of charge. Tutoring is available for writing, actuarial science, accounting, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, economics, physics, math, computer science, and with the speaking center. For more information on signing up for tutoring, please visit the following website. (drake.edu/access-success/tutoringpeerassistance)

Other services available

We plan to do monthly workshops and webinars to help students. In addition, we are a new office and have big plans for the future, so please check back often on our website for updates.

Learn More

Please visit our website at drake.edu/access-success/tutoringpeerassistance, for more information.

Get a jump start on day one.

Drake students can enroll directly into classes for their major their first semester; in contrast, at most other colleges, you would be required to take pre-requisites or general education classes for your first two years. This means Drake students can explore their major––and build their resume with internships and research––much earlier than students elsewhere. The result? Drake students who are undecided in major can explore right away. Once you find a major, you will find that it is easy to gain more than one internship (over 90% of Drake students do!) and common to graduate on-time in four years from Drake with more than one degree.

Your tuition is locked in.

Drake’s undergraduate Tuition Guarantee means you receive an exceptional education at a fixed tuition cost that will not change during your four years at Drake. When you plan for educational expenses, you’ll know exactly what tuition will cost throughout your undergraduate experience. Drake’s Tuition Guarantee will save you money on the total cost of your education. How much? Tuition and fees at peer institutions increased an average of 17.5 percent over the last four years. Also, with our Guarantee, your scholarships and grants will retain their value year over year rather than diminishing as tuition rises.

No Teaching Assistants—plus, professors who will mentor you.

Drake has a beautiful campus and fun atmosphere, but all of that is just surface level. What will really matter to you will be the people. Your professors are experts in their field, but also love to teach and mentor and they’re here for YOU. All of your classes will be taught by professors, never TAs. Plus, your professors and advisor (who is also a professor in your major!) will know you by name and help guide you through your time at Drake from internships and research, to class help and life advice. Hearing a theme? Your professors will be a big part of your experience at Drake.

Des Moines—who knew?

(We did!) Drake’s campus is located in the fastest growing city in the Midwest. Des Moines is the state capitol and a major hub in business, insurance, politics, communications, and more! Drake students benefit from internships and professional connections just minutes from campus––and never have to wait for summer break for an internship! Plus, Drake students can get off campus and enjoy a vibrant metro of nearly 700,000 people that includes great shopping, a renowned music and arts scene, and restaurants that will fit any taste!

A Drake Degree is forever—and goes to work right away.

Your memories and experiences will live with you the rest of your life. From studying abroad travels and Drake Relays and Street Painting traditions, to your first internship that leads to your future career break. You’ll make friends and a professional network you’ll have forever. Most importantly having a Drake degree means something. 93% of Drake grads said they were prepared for their career; Over 98% of Drake’s 20219 graduates (and over 95% of Drake’s 2020 graduates––in a pandemic!) found jobs or entered graduate school within 6 months of receiving their bachelor’s degree.