Purdue Prep

How to Prepare for your Life at Purdue

Are you a future Purdue student and wondering what steps you should take to prepare for life on campus? If so, this page is for you!

1. Register for Classes

Ready to become a student at Purdue? The first step is to register for classes. Schedule a meeting with your advisor, who will help you know which classes are necessary for your first semester. They will reach out to you before your first semester on your Purdue.edu email about how to plan a meeting.

In addition to your counselor’s insight, knowing which courses are required is good to know so you can form your schedule to be optimal for your needs. To find your major’s required courses:

  1. Go to https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/majors/ and select your major.
  2. Scroll down to “Plan of Study”
    • Ensure that the correct year (2024-2025) is selected in the top right.
  3. You will find the required courses here, grouped by category and credit hours.

Tip: Make sure that you transfer any applicable credits from previous schooling to Purdue! This includes courses from high school with acceptable test scoring such as AP, dual credit, or other college-level courses. Check the Purdue Transfer Credit Equivalency Guide for more information: Transfer Credit Guide.

2. Secure Housing

Though you aren’t required to live on campus as a first-year Purdue student, it’s highly recommended as on-campus living provides many opportunities to find a community of friends. If you decide to live on campus, there are a few things you should know:

  • After being admitted to Purdue, log on to the Housing Portal and complete your contract online. If applying for the spring semester, applications begin October 1st. If applying for the fall semester, applications begin January 15th.
  • If you know who you want your roommate(s) to be, you can specify this on the Housing Portal.

  • Many learning communities at Purdue allow you to live in a community of students with common interests.
  • If you want to live in a learning community, fill out the connected form at: Learning Communities Application.

Check your room assignment according to the posted date on the Housing Portal to know which residence hall, room, and roommates you have been assigned.

3. Purdue 101

Purdue 101 is an online orientation program required for all new incoming Purdue students. This program, held through the Brightspace website, provides helpful information on educational resources and campus safety. This program must be completed before the start of your first semester. For more information, look on: https://www.purdue.edu/orientation/purdue101/index.html.

4. Submit Immunization Records

Purdue requires their incoming students to be immunized for various conditions to align with Indiana State Laws and keep their students safe.

Indiana state law requires the following immunizations:

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Two doses are required after the first birthday.
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria: Must have had a booster Td within the last 10 years.
  • Meningococcal Quadrivalent/Conjugate: Must be on or after the 16th birthday.
  • Meningococcal B: If 23 or younger, must complete a two-dose or three-dose series.
  • TB Skin Test or TB Quantiferon Gold Blood Test: This must be administered after arrival in the United States and performed within the last three months (for international students).

Records of these immunizations must be submitted to Purdue University Student Health (PUSH) online.

Subnote: This information was received from Purdue’s Immunization Requirements (Purdue Immunization Requirements PDF), but you can find more details on Purdue PUSH Immunization.

5. Register for Boiler Gold/Cold Rush

Boiler Gold Rush is Purdue’s in-person week-long orientation program for incoming students. Boiler Cold Rush, a similar program for those starting in the spring, is held over two days. Unlike Purdue 101 which focuses on how to be a student, this program shows all of the fun things to do while at Purdue. Boiler Gold Rush is for incoming fall semester students, while Boiler Cold Rush is for incoming spring semester students. Students are put with a randomized group of people and a team leader, who will guide them throughout the orientation period. This program is the perfect opportunity for students who may be nervous about living at Purdue.

To register for Boiler Gold/Cold Rush:

  • Log in to the MyPurdue Portal using your Purdue.edu email and find the Boiler Gold/Cold Rush section.
  • Registration will be completed through this portal.

  • Make sure to sign up for Boiler Gold/Cold Rush by the specified date.
    • For Boiler Gold Rush, students should sign up by July 31st.
    • For Boiler Cold Rush, students should sign up by January 6th.

  • The fee for Boiler Gold/Cold Rush can be paid through the “Bills & Payment” tab on the myPurdue portal.
    • For Boiler Gold Rush, the fee is $375.
    • For Boiler Cold Rush, the fee is $150.

You will receive a confirmation about your sign-up and payment information through your Purdue.edu email.