Before arrival: secure your Purdue access
Activate your Purdue Career Account, set up Microsoft Authenticator MFA, sign in to Purdue email, and bookmark official login pages rather than search-result ads.
- Activate the Career Account using Purdue’s official new-student instructions.
- Set up Microsoft MFA using Purdue IT’s current instructions.
- Sign in to Purdue email and check it regularly for official notices.
- Learn myPurdue, Brightspace, BoilerConnect, and the Purdue Catalog.
- Set up Purdue Mobile ID and know where Card Operations support lives.
Before move-in: finish money and housing tasks
Review the correct financial-aid year, Purdue invoice, housing assignment, move-in instructions, and the services tied to your specific residence.
- Check the Aid Offer, Financial Aid Requirements, and Messages in myPurdue.
- Review the Purdue invoice and set up direct deposit or an authorized user if needed.
- Confirm the assigned residence, move-in date, unloading instructions, and what-to-bring guidance.
- Check the exact mailing address and package-pickup procedure for the assigned residence.
- Determine whether laundry is paid or included and install CSCPay if required.
First week: learn the daily systems
Walk your schedule, learn campus transportation, confirm course access, and understand the everyday services you will use.
- Locate every classroom before the first meeting and use the correct campus map.
- Confirm that each expected course appears in Brightspace and review its syllabus.
- Check current transit information and do not assume old routes or fares still apply.
- Understand the difference between Mobile ID access, meal-plan use, and BoilerExpress.
- If bringing a car, verify eligibility and purchase only the permit Purdue authorizes for your situation.
First month: protect deadlines and know support
Open the official academic and add/drop calendars, then save the support routes you may need before a problem becomes urgent.
- Confirm the campus, term, and course length before using an add/drop or refund deadline.
- Know how to contact your instructor, advisor, tutoring resources, and the Academic Success Center.
- Save ODOS, PUSH, CAPS, accessibility support, and emergency information.
- For an immediate emergency call 911; BoilerCompass is not an emergency service.
Verify before deciding
Campus services differ. If a card says “Verify campus applicability,” confirm the correct Indianapolis, West Lafayette, online, or statewide office.