Your Next Steps to Becoming a Bulldog
Academics
The Drake Curriculum consists of two components: a First Year Seminar, and a set of either the Areas of Inquiry or the Honors track requirements. Students are required to complete both components to graduate.
DECIDE BETWEEN THE AREAS OF INQUIRY (AOIs) OR THE HONORS TRACK. At Drake, you can choose between two curriculum tracks: the AOI track OR the interdisciplinary Honors track. If you select the AOI track, you will take 9 courses across 9 disciplinary areas. The Honors track requires one course called Paths to Knowledge, plus three AOI courses and five Honors electives. Any Drake student is welcome to take honors courses, but students must declare the Honors track to be in the program. Learn more about the AOI and Honors tracks at drake.edu/dc .
PLAN TO PICK UP YOUR COURSE MATERIALS AT THE BULLDOG SHOP. Drake’s Course Ready program ensures you will be ready to go on the fi rst day of class. No need to worry about ordering the right materials as this is all taken care of for you! Your class schedule will be sent to the Bulldog Shop in Olmsted,
and your course materials will be ready for pick-up when you move in. This includes all required textbooks and any other course materials required by your instructor. Digital textbooks are available in place of physical copies whenever possible. The cost of Course Ready is $267 per semester and automatically added to your account. Course Ready materials are rentals and must be returned to the Bulldog Shop at the end of each semester. You can opt-out of this program each semester, but if you do so, make sure you purchase all of your course materials on your own. Course Ready saves you time, money, and lowers stress. We’re here to support you!
COMPLETE AN ACCOMMODATION
REQUEST FORM. Students with disabilities are expected to begin the accommodation process this summer by completing the Accommodation Request Form on the Access & Success website. After submitting the
form students should schedule their intake appointment through Starfish during June or July. Completing your intake this summer ensures that accommodations are in place for the fi rst day of classes. Stop by the Access & Success table at the Services Fair to get questions answered and schedule your appointment. In addition to accommodations, Access & Success offers academic coaching and tutoring services to support all students.
START PLANNING FOR STUDY ABROAD.
As a Drake student, you have the opportunity to study abroad, and planning begins in your fi rst year. The Division of Global Affairs is here to help identify programs that align with your goals and support you through the study abroad experience from pre-departure to re-entry. Drake offers semester and short-term opportunities designed with affordability in mind. Learn more about study abroad at drake.edu/global
Housing
You’ll feel right at home at the center of our community in one of our four first-year residence halls. Drake is dedicated to its two-year residency requirement, and as a new or transfer student, you must live in the residence halls for the first two years following high school graduation, unless you qualify for a commuter release. Housing placement is prioritized based on the completion date of your housing & meal plan contract and your paid $250 housing deposit–whichever is submitted latest–and your First Year Seminar registration.
SUBMIT YOUR HOUSING & MEAL PLAN APPLICATION BY JUNE 15TH. To do this, go to my.drake.edu, click on “Student Home”, then click on Campus Resources, then click on the fork and knife icon, “Housing & Meal Plans”, and select “Apply Here” to begin your Residence Hall 2026–2027 application and contract. Students requesting housing accommodations should have their provider complete the Disability Documentation Form by the preferred June 15th deadline.
APPLY FOR COMMUTER STATUS. Our two-year on-campus housing requirement is waived for those who apply and are approved for commuter status. To qualify, students must be married or living with their parent(s)/court-appointed legal guardian, within a 45-mile radius of Drake’s campus. Eligible students will be asked to provide the necessary documentation for their request. A commuter status application does not guarantee approval. To apply, follow the same housing and meal plan application steps as above to begin your Commuter Fall 2026 application.
SUBMIT YOUR $250 HOUSING DEPOSIT BY JUNE 15TH. This is separate from the $250 tuition deposit you submitted when you accepted your admission to Drake. Information on how to submit your housing deposit can be found in your housing & meal plan application in the section, “Housing Deposit Information”, click “Pay Now” to submit your housing deposit.
REQUEST A ROOMMATE BY JUNE 15TH. To do this, go to my.drake.edu, and you will go to your completed “Residence Hall 2026-2027” application following the same steps you took to submit your housing and dining application. Click on the section “Roommate Selection”, and you will click on “Search for Roommate by Details” to begin the process. All roommate requests must be agreed to and confi rmed by roommates by June 15th for you to be assigned together. If you don’t have a roommate in mind, you will be assigned someone based on the information you provided on your Housing & Meal Plan Application.
FIND YOUR RESIDENCE HALL PLACEMENT. On July 17th, log into my.drake.edu, click on “Self Service”, fi nd the card titled “Student Records”, and click on “Housing Roommates.” You will then see your Hall of Assignment and any roommates that you may have.
PURCHASE A PARKING PASS ONLINE AT DRAKE.EDU/PUBLICSAFETY. Drake allows fi rst-year students to have a car on campus. The online portal for fall parking permits opens in July. By purchasing a parking permit, you are guaranteed an available spot in the corresponding lot, although you are not guaranteed the most convenient space. Lots fi ll up quickly on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE DART BUS ROUTES. If you do not plan to bring a car to campus, as a Drake student you ride the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) bus system for free by showing your Drake ID. Route information can be found online at ridedart.com
Scan to see important 2026–2027 residence hall dates.
Dining
Hubbell is Drake’s main dining facility and offers various all-you-care-to eat food stations. Residential meal plans offer Unlimited, Unlimited Plus, 205 or 175 meal swipes per semester, as well as a set amount of Dining Dollars.
SELECT A MEAL PLAN. To view a full breakdown of our meal plan options, visit drake.edu/residencelife/ mealplans. Meal plan changes can be requested until the fi rst Thursday of classes each semester. After this date, meal plans cannot be changed. Dining Dollars from the fall semester will carry over to the spring semester as long as a spring meal plan is purchased. If a spring meal plan is not purchased, any remaining fall Dining Dollars will expire at the end of the fall term. All dining dollars expire at the end of the spring semester. To select your meal plan option, visit my.drake.edu, select the fork and knife icon under Campus Resources, and choose “Housing & Meal Plans.” In late July, an email will be sent to all residential students and commuter students, to your drake.edu email address with the instructions on how to change your meal plan during August if you choose.
EXPLORE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DINING DOLLARS AND BULLDOG BUCKS. While the two may seem interchangeable at fi rst, dining dollars can only be used at on-campus spots like Starbucks, On the Go, Cowles Café, and at concessions at athletic events. Bulldog Bucks can be used at any of those on-campus spots, as well as select restaurants in Dogtown, Drake printers around campus, The Bulldog Shop, and more. For a full breakdown, visit drake.edu/life/dining.
NOTIFY OUR DIETITIAN OF ANY SPECIAL DINING REQUIREMENTS. If you are gluten-free, vegan, have a food allergy, or have other specific dietary needs, contact our registered dietitian Samantha Matt at Samantha.Matt@drake.edu.
FIND NEW RESTAURANTS
AROUND
DRAKE AND DOGTOWN.
Dogtown is the dining and retail area across the street from Old Main. Here, you’ll fi nd places to eat like the Drake Diner, Fernando’s Mexican Grill, Gursha Ethiopian Grill, Mars Café, Dough Co. Pizza, and Lucky Horse. On the west side of campus, you’ll fi nd Hugo’s Wood Fired Kitchen after 8 Degrees Café and Boba, and University Library Café.
Student Life
Campus involvement is integral in shaping your college experience by creating lasting friendships through shared interests. Drake offers more than 150 student organizations you can be a part of, from academic groups to fraternity and sorority life to multicultural organizations. If you don’t see a pre-established group that aligns with your interests, you can form a new one.
JOIN CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS ON CAMPUS.
Getting involved with clubs and organizations is a great way to expand your connections on campus academically, professionally, and socially. We encourage you to check out our sports clubs, various religious organizations, multicultural organizations, student government, and a variety of special interest groups. Drake also offers academic clubs and professional fraternities and honor societies. To see a full list of current student clubs and organizations, and to fi nd the steps to create your own Registered Student Organization, visit drake.edu/studentorganizations.
CHECK OUT OUR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. Drake Recreational Services provides students with a variety of healthy and fun activities, programs, and services. Intramurals consist of competitive and recreational leagues and tournaments. Drake offers Sport Clubs and Premier Sport Clubs for more practice and competitive athletic opportunities. Group X programs provide various group exercise classes including yoga and strength training. For a full list of all our programs, visit drake.edu/recservices or download the free DrakeRecServices app.
EXPLORE AUDITION OPPORTUNITIES. You don’t have to be a music, art, or theatre major to participate in our fi ne arts program. If you enjoy making art, we’re guaranteed to have a place for you. Join groups like our marching band or various choirs, or exhibit your art at our very own Anderson Gallery. To see opportunities open to all students, regardless of major, visit drake.edu/studentinvolvement.
Health And Safety
We take the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff seriously. When you enroll at Drake, you are also enrolled in our Bulldog Alert system, which connects the campus to real-time announcements of campus closings, security alerts, inclement weather, and more. Bulldog Alerts are sent to the Drake email and phone number we have associated with your file. Our Department of Public Safety collaborates with local law enforcement and community organizations to keep our campus safe and secure.
VISIT THE COUNSELING AND HEALTH CENTER. The Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake provides routine wellness exams, vaccinations, non-emergent, acute illnesses and injuries, urgent care, mental health, family medicine, and a rotation of specialties. This clinic is located right next to Walgreens, across from campus. As a student, your office visit is free. However, any additional services including laboratory work, X-rays, and injections, will incur an additional cost to you. Before services are rendered, a provider will discuss the needed services and fee schedule. Drake’s counseling center, located inside the Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake, offers free, unlimited in-person and telehealth therapy sessions for all of our students. Telehealth will be provided only to students residing in the state of Iowa at the time of the appointment.
Drake University is now partnered with TimelyCare to deliver a new virtual health and wellbeing platform for students. Through either a mobile app or your desktop, TimelyCare provides 24/7 access to virtual care from anywhere in the world, at not cost. Students may get started with TimelyCare by downloading the TimleyCare app and signing up with their Drake email and password.
COMPLETE AND RETURN YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY FORM TO THE BROADLAWNS
COMMUNITY CLINIC AT DRAKE. Medical history forms are required for all full-time students and must be completed before the second week of classes. If you do not complete this form, you will not be able to register for spring semester courses. Visit drake.edu/health for a full list of health policies and forms, as well as mailing addresses or emails to send your health records.
DOWNLOAD THE RAVE GUARDIAN APP. This app allows you to check in with family, friends, Drake Public Safety, or others you trust to help you stay safe both on and off campus. You can set a safety timer to notify those you trust to check in on you if you are alone or in an unfamiliar place. Rave Guardian also allows you to send emergency communications easily by calling or texting tips and photos to safety officials directly. Rave Guardian can be found in both Apple and Android app stores and is free to download.
Working On Campus
There are many great reasons to work on-campus while at Drake. Many students work with departments or offices that align with their personal, academic, and professional interests. Others work to support college expenses (e.g., tuition, books/materials, etc.) and earn a little spending money. ALL campus jobs help students gain skills that employers value.
BROWSE ON-CAMPUS JOBS. Search for and apply for on-campus jobs on Handshake, Drake’s career management platform.
1. Log-in at drake.joinhandshake.com with your Drake ID and password
2. Browse jobs under Drake University On-Campus Employment
3. Apply for jobs directly on the platform!
Our Career Services team is here to help you fi nd opportunities that meet your interests and skills, whether on campus or in the community, during school or after graduation.
PREPARE FOR YOUR CAREER. Career Services offers comprehensive services to undergraduate and graduate students, including internship and job searches, resume and cover letter writing and feedback, interview preparation, graduate school applications, and more! Learn more at drake.edu/career
Drake Information Technology Services (ITS) provides and maintains internet access across campus, oversees information security and network support, maintains technology support for classrooms, and offers general technology support to students, faculty, and staff. These steps will help you get started with the technology you’ll use while at Drake.
SET UP YOUR DRAKE PASSWORD. To log into campus websites including myDrake (my.drake.edu), you must fi rst set a password. Visit password.drake.edu to manage your password, recovery information, and Multi-Factor Authentication.
and Multi-Factor Authentication.
CONFIGURE MULTIFACTOR AUTHENTICATION (MFA). Download the free Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone and visit myDrake. Once your password and MFA are configured, you’ll be able to access your class schedule, grades, proxy access settings, your Drake Outlook email, Wi-Fi on campus, printing on campus, and much more.
Download the free mobile ID at any reader where physical cards are also accepted. Your mobile ID serves as your key to access your residence hall and academic
DOWNLOAD YOUR MOBILE DRAKE ID. Install the Transact eAccounts app on your phone and use your Drake login to access your mobile ID and save it to your Apple Wallet, Samsung Wallet, or Android Wallet. Some smartwatches connected to your phone may prompt you to add the mobile ID at any reader where physical cards are also accepted. Your mobile ID serves as your key to access your residence hall and academic buildings after hours, as well as your Cowles Library card.
REVIEW THE ITS NEW STUDENT RESOURCES. Visit drake.edu/its and select the “New Student Resources” link for additional next steps such as setting up proxy access, discounts for computer purchases, free soft ware downloads, and much more.
NEED HELP?
NEED HELP? Reach out to the ITS Support Center at service.drake.edu/its or 515-271-3001 for technology assistance.
Bulldog Families
Families, we know this is an overwhelming time when your student receives a lot of information. Here are the basics you should know before move-in day in August.
PREPARE FOR MOVE-IN. To check-in and receive their room key, your student will need a photo ID, a move-in time slot, a completed housing and meal plan contract online, and a paid housing deposit. For move-in day, please label all moving boxes and items with your student’s full name and the name of their residence hall. Any items mailed ahead of move-in must arrive no earlier than Monday, August 17th. Anything mailed before this date will be returned to the sender.
SEND A LETTER OR A CARE PACKAGE TO YOUR STUDENT. Mail is sorted by resident name. Room numbers are not used for sorting. Letters and packages will be delivered to Drake Postal Operations in Olmsted, and students must show a photo ID to claim their mail.
Please address mail to: (Full Student Name) 2875 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50311
BECOME AN AUTHORIZED USER ON YOUR STUDENT’S TOUCHNET ACCOUNT. Your student must authorize you as a user for Student Accounts to discuss their billing with you.
Step 1: For students:
1. You student must sign in to their my.drake.edu account navigate to the Student Account and Financial Aid section to select “Student Home” then “Make a Payment.”
2. Once directed to TouchNet, under My Profile Setup, they must select “Authorized Users,” and complete the “Add Authorized Users.” Your student should use an email you will always have access to, like your Gmail or Yahoo.
3. They must read the agreement check the boxes and click “Continue” to initiate authorization.
4. Ensure your student has granted you access to both the academic side and the billing side. Access to one will not grant access to the other.
Step 2: For Parents:
Once added by your student, you will receive an email that contains your username a temporary password, and the TouchNet link. Using those login credentials, you will be able to access your student’s TouchNet account and create a permanent password. If you fail to log in three times in a row, you will be locked out of your account for 45 minutes, and we cannot reset this.
You now have access to your student’s account. If you need further assistance, contact Student Accounts at 515-271-4777 or stuacct@drake.edu.
