Dear Boilermaker,

Purdue’s Orientation Programs team is here to help you experience a successful academic and social transition to Purdue! As a new student, you will be welcomed All Aboard Purdue via a four-step orientation process.

Below is an overview of what you can expect the orientation experience to look like this spring. You can see a full All Aboard Purdue timeline on the Orientation website. We will send you an email with more information about each step, closer to the dates that each begins. It is important to check your Purdue and personal email frequently to keep on track for your orientation experience.

Please read the following information carefully to learn more about our programs, some of which are required. Be sure to mark your calendar with important dates and deadlines.

Step 1: Purdue 101

Purdue 101 is Purdue’s first required online orientation program for all new undergraduate students. Information will focus on preparing you for your academic journey while at Purdue. 

You will automatically be enrolled in your Purdue 101 course. On Oct. 20, Purdue 101 opens and you will receive an email with more instructions on where to begin and how to complete it. Make sure you plan accordingly to complete Purdue 101 and its important action items no later than Dec. 8. 

Step 2: Purdue Advising

A few days after you complete Purdue 101 and its action items, you will receive an introductory email from an academic advisor about scheduling your first Purdue Advising appointment. Academic Advisors are staff members on campus who work closely with Purdue students to help plan what courses to take each semester and help connect students to other opportunities. You will be required to complete your first Purdue Advising appointment virtually in either October, November or December.

During this required meeting, your academic advisor will help you plan your first semester courses and start to understand how you will work toward completing your degree! Academic Advising appointments will begin as early as Oct. 20 and will depend on when you complete Purdue 101. Only one appointment is necessary for this first meeting.

Students who do not complete Purdue 101 or their Purdue Advising appointment on time will likely experience a delay in receiving their first semester courses. 

 Step 3: Purdue 102

Purdue 102 is the second required online orientation program for all new undergraduate students. Information will focus on preparing you for your social transition to campus. This course will connect you to many important resources you will need throughout your journey at Purdue.

You will be automatically enrolled in your Purdue 102 course. On Dec. 8, Purdue 102 opens and you will receive an email with more instructions on where to begin and how to complete it. Make sure you plan accordingly to complete Purdue 102 and its important action items no later than Jan. 5.

Step 4: Purdue Welcome

All new students are encouraged to participate in a Purdue Welcome program on campus prior to the start of the spring semester. Most students will participate in Boiler Cold Rush.

Boiler Cold Rush (BCR) is a two-day orientation program for all new undergraduate first-year and transfer students, connecting them to campus and the community before the start of classes. Transfer students are specifically placed into groups with other new transfer students to help connect with others who have already started as college students, but who are starting their first semester at Purdue. 

BCR participants are placed in small groups for the program and learn about campus traditions, Purdue culture, and university resources. It's also a great way to make lasting friendships and learn how to be a successful Boilermaker while gaining direct guidance from current Purdue students. 

• Registration for BCR opens on Oct. 20
• BCR Programming will take place on Jan. 9 and 10
• A $150 fee to participate in BCR covers all meals and programming throughout the week. Students experiencing financial hardships can apply for a fee waiver to cover a portion of the program costs.
• You can register for BCR and find fee waiver information on your New Student Task List in your myPurdue portal.

We hope you join your peers in one of Purdue's great traditions: Boiler Cold Rush.

For help logging into Purdue systems and other technology tips, visit Purdue’s IT resource for new students.

If you have any questions about Orientation Programs, please let us know! You can email or call us at (765) 494-9328.

Follow us @allaboardpurdue on Instagram to stay connected.

We look forward to welcoming you to Purdue this spring!

Orientation Programs