All Aboard Purdue for Beginning Students
All Aboard Purdue is the name of the University's required summer orientation program for new beginning and transfer students. It is broken into four steps that cover the period between early May and mid-August.
All Aboard Purdue Four-Step Process
Step 1: Purdue 101
New students are automatically enrolled in this required, self-led virtual module in our Brightspace course management system. Here you will learn about campus resources and Purdue’s course planning and advising process.
Step 2: Purdue Advising
Once Step 1 is complete, students will receive an e-mail from their Exploratory Studies academic advisor with information to schedule their first advising appointment. During this meeting, advisors will get to know each student, discuss majors of interest, and create a unique list of classes to help meet student goals.
Step 3: Purdue 102
This self-led virtual module in Brightspace focuses on resources related to students’ transition to campus and adjusting to college life. Students are asked to complete this before arriving to Purdue.
Step 4: Purdue Welcome
Students may participate in Boiler Gold Rush, a welcome week orientation program for all new undergraduate students taking place the week before classes begin. International students may attend Boiler Gold Rush International, which overlaps with BGR activities, but also includes many other events designed to help international students settle in, make friends, and become involved on campus. Other Purdue Welcome activities students may be participating in include Band Camp, Purdue Musical Organizations Welcome, and more.
Important All Aboard Purdue dates and deadlines (Fall 2026)
Summer beginners (Early Start)
Note: Summer beginner (Early Start) students will register for both their summer AND fall courses during their advising meeting.
May 4: Purdue 101 opens for all new students.
May 18: First Purdue advising appointments begin.
June 1: Purdue 102 opens for summer beginners. Deadline to switch from fall beginner to summer beginner.
June 8: Purdue 101 deadline for summer beginners.
June 30: Last day for initial advising appointments for summer beginners (by 5 pm EDT). Summer class schedules available immediately. Fall class schedules released on July 23 (by 5 pm EDT). Students will receive an e-mail to their @purdue.edu address with their fall schedules.
July 14: Summer classes begin.
July 31: Last day to register for BGR or BGRi.
August 3: Purdue 102 deadline for all students.
Fall beginners
May 4: Purdue 101 opens for all new students.
May 18: First Purdue advising appointments begin.
June 15: Purdue 101 deadline for fall beginners.
June 22: Purdue 102 opens for fall beginners.
July 14: Last day for initial advising appointments for fall beginners (by 5 pm EDT).
July 23: Fall schedules released by 5 pm EDT. Students will receive an e-mail to their @purdue.edu address.
July 31: Last day to register for BGR or BGRi.
August 3: Purdue 102 deadline for all students.
August 24: Fall classes begin.
Additional Resources for Incoming EXPL students:
Key Information
- Initial Advising Meeting Agenda
- ALEKS Math Placement Assessment
- Foreign Language Placement Test
- Dual or transfer credit: Submitting official transcripts to Purdue
- COM 114 (Public Speaking) Test Out Information
- EXPL 10100 (formerly EDPS 10500) and EXPL 11900 course information
Key Offices
- Office of Summer and Winter Sessions (Early Start)
- International Students & Scholars Office (includes pre-arrival information)
- Disability Resources Center
- Immunization Records and Requirements
- Housing and Meal Plan Information
- Twenty-First Century Scholars and Purdue Promise
- HORIZONS Program
- Basic Needs Program
- Veteran and Military Success Center
For more information on the All Aboard orientation process, please visit Purdue Orientation Programs .