Pre-Arrival Requirements
Northwestern's orientation process aims to provide you with opportunities for self-reflection and exploration, navigation of campus spaces and resources, connection with peers, and development of well-being management methods. As a part of your onboarding to Northwestern, all incoming students are required to complete six pre-arrival requirements. These pre-arrival modules provide you with a foundation of university resources, common language, and community expectations that continue into Wildcat Welcome and your time as a Northwestern student.
Pre-Arrival Requirements
Purple Prep includes pre-arrival university modules that lay a foundation for the dialogues that will take place during Wildcat Welcome.
You should complete all modules by September 6, 2026. If you do not complete the pre-arrival requirements, a registration hold will be put on your account for the Winter 2026-2027 Quarter.
Campus Safety at Northwestern
This pre-arrival module teaches you proactive approaches to preventing violence, preparing for emergencies, and responding to an emergency if one occurs.
- Complete by September 6
- Access Campus Safety
- You must watch the full video and then click forward to the final page; reaching the final page will automatically mark this task as completed on your Purple Prep checklist.
- Approximate time to complete: 15 minutes
- Note: Subject matter may be emotionally challenging for some students. If this is true for you or if you have any questions, please email Student Transition Experiences at transition@northwestern.edu to determine an alternate means of completing the requirement.
Hazing Awareness and Prevention for Students
This pre-arrival module teaches you how to recognize, prevent, and report hazing at Northwestern—actions crucial to fostering a safe and healthy campus community.
AlcoholEdu for College
This pre-arrival module builds your well-being management skills by helping you make informed decisions about the role of alcohol in your college experience. By providing personalized feedback and strategies for dealing with the drinking behaviors of peers, it aims to challenge your assumptions about alcohol, encourages reflection on how alcohol-related choices can affect academic and social success, and emphasizes taking an active role in creating a healthy campus community.
- Complete by September 6
- Access AlcoholEdu
- In August, you will receive an email with the subject Northwestern University Vector Fall Training Login and Details. If you do not see it in your inbox, please check your junk folder.
- Approximate time to complete: 60 minutes
- Questions? Contact OCRTrainings@northwestern.edu
RespectEdu for College Students
This pre-arrival module has two objectives: to initiate a conversation and to show what it takes to create a community that supports healthy sexuality and rejects sexual violence. It covers how to identify sexual violence, how to define and uphold consent, and how to access on-campus and local resources related to support and reporting. Every member of the Northwestern community can help build a culture of zero tolerance for violence, and taking guidance from this pre-arrival module is a good way to start.
- Complete by September 6
- Access RespectEdu for College Students
- In August, you will receive an email with the subject Northwestern University Vector Fall Training Login and Details. If you do not see it in your inbox, please check your junk folder.
- Approximate time to complete: 60-90 minutes
- Questions? Contact OCRTrainings@northwestern.edu
Note: RespectEdu contains sensitive content related to consent, healthy relationships, stalking, sexual assault, and university policy. We understand that such conversations can be heavy, especially for those who have been personally impacted. If you want to talk with someone about asking for an exemption because of past experiences or are seeking support please contact a confidential advocate at the Center for Student Advocacy and Wellness (formerly CARE) via email at csaw@northwestern.edu. If you would like to directly request an exemption because of past experiences you can reach out to OCRTrainings@northwestern.edu.
Academic Integrity
As you embark on your undergraduate education at Northwestern, it is critical to understand the University's academic integrity standards, policy, and procedures. This pre-arrival module will provide an overview of the importance of academic integrity and the potential impact of violations during your time at Northwestern and beyond. Guidance on decision-making and campus resources will help prepare you for the rigors of undergraduate coursework. All incoming students must complete this module, which includes a brief quiz and attestation. (Note: this university requirement is separate from any school requirements related to academic integrity.)
- Complete by September 6
- The Academic Integrity module will be assigned to you in Canvas later this summer.
- Approximate time to complete: 30-60 minutes
- Questions? Contact assoc-prov-undergrad@northwestern.edu
Building a Community of Respect and Breaking Down Bias
This pre-arrival module explores what drives racism and discrimination against Jews, Muslims, Palestinians, Israelis, and Arabs. This training also provides information about university policies and reporting options that promote respect and understanding.
- Complete by September 6
- Access Breaking Down Bias
- In August, you will receive an email with the subject Northwestern University Vector Fall Training Login and Details. If you do not see it in your inbox, please check your junk folder.
- Approximate time to complete: 60-90 minutes
- Questions? Contact OCRTrainings@northwestern.edu