Math Momentum
Start Strong at Purdue This Summer

What is Math Momentum? 

Math Momentum is a required, five-week summer session for select incoming Purdue students. It strengthens your math foundation and helps you begin your college experience with confidence.

How was I selected?

Your admission to Purdue reflects your readiness for this next step. Math Momentum is an added investment in your success. It ensures you have the preparation needed for your required math sequence in the fall and sets you up for future coursework requiring higher-level math.

Is the program mandatory?

Yes. Participation in Math Momentum is required for you to enroll at Purdue in the fall.

When does the program start?

Move-in is July 11, 2026. Classes begin July 13 and conclude Aug. 14.

What courses will I take?

You enroll in a foundations of college math course and a general studies course focused on campus resources, academic skills and strategies for a strong start at Purdue. You then work with your academic advisor to choose one additional course for a total of 7 credits.

Will I need to take a math placement exam?

No. A math placement test is not required.

What if my ALEKS math placement score indicates I could take a higher-level math course? Does that exempt me from Math Momentum?

All students admitted through Math Momentum participate in the experience, regardless of your math placement level. Math Momentum is designed to give students time to prepare, build confidence and adjust to Purdue’s academic expectations before the fall semester begins.

Completing Purdue’s Foundations of College Math course over the summer supports your readiness for the math courses required for your degree after Math Momentum. Your advisor and the program team will help you enroll in the course that best fits your preparation and academic goals.

How will this affect my fall schedule?

Completing Math Momentum prepares you for the appropriate major-required math course in the fall. Your advisor helps you build your fall schedule based on your summer performance.

What else happens during the program?

You participate in academic support, mentoring sessions and social events that help you build connections and settle into campus life.

What support is available? 

You have access to study tables and small class sizes. You may also connect with supportive programs such as Purdue Promise or Horizons, where applicable.

What if I struggle in the program?

We’re here to help. Your instructors and advisors work closely with you to address challenges and prepare you for a smooth transition into the fall.

Can I work a job during Math Momentum?

We strongly discourage working. Courses are accelerated and require significant time and focus. If you must work, it cannot conflict with any program activities.

What does the program cost?

There is no cost to you. The Math Momentum Scholarship fully covers your tuition, fees, housing, meals, textbooks and materials.

Will this affect my fall financial aid?

No. Your fall financial aid package is not reduced or impacted by participating.

Where will I live during the summer?

West Lafayette students live in one of the following halls: Earhart, Harrison, Meredith South, Aspire, Honors and Hillenbrand.

Indianapolis students will live in North Hall.

How does summer/academic year housing work?

Math Momentum participants must submit:

• Summer 2026 Housing Application – no later than June 1 (for the Math Momentum / Early Start summer term)
• 2026-27 Academic Year Housing Application – no later than May 5 (for the academic year if you plan to live on campus during the academic year)

Note: Living on campus after the summer is optional. Some students may choose to commute during the academic year, especially if housing is not covered by a scholarship.

Important dates and deadlines

• April 15: Priority deadline to participate in the roommate matching process
  • To ensure access to the housing application by April 15, accept your offer of admission by April 11.
• May 5: Deadline to submit the academic year (fall/spring) housing application.
  • Applications submitted by this date are guaranteed housing for new students.
• May 22: Students eligible to participate in the room selection process will begin matching with roommates.
• May 29: Deadline for students participating in Math Momentum to select a roommate for the academic year.
• June 1: Final deadline to submit the summer housing application to participate in Math Momentum.
• June 10: Housing assignments released

Roommate preferences

• If you have academic year roommate requests:
  • Complete your academic year housing application by May 5 and include your roommate requests during the roommate matching process.
  • Complete your summer housing application by June 1. You will not include roommate requests if your roommate(s) are not also participating in Math Momentum or Early Start.
• If you don’t have academic year roommate requests:
  • Complete your academic year housing application by May 5.
  • Complete your summer housing application by June 1. You may include roommate requests for students participating in Math Momentum or Early Start. Please note that housing assignments will remain for the academic year.
• If you’re not planning to have an academic year housing contract:
  • Complete only the summer housing application by June 1.
  • You may include roommate requests; however, it’s likely you’ll be placed with other Math Momentum or Early Start students who are also not holding academic year housing contracts.

Summer-to-fall room assignments

• All efforts are made to assign students in the summer to their academic year assignment.
• Housing assignments are based on availability.

Will I live in the same hall during the academic year?

In most cases, you remain in your academic year-assigned room.

I won’t be living in a university residence during the academic year. When does my summer housing contract end?

Non-academic year housing contract holders will need to move out of their housing August 14 by noon.

Will other students be on campus?

Yes. You’ll be on campus alongside Early Start students and other Purdue students participating in summer programs and activities. Early Start is one of Purdue’s summer experiences that brings incoming students to campus before the fall semester to take classes, become familiar with campus, and begin building community.

Throughout the summer, you’ll also have opportunities to connect with Early Start students at free social events sponsored by the Office of Summer and Winter Sessions.

Do I need to register for Purdue 101 and/or BGR?

Purdue 101 begins in May, and you’re automatically enrolled once you accept your offer of admission. After completing Purdue 101, you work with an academic advisor to plan your summer and fall courses.

You are expected to register for Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) — Purdue’s orientation week held between the end of summer and the start of fall classes. Room and board for the four days between housing contracts are included in the BGR fee.

How does orientation work?

All incoming students complete Purdue’s four-step All Aboard Purdue orientation experience.

Purdue 101 (Step 1) begins in May. Students are automatically enrolled after accepting their offer of admission.

After completing Purdue 101, students schedule Purdue Advising (Step 2), an appointment with an academic advisor to plan summer and fall coursework.

As a Math Momentum student, you are automatically enrolled in Purdue 102 (Step 3), which begins in June.

Students are expected to participate in a Purdue Welcome (Step 4) program. Most students attend Boiler Gold Rush (BGR), while others participate in programs such as the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band camp or Purdue Musical Organizations activities. BGR requires an additional registration fee; a limited number of need-based waivers are available to cover part or all of the cost.