Getting started with the First-Year Dashboard

Welcome Class of 2029!

The information in the next few paragraphs is critical to your success in using our online pre-orientation program. From this point forward, the online pre-orientation program will be referred to as the First-Year Dashboard.

This secure system is a way for you to provide Gettysburg good information about YOU so that we can be ready for you when you arrive. You will be asked to provide information about your academic interests, any credits you are bringing with you from previous study, health insurance, housing preferences, etc. In addition to providing information, you will be asked to take the appropriate language placement test(s) and complete information regarding financial authorizations and responsibilities.

Once you follow the detailed instructions provided, you will be able to access the Dashboard at any time and anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection; please refer to the tips section for suitable browsers. You can begin the program and come back to it as many times as you would like until the deadline.

In order to successfully access the First-Year Dashboard, you will need your username, which is found in your student portal and the password provided in the email you received from your Student Portal.

Please follow the directions provided, as well as tips for a smooth experience with our system.

  1. Visit your Student Portal
  2. Click on the link for the First-Year Dashboard and you should see a login box
  3. Enter your username provided in your Student Portal
  4. You will be redirected to a Microsoft login page, where you will be prompted to enter your password. Enter the password you received in the email from your Student Portal.
  5. You will then be prompted to change your password. Please change the password using these password guidelines:
    • Passwords must have at least 6 characters
    • Passwords must contain at least 1 uppercase letter (A-Z)
    • Passwords must contain at least 1 lowercase letter (a-z)
    • Passwords must contain at least 1 number
    • Passwords must contain at least 1 special character (not a letter or number)
  6. Once your password has been successfully changed, you will be prompted to set up your MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) and password recovery options
  7. Once you are finished with your MFA/password recovery setup, you will be logged in to the First-Year Dashboard
  8. Begin completing the various components of the First-Year Dashboard. For each item in the First-Year Dashboard that you complete, you should receive a green check mark. If a green check mark does not appear when you believe it should appear, try using the REFRESH button; the green check should appear.
    *Please note that the health history items may require 24 hours before green check marks appear.
  9. When all items are marked complete, you have completed the Dashboard and you will receive a congratulations message on your screen

Tips for successful completion of the First-Year Dashboard

  • When creating your new password, please make careful note of it! You will be able to set up password recovery options through your access to your college email.
  • If you forget your password, return to the College Email website to reset your password. Enter your username followed by "@gettysburg.edu" (so it should appear as your_username@gettysburg.edu) and click Next. Follow the instructions to reset your password.
  • It is recommended to use either Chrome or Firefox.
  • Please DO NOT use mobile devices to complete the Dashboard. While work has been done to make as much of First-Year Dashboard mobile-friendly as possible, there are still unfortunately many items that will not consistently work correctly on a mobile device.
  • Please ensure your browser is set to use English. While most of the First-Year Dashboard should work correctly regardless, there are some items where you will encounter issues if attempts are made to complete them while a browser is not set to use English. We apologize in advance to our international students for this unfortunate addition of complexity to this process.
  • Questions?
    • Please email orientation@gettysburg.edu
    • Additional information will be forthcoming regarding drop-in Zoom hours -- please check your email for more information.