As a graduate student at Princeton, you have a lot of work ahead of you — but getting started now with campus technology will help you hit the ground running. What’s more, we’ll do all we can to make it easy for you, starting with what’s below.

Accessing resources: your Princeton netID

As a first step, you will be getting an email telling you your University account, or netID, has been created. Your netID unlocks the full range of technology services at Princeton — University email, the campus network, computing and printing resources, and University applications — so please keep it safe.

Once you have your netID

1. Get started with your University Gmail
2. Set up Duo two-factor authentication for security
3. Access Google, Microsoft 365 and Zoom applications

Buying and setting up your computer

Princeton recommends that every student purchase an Apple or Dell laptop with a 3 or 4 year warranty. Laptops should be purchased by the student directly from the manufacturer or other authorized suppliers. Specific model recommendations by major, financial aid and loaner options are outlined here.

Students who receive need-based aid from Princeton and wish to purchase a personal computer for their school use may request a computer purchase budget adjustment.

In the meantime, if you need a laptop or tablet temporarily, you can borrow one through the Technology Loaner Program offered by the OIT Tech Clinic.

To download software and accessories for your academic studies — Mathematica, MATLAB, Stata, VMware, etc. — visit the Princeton Software Center.

When on campus, connect

• To the Princeton wireless network
• Devices to the Princeton wireless network
• To Princeton printers
• Scanning stations are also available in the New Graduate College and Old Graduate College
   

If off campus, you'll need

• GlobalProtect VPN — if you need to access restricted network resources from off campus
• Tiger Speed — to measure your internet connection speed if you’re having trouble connecting to the Princeton network

Accessing services for coursework and research

• Canvas @ Princeton lets you share course materials and assignments, and build your community
• Jabber gives you access to your calls and messaging remotely
• Research computing shows which research computing clusters, software and services are available to you, and offers system advice and training
• Princeton Virtual Desktops and Labs let you access a suite of web-based academic software (e.g. MATLAB, Stata) anytime, anywhere, on any device

Information security at Princeton

• Safe computing best practices
• Protect Our Info security guidance
• LastPass Password Management Software
• Keeping Princeton's Digital Community Safe! (video)
• Phish Bowl phishing alerts and reporting

You can also learn more at the Information Security Office website.

University must-knows

• Acceptable resource use policies
• Information security policies
• IT policies