This article provides step‑by‑step instructions for Drexel University users to access the ChatGPT Edu workspace using their Drexel credentials. The sign‑in process may vary depending on whether you previously created a personal ChatGPT account using your Drexel email address or alias (abc123@drexel.edu, first.last@drexel.edu).
PREREQUISITE
You must be a member of one of the following licensed groups:
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
If you previously used ChatGPT with your Drexel University email address, you will be prompted during sign‑in to choose how your existing data is handled.
Important considerations:
- Once migrated, your data will be governed by Drexel’s enterprise agreement and managed under your Drexel account.
- Data cannot be exported again after migration.
- If you leave Drexel University, access to this data will be removed upon separation.
If you need help deciding, review the ChatGPT Frequently Asked Questions.
HOW YOUR SIGN-IN EXPERIENCE MAY DIFFER
When you sign in, one of the following will occur:
- If you previously created a personal ChatGPT account using your Drexel email address, you will be prompted to either:
- Transfer existing chat history and GPTs into the Drexel ChatGPT Edu workspace (chat history and some settings - see below for considerations and preparing your account before transfer), or
- Export and delete your existing chat history before entering the workspace. Any existing ChatGPT Plus subscription should be canceled and refunded during this process.
- If you did not previously create a personal account using your Drexel email address:
- You will proceed directly into the Drexel ChatGPT Edu workspace without seeing this prompt
Migration Considerations and Preparing Your Account Before Transfer
Once an @drexel.edu email address has been added to the ChatGPT Edu workspace, ChatGPT does not provide the option for changing the email address of an existing personal ChatGPT account that uses a Drexel email, nor can you transfer data from a Drexel-associated account to one with a non-Drexel email. You must either transfer or delete your data tied to your @drexel.edu email address.
If you choose to transfer existing chat history and GPTs, some items migrate successfully, while others do not. Please review the details below to avoid losing important information:
- Chat history: Usually transfers successfully.
- Custom GPTs: Should transfer, but in rare cases may not (e.g., due to admin settings or ownership mismatches).
- Custom instructions and plugins: Always deleted during transfer. “Custom instructions” refers to your behavior/response preferences, which will not migrate.
- Projects: Do transfer, but depending on the size of the files, may take up to 3 days to migrate. There is no automated export for these.
- Personalization settings (including memories): Do not transfer. There is no automated export or migration process for these.
- Please Note: If you'd like to preserve memories or customizations, export or screenshot them before starting the migration. Once accounts are merged or deleted, these cannot be restored.
If you choose to export and delete your existing chat history, you will receive an email from OpenAI with a link to download your data. This link will only be valid for 24 hours, so do this immediately. Failure to do so will result in loss of access to your exported data.
Our Recommendation:
To maximize your options, we recommend exporting your current account data ahead of your response to the prompt. This way, even if you merge the data into the Drexel account, you can reload the export file into a new personal account. If you see the prompt, just open another browser tab and sign in to ChatGPT as you did before Drexel assigned you an account; then follow ChatGPT’s instructions to export your data.
It is also strongly recommended to review your chat history and delete any sensitive or personal conversations or data that you do not want you do not want associated with your Drexel account in the Edu workspace.
When in doubt about whether you'll need something later, export, screenshot, or download and decide later! This ensures you retain anything important, as changes may be irreversible after migration.
SIGN IN TO DREXEL UNIVERSITY'S CHATGPT EDU WORKSPACE
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Go to chatgpt.com and select Log in.
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Enter your Drexel email address, it looks like abc123@drexel.edu, and then select Continue.
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Select Drexel University ChatGPT Edu.
- You'll be redirected to Drexel Connect. Sign in with your Drexel account and verify your sign-in with multifactor authentication.
Note: If you're already signed into SSO in your browser, you might be passed through automatically.
Important: If you previously signed up for ChatGPT using your Drexel University e-mail address, you will see a pop-up to
transfer your existing chat history OR
export and delete your existing chat history. Choose the option you prefer. Each option has trade-offs. If you need more information or recommendations, please visit
ChatGPT FAQ .
Note: Once migrated, all data will be governed by Drexel’s enterprise agreement and managed under your Drexel account. Data cannot be exported again, so if you end your affiliation with Drexel University, access to this data will be removed upon separation.
- After setup, you’ll see the Drexel University ChatGPT Edu welcome screen. The page includes an advisory message and links to Drexel’s AI Website , which contains various resources on university policies, guidance, training, and more. Please review.
- Select Acknowledge to enter the workspace.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Once signed in, you can begin using ChatGPT Edu for teaching, learning, research, and administrative work in alignment with Drexel’s security, privacy, and compliance requirements.
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