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Purdue Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

June 25, 2024

Purdue is a school where the non-scary acceptance rate figures are not truly indicative of just how competitive the admissions process actually is. This public land grant research university in Indiana is actually a draw for students from around the world—out-of-staters apply at three times the volume of Hoosier State residents. Highly renowned academic programs in areas such as computer science, engineering, and business are part of the reason that the average enrolled applicant attending Purdue today possesses an SAT of 1300+ and a 3.7 unweighted GPA. This brings us to the topic of the Purdue supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Purdue? Visit our blog entitled: How to Get Into Purdue University: Admissions Data and Strategies for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In a competitive admissions environment, Purdue’s essay prompts are viewed by the committee as being “important” to the evaluation process. Therefore, it is vital that all Boilermaker applicants dedicate a significant amount of time to these three essays. Below are Purdue University’s supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing winning essays.

Purdue University Essay Prompt #1 (Required)

1) How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (250 words)

Purdue’s essay may not directly ask the applicant “Why Us?” but make no mistake—this is very much a classic “Why Us?” essay that will require some research. Luckily, they upped the word count from 100 words to 250 words, which means you can squeeze in twice as many details.

Examples of items that quality “Why Purdue?” essays touch upon include:

  • Firstly, opportunities available through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
  • Purdue’s 30+ study abroad programs .
  • The 600 student organizations on campus.
  • The Pathmaker Internship Program.
  • Numerous combined degree opportunities for ambitious students.
  • Unique academic opportunities available through your department/major of choice.

Of course, these are just five out of countless features that could be part of a successful essay. You may also wish to address items like specific courses you are excited about, particular professors, or internship/co-op placements that you would aim to take advantage of. Finally, be sure to explain why each program/offering is appealing to you.

Purdue Supplemental Essays (Continued)

Essay Prompt #2 (Required)

2) Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (250 words)

Share an authentic story here of why you are interested in your selected discipline. What books have you read on the subject? What documentaries have you watched? Which podcasts have you listened to? What subtopics most intrigue you? Did a teacher excite you about a topic or was it a parent or outside mentor? Do you know where you want to take this knowledge post-bachelor’s degree? Do you aim to one day go on to pursue a graduate/professional degree or is there an occupation you are shooting for right out of undergrad? Include as much detail as possible.

You can structure the narrative of this essay as a soup-to-nuts chronicling of your entire journey toward your discipline of interest or share one or two vignettes that illustrate your burgeoning passion for engineering, history, French, computer science, business, psychology, etc.

Essay Prompt #3 (Required if listing a second major)

3) Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the alternate major you have selected. (Respond in 250 words or fewer.)

See answer #2 re: your first-choice major. You are essentially repeating this process for a different field. However, avoid having two completely unrelated majors/career goals. For example, if your first choice was business and your second choice was economics, it’s easy to explain the relationship. If the fields are more disparate (e.g. Dance & Chemical Engineering), be sure to provide a thorough explanation.

How important are the Purdue supplemental essays?

The essays (both the Common App essay and two supplemental essays) are “important” to the Purdue admissions committee, given the same weight as recommendations, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, and first-generation status. This places the essays behind only GPA, standardized test scores, and the rigor of your secondary school record, all three of which are designated as “very important” by Purdue.

Purdue Supplemental Essays – Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Purdue supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote today.

Need additional essay writing resources? Check out the following:

  • Common App Essay Prompts
  • 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
  • College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
  • How to Brainstorm a College Essay
  • How to Start a College Essay
  • How to End a College Essay
  • “Why This College?” Essay Examples
  • 25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas
  • College Essay

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How to Ace the 2024-2025 Purdue University Supplemental Essay Prompts

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Student works on his Purdue supplemental essays

Purdue University is a well-known public university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. To be admitted, you should use your very best writing skills and personal creativity to help you stand out in the Purdue supplemental essays. 

The Purdue University supplemental essays

For the regular undergraduate admissions application, you will have two 100 word prompts to write, and an additional optional 250 word prompt. It is always a good idea to write the optional essay, because this gives the admissions team at the university a better idea of the type of person that they could potentially be adding to their community and demonstrates your interest in attending.

Supplemental prompts on the traditional application focus on why you think Purdue would be a good fit for you, whereas the Honors College prompts are more focused on discovering what you may offer the college. Let’s break down the prompts for each application to give you a thorough idea of how to respond to all of them:

Also see: How to respond to the Common App essay prompts

If you are applying with the traditional application

How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (250 words or fewer)

This prompt is a classic, as it can tell the individual reading your application more about you as a person than your transcript can. This is your opportunity to highlight what makes you you . There are multiple facets to this question, and although both are important, the “in the classroom” part of the question is going to tell Purdue what you can offer them academically. 

Every person has something different to offer, but there are some things that you want to avoid writing about that are seen as cliche. Think about what makes you interesting that is different from what makes your peers interesting. You could talk about how learning a foreign language in high school has inspired you to study international affairs at Purdue, or how the musical instrument that you decided to pick up during the pandemic made you decide to pursue a degree in music. 

Questions to consider

  • What makes you interesting as a student? 
  • What interests have you pursued in and/or out of the classroom? 
  • In what ways have you pursued those interests and how would you continue that pursuit at Purdue?

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Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (250 words or fewer)

Every person chooses their major for a reason. Whether it is something you have wanted to pursue your entire life, or it was a recent find that sparked your interest, now is time to tell the story of how it came about. 

You want to draw the reader in with something enticing that makes them want to keep reading. Making sure to add specific details is something that will make you stand out among other applicants. 

Questions to consider:

  • Did you choose Purdue for the program you want to go into? 
  • What made their program stand out enough for you to decide to apply?
  • What are you passionate about academically?
  • What does your desired major say about you as a person, academically or extra curricularly?

Related: Show, don’t tell essay primer

If you are applying with the honors application*

Explain your vision, ideas, or goals for how you hope to shape your honors experience while at Purdue. Please put this in the context of the four pillars which are the foundation of the Honors College. (500 words)

The honors application prompts can look like a doozy at first glance, so let’s break it down. Ultimately, they want to understand how Purdue will benefit from you being a student there. This may sound intimidating, but realistically, most colleges want to know that when looking for students to accept. How will you use what you already know to further not only your education, but also the people around you and your university? 

The four pillars of Purdue’s John Martinson Honors College are leadership development, undergraduate research, community and global experiences, and interdisciplinary academics. Visualize what you want for your future and how those goals align with what Purdue looks for in a student attending their Honors College. Let those goals guide your writing. 

  • What career path do you want to pursue and how did it lead you to Purdue?
  • How will your career benefit from your time at Purdue and from the opportunities offered by the Honors College?
  • If you imagine yourself as a Purdue student, what do you see yourself doing?
Please describe the interdisciplinary nature of your chosen field of study and how it complements or supports other fields. (Examples: You might describe how your work in a liberal arts career may impact or inform the work of an engineer.) (500 words)

This is a unique question, but an important one to answer. They want to know if your mind works like a team player. Are you able to think about how what you do affects others, or is your mind a one way road looking at just your journey through college and into your career? Take this question and run with it.

You want to think of a career that compliments yours well. For example, if your major is journalism, talk about the ways that a major like food science or history can impact your work, and vice versa. As a journalist, it is important to have sources, and on the other careers side, they need journalists for publicity. This can go both ways for any career, just try to be creative with it. 

  • What career compliments yours best?
  • Is there another major that you would want to work closely with?
  • What goals can you accomplish better if you worked as a team?

* Students must select “yes” on the last question of the Purdue application (“Are you interested in applying to the Honors College?”) for the two Purdue Honors College questions to appear.

Summing up the Purdue supplemental essay s

We made it through all of the Purdue supplemental essays! In general, for any essay that you choose to write for college admissions, you want to be open and honest about any and all experiences that you write about. Admissions readers will be glad to hear your honesty and transparency, and they will value that in the long run. Make sure to read over your responses and consider giving your essay to a peer or advisor to read over before you submit it. We also recommend taking a break from your essay and going back to it another day to get a fresh pair of eyes. 

Other colleges to apply to

  • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
  • University of Illinois (Urbana-Campaign, IL)
  • Pennsylvania State University (Throughout PA)

Additional resources

While you continue your college decision process, you have a lot to think about. Let us take some of that pressure off of your shoulders, and check out some of our helpful resources that can help alleviate some of the stress! Learn about how many colleges to apply (including reach, match, and safety schools ) and what looks good on college applications . When it comes time, learn  how to choose the right college ! Throughout the process, make sure that you apply to all the scholarships you qualify for! 

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Purdue Supplemental Essay 2022-2023

Purdue supplemental essay: quick facts.

  • Purdue University acceptance rate: 67%— U.S. News ranks Purdue as a more selective school.
  • Purdue application: Purdue only accepts the Common Application , not the Coalition Application.
  • 2 (100-word) required essays
  • 2 (500-word) Purdue Honors College essays (required if applying to the Honors College)
  • Purdue Essay Tip: We recommend answering both Purdue University supplemental essays comprehensively and thoughtfully, highlighting in each of your Purdue essays why Purdue is the perfect school for you.

What are Purdue University’s essays?

In addition to the Common App essay , students must also complete the Purdue supplemental essay prompts. 

Required Purdue supplemental essay prompts:

  • How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (100 words)
  • Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (100 words)

Required Purdue supplemental essay prompts for Honors College applicants are:

  • One Purdue supplemental essay about your vision for your honors experience at Purdue (500 words)
  • An additional Purdue supplemental essay about the interdisciplinary nature of your chosen field of study (500 words)

These Purdue application essays represent the final step in the Purdue application process. Strong responses to the Purdue supplemental essays can help your Purdue application stand out among the almost 60,000 applications the university receives each year.

So, if you want to get into Purdue, it’s important to spend time on your responses to the Purdue essay prompts. A solid set of Purdue application essays can make a major difference in the Purdue admissions process.

In this guide, we’ll break down each of the Purdue essay prompts and provide expert tips on how to make sure your Purdue application essays shine. Keep reading to learn how to approach your Purdue University supplemental essays!

Purdue application essay requirements

Many selective colleges require supplemental essays beyond the standard Common App essay, also known as the Personal Statement . The Purdue application requirements are no exception to this. 

There are two Purdue essay prompts required of all applicants. Additionally, Honors College applicants must complete two additional Purdue University supplemental essays. Pay close attention to which Purdue supplemental essays you should complete, as it varies by program. 

So, if you are applying to Purdue University, you must complete at least two 100-word Purdue essay prompts. Each Purdue supplemental essay is designed to give you a chance to show Purdue admissions officers who you are, beyond the rest of your application. You should treat each Purdue supplemental essay as an opportunity to showcase a part of yourself that isn’t highlighted elsewhere within the Purdue application requirements.

Honors College essay requirements

Like many schools, Purdue has additional requirements for the Purdue Honors College. If you apply to the Purdue John Martinson Honors College, you must complete two more 500-word Purdue Honors College essays. These additional prompts help Purdue Admissions ensure that Purdue Honors College applicants go above and beyond the typical Purdue application requirements. 

You should be sure to set aside more than enough time to craft strong Purdue Honors College essays and Purdue supplemental essays.

Purdue Supplemental Essay- Prompt 1 ( Required )

How will opportunities at purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom (100 words maximum).

The first Purdue essay asks applicants to reflect on their academic and personal interests. Then, it asks them to explain how Purdue will help them pursue those interests. In other words, the first of the Purdue essay prompts asks why you want to attend Purdue over any other school. 

You’ve probably encountered similar “why this college?” essay prompts on other applications. So, as you might expect, this Purdue application essay must be specific to Purdue. You won’t be able to copy and paste another school’s essay to answer this Purdue supplemental essay. 

Brainstorming your topic

Before starting to write this Purdue supplemental essay, think about your interest in Purdue. Write down a list of reasons why Purdue made your college list. Does Purdue offer a particular program that interests you? Or does Purdue’s campus culture fit your vision for your college experience? The best responses to the Purdue essay prompts will include specific details.

Building your narrative

Once you have created your list of interests, identify several that you would like to write about in your Purdue supplemental essays. This Purdue supplemental essay doesn’t give you much space; picking one or two interests, therefore, will help you stay within the word count and give your essay some structure. 

When deciding which interests to focus on, remember your other Purdue essay. You can discuss your intended major in the second of the required Purdue essay prompts. With this in mind, make sure you don’t delve into topics better suited for other Purdue essay prompts. Instead, use this Purdue supplemental essay to talk about interests that you have not discussed in other areas of your application. After all, you want each Purdue supplemental essay to showcase a different part of your identity.

Making it specific

Next, research Purdue to see how your interests overlap with opportunities Purdue offers. The Purdue essay prompts are a chance to show off the research you’ve done; for example, talking to Purdue admissions representatives or visiting campus. If any of these interactions relate to one of your chosen themes, mention them in this Purdue supplemental essay. This shows your knowledge of Purdue’s strengths as a university. 

For example, a prospective student could use this Purdue application essay to discuss the state-of-the-art kinesiology labs she visited and how they would help her pursue her interest in physical therapy. Make sure you discuss what you experienced along with how it relates to your interests. Once again, the best Purdue University supplemental essays will use specific details to show why you belong at Purdue.

Writing your essay

Now that you’ve done the brainstorming and research for this Purdue supplemental essay, you can start writing. Because you only have 100 words for this Purdue supplemental essay, you need to make each one count. Avoid unrelated topics, vague wording, and forms of “to be.” Instead, use clear language and strong action verbs in each Purdue essay. Compare these two sentences below:

“There is no school that is a better fit to support my interests than Purdue University.” (16 words)

“Purdue possesses the resources to support my interests.” (8 words)

The second sentence conveys the same message as the first, but it uses much stronger language and fewer words. Specific details and short, powerful sentences will help your Purdue essay stand out. 

Purdue Supplemental Essay Reflection Questions:

  • Does your Purdue essay refer to 2-3 strong interests from your list?
  • Do you present information not found in other areas of your application?
  • Does your Purdue supplemental essay contain specific information about Purdue based on your research?
  • Do you clearly explain to Purdue admissions how Purdue will help you pursue your interests?

Purdue Supplemental Essay — Prompt 2 ( Required )

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (100 words maximum).

The second of the Purdue supplemental essays is the typical “why major essay.” The “why major essay” is a common supplemental essay question that many schools require. Purdue is no different—they want to understand why you aim to pursue the field you’ve indicated on your application. 

The reality of the “why major essay” question is that schools want to know you’ve done your research on their programs. As a result of this, your “why major essay” for each school must relate to that school’s unique offerings. While you can include some general details, you should make sure this essay remains school-specific. 

Not all students know what they plan to major in. Choosing your college major is a big decision, and it requires plenty of forethought. This Purdue supplemental essay can be especially daunting if you’re unsure of your major, so let’s explore how to get around that. 

Brainstorming your major

Before starting to write this “why major essay,” think about the school subjects you enjoy. You may already identify as a lover of math or know you have the most fun in English class. However, Purdue University offers more than 200 different undergraduate majors across their 11 different colleges, so check the full list for options. This research will also help you show demonstrated interest in this Purdue supplemental essay.

When selecting a major for this Purdue application essay, think about the career you might want to pursue. You might consider the topics you have liked learning about, both inside and outside the classroom. If you’re having trouble selecting one major for this Purdue supplemental essay, choose the major you have the most compelling reasons to pursue.

Selecting a field of study for this Purdue supplemental essay might feel daunting. However, don’t be stressed about choosing a major. Instead, as you write your Purdue supplemental essay, focus on showing your intellectual curiosity and engagement with your studies. You can always change your major once you arrive on campus.

Using details

In order to write the best essay possible, include experiences that have made the biggest impact on your academic career. Have you had a teacher who drove you to explore more about their subject? Have you had work or volunteer experience that inspired you to pursue a particular major? Do you have a burning passion to support a specific cause? 

Your Purdue application essay should tell a story. So, highlight stories where you’ve engaged deeply with your chosen subject, whether directly or indirectly. In doing so, you’ll help readers understand why your chosen major excites you. This can help your Purdue supplemental essay showcase your intellectual curiosity.

Whatever major you choose, don’t just discuss the basic reasons why you enjoy it in this Purdue essay. Instead, go deeper. Think of this Purdue essay as a short narrative where you share moments in your life that have influenced you. A student who wants to major in electrical engineering might talk about getting a circuitry kit for Christmas and watching his dad repair wires around the house. She might then share how she helped the school robotics club win a competition. Find those formative moments in your life and use them as the foundation of your Purdue supplemental essay. Again, the best Purdue supplemental essay will be the most specific!

  • Does your Purdue essay focus on the major that most interests you?
  • Do you use specific details about how you came to love that major?
  • Does your Purdue supplemental essay help your reader learn something new about you?

Purdue Honors College Essay Requirements

The Purdue Honors College is a separate program within Purdue University specifically designed for high-achieving students. Recently, the Purdue Honors College became formally known as the John Martinson Honors College. According to their website , “Martinson supports new programmatic initiatives which promote undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity, leadership and professional development, global and community engagement, and innovative pedagogies.” 

You should research the Purdue Honors College thoroughly before deciding if you want to apply. Once you make the decision that the Purdue Honors College is right for you, it’s time to crack down on the Purdue Honors College essays.

The Purdue Honors College supplemental essay requirements are:

  • 1 (500-word) Purdue supplemental essay about your vision for your honors experience at Purdue
  • 1 (500-word) Purdue essay prompt about the interdisciplinary nature of your chosen field of study

Now, let’s break down each of the Purdue supplemental essays for the Purdue Honors College and talk about strategies to tackle each one. 

For more help on writing supplemental essays, click here . For help standing out in the college admissions process, read this article .

Purdue Honors College Essays- Question 1 

Explain your vision, ideas, or goals for how you hope to shape your honors experience while at purdue. please put this in the context of the four pillars which are the foundation of the john martinson honors college. (500 word maximum).

In order to answer the first of the Honors College Purdue essay prompts effectively, you need to reflect on your reasons for applying to the Honors College. Then, you need to connect those reasons to the four pillars that express the Honors College’s values. The best Purdue application essays will directly connect an applicant’s academic goals with the four pillars of the Purdue Honors College.

Understanding Purdue

Before starting this Purdue supplemental essay, you need to have a firm understanding of the four pillars mentioned in the prompt. These pillars are: community and global engagement, undergraduate research, leadership development, and interdisciplinary academics. Reviewing the Honors College mission statement will give you more information about the four pillars. You do not need to reference all four of these pillars in your Purdue essay; instead, focus on whichever ones best fit with your future plans.

Researching the Honors College beyond the four pillars can also help strengthen your Purdue supplemental essay. Start by browsing this year’s Honors College course list . Review some of the research projects done by past Honors students. As you brainstorm for your Purdue admissions essays, look for programs and projects that connect to your interests. You might see a course or research project that lines up with one of your passions. You can use that as evidence in your Purdue essay that the Honors College will provide an ideal learning environment to nurture your interests.

Making it about you

This Purdue essay prompt asks you to imagine how you would spend your time as a Purdue Honors student. That future will likely be rooted in your past experiences. Strong Purdue application essays, therefore, should use the four pillars of Purdue Honors to connect your past experiences to your future at Purdue. 

When you talk about your future, try to be as specific as possible. For instance, saying that you want to travel to India to study their culture is not as powerful as saying that you want to travel to India to research how native fashions have changed due to modern technology in this Purdue essay.

You can begin brainstorming for this Purdue supplemental essay by doing a fr e e-write based on this prompt: “If I could have any academic experience I want in college, what would it be?” Think about the questions you might explore or problems you would like to solve if you had the freedom to choose. Don’t limit yourself—the best way to start writing is to free yourself from any perfectionism. 

Use this Purdue admissions essay to share the subject that you could stay up all night researching or the idea you cannot get out of your head. Let your ambition come across in your writing, using the four pillars of the Honors College as the foundation for achieving your goals. Finally, help your reader envision how you would contribute to the Honors College in this Purdue supplemental essay.

  • Does your Purdue essay clearly describe your goals for attending the Honors College?
  • Do you include references to at least one of the four pillars of the Honors College?
  • Does your Purdue supplemental essay indicate specific projects you might undertake or resources you might use as an Honors student?

Purdue Honors College Essays — Question 2

Please describe the interdisciplinary nature of your chosen field of study and how it complements or supports other fields. (examples: you might describe how your work in a liberal arts career may impact or inform the work of an engineer.) (500 word maximum).

The second of the Purdue application essays asks how your chosen subject connects to other fields. At first, this Purdue essay can seem daunting. After all, most high school classes are separated by subject without much room for interdisciplinary work. However, with a little creative thinking, you can develop relationships between just about any set of subjects and use those relationships to write a strong Purdue essay.

Finding an intersection

To get you started, here are a few examples of interdisciplinary study that would make good material for Purdue application essays:

  • Creating a business plan for a health care clinic combines medicine with economics
  • Volunteering at a music therapy provider combines Psychology and Music into an interdisciplinary field grounded in helping those with mental illnesses
  • A project about the evolution of manufacturing technology combines history with engineering

These example topics for a Purdue supplemental essay represent a tiny fraction of the ways you could answer this prompt. Each of these potential Purdue application essays could also tie in with some of your activities from high school. 

You might also use your Purdue essay to consider what you have learned working with people who have different interests than yours and how you could bring that knowledge to your studies. Strong Purdue admissions essays can come from anywhere, so don’t limit yourself. 

Getting creative

If you struggle to form connections between academic fields based on your personal experience, you can use your imagination to come up with hypothetical situations that might foster collaboration across fields. These imaginary situations can still make for a great Purdue supplemental essay. 

For instance, as a lover of computer science, you might imagine its applications in the world of digital art to create vivid settings for a video game. The best Purdue supplemental essays will be unique and creative. Additionally, strong Purdue application essays will tell a story. The more you can use narratives to illustrate the wide range of uses for your discipline, the more successful your Purdue admissions essay will be.

Essays Reflection Questions for Purdue Honors College :

  • Does your Purdue supplemental essay demonstrate your enthusiasm for your chosen field?
  • Do you include a variety of possible connections between your chosen fields and other fields?
  • Does your Purdue admissions essay use stories and examples to illustrate the connections between fields?

Want more helpful tips on how to approach your Purdue supplemental essays and other aspects of Purdue University’s application process? Check out this video below from Purdue’s senior assistant director of admissions! 

What does Purdue University look for in essays?

Your Purdue supplemental essays help the admissions team get to know you beyond your demographics, transcript, and activities list. Each Purdue essay also provides valuable insight into what kind of student you would be.

These specific Purdue essay prompts help the Purdue admissions committee understand how you will use your education at Purdue. Purdue looks for students who can articulate their interests and describe how Purdue’s resources will help them pursue these interests. Your Purdue application essays, then, should show the Purdue admissions team how Purdue would help you meet your goals.

Demonstrated Interest

The committee wants to see you show demonstrated interest (DI) in Purdue. DI is a gauge that universities use to determine how interested a student is in attending their school. To take advantage of this, use your Purdue application essays to explain exactly what about Purdue interests you. You don’t need to physically visit the campus to write strong Purdue supplemental essays. However, if you don’t visit , it helps to find other ways of showing your interest. These include contacting admissions officers, reviewing the school’s website, or attending a virtual information session/webinar.

The Purdue admissions team also wants to know if you can write clearly and concisely—an important skill for succeeding in college. So, ensure your writing is strong, clear, and free of any errors. Your Purdue application essays also show your attention to detail and passion for learning. Students who use the Purdue essay prompts to showcase their passions will definitely impress the admissions team.

How do I get into Purdue University?

Getting accepted into Purdue starts with filling out the Common Application and meeting the Purdue application requirements. On the Common Application, you will report your GPA, list your high school activities, and write a 250-650 word Common App essay. 

For the fall and spring of 2023, Purdue is test flexible . This means if you have the opportunity to take the SAT or ACT, Purdue admissions would prefer you do. This is different from test optional because test optional schools truly have no preference for test scores. Purdue, however, makes it clear that they would like to review test scores as part of your application if possible. Strong scores will only enhance your application . 

Purdue application requirements

Your GPA , course schedule, test scores, Common App essay, letters of recommendation , supplemental essays, and extracurricular activities comprise the Purdue application requirements and will all factor into the committee’s decision.

Last year, approximately 60,000 students applied to Purdue University. The median GPA range of accepted applicants was 3.5-3.9, the median SAT was 119-1410, and the median ACT was 26-33. As you can see, Purdue admits students with high scores, which contributes to the U.S. News Purdue University ranking.

Purdue University Application

In 2022, U.S. News assigned its Purdue University ranking among national universities at #51 overall. US News also named Purdue as one of the Top 10 most innovative universities in the last four years. Among public universities , the Purdue University ranking is #18 in the country. Purdue University’s top academic programs include Aerospace Engineering (where the Purdue University ranking is #5) and Biological/Agricultural Engineering (where the Purdue University ranking is #2). This makes Purdue a great fit for students specifically interested in those fields.

Finally, the Purdue University ranking attracts many applicants who view Purdue’s rankings as a sign of prestige. This means that Purdue supplemental essays will be used to determine which students are interested in attending for reasons beyond the Purdue University ranking. Remember, your Purdue supplemental essays are your chance to show the admissions team your genuine interest in the school. 

Looking to put your best foot forward when filling out the Common Application and writing the Common App essay? Check out this guide for helpful tips.

Top 5 Purdue Supplemental Essay Tips

How to write an outstanding purdue supplemental essay:, #1 – start early.

Be sure to leave yourself time to edit and revise each of your Purdue University supplemental essays. You don’t want to be drafting and editing a Purdue supplemental essay down to the wire.

#2 – Look at the big picture

When writing your Purdue supplemental essays, consider your application as a whole. Make sure that each Purdue supplemental essay explores something new about you. 

#3 – Be authentic

Don’t lie or exaggerate on your Purdue University supplemental essays. Each Purdue application essay is a chance for you to showcase who you are.

#4 – Show your unique self

These Purdue supplemental essays are an opportunity for you to stand out to Purdue admissions. Don’t generalize in your responses to the Purdue essay prompts. Instead, get specific about your experiences. Use the opportunity to not only demonstrate who you are, but also to show off your writing style.

#5 – Proofread, proofread, proofread!

Edit your essays . You don’t want to craft a stellar Purdue supplemental essay, only to have it marred by poor grammar or a spelling mistake. Have another person look over each Purdue supplemental essay before you submit it. 

Purdue Supplemental Essay — Final Thoughts

Although each Purdue supplemental essay is short, they are also incredibly important. Don’t think that a short essay will take you less time to write—often, short essays are the hardest to write. Given the Purdue University ranking, you should use every chance you get to stand out. This includes crafting strong Purdue supplemental essays.

Be yourself

The Purdue essay prompts help the admissions committee get to know the person behind the grades and test scores. Make sure that your Purdue supplemental essays are full of anecdotes and stories that show why you will succeed as a Purdue student! Let your readers know in each Purdue supplemental essay that you have done your research and thought about why you want to attend Purdue.

Ask for help!

And finally, seek help from trusted sources with editing your Purdue supplemental essays; sometimes a second opinion can help you improve your Purdue essays in unexpected ways.

This Purdue supplemental essays guide was written by Laura Frustaci.   Looking for more admissions support? Click  here  to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how  CollegeAdvisor.com  can support you in the college application process.

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Purdue Supplemental Essay: 4 Top Tips for Writing Yours

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College Essays

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Known for its highly ranked engineering program and huge array of academic programs, Purdue University is an excellent public university to consider for college. To apply here, though, you will need more than just good grades— you will need to write unforgettable essays as part of the Purdue supplement .

In this guide, we go over the current Purdue essay prompts and offer helpful tips on how to write each Purdue supplemental essay you're required to submit. 

Feature Image: Wes Jackson /Flickr

What Is the Purdue Supplemental Essay?

Freshman applicants to Purdue are required to submit two short answers; there's also one optional longer Purdue supplemental essay. You must additionally write an essay in response to one of the Common Application or Coalition Application prompts , depending on which application system you apply through.

In total, then, you'll be writing three to four Purdue essays of varying lengths.

For each Purdue supplemental essay, you'll get a specific prompt to answer . (By contrast, the Common App/Coalition App personal essay offers you multiple prompts to choose from.) Every Purdue supplemental essay prompt has its own word limit and angle.

Here are the prompts for the 2022-2023 application cycle:

  • [OPTIONAL] Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words max)

How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

The first Purdue supplemental essay above must be no longer than 250 words , whereas the two short answers may only be up to 100 words. Note that there is no minimum word count for any of the essays.

Now, how can you ensure you're writing your best Purdue supplemental essay possible?

Every Purdue University Essay Prompt, Analyzed

In this section, we'll look at each Purdue University essay prompt in more detail and give you tips for writing a highly effective response.

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Purdue Supplemental Essay

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

As a reminder, this longer Purdue supplemental essay can be up to 250 words and is optional (though we highly recommend answering it) . The prompt here's pretty straightforward: just give a bit more detail about one of your extracurricular activities listed on your application.

The activity you choose could be pretty much anything , from a sport or instrument you play to an animal shelter you volunteer at on weekends.

The admissions committee at Purdue asks you to elaborate on one of your activities because they want to see other facets of your personality and learn more about what drove you to do a specific activity.

The key is to pick an activity or experience that has helped define you in some way. The best activity to choose is one that showcases an important and unique quality of yourself, such as your leadership skills, your can-do attitude, your adaptability, etc. You should also be heavily passionate about the activity you choose.

Here are examples of activities you could write about for your Purdue University admission essay:

  • Clubs or organizations you're a member of
  • Volunteer service
  • Arts and music
  • Work or internships
  • Family responsibilities
  • Any activity or experience that is meaningful to you

When trying to decide on an activity, it might help to ask yourself these questions :

  • Do you have a story to tell about this activity?
  • How has this activity positively impacted or influenced you?
  • If you're still doing this activity, why is that? What about it makes you want to keep doing it?
  • Have you already written about this activity in another Purdue essay? If so, consider choosing a different topic for this essay.

Don't feel obligated to pick your most "impressive" activity either. For example, maybe you've been figure skating competitively since middle school and have won many big national awards, but you'd rather write about your more recent experience with trying out for and making your school's basketball team after realizing you wanted to get involved in a new sport.

Be sure to explain what the activity is, when/how you started it, and what kind of meaning it holds for you. You won't have a lot of room here (just 250 words!), so make sure to keep the focus on its significance.

Purdue Short Answer 1

This first Purdue short-answer question is essentially a mini "why this college" essay that's asking you to answer the basic question, "Why Purdue?"

A cogent essay will answer these two questions:

  • What does Purdue offer academically that makes it a good fit for you? 
  • What does Purdue offer in terms of extracurriculars, student clubs and sports, professional connections, contests, etc. that makes it a good fit for you?

Note that you don't need to go into much detail about your major here, as that's what the second short answer is for (see below). But you will still need to identify two key points about Purdue (one academic, one non-academic) that drew you to apply to this university specifically .

To start, do some research on the university by browsing the official Purdue website . Look for any defining features that stand out to you, such as a professor with whom you wish to work, a course you can't wait to take, a club you'd like to join, a study abroad program you want to do, etc. Think about how these qualities, both academic and non-academic, could help support your own aspirations, whatever they may be.

For example, maybe you visited a Purdue art gallery and felt inspired to apply after realizing, as an artist yourself, just how much Purdue values creativity and freedom of expression.

Finally, be extremely specific here . You want it clear that your essay is about Purdue only . So use actual names and places while avoiding generalizations that can apply to other colleges!

Purdue Short Answer 2

This second short-answer question is all about your intellectual curiosity. Admissions officers want to know not only why you have selected your major, but also how studying this major at Purdue will help you achieve your goals .

Like the Purdue supplemental essay above, you don't have a lot of room here (just 100 words!), so you'll need to be concise but effective.

While it's great to mention how you got interested in your field, you should also try to steer your response toward your academic and professional goals. What do you plan to do with your major once you graduate? How will Purdue help you do this?

For example, perhaps you've been fascinated by bugs since you were little and now plan to major in insect biology.

In your essay, you could talk about what propelled your interest (perhaps a bully tried to shove an ant in your face once, but instead of being scared, you were enamored with the insect's tiny body), mention what you've done to further that interest (e.g., taken some classes and built your own ant farm), and then discuss how the insect biology program at Purdue gives you the opportunity to do real fieldwork and participate in the College of Agriculture's Career Fair so you can find jobs in pest management.

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How to Write a Great Purdue Supplemental Essay: 4 Tips

To wrap up, here are four tips to help you write a great supplemental Purdue University admission essay.

#1: Write Succinctly and Purposefully

All three Purdue supplemental essays you need to write are pretty short, with one 250-word essay and two 100-word essays. You'll have to really use your space wisely if you want to produce solid and memorable essays in the end. This means that you should practice being more concise.

If you have a tendency to go on and on or add way too many details or flowery language to your writing, take some time to practice writing more directly and more crisply . You likely won't have enough room to throw in any extended metaphors, so don't even try—just write honestly about your passions and goals.

Additionally, be sure to cut out any words, phrases, or sentences that don't directly answer the prompt or reveal more about you as a person.

You might feel that your writing is boring, but as long as you're telling your story openly and with real emotion, you're sure to write an unforgettable Purdue essay.

#2: Be Extremely Specific

One thing lots of students struggle with in their college essays is being specific enough . Especially when it comes to such short essays, you want to ensure you're telling admissions officers the most important and essential information you can give them about yourself.

Remember, they already know the basics about your achievements—they can see your test scores, grades, and extracurriculars. But what they don't have is a clear understanding of what makes you you . It's your job to paint this picture for them.

For example, don't just write that you want to major in Jewish studies because you're Jewish. What specifically drew you to this major over all the others out there?

Maybe you had a special experience that cemented your connection to Jewish history and culture, or maybe somebody you deeply admire inspired you to research your ancestry, making you want to use this knowledge to support and empower other young Jews like yourself.

Whatever you choose to write about for your Purdue essays, just be sure that you give admissions officers the "what" and "why."

#3: Always Bring It Back to Purdue

As we saw with the Purdue supplement essay example we analyzed, it's critical that you bring your essays (mainly the two short answers) back to Purdue and why this school is ultimately a good fit for you, your talents, and your ambitions .

Avoid bland, meaningless compliments, such as "Purdue is very prestigious," and instead focus on the unique and specific aspects that you believe make this school worth applying to.

Here are some qualities of Purdue you could mention in your essay(s):

  • A professor whom you wish to work with
  • A specific class you're excited to take
  • A piece of equipment, facility, lab, etc. you really want to use
  • Opportunities for career building, such as its 30+ annual career fairs
  • Schoolwide competitions or events you want to take part in
  • A student club or organization you plan to join
  • Its emphasis on inclusion and diversity
  • Its vocal support of the arts

Regardless of what aspect of Purdue you choose to focus on in your response to the Purdue University essay prompt, just be sure to tie this characteristic back to yourself somehow and explain how it will help you achieve your goals.

#4: Polish It Up

Our final tip is to spend ample time editing and proofreading each Purdue essay you write.

Once you've written a rough draft, put the essay away for a few days. Then, take it out again and look it over with a fresh set of eyes. Note any irrelevant, incorrect, or unclear places and edit as needed. Do this process a few times until you have a fairly clean draft.

Next, hand your essay off to someone you trust, such as a parent or teacher, and ask them to read it over and edit for content, structure, and grammar. Use their feedback to tweak your essay until you're satisfied with how it sounds.

Right before you submit your application to Purdue, proofread your essay one final time . Follow these tips and you're guaranteed to have one great Purdue supplemental essay!

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What's Next?

Want to learn more about what it takes to get into Purdue? Then check out our Purdue admission requirements page to see what GPA and SAT/ACT scores you'll need to aim for.

Applying to other colleges in and around the Midwest? Then it might help to look at our college essay guides for Notre Dame , UIUC , and the University of Michigan .

If you're getting ready to write your long Common App essay , you'll definitely want to read our in-depth guide to all Common App prompts and how to answer them effectively .

Want to write the perfect college application essay?   We can help.   Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will help you craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay to proudly submit to colleges.   Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now:

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Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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Undergraduate Admissions

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Application Essays

Below are essay prompts for the 2024-2025 Common Application. First-time college students (future freshmen) will use the Common Application to  apply to Purdue .  

When applying to Purdue you should use the Common Application.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Purdue's own  Online Writing Lab  offers advice on  writing essays for college applications .

The Common Application Freshman Essay Prompts 

Required minimum-maximum word count: 250-650

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 

Purdue Questions 

Respond in 250 words or fewer.

  • How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom?
  • Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected.

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Blog > Essay Advice , Private University , Supplementals > How to Write the Purdue Supplemental Essays

How to Write the Purdue Supplemental Essays

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Kylie Kistner, MA Former Willamette University Admissions

Key Takeaway

Purdue University requires two concise supplemental essays highlighting your interests, choice of major, and how Purdue's opportunities align with these. Avoid repetition, articulate a clear narrative, and show your potential contribution to the school.

Purdue University only has two supplemental essays . Each should be fewer than 100 words in length, so you won’t have a whole lot of space. Make every word count!

Let’s take a look at the prompts.

How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

In this why us prompt, Purdue asks you to write about how Purdue’s offerings will help you pursue your interests inside and outside the classroom. Now’s your chance to show off your knowledge of Purdue and, more importantly, make a case for why you’re a good fit. It’s also a chance for you to be clear about what your interests are and how you intend on pursuing them.

Also note that the prompt instructs you to talk about in and out of the classroom. While you’re applying to be a student at Purdue, Purdue admissions officers are also assessing whether you’re a good fit for their campus outside of academics. Feel free to talk about relevant extracurriculars, clubs, and internship opportunities in addition to academic opportunities (like coursework, faculty, or research projects). Your in- and out-of-the-classroom focus can be on the opportunities or on your interests.

Finally, as with any why us prompt, you want to emphasize the connections between what you want and what the school has to offer—and vice versa! Don’t forget that part of school fit is also demonstrating that you have a lot to offer the school, too.

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

And to wrap up your Purdue supplement, you have a why major essay. Remember that your Purdue admissions officer will be reading the two essays alongside each other. There may be some areas of overlap between the opportunities that will support your interests and the reasons you want to pursue your intended major.

Listen: don’t repeat yourself. Between the two essays, you only have 200 words max to say everything you need to say to your Purdue admissions officer. Repeating yourself won’t do you any favors. Before you start writing either essay, brainstorm a list of what information you want to go in each. Figure out how to disperse the information relatively evenly and in a way that makes the most sense.

Your first essay, for example, might focus more on larger-scale opportunities at Purdue, while this second essay may hone in on why you’re interested in the subject and what department resources have appealed to you.

This answer is also a great place to highlight any relevant academic or extracurricular accomplishments you want to detail for your admissions officers.

Key Takeaways

You may find that your answers to these questions have some overlap. Try to avoid repeating yourself and find a way to make each answer communicate something new about yourself to an admissions officer.

And when in doubt, consider how your essays contribute to your cohesive application narrative .

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How to Write the Purdue University Essays 2016-2017

Check out the purdue university application essays for 2017-2018.

Founded in 1869 in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue University has established itself as one of the top institutions worldwide for engineering and agriculture.

Offering over 200 majors and many more opportunities outside the classroom, including internships with Fortune 500 companies and research positions under renowned faculty, coupled with just under 30,000 undergraduate students, Purdue allows for a diverse range of pursuits. Furthermore, as a member of the Big Ten Conference, the Purdue Boilermakers are sure to hit the front pages for their performance in college bowl games and March Madness.

In addition to its rigorous engineering curriculum, which includes highly regarded agricultural and industrial engineering departments, Purdue is known for a top-notch aviation program that features graduates like Neil Armstrong. However, it is also known for creating the Online Writing Lab (OWL), which you’ve most likely consulted at least once when writing papers.

Outside the classroom, Purdue has made a sizable commitment to its research programs, with hundreds of millions of dollars in sponsored research funding from federal organizations. Purdue’s footprint in improving society’s understanding of agriculture, business, and engineering is sizable. Students may also boost their pre-professional preparation through a variety of co-op and internship offerings.

Purdue University Application Essay Prompts

How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

There are two major components to this prompt. First and foremost, you have to demonstrate your knowledge of Purdue and its unique offerings. You can then establish a connection between your knowledge of Purdue and your own interests. When considering what you’ll write about regarding Purdue’s offerings, you want to include specific details that will demonstrate that you’ve done your homework on the school.

Some examples of what differentiates Purdue from other universities include:

  • Aeronautical engineering program and work in flight (whether terrestrial or extraterrestrial) is one of the best in the world
  • Unique First-Year Engineering program that’s designed to test students’ critical thinking both inside and outside the classroom
  • Strong research activity with unique opportunities like its Discovery Park, nanotechnology program, and Research Park
  • Honors College, where you’re able to live with similarly driven and like-minded students, or Learning Communities, where you also gain a more focused academic and extracurricular experience that’s tailored to meet your interests
  • Even if you’re not interested in joining a specific community, the large campus and diverse student body offer plenty of niches where you can find your best fit
  • Division I Athletics with plenty of spectating opportunities, though a caveat would be that this shouldn’t be a key driver in your response unless you are an athlete yourself
  • Dominant Greek Life presence offers networks of kindred spirits for you to bond with, if you’re interested

Brainstorm ways in which your unique pursuits could enable you take full advantage of these offerings. Integrate as many elements of your extracurricular and academic profile as are reasonably possible into your essay, in order to cement both your compatibility with and commitment to the university.

For example, a prospective engineer might be attracted to Purdue’s strong engineering programs , particularly in aeronautics. Purdue also offers many research opportunities, allowing this student to realize his or her dream of constructing a drone. Finally, the student might consider joining a social organization to recruit similarly passionate and reliable teammates for this project.

While you want to present a strong case for how you’ll take advantage of the opportunities available to Purdue students, be wary of packing too many elements into your essay. Your primary goal should be to establish a clear connection between your interests and accomplishments and the opportunities that await you at Purdue; don’t jeopardize the clarity of your essay by mentioning every possible activity you could pursue, especially given the tight word count.

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

This prompt is primarily seeking to understand the story behind your major choice by asking you to cite your high school coursework, extracurricular activities, and other relevant experiences that shaped this decision. However, it is necessary that in your response you demonstrate not only a thorough understanding of the major you wish to pursue, but also what it would truly entail to pursue this major in college. This can make the prompt challenging.

For students seeking traditional majors that most high schools provide ample exposure to, their coursework is a fairly reliable source to draw from. Examples of these majors include the core subjects like mathematics, science, English, or history. Your choice to major in any of these subjects can be framed by your initial experiences in these classes.

For example, you may have relished the analytical thinking and theoretical perspective required of you in completing a geometry proof. Science may have been appealing for the lab work, which replicated groundbreaking experiments conducted centuries ago by visionaries of their time. English and history may have been exercises in close reading with limitless possibilities in terms of the arguments to be made.

However, although you may have a stronger background in these subjects, a real concern is whether your experiences accurately reflect what you can expect from the major in college. AP English Language and AP Euro classes won’t exactly present the same challenges as a seminar class, in which you might scrutinize the dense opening chapter to Marx’s Capital for a week or the same 3 lines in Dante’s Inferno in hopes of gaining some new understanding that scholars have missed.

In this case, you have to be careful to research the expectations of your college major, specifically how it exists at Purdue, and identify the overlaps between your high school coursework and the major. For example, as an econ major in college, you thankfully won’t be drawing supply and demand curves over and over, but you can expect to learn key economic models, which share a similar goal of understanding phenomena in the global markets.

To supplement discussion of your academic qualifications, you may also consider mentioning your extracurricular activities or your internships, which may be a more accurate representation of your chosen college major — this is true for internships in particular. Talking about the rigors of a math competition that involved completely unfamiliar concepts but required similar modes of thinking or tinkering in a research lab would all be valid examples.

Some students, however, may be interested in majors with which there isn’t any real overlap with their current coursework. For example, an International Relations major in college isn’t grounded in any one high school subject. However, the thinking required for the major can definitely be found in other subjects. You merely have to conduct more granular research into the subject and its program at Purdue to better understand why it attracts you, what relevant experience you have, and how you expect to pursue it at the university.

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Purdue University Admission Essay Writing Guide

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Application Guide

Essay examples, purdue university.

For Bachelor students, Purdue offers a variety of undergraduate majors, including agriculture, business, engineering, humanities, math, and science. It also offers graduate programs in engineering, business, education, and the liberal arts. The university has a solid commitment to research and offers many opportunities for bachelor's students to participate in research projects. Purdue is also committed to providing its students with relevant education. The university offers a variety of financial aid options, including loans, grants, and scholarships. It also offers several services, such as tutoring and career counseling, to help its students succeed.

Application Process For Purdue University

The application process for university can be daunting, but it is worth the effort. The university has a long tradition of excellence and offers many opportunities for its students to succeed. If you are interested in attending Purdue, be sure to take advantage of the university's resources and submit a well-crafted essay.

For internship essays and other academic papers, there are several websites that offer writing services. You can use these services to get help with your essay. Be sure to read the reviews before choosing a service. Also, make sure that the service you choose offers a money-back guarantee. It will ensure that you are satisfied with the work you receive.

More so, you should give the details of what is required in the application essay, what the admissions committee looks for when reading them, and some general tips to make your essay shine.

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing your application essay:

Be Yourself

The admissions committee wants to get to know you, so be honest and authentic in your essay. Furthermore, don't try to be someone you're not. The admissions committee can see through attempts to artificially inflate your character.

The essay should be concise and to the point. Don't try to cram too much information into the essay. The committee will read hundreds of essays, so you need to make sure it’s concise and easy to understand.

Be Specific

Choose a meaningful topic for you and be specific in your writing. It is essential to illustrate your points with examples. It would be helpful to write about a personal experience or an event that impacted you.

Be Creative

The admissions committee is looking for creative and talented students, so showcase your best work in your essay. Your essay should be original and reflect your unique personality.

Show Your Research

Purdue is a research-oriented university, so it is essential to show that you are familiar with the research process. In your essay, be sure to mention any research you have conducted and how it has influenced your thinking.

Be Personal

The essay should be personal and reflect your unique point of view. Don't be afraid to share your thoughts and feelings in your essay. The admissions committee wants to get to know you as a person. The admission paper should be an excellent opportunity to share your story.

Be sure to proofread your essay before submitting it. A well-written essay will demonstrate your writing skills and impress the admissions committee. However, an error-filled essay will reflect poorly on you and may result in your application being rejected.

Purdue University Admissions Essays For  Bachelor Students

What are the requirements for admission to Purdue University?

For graduate school admission eligibility, students must complete an application that includes a personal essay. Purdue application or personal statement essay is one of the essential parts of the admissions process. Purdue university essays allow the admissions committee to learn more about the applicant. Moreover, the admissions committee looks for intelligence, creativity, maturity, and writing skills.

The Application Essays For Graduate School

For master's students applying to Purdue, the personal essay is an integral part of the application process. The admissions committee looks for intelligence, creativity, maturity, and writing skills when reviewing essays. Purdue offers a variety of undergraduate majors, so be sure to include information about your chosen field of study in your essay. The university is also committed to research, so mention any research experience you have. You will find Purdue essay examples online to help you get started.

The admissions committee also looks for qualities such as leadership and community service. If you have been involved in any extracurricular activities, be sure to mention them in your essay. The essay is your opportunity to shine, so take advantage of it.

Types of Purdue Application Essays

There is a variety of Purdue essay prompts for its applicants. The most common type of essay is the personal statement, allowing students to share their experiences and accomplishments. The admissions committee also asks for responses to specific questions, such as why you are interested in attending Purdue and what makes you unique.

Other prompts may require you to write about your chosen field of study or how you will use your education at Purdue to make a difference in the world. Be sure to read the Purdue university essay prompts carefully and answer all of the questions in your writing. If necessary, you can download a sample from a website.

Admission Essays

In addition to the personal essay, Purdue also asks students to complete an admission essay. The Purdue admission essay allows the admissions committee to learn more about the applicant's academic qualifications. The admissions committee looks for applicants with a solid academic record and who is likely to succeed in college.

Be sure to include information about your chosen field of study in your admission essay. Purdue offers a variety of undergraduate majors, so be sure to highlight your area of study. The admissions committee also looks for applicants with a solid academic record who are likely to succeed in college.

Purdue Supplemental Essays

Does Purdue have supplemental essays? Yes. A supplemental essay explains what you couldn't cover in your introductory article. It could be anything from a gap in your academic record to discussing your reasons for wanting to attend Purdue. Be sure to highlight your areas of interest and explain why you want to attend Purdue University. The admissions committee wants to make sure that the students it admits are a good fit for the university, so mention why you are interested in attending Purdue.

For Professor review, writing Purdue university supplemental essays can be a great way to show that you are a well-rounded applicant and committed to attending the university. Purdue University is a world-renowned research institution, so be sure to mention any research experience you have in your essay. Several Purdue supplemental essay examples online can help you get started. You will buy them at a cheap price. You only need to pay and download one of your choices.

Moreover, Purdue supplemental essays examples are also a great way to get an idea of what the admissions committee is looking for in an essay. Be sure to answer the prompt fully and explain your reasoning clearly.

How to Apply to Purdue University

Purdue University is a highly competitive school, so be sure to put your best foot forward when applying. The admissions process is competitive, and the admissions committee looks for students who are a good fit for the university.

To apply to Purdue University, students must complete an application that includes a personal essay. You can get the form online at the Purdue University website. The form must be completed and submitted by the deadline, typically in early November.

Advantages of Applying to Purdue University

Purdue University’s faculty are leaders in their fields. The university offers a variety of undergraduate majors to find the right program for their interests. In addition, Purdue is committed to providing students with a well-rounded education. The university offers a variety of extracurricular activities, and students can get involved in research projects.

Purdue also has a strong alumni network, which can help students find jobs after graduation. The university is located in a beautiful setting, and the campus is full of amenities. For a professor's research paper writing service, visit a custom writing website.

Writing an application essay can be a daunting task, but it is essential to put your best foot forward when applying to Purdue University. The admissions committee looks for college students who are a good fit for the university, so be sure to mention your interests and why you want to attend Purdue. The admissions process is competitive, but the rewards of attending Purdue are great. If you are interested in applying to Purdue, be sure to start your application early and prepare your essays carefully. Good luck!

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Supplemental Essay Guide 2024-25

What do the 2024-25 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down.

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Agnes Scott College 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

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Alvernia University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide  

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essay prompt guide, lafayette college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, lehigh university 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, lewis and clark college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, linfield university 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, loyola marymount university (lmu) 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide , lynn university 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, macalester college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, manchester university 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, marist college 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, mary baldwin university 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, massachusetts institute of technology (mit) 2024-25 essay prompt guide, meredith college 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, monmouth college 2024-25 supplemental essay guide, moravian university 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, morehouse college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, mount holyoke college 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, new york university (nyu) 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, north carolina state 2024-25 supplemental essay prompt guide, frequently asked questions.

It really depends. Typically, the more competitive the university, the more arduous the supplemental essay requirements. Most top universities ask for at least three supplemental essays, but some only require one short essay.

The most common supplemental essay topics are:

  • The Why Essay , which asks applicants to discuss their interest in their intended major and/or the school in question.
  • The Activity Essay , which asks applicants to describe their involvement in an activity that is meaningful to them.
  • The Community Essay , which asks about a community the applicant belongs to and the role that community plays in their life (and vice versa!).
  • The Diversity Essay , which often asks applicants to explore how they champion diversity and inclusion in their communities and/or how they engage with people from different backgrounds or who hold opposing views. 
  • The Short Answer , which asks applicants to answer prompts in very few words (or characters) to add context to their application and a splash of personality.
  • The Oddball Essay , which asks applicants to tap into their creativity to connect curveball questions to their lives and interests.

Just like with the Common App personal statement, you’re going to want to write authentically about yourself while addressing all parts of each supplemental essay prompt. Many schools want to better understand how you see yourself contributing to their campus community and/or diversity and inclusion efforts along with how you hope to use your education to achieve your goals. So, be honest and forward-thinking, and don’t forget to customize each supplemental essay so it’s specific to each school you’re submitting to. That means doing research and weaving information into your essays that demonstrates the amount of time and thought you’ve put into your application. 

We have a few successful supplemental essay examples in our Free Resources section.

Each admissions department has their own process for reviewing applications, and some admissions committees put more weight on supplemental essays than others, but all admissions departments that offer applicants the opportunity to pen additional essays are doing so for a reason: to better understand the applicant and compare similarly qualified candidates. It’s in the applicant’s best interest to not only provide admissions with as much information regarding their candidacy as possible, but also go the extra mile. At highly competitive institutions, admissions officers are looking for reasons to remove students from the applicant pool—don’t let poorly written or (*gulp*) incomplete supplemental essays work against you!

Absolutely not. Please do not reuse content from your Common App essay in your supplements. Although it’s possible for you to expand upon an idea, activity, or community that you mention in your Common App essay in your supplements, you should never recycle content or any phrasing word for word.

Start by reading through all the prompts. Next, jot down ideas that come to your mind (no matter how silly they may seem!). Everyone has a story to tell, and we’re willing to bet you’re more interesting than you think. Give yourself plenty of time to consider different topics and revise, revise, revise! Also, our handy dandy Supplemental Essay Guides are sure to help you on your writing journey.

North Park University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, purdue supplementals - what to expect.

I'm applying to Purdue and would love some advice on their supplemental essays. What kind of questions do they usually ask? How can I best approach these to showcase my strengths?

Purdue typically asks applicants to respond to a couple of supplemental essay prompts in addition to the Common Application or Coalition Application essay. Here's an overview of what you can expect from Purdue's supplementals and some advice on how to approach them:

1. Why Purdue? - This is a typical "Why this college?" prompt where you need to demonstrate your genuine interest in Purdue and explain why you believe it's the right fit for you both academically and personally. To best approach this essay, research Purdue's programs, resources, and campus culture, and connect them to your goals and interests. Be specific when mentioning courses, clubs, or research opportunities that align with your passions. Also, don't forget to show how you can contribute to Purdue's community.

2. Potential Major/Career Goals - Purdue may ask about your chosen major or intended career path, and why you're interested in pursuing it. This is an opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge in the field. Explain any relevant experiences, such as courses, internships, research opportunities, or personal projects that have shaped your interest in the major/career. Also, discuss how Purdue's resources and programs can help you achieve your goals.

When approaching these supplementals, remember to:

- Be specific and genuine. Personalize your essays by using concrete examples and anecdotes.

- Showcase your unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives. This helps you stand out from other applicants.

- Keep your responses focused and concise. Stick to the word limits and avoid unnecessary details.

By answering Purdue's supplemental essay questions thoughtfully and authentically, you'll be able to effectively showcase your strengths and demonstrate why you would be a valuable addition to their campus community. Good luck!

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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How to Write the WashU Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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Washington University in St. Louis , colloquially known as WashU, is a selective private research institution with an acceptance rate below 12%. WashU’s vibrant student life ; extensive research, study abroad, and interdisciplinary programs ; and supportive Taylor Family Center all serve to attract thousands of applicants every year. WashU’s accomplished alumni include Peter Sarsgaard, Pooja Kumar, Andrew McCabe, and Rochelle P. Walensky. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your WashU supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

WashU campus

WashU’s 2024-2025 Prompts

Required washu essay questions, please tell us what you are interested in studying at college and why. undecided about your academic interest(s) don’t worry—tell us what excites you about the academic division you selected. remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. you can explore all of our majors and programs on our website. (200 words or fewer), optional washu essay questions, washu supports engagement in the st. louis community by considering the university as “in st. louis, for st. louis.” what is a community you are a part of and your place or impact within it (250 words or fewer), washu strives to know every undergraduate student “by name & story.” how have your life experiences shaped your story (250 words or fewer), washu scholarship essay questions, danforth scholars program: chancellor danforth and mrs. danforth deeply cared about building trust within the community and being of service to others. they embodied a spirit of servant leadership, enhancing the experiences of students, staff, and faculty. reflecting on the lives and legacies of the danforths , share a specific example of how you have demonstrated a commitment to servant leadership and improving your community. (100 words or fewer), ervin scholars program: the ervin scholars program is open to only u.s. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented or daca students living in the u.s. dr. john b. ervin was a nationally renowned black educator and the first african american dean at washington university in st. louis. reflecting on his biography and the history and legacy of the ervin scholars program , share a specific example of how you have taken action to champion diversity in your own life or community. (100 words or fewer), rodriguez scholars program: annika lynn rodriguez championed awareness for students of all backgrounds, including starting washu’s first latin american awareness week. reflecting on annika rodriguez’s history and legacy , share a specific example of how you have made a commitment to fostering cultural awareness and understanding. (100 words or fewer).

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General Tips

Your WashU supplemental essays need to be concise and snappy in order to effectively get your points across in the limited words you have available. So, let’s dive into two general tips for cutting down your word count without cutting out meaning.

Go easy on the adjectives and adverbs.

Adjectives and adverbs are a powerful tool for the writer. However, when overused or employed redundantly, they can prevent your essay from reaching its full potential.

Common overuses of adjectives and adverbs include the following:

  • Without further clarification, the adjectives “thoughtful and considerate” are redundant.
  • Unless there is prior implication of falsely happy occasions, there’s no need to use “truly” here.
  • With the “like” in this sentence, the comparison is clear, and “basically” only detracts from the strength of the comparison.
  • The usage of the word “long” and the redundant phrase “each and every” (only one of these words is necessary) adds some consonance/assonance to the sentence but does not impact the meaning.

Although none of these usages are grammatically or syntactically incorrect, they add extra words to your sentences when you have limited words available.

Watch out for prepositional phrases.

Prepositional phrases are often necessary, but many students trying to cut down on their essays’ words overlook the ways prepositional phrases bulk up their sentences. Here are some examples:

  • The phrase “of all” adds emphasis in this sentence, but it does not change its fundamental meaning.
  • A rewrite of this sentence using fewer words could look like, “This sentence’s components aren’t my favorite syntactical elements.” That’s eight words instead of thirteen!
  • This sentence could be more concisely reworded to, “My brother completed the assignment unaided.” That’s six words instead of ten. Note the removal of the passive voice as well.

This prompt is a fairly standard college essay prompt, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. WashU seeks self-motivated students who are excited to learn. So, in this essay, you should explain what gets you excited to learn. Maybe your interest in mathematics originated from a life-changing event. Or perhaps you just enjoy reading, and that’s why you’ve decided to pursue a degree in English literature. Alternatively, maybe your interest in international affairs is driven by a desire to pursue a future career in international law. Whatever subjects intrigue you, and for whatever reasons, it’s important that your essay is authentic and precise.

If you’re having trouble coming up with your “why,” consider coming up with answers to the following questions:

  • What makes this subject or these subjects more interesting than other subjects?
  • What is the most interesting fact you have learned in this academic area? Do you seek to learn more facts like this one?
  • What questions do you have about the world? How will further study help you answer these questions?
  • What are your career goals? How do they relate to your intended area(s) of study?
  • What current social issues keep you up at night? How does your intended course of study relate to these issues?
  • In what ways does this subject or these subjects bring you joy?

After answering these questions, you should hopefully have identified some concrete reasons for selecting your intended academic area(s). If not, consider whether these are truly the area(s) of study that interest you. Are there any areas that interest you more?

Once you’ve identified your reasons, focus on explaining, in your essay, why these reasons are important to you. Be specific and detailed, and you’ll have a compelling essay.

This prompt analogizes your experiences in a community to your future experiences in the St. Louis community. This is because the WashU admissions team is seeking students who will see St. Louis as a community, not just a place to live while working toward a degree.

Thus, bear in mind how the reader may compare the story you tell in this essay to the person they envision you becoming at WashU. In other words, the story you tell may indicate to the admissions team whether you’re a good fit. They may also use your essay to decide whether you’d be an additive member of the community.

Also, remember to pick just one community to focus on in this essay. Moreover, be sure to pick a community that you personally belong to, as opposed to a community you have served or interacted with. Feel free to interpret the word “community” broadly. Furthermore, you can write about your school, your family, your culture, your religion, your sports team, etc.

If you hold a certain identity and have found community with other members of that identity, then you can write about that community. This community could be online or in-person, based in your neighborhood or ranging internationally. As long as it’s important to you, it’s a solid choice of topic.

If the prompt above about community doesn’t speak to you, or you’d just prefer to provide more or different insights regarding your background, then this is a great prompt for you to answer. This prompt provides you with the space to discuss your life experiences. You can write about life-changing conversations, experiences with identity, moving to a different place, or whatever feels most important to you.

If you’re having trouble deciding on a topic, consider what topics you’ve written about already. If your Common App essay already discussed your religious background, then perhaps you should focus on a different topic in this essay. Alternatively, if you feel that the WashU admissions team won’t have a complete picture as to who you are unless you take the time to write about your LGBTQ+ identity, then perhaps you should do so here. Moreover, if your application is very STEM-focused, you may want the reader to know that you have other interests. In that case, this essay could be a great place to elaborate on the other hobbies or activities that have shaped who you are today.

Answering this essay prompt gives you the opportunity to score a significant scholarship package. Recipients enjoy “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or half-tuition scholarships. The scholarship is renewed each year for the duration of the degree program, provided you progress academically and uphold the high standards of character required of scholars.” Thus, it’s in your best interest to write a strong response to this essay question.

The term “ servant leadership ” refers to “a leadership style in which leaders put the needs, aspirations, and interests of their followers above their own,” according to the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. In other words, you should use your 100 words for this essay to share your experience leading others in a way that put those whom you led above yourself.

Per the prompt’s wording, focus on one specific example , instead of a series of examples or trend in your community service actions. In addition, use precise language and explain why you pursued this service and what it meant to you. If you have space, describe a lesson or two that this experience taught you.

If you’re curious, read more about the Danforth Scholars Program here .

This prompt is for students interested in receiving “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships.” Note that applicants to this program must also maintain high academic standards, like the students in the Danforth Scholars Program. However, this program is limited to applicants who are “U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented or DACA students living in the U.S.” If you’re included in the relevant demographic for this prompt, it’s likely worthwhile to make an attempt at this essay question.

In this short essay, you must focus on one specific example of an action you’ve taken, initiative you’ve spearheaded, conversation you’ve held, or the like for the purpose of demonstrating your commitment to the cause of diversity. If diversity is important to you and you have sought to promote diversity, then you should probably apply for this scholarship. If not, then you may want to look at other prompts.

Remember to be specific and precise in your response. Quantify your impact and share how the experience impacted you. For instance, state the exact or approximate number of hours you worked or people you helped. Additionally, describe a lesson you learned or a way your perspective shifted. Don’t worry about discussing ways you continue to champion diversity or plan to in the future. Instead, focus on the most meaningful experience you have had that involved action you took to promote diversity. Make sure you share who you impacted and why this was meaningful to you!

If you’re curious, read more about the Ervin Scholars Program here .

If you’re hoping to be among the lucky WashU students who receive “full-tuition scholarships with a $2,500 stipend or partial-tuition scholarships,” this essay prompt gives you that chance. If you are able to compose a stellar essay about your authentic experience fostering cultural awareness and understanding, then you’ll have a shot at joining the Rodriguez Scholars Program. Note that like the other scholarships described above, participation in this program is contingent on maintaining certain academic standards throughout your undergraduate career.

This essay should highlight one specific example of community service you have pursued. Specifically, you should focus on a time when you pursued community service that positively impacted others through “cultural awareness and understanding.” Unsure whether your community service work fits under that umbrella? Consider whether cultural difference was integral to your work. Did your work serve to raise awareness, provide education or training, promote connections across cultures, or something similar? If so, this is the prompt for you. If not, perhaps review the other two scholarship options listed above.

You may be wondering why community service is integral to this prompt, given that the prompt uses neither of those two words. Check out WashU’s resources on the Rodriguez Scholars Program and its application process. Conducting thorough research on this program will help you identify the implicit expectations for applicants. Through this process, you’ll better understand what you should aim to highlight in your essay response.

If you need help polishing up your WashU supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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How to Write the UVA Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

 

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    Purdue University
   
  Sep 08, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog    
2024-2025 University Catalog
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About the Program

The Mechanical Engineering Technology major is part of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program.  The Mechanical Engineering Technology program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org .

The careers of mechanical engineering technology graduates take them to a variety of employers (e.g. Rockwell Automation, Fender Guitars, Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar) yet they have many skills in common: problem-solving, leadership and teamwork. The program focuses on the methods, materials, machinery and manpower necessary to effectively operate in a manufacturing environment. You’ll learn how to manage people, machines, and production resources to ensure maximum efficiency and safety.

Mechanical Engineering Technology Website

School of Engineering Technology Major Change (CODO) Requirements    

Degree Requirements

120 credits required, departmental/program major courses (120 credits), required major courses (59 credits).

  • ENGT 18200 - Gateway To Engineering Technology Credits: 4.00 (SoET Gateway Course) 
  • ENGT 48000 - Engineering Technology Capstone I Credits: 3.00
  • ENGT 48100 - Engineering Technology Capstone II Credits: 3.00
  • MET 10200 - Production Design And Specifications Credits: 3.00 ♦
  • MET 11100 - Applied Statics Credits: 3.00
  • MET 14300 - Materials And Processes I Credits: 3.00
  • MET 14400 - Materials And Processes II Credits: 3.00
  • MET 21100 - Applied Strength Of Materials Credits: 4.00 ♦
  • MET 21300 - Dynamics Credits: 3.00
  • MET 22000 - Heat And Power Credits: 3.00 ♦
  • MET 23000 - Fluid Power Credits: 3.00
  • MET 24500 - Manufacturing Systems Credits: 3.00
  • MET 28400 - Introduction To Industrial Controls Credits: 3.00
  • MET 31400 - Applications Of Machine Elements Credits: 3.00
  • MET 32000 - Applied Thermodynamics Credits: 3.00
  • Professional Requirement - Credit Hours: 0.00
  • Intercultural Requirement - Credit Hours: 0.00

MET Selectives (12 credits included within major credits)

  • MET Elective or approved Focus Area elective - Credit Hours: 9.00
  • Technical Selective or approved Focus Area Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00

Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (61 credits)

  • CHM 11100 - General Chemistry Credits: 3.00 (Preferred) or
  • CHM 11500 - General Chemistry Credits: 4.00
  • ECET 22400 - Electronic Systems Credits: 3.00
  • MA 16010 - Applied Calculus I Credits: 3.00 (satisfies Quantitative Reasoning for core) (Preferred) or
  • MA 16100 - Plane Analytic Geometry And Calculus I Credits: 5.00 or
  • MA 16500 - Analytic Geometry And Calculus I Credits: 4.00
  • MA 16020 - Applied Calculus II Credits: 3.00 (Preferred) or
  • MA 16200 - Plane Analytic Geometry And Calculus II Credits: 5.00 or
  • MA 16600 - Analytic Geometry And Calculus II Credits: 4.00
  • PHYS 22000 - General Physics Credits: 4.00 (satisfies Science for core)  (Preferred) or
  • PHYS 17200 - Modern Mechanics Credits: 4.00
  • PHYS 22100 - General Physics Credits: 4.00 (satisfies Science for core)  (Preferred) or
  • PHYS 24100 - Electricity And Optics Credits: 3.00
  • STAT 30100 - Elementary Statistical Methods Credits: 3.00
  • TECH 12000 - Design Thinking In Technology Credits: 3.00 (satisfies Information Literacy and Science, Technology & Society for core)
  • IET 33400 - Economic Analysis For Technology Systems Credits: 3.00

Freshman Composition Selective   (satisfies Written Communication for core)

  • ENGL 10600 - First Year Composition With Conferences Credits: 4.00 or
  • ENGL 10800 - First Year Composition Credits: 3.00 or
  • SCLA 10100 - Transformative Texts, Critical Thinking And Communication I: Antiquity To Modernity Credits: 3.00 or
  • HONR 19903 - Interdisciplinary Approaches In Writing Credits: 3.00

Computer Graphics Technology Selective

  • MFET 10301 - Geometric Modeling Applications Credits: 3.00 or
  • CGT 11000 - Technical Graphics Communications Credits: 3.00 or
  • MFET 16300 - Graphical Communication And Spatial Analysis Credits: 2.00 or
  • ENGT 10500 - Industrial Technology Introduction To Design Credits: 3.00

Freshman Speech Selective  (satisfies Oral Communication for Core)

  • COM 11400 - Fundamentals Of Speech Communication Credits: 3.00 or
  • SCLA 10200 - Transformative Texts, Critical Thinking And Communication II: Modern World Credits: 3.00

Communications Selective

  • COM 31500 - Speech Communication Of Technical Information Credits: 3.00 or
  • COM 32000 - Small Group Communication Credits: 3.00 or
  • COM 41500 - Discussion Of Technical Problems Credits: 3.00 or
  • EDPS 31500 - Collaborative Leadership: Interpersonal Skills Credits: 3.00

Technical Writing Selective

  • ENGL 42000 - Business Writing Credits: 3.00 or
  • ENGL 42100 - Technical Writing Credits: 3.00 or
  • ENGL 42400 - Writing For High Technology Industries Credits: 3.00
  • Economics/Finance Selective - Credit Hours 3.00 
  • Programming Selective - Credit Hours 3.00 
  • General Education Human Cultures: Humanities Selective (satisfies Human Cultures Humanities for core) - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • General Education Human Cultures: Behavior/Social Sciences (satisfies Human Cultures: Behavioral Sciences for core) - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Global/Professional Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Course is a Management Selective. If ECET 38001 is the Global/Professional Selective then a Technical Selective is allowed.

Supplemental List

Click here for Mechanical Engineering Technology Supplemental Information   .

Optional Concentration

  • Computer-Aided Design Technology Concentration for Mechanical Engineering Technology    
  • Fabrication and Welding Technology Concentration for Mechanical Engineering Technology    
  • Mechanics Concentration for Mechanical Engineering Technology  
  • Powertrains Concentration for Mechanical Engineering Technology    

Grade Requirements

  • Students must earn a “D-” or better in all courses unless otherwise noted.

GPA Requirements

  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for the Bachelor of Science degree.

Course Requirements and Notes

  • Courses at Purdue University may only be attempted a maximum of three (3) times, including W, WF, I, IF and all graded attempts.

Non-course / Non-credit Requirements

  • Complete a Professional Requirement.
  • Complete an Intercultural Requirement.

Pass/No Pass Policy

MET does not allow P/NP grading for any classes that are used to meet degree requirements, all degree requirements must be taken for a grade.

Transfer Credit Policy

Transfer credit from other institutions, including courses taken as dual or concurrent credit in high school, and credit from testing such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate that are an exact match for Purdue courses, may be applied to degree requirements.

For undistributed credit to be applied to degree requirements, the course or courses will need to be evaluated by the Curriculum Committee for approval.  Additional approvals will be required for courses to meet University Core Curriculum requirements.  In both cases approval is not automatic.

University Requirements

University core requirements, for a complete listing of university core course selectives, visit the provost’s website ..

  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
  • Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
  • Information Literacy (IL)
  • Oral Communication (OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
  • Science #1 (SCI)
  • Science #2 (SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
  • Written Communication (WC) 

Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement

The civics literacy proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry. for more information visit the civics literacy proficiency  website..

To obtain the Civics Literacy Proficiency, students will complete an educational activity as part of their chosen Civics Literacy Pathway and pass the Purdue Civics knowledge test.  The knowledge test can be completed at any time while the pathway is being perused.  There are three different pathways:

  • Civics Event pathway - Attend six approved civics-related events and pass the required exam; or
  • Civics Literacy Podcast pathway - Complete 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement that use C-SPAN material and pass the required exam; or
  • Approved course pathway - Complete  one of the following approved courses  and pass the required exam.

More details about each pathway and how to complete the requirement can be found on the Civics Literacy Student Dashboard in myPurdue .

Upper Level Requirement

  • Resident study at Purdue University for at least two semesters and the enrollment in and completion of at least 32 semester hours of coursework required and approved for the completion of the degree. These courses are expected to be at least junior-level (30000+) courses.
  • Students should be able to fulfill most , if not all , of these credits within their major requirements; there should be a clear pathway for students to complete any credits not completed within their major.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Fall 1st year.

Freshman Speech Selective

  • ENGT 18200 - Gateway To Engineering Technology Credits: 4.00
  • MA 16010 - Applied Calculus I Credits: 3.00 (Preferred) or

Technical Graphics Selective

Spring 1st Year

Freshman Composition Selective

  • HONR 19903 - Interdisciplinary Approaches In Writing Credits: 3.00 or
  • SCLA 10100 - Transformative Texts, Critical Thinking And Communication I: Antiquity To Modernity Credits: 3.00
  • TECH 12000 - Design Thinking In Technology Credits: 3.00

Fall 2nd Year

  • PHYS 22000 - General Physics Credits: 4.00 (Preferred) or
  • Programming Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00

Spring 2nd Year

  • PHYS 22100 - General Physics Credits: 4.00 (Preferred) or
  • Humanities Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00

Fall 3rd Year

Spring 3rd year.

  • Economics/Finance Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • MET Elective or Approved Focus Area Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

Fall 4th Year

  • ENGL 42400 - Writing For High Technology Industries Credits: 3.00 or
  • ENGL 42000 - Business Writing Credits: 3.00

Spring 4th Year

  • MET Elective or approved Focus Area elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Technical Selective or approved Focus Area elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Behavioral Social Science Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00

Critical Course

The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major. Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful. These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program.”

The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Consultation with an advisor may result in an altered plan customized for an individual student. The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.

Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the  College Navigator tool , provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the  U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard .

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    How to Write a Great Purdue Supplemental Essay: 4 Tips. To wrap up, here are four tips to help you write a great supplemental Purdue University admission essay. #1: Write Succinctly and Purposefully. All three Purdue supplemental essays you need to write are pretty short, with one 250-word essay and two 100-word essays.

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    Hello! I'm glad you're seeking advice on how to approach your Purdue supplemental essays. Here are some tips to help your essays stand out: 1. Be specific: When discussing why you're interested in Purdue, mention specific programs, clubs, research opportunities, or faculty that have caught your attention. Show that you've researched the university and have a clear understanding of what it has ...

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