Freshman Admission Criteria

Applications are reviewed on an individual and holistic basis. First and foremost, applicants must be prepared academically for the rigors of college and the academic demands specific to the Purdue college, school, or program to which they are seeking admission.

Applications will not be evaluated until the application itself and all required materials are received. For most freshman applicants, required material includes the high school transcript, an SAT or ACT test score (including writing), and the application fee.

In its individual review of each applicant, Purdue considers the following factors:

• High school course expectations
• Overall grades in academic coursework
• Grades related to intended major
• Strength of student's overall high school curriculum
• Trends in achievement
• Class rank
• Overall grade point average
• Core grade point average (English, academic math, laboratory science, foreign language, speech)
• SAT or ACT score sent from the testing agency (including writing section). Test scores must be sent electronically from the testing agency. When registering to take one of these tests, take advantage of the free reporting option to have the testing agency send your scores directly to Purdue (SAT School Code: 1631; ACT School Code: 1230).
• Ability to be successful in intended major
• Personal Statement
• Personal background and experiences
• Information provided by high school guidance counselor (or other school administrator)
• Time of year the student applies
• Space availability in the intended program   

All applicants must graduate from high school or have a GED, and Indiana residents are given preference.

High School Preparation

Most students who are admitted to Purdue exceed Purdue's high school course expectations. Therefore, all students who plan to apply to Purdue are encouraged to exceed these expectations as well.

Courses that qualify for the subject categories include the following:

• Math - algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, trigonometry, and calculus, but not computer, general, or business math.
• Laboratory Science* - biology, chemistry, physics, earth/space science, physiology/anatomy, etc.
• English - grammar, composition, literature, speech, and vocabulary, but not journalism, newspaper, yearbook, or theatre arts.
  

Indiana Residents Only

Purdue strongly encourages Indiana students to pursue the Academic Honors Diploma.