Purdue University Office of Admissions logo

Freshman Admission Criteria

students sitting on a bench in the sun in front of the Purdue P statue

Are you ready to take your next giant leap?

Are you academically prepared to succeed in your desired academic program?

Are you a competitive candidate in the context of the overall pool of applicants for the program based on available space?


Purdue applications are reviewed individually and holistically for both West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations with these two primary questions in mind. There is no definitive answer to 'what does it take to be admitted?'

You can use our Freshman Class Profile Page to see “middle 50%” ranges for GPAs and SAT or ACT tests. 

Those that accept their offer of admission to Purdue must have a high school diploma or receive a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma (e.g., GED) unless they are 18 years of age or older. Purdue requires that students submit proof of high school graduation. Purdue will review to confirm that enrollment conditions have been met. For international applicants, additional documents may be required depending on the country of origin.

Here's what you need to know when preparing for admission to and success at Purdue:

Complete Your Application

For most first-time college students (future freshman) a complete application includes:

  • The application itself
  • Purdue-specific questions from the application
  • Self-reported high school grades
  • Self-reported ACT or SAT test scores*
  • The application fee (or qualified fee waiver)

Students apply to Purdue using the Common Application. You will have the opportunity to select the primary location you would like: Purdue University West Lafayette or Purdue University in Indianapolis, as well as your primary major. You will also have the option to select an alternate location and major on the application.

Not all majors will be available at both locations, and you should select an alternate choice only if you are truly interested in the program. Changing majors or locations is never guaranteed.

This application also requires you to provide an essay and answer Purdue-specific questions. View current Common App essay questions.

We accept SAT or ACT scores and have no preference on which test is taken. You may report the best scores from across different tests. If able, you should take one or the other in the spring of your junior year in preparation for the November 1 Early Action deadline that encompasses scholarship consideration.

When you apply, you are able to report best components from different test dates. School codes for Purdue West Lafayette: ACT – 1230; SAT – 1631.

*Purdue University expects applicants to have SAT or ACT scores. Recognizing that in some exceptional cases, applicants may not have been able to take a test, we allow submission of applications in those cases. 

International undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English will be evaluated for English language proficiency during the application review process. The most common and preferred way for applicants to provide evidence of their English proficiency is through an English proficiency exam.

International undergraduate applicants or applicants with an international high school curriculum, may be required to submit additional documents to complete the admission application, depending on the applicant's country of origin.

Don't Miss Deadlines

Deadline Information

Meet the Minimum Requirements and Be Competitive

You should meet or exceed these minimum high school expectations.

  • Math - 4 years
  • English - 4 years
  • Lab science - 3 years (for engineering applicants, chemistry experience is expected; for nursing, pharmacy and veterinary nursing, one year must be chemistry and one year must be biology)
  • Social studies - 3 years
  • World language - 2 years

Visit the high school course requirements page for more specific information.

If you are an Indiana resident, we strongly encourage you to pursue the Academic Honors Diploma. While this does not guarantee admission to Purdue, those who earn this diploma are generally stronger candidates and better prepared for the academic rigor of Purdue classes.

Admission to Purdue is competitive and we’ll use the following factors to evaluate your application:

  • High school course expectations
  • Overall grades in academic coursework
  • Grades related to intended major
  • Strength of your overall high school curriculum
  • Trends in achievement (If you have weaker grades/courses, were they earlier in your high school record?)
  • Grades in academic core coursework (English, academic math, laboratory science, foreign language, social studies)
  • SAT or ACT scores (if provided)
    • Purdue does not require a separate test score for the ACT Science section
  • Proof of English proficiency (for international students whose native language is not English)
  • Ability to be successful in intended major
  • Essay and answers to Purdue questions
  • Personal background and experiences
  • Information provided by your high school
  • Time of year you apply
  • Space availability in the desired program
Share this page: