Engineering Digest: Living and Learning in a Community
At Purdue, there are so many new people, activities, and opportunities available. Finding your community can take time, but one great way to start building it before you arrive on campus is by joining a Learning Community! While there are many options for Learning Communities like Data Mine, Women in Engineering, and EPICS, I can speak best on Engineering in the World of Data (EWD).
One thing that makes EWD stand out is that you will take several classes with the same group of students in your Learning Community throughout your freshman year. This is not always the case in other Learning Communities. For example, while all first-year engineering students take ENGR 131 and ENGR 132, they’re usually with a different set of classmates in each course. In EWD, you will be with the same group in both, which helps you build deer connections and friendships that can last well beyond the first year.
Additionally, you will take two extra classes that are each one credit in your freshman year as a part of this learning community. Studies have shown that students who participate in learning communities earn higher grades and have increased exposure to university resources. This can be beneficial for first-year engineering students since maintaining a 3.2 GPA guarantees you your first choice major!
Additionally, EWD involves a lot of social and networking events that you would not have access to outside of this community. For example, some social events we’ve had this year are rock climbing; going to Exploration Acres in October where we enjoyed corn mazes, smores, go karting, and more; and next week we are taking a trip to Chicago where we can spend the whole day just exploring the city. For our networking skills, we have had events with astronauts, a vice president of Visa and JP Morgan, a trip to Zucrow Labs, and more.
Finally, as part of this community you will have the opportunity to apply to be an ambassador. As an ambassador you will meet twice a month for lunch with Professor Witt to plan social and networking events for the learning community. This is an excellent way to start building your resume in your freshman year as it shows leadership skills and can help boost your network. Additionally, it helps you gain a personal connection with professors and other students in the Learning Community you may not have been in contact with before. The priority deadline to apply to a Learning Community at Purdue is April 15. If you are interested in joining one, I highly recommend making this deadline as it significantly improves your chances of getting accepted. However, if you are still weighing your options, the final deadline to apply is June 27.
One thing that makes EWD stand out is that you will take several classes with the same group of students in your Learning Community throughout your freshman year. This is not always the case in other Learning Communities. For example, while all first-year engineering students take ENGR 131 and ENGR 132, they’re usually with a different set of classmates in each course. In EWD, you will be with the same group in both, which helps you build deer connections and friendships that can last well beyond the first year.
Additionally, you will take two extra classes that are each one credit in your freshman year as a part of this learning community. Studies have shown that students who participate in learning communities earn higher grades and have increased exposure to university resources. This can be beneficial for first-year engineering students since maintaining a 3.2 GPA guarantees you your first choice major!
Additionally, EWD involves a lot of social and networking events that you would not have access to outside of this community. For example, some social events we’ve had this year are rock climbing; going to Exploration Acres in October where we enjoyed corn mazes, smores, go karting, and more; and next week we are taking a trip to Chicago where we can spend the whole day just exploring the city. For our networking skills, we have had events with astronauts, a vice president of Visa and JP Morgan, a trip to Zucrow Labs, and more.
Finally, as part of this community you will have the opportunity to apply to be an ambassador. As an ambassador you will meet twice a month for lunch with Professor Witt to plan social and networking events for the learning community. This is an excellent way to start building your resume in your freshman year as it shows leadership skills and can help boost your network. Additionally, it helps you gain a personal connection with professors and other students in the Learning Community you may not have been in contact with before. The priority deadline to apply to a Learning Community at Purdue is April 15. If you are interested in joining one, I highly recommend making this deadline as it significantly improves your chances of getting accepted. However, if you are still weighing your options, the final deadline to apply is June 27.
Vidhi Desai, ME '28
Recruitment Project Committee
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