Why Did WiE Choose Purdue?
Why Sarah Chose Purdue:
Before my college search began, Purdue hadn’t really been on my radar. I was talking to my high school college counselor about my criteria for my college list: strong engineering programs, school spirit, large undergraduate student population, and study abroad opportunities, and she advised me to check out Purdue. At the time, I didn’t know much about the school. Coming from North Carolina, not many other alumni from my high school have ended up at Purdue, but I wanted to keep an open mind throughout the college admissions process and thought, “Why not?” So, in March of my junior year, my mom and I came to Indiana for a tour. Seeing the campus for myself put Purdue at the top of my list.
Three main things stood out to me immediately on my initial visit that stuck with me throughout the application process and guided me to choose Purdue when the time came almost a year later.
#1. The collaborative atmosphere among Purdue students, especially within the College of Engineering Learning Communities.
I was worried that pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering would automatically mean competing with my classmates, excessive academic stress, and that I’d be sacrificing the “college experience.” However, I quickly realized that here at Purdue, there are so many resources dedicated specifically to engineering students to help us succeed, and that although the engineering network here is enormous, it doesn’t feel impersonal. For example, the variety of Learning Communities for first-year students at Purdue shows the multitude of interests, skills, and values among engineers at Purdue, and allows students to “customize” their first year. With eight learning communities specifically geared towards engineers, there is no shortage of residential options that can enhance your FYE experience. These include Engineers in Band and Orchestra, Engineering in the World of Data, Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS), Global Engineering, The Data Mine, Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs), and last but certainly not least, Women in Engineering (WiE)! I currently live in Meredith South as a part of the WiE Living Learning community and have met some of my best friends so far through this program in just two short months on campus. I have found that living alongside other motivated young women in engineering, taking the same classes, showing interest in the same clubs, and overall getting to know your current and future classmates has made a world of difference in my college experience so far. The prominence of learning communities just goes to show the level of collaboration and the tight-knit nature of Purdue Engineering. #2. The vast number of social, pre-professional, and academic opportunities and organizations for Purdue Engineers.
Attending one of the largest engineering schools in the country has no shortage of perks, one of them being that there is no shortage of extra-curricular involvements geared specifically towards engineers. There are roughly 1,000 student-run clubs and organizations to get involved with, which include chapters of numerous engineering societies such as Society of Women Engineers (SWE), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Purdue Student Engineering Foundation (PSEF), and many more for specific engineering majors, demographics, career aspirations, etc. Some organizations are nationally run; others are specific to Purdue. Some allow you to get involved in hands-on projects and skill development; others open doors for mentorship and professional development; the options are seemingly endless. The B-Involved Fair in August is a wonderful opportunity to start connecting with clubs as soon as you arrive on campus, and it’s totally normal and acceptable to try some out and see what you like and change your involvement throughout your time at Purdue. Clubs are a great way to learn new skills, meet new people, and enhance your college experience. And if you are looking to explore options outside engineering-related clubs, this is the place for that, too. It’s very common for engineering students to stay well-rounded by getting involved in our numerous cultural organizations, club teams, fitness groups, arts and music clubs, or residential-hall clubs. Because the College of Engineering is so big here at Purdue, there will be fellow engineers in nearly every extracurricular activity on campus, which just goes to show that it is possible and encouraged to branch out and grow not just as an engineer, but as a person, too!#3. Purdue isn’t just a college campus; it’s home.
I had no idea what to expect from visiting our campus here in West Lafayette, Indiana, for the first time, but I quickly fell in love. The beautiful green spaces, iconic Bell Tower and fountains, the expansive gym & recreational center (the CoRec), our five dining halls, modern study spaces, and of course, Ross-Ade Stadium, Holloway Gym, and Mackey Arena all make Purdue, Purdue. This isn’t just a space to study, but to live and make memories with your friends. It’s common to see students walking and chatting in big groups on sunny days, grabbing meals together at one of the dining halls or in the Purdue Memorial Union (PMU), engaging in intramural sports, cheering on the Boilermakers, and exploring West Lafayette or even busing across the river to Lafayette in their free time. We even have a weekly farmer’s market every Thursday, right in the middle of campus on Memorial Lawn! There are so many restaurant and café options both on and off-campus, and plenty of activities hosted by the PMU every week, like karaoke, bowling, and silent discos. One of my friends’ favorite off-campus spots we have discovered is Triple XXX, a West Lafayette classic just a five-minute walk from campus. This welcoming and friendly diner serves burgers, milkshakes, and most famously, Triple XXX Root Beer (also found in many dining hall drink fountains!). Another favorite is Saxby’s, a café in the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering that takes dining dollars as payment. And I can’t go without mentioning the Qdoba and Panera restaurants in the lobby of Meredith South, just below the WiE Living Learning Community! West Lafayette may be a small town, but when it’s home to almost 60,000 Purdue students, there’s always something to look forward to. I’ve only lived here for nine weeks at this point, and it already feels like home.
If your college list criteria look anything like mine did: strong engineering programs, school spirit, vibrant campus life, and lots of extracurricular opportunities, I highly encourage you to apply to Purdue. My experience so far has been everything I was looking for and more, and I can’t wait for what the next four years will bring. Good Luck!
Why Grace Chose Purdue:
When applying for colleges, I had a hard time deciding which school would be the best fit for me. I was worried about making the wrong decision but knew I just had to take a leap of faith.
During spring break of my junior year of high school, I toured several colleges, but the one that stood out the most was Purdue. I immediately fell in love with the campus and the sense of community within it. I liked how the buildings were close to each other, giving the campus a connected and welcoming feel. Purdue also has a nice balance between a modern and traditional atmosphere. I was also drawn to the variety of restaurants and shops in West Lafayette and Lafayette, as well as Purdue’s involvement in sports. Having played sports like basketball and softball in high school, I was excited about getting to experience that same energy as a fan.
The biggest factor that drew me into Purdue was the First Year Engineering (FYE) program. Unlike most universities, Purdue’s FYE allows incoming freshmen engineering students to explore different disciplines before declaring a major in their sophomore year. This gives students time to learn about different disciplines without feeling rushed. Some students already know what they want to study, while others are still trying to figure it out. The good thing about the First Year Engineering program is that you don’t have to decide right away, and you learn the foundational skills needed to become an engineer.
Additionally, I was really excited to get involved with Purdue’s Women in Engineering (WiE) program/organization. I joined the WiE Living Learning Community and took the ENGR 194 seminar class. I was able to surround myself with fellow women engineers right from the start. It made adjusting to college so much easier and it felt like community within FYE.
In my own experience, I was initially interested in biomedical engineering but was not completely sure. During my freshman year, I got to explore different engineering majors like industrial, civil, and mechanical, which helped me gain a better understanding of what I wanted to study.
Looking back, I am so happy with my decision. Purdue has been everything I hoped for and more. I have been able to grow not only as a student but as a person. At Purdue, I have found what my passions are and feel part of something bigger.
Sarah Shaughnessy, FYE '29 & Grace Fuller BME '28
Recruitment Project Committee
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