Common Fears Debunked

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Going to college brings a whole new world of fears that you probably don’t have in high school. In order to rid you of some of those concerns, current students are debunking your biggest fears!
Today we are busting any myths you may have heard about Purdue!

Out of State Tuition

              There are many ways to help cover the cost of out of state tuition. Applying to scholarships, whether that’s through Purdue University, the specific school of engineering that you are in or from outside sources, is a great way to help cut some of the costs of attending college. In addition to discussing scholarships, Leah Alexander gives her advice on how to pay for Purdue: “I've also decided to become an RA (Resident Assistant) here on campus which gives me a free room, meal plan, and a reduction in tuition. You do need to look for ways to help finance your schooling though; they won't come to you” (Leah Alexander, Materials Engineering ’22). Additionally, there are many on-campus jobs that offer flexible hours for students. Finally, Purdue has frozen tuition for nearly 7 years now, this helps to make the cost of attendance at Purdue cheaper each year, relative to the next and ultimately more affordable for out of state students!

Large Population & Class Sizes

              It is no secret that Purdue is a large university; with 32,672 undergrad students on campus, it can feel a little overwhelming when you first arrive. In first year  engineering classes, you will often have a recitation section where you meet once or twice a week with the same 25 students. This helps you to create more personal relationships with Teaching Assistants (TA’s) and your fellow classmates. Additionally, as you progress into your specific engineering discipline, class size will drop drastically and you will often find yourself in classes with a similar group of people. Shelby Hedges explains that “another way to make Purdue feel smaller is to get involved in clubs and be social! You’ll be seeing people you know everywhere in no time” (Shelby Hedges, Nuclear Engineering ’22). Finally, attending Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) and residence hall events can help you make those connections from the moment you step on campus, so make sure to take advantage!

Adjusting to Campus Size

              Whether you come from a big or small high school, you will be navigating campus like a pro by the end of first semester! When you first arrive on campus, it would be a good idea to map out where your classes are located so that you have a stress-free first week of classes. Purdue offers an app with a map of campus that is really handy to use for those first few weeks! Also, biking or riding the bus can help you navigate campus in a more efficient way. Finally, being a first year student, many of your core classes will take place in buildings that are near each other.

Activities

There are many things to do when you go to Purdue! Purdue sponsors different events every week and brings musicians and comedians to campus to perform for students. Also, there is a bowling alley in the union and a movie theater very close to campus. West Lafayette’s bus system allows you to travel around town with ease – Tippecanoe Mall is only a few stops away! Kathryn Atherton describes her experiences with seasonal activities: “from outdoor festivals in the warmer times like Starry Night to ice skating by the Wabash River in the cooler months, the weather never keeps me from having fun” (Kathryn Atherton, Biological Engineering ’19). Additionally, the first snow fall brings many students to Slayter Hill to go sledding!  Finally, West Lafayette is about halfway between Chicago and Indy meaning you are only a short drive away from endless things to do.

Competitive vs. Collaborative Environment

              The environment at Purdue is very collaborative. In many First Year Engineering classes, students are placed on teams to complete projects or assignments. Immediately, this makes peers reliant on each other to succeed. Also, “students are always willing to help other students; it’s really easy to find study groups and people to work with collaboratively” (Mary Hamilton, First Year Engineering ’22). Finally Abby O’Donnell explains how a competitive environment can be beneficial: “on the competitive side, I feel pushed to achieve and want to do well. I feel motivated to be at the top of my classes. In the real world, competition will be present so I am glad I am exposed to it now and am learning how to thrive in its presence” (Abby O’Donnell, Industrial Engineering ’22).

Making Friends

              Getting involved is one of the best ways to meet new people and make friends! You can do this through joining clubs and organizations, attending BGR, studying in groups or attending your residence hall events. Additionally, keeping your door open to your room and eating meals with your floor mates makes it really easy to get to know people!

Selecting Your Engineering Discipline

              At Purdue, you don’t choose your specific engineering discipline until second semester of freshman year. This means that you have most of First Year Engineering to figure out what you want to study! Laura Flandermeyer shares her experience with choosing an engineering discipline and offers advice to future students: “I thought I knew which discipline I wanted before coming to Purdue, but I changed mind and that is totally okay! There are so many people on campus willing to share their experiences in different disciplines, and talking to these individuals, learning about the programs, and hearing about the student experience is key to making a good decision” (Lauren Flandermeyer, First Year Engineering ’22).

- Madeleine Hollinger, WE Link LT

Stay Connected With Purdue WIEP!
Twitter: @purduewiep
Instagram: @purduewiep
Email: welink@purdue.edu

Use the hashtag #PurdueWIEP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!


Purdue Women in Engineering


Picture Credits: Mythbusters

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