What to See When You Visit Purdue
As admissions decisions are released and the second semester of high school senior year approaches the halfway point, taking a trip to Purdue can help you narrow down your college choices. If you’ve already committed, visiting campus is the perfect opportunity to support your choice and stave off senioritis with enthusiasm for your upcoming college experience.
Walking north along Centennial Mall drive, the primary walkway running through Purdue's campus, gives you a sense of the daily hustle and energy of campus within ten minutes. This stretch will take you from Memorial Mall, the large green area home to the John Purdue statue, the Farmers Market, and a variety of social events. From there, you will pass the Stone Lions Fountain, the Wilmeth Active Learning Center (WALC) library, and Elliot Hall of Music, which hosts concerts and shows as well as serving as a common exam location. Purdue’s iconic Bell Tower is impossible to miss, and you’ll catch students taking the long way around to avoid the superstition of delaying graduation by walking directly under.
Heading north and slightly west from the Bell Tower takes you immediately to Purdue’s Engineering campus. While engineering classes spread out across campus, this stretch is the heart of the College of Engineering and features most of the primary buildings for each major. The Engineering Fountain sits at the center of the Purdue Mall green area; grab a drink at the Starbucks in the Material Sciences and Electrical Engineering Building, or continue on along the engineering drive to visit Saxbys in Armstrong Hall for a drink or snack. While on the intersection of West Stadium Avenue and North University Street, you can see the Gateway to the Future Arch framing the engineering campus you just came from as well as the statue of Neil Armstrong. If you have time, continuing west will take you over to the residential side of campus where you can explore dining halls, residence halls, and Purdue’s impressive Corec (France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center).
Whether you’re set on a major already or still interested in exploring a few during your freshman year in FYE (First Year Engineering), checking out the home buildings, primary study spaces, and associated laboratories/facilities of your intended major(s) lets you get an idea what a future day-in-the-life might looking like as a Purdue engineering student. In particular, the laboratories and senior capstone project posters are impressive and inspirational about what your work could look like in the next four years.
On the southeast side of campus, the Purdue Memorial Union is a hub of student social life and a great place to recharge, grab a bite to eat, and take in the campus atmosphere. Check out the tunnels underneath the Union that help walkers stay warm during the winter, play a game of billiards or bowling at the Union Rack and Roll, and pop over across the street to the University Book Store to stock up on Purdue merchandise.
If you can coordinate a guided tour with your travel schedule, current students can provide additional insight and answer any questions you may have. Either way, exploring campus is a rewarding and enjoyable way to experience a day in the life of a Boilermaker.
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| Centennial Mall – Bell Tower & Main Campus Stretch |
Walking north along Centennial Mall drive, the primary walkway running through Purdue's campus, gives you a sense of the daily hustle and energy of campus within ten minutes. This stretch will take you from Memorial Mall, the large green area home to the John Purdue statue, the Farmers Market, and a variety of social events. From there, you will pass the Stone Lions Fountain, the Wilmeth Active Learning Center (WALC) library, and Elliot Hall of Music, which hosts concerts and shows as well as serving as a common exam location. Purdue’s iconic Bell Tower is impossible to miss, and you’ll catch students taking the long way around to avoid the superstition of delaying graduation by walking directly under.
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| Engineering Campus – Engineering Fountain to the Gateway to the Future Arch |
Heading north and slightly west from the Bell Tower takes you immediately to Purdue’s Engineering campus. While engineering classes spread out across campus, this stretch is the heart of the College of Engineering and features most of the primary buildings for each major. The Engineering Fountain sits at the center of the Purdue Mall green area; grab a drink at the Starbucks in the Material Sciences and Electrical Engineering Building, or continue on along the engineering drive to visit Saxbys in Armstrong Hall for a drink or snack. While on the intersection of West Stadium Avenue and North University Street, you can see the Gateway to the Future Arch framing the engineering campus you just came from as well as the statue of Neil Armstrong. If you have time, continuing west will take you over to the residential side of campus where you can explore dining halls, residence halls, and Purdue’s impressive Corec (France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center).
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| Major-Specific Buildings and Laboratories |
Whether you’re set on a major already or still interested in exploring a few during your freshman year in FYE (First Year Engineering), checking out the home buildings, primary study spaces, and associated laboratories/facilities of your intended major(s) lets you get an idea what a future day-in-the-life might looking like as a Purdue engineering student. In particular, the laboratories and senior capstone project posters are impressive and inspirational about what your work could look like in the next four years.
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| Sporting Events |
If the scheduling of your trip allows it, catching a sporting event at Purdue is a terrific way to experience the vibrant student spirit and Big 10 gameday energy. Even if you don’t attend the event itself, even just walking past Mackey Arena or Ross-Ade Stadium on a gameday when students, alumni, and fans are decked out in Purdue gear is a neat opportunity to see the multi-generational Boilermaker pride electrifying campus.
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| Purdue Memorial Union |
On the southeast side of campus, the Purdue Memorial Union is a hub of student social life and a great place to recharge, grab a bite to eat, and take in the campus atmosphere. Check out the tunnels underneath the Union that help walkers stay warm during the winter, play a game of billiards or bowling at the Union Rack and Roll, and pop over across the street to the University Book Store to stock up on Purdue merchandise.
If you can coordinate a guided tour with your travel schedule, current students can provide additional insight and answer any questions you may have. Either way, exploring campus is a rewarding and enjoyable way to experience a day in the life of a Boilermaker.
Natalie Anderson, IE '27
Recruitment Project Committee
Stay Connected With Purdue WiE Program!
Facebook: Purdue Women in Engineering
Instagram: @purdue.wie
Blog: purduewiep.blogspot.com
Email: welink@purdue.edu
Use the hashtag #PurdueWiE on Facebook and Instagram!
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