Purdue University-Main Campus Top Questions

Purdue is a large and busy public school. There is always a lot going on at Purdue. The school features over 800 different clubs and very competitive Big 10 sports teams. All of the hustle and bustle brings a slight downside to Purdue: its easy to fall between the cracks early. There is a lot going on so unless you assert yourself it is possible to fall behind early. On the flip-side, the University is brimming with opportunity to be a leader and excel if you reach for it. Like most schools, Purdue is what you make of it: if you sieze your chances it can be all you dreamed of in a college. But if you slack off it is easy to fall behind.

Purdue is the type of place that you can really call your "home" away from home! Every time i leave Purdue for a weekend and come back, i always feel refreshed. It may not be the nicest campus or have the prettiest buildings, but nothing about "home" is perfect. "Its happening here..." is a phrase i remember seeing on a Purdue brochure when i was in high school and there were completely right! A lot of things happen here at Purdue, both good and bad. However, we're like our own little community. Yes there is drama, yes stange things happen, but does it make the place more interesting? YES!

I went to a large high school, and I learned that a larger school means more opportunities for students. I was attracted to Purdue because of all the opportunities for students, such as internships, study abroad opportunities, and even the chance to root for successful sports teams. The large environment is great because there are always new people to meet and places to explore. Plus, whenever the size gets too overwhelming, I can be involved in a smaller environment, such as my college or a club or organization.

That's just it. It's HUGE. The school has almost 40,000 undergrads which can make for both an awesome experience as well as a sometimes frustrating or scary one. Having this many people on campus means the diversity around campus abounds, whether it be cultural, financial, educational, religious, political, the list goes on. The fact that Purdue has the capacity to accept so many students while maintaining its educational rankings around the world means that there is no "cookie cutter" Purdue student. This also means there are limitless people to meet and have fun with, hundreds of organizations to join, big athletics (though football is hurting this year), and countless majors and classes to take. Purdue really has the organizational capacity to support you and whatever you're trying to do in the next 4 years. Unfortunately, this can also cause some organizational problems. We do have multiple computer systems for classes to post notes and homework on and it can get annoying to have to check 3 different school's sites for updates if you're in a chem class, a management class, and a language class. It can also be frustrating not having the "reputation" you did in high school with the faculty. Because they have so many students, you may have to introduce yourself a few times. In high school many of my teachers had seen me numerous times around the building and by the time I was in their class, they already had heard things and might bend the rules if need be; don't expect that to come without some work at a school of this size! This can also be somewhat scary when it comes to the fact that you probably won't recognize someone walking through campus everyday, especially for your first two years. This was definitely different for me coming from a school where I at least recognized the majority of the people in the halls during passing, if not knew their names.

Purdue is a large university with small schools within it. After getting well acquainted with the campus it feels smaller. Purdue is a well respected university with good programs and successful alumni. Boilermakers show their pride daily with apparel and attendance at different events. Being a Krannert School of Management student, I spend most of my time either in my dorm, or in Krannert or Rawls Hall. They are good places to do group work and meet new people.

The best thing about Purdue is the people. Although there are close to 40,000 students, you don't always tell. Yea there are a lot of students walking around between classes but it's definitely manageable and doesn't seem too big. The students seem genuinely nice. It's not uncommon for you to see a random student stop to help a vistor find his or her way. I really like how the buildings are all fairly close together. All my classes are in one of the farthest places from the residence hall area and it takes me less than 15 minutes to walk there. There is also a bus system in case you live further or it's cold outside. The pride of students is awesome, too. Although the football team hasn't done that great this year students still go to the games and show that they bleed black and gold. The basketball games are also a great thing to go to. Overall, Purdue is a big school but the friendliness of the students helps make it seem smaller.

I always relate Purdue to the first time I visited campus. I'm from Missouri, so in my mind Purdue was more of a name than an actual place. Consequently, when I first visited I got lost multiple times. When I asked for directions I saw what marks the difference between Purdue and some other universities I had toured: instead of simply telling me where to go, the people I asked for help from took the time to walk me to where I needed to go. I still see staff, faculty, and students helping each other out in this same manner every day. It makes the Purdue student body a community. If you visit the campus you'll see it for yourself, it's really cool!

I absolutely love Purdue, because it is such a big school, but feels so much like a community. Around 39,000 students (undergrad and grad) go here, but the campus is so condensed that it feels a lot smaller. Also, people here are very friendly and down to earth; I've never had so many doors opened for me in my life! The students help each other out very willingly, and even the faculty and staff really do want to help you succeed. The atmosphere is very welcoming. People often ask why I left such a nice big ten town to go to a school in the middle of nowhere; I will say that Purdue is in the middle of nothing but corn; but just because the surrounding area is not lively doesn't mean the campus isn't. Because there's not much to do off campus, people tend to stay on and make the campus itself very lively. If you get out there and get involved, there are so many opportunities for you.

One thing that really stands out about Purdue to me is the people. Almost always, if I'm walking a few steps behind someone and they get to a door, they'll pause and hold it for me instead of just letting it close behind them. That seems like a small gesture, but it really speaks to the atmosphere at Purdue. Regardless of if you're at a football game or just walking down the street, there is a strong sense of unity and the feeling that everyone is looking out for each other in a way. The faculty and students are all really down to earth, which makes the campus seem a lot smaller and welcoming.

I love going to a large university. During my first campus visit I remember thinking that Purdue was too big and that I would not be able to get around campus. However, once I got here and learned my way around I quickly realized that a car it not necessary at all. The bus system is great here and they can take you anywhere that you would need to go... the mall, the airport, target. Being in the School of Management is like going to a small school while being at a large university. Through each individual school there are many ways to get involved and get to know your classmates so you will always be able to find a study buddy!