Purdue asks two required "Why Purdue?" short answers of up to 250 words each: how Purdue's opportunities would support your interests in and out of the classroom, and your reasons for your major and your campus (Indianapolis or West Lafayette). If you select an alternate major, a third answer covers it.
Purdue admits by major and now asks about the campus too, so a specific, honest answer about both carries weight.
Purdue's questions at a glance
| Question | Limit | Who answers it | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| How Purdue's opportunities support your interests | 250 words | Required | Why this college |
| Your major and campus location | 250 words | Required | Why this major or school |
| Your alternate major | 250 words | Optional | Why this major or school |
Not covered here: John Martinson Honors College essays (four prompts, 200 words each).
How to plan the Purdue supplement
- 1Make the first answer about opportunities (research, clubs, programs) and the second about the major and campus, so they do not overlap.
- 2Address the campus choice directly in the second answer; it is part of the question.
1. How Purdue's opportunities support your interests
Purdue's wording · 250 words · Required“How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom?”
What it is really asking. How Purdue's opportunities would support your interests, both in and out of the classroom.
How to approach it
- 1Name two or three opportunities, inside and outside class, and check they exist.
- 2Tie each to an interest you have shown.
Mistakes to avoid
- "Purdue has great engineering" with no specifics.
Full guide: How to Write Purdue's "Opportunities" Short Answer
2. Your major and campus location
Purdue's wording · 250 words · Required“Briefly discuss your reasons for choosing your major and your interest in studying at this campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette).”
What it is really asking. Your reasons for your major and for studying at the campus you chose (Indianapolis or West Lafayette).
How to approach it
- 1Give the experience behind the major.
- 2Explain the campus choice with real reasons.
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the campus part.
Full guide: How to Write Purdue's "Major and Campus" Short Answer
If selecting an alternate major on your application, you’ll also answer this.
3. Your alternate major
Purdue's wording · 250 words · Optional“Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the alternate major and campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette) you have selected.”
What it is really asking. Your reasons for the alternate major and campus you selected.
How to approach it
- 1Show a real interest in the alternate, or how it connects to the first choice.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating it as a backup with no interest.
More on this kind of question: How to write the "Why this major" essay
What our grader checks in your Purdue answers
Every answer is judged against a checklist for its kind of question plus one check written for Purdue's own wording. Each area comes back Met, Partly or Missing, and those verdicts (with the word limit) set the answer's readiness: Ready, Nearly there or Needs work. There is no score out of 100.
| Question | Purdue's own check |
|---|---|
| How Purdue's opportunities support your interests | Names Purdue opportunities inside and outside the classroom and how they support the applicant's interests. |
| Your major and campus location | Covers both the major and the chosen campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette). |
| Your alternate major | It ties the academic interest to what Purdue offers, not to the field in general. |
The type checklists are on the supplemental essay grader page.
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