Straight Talk from Purdue Parents

The Purdue Parents Steering Committee offers some helpful answers to common questions that many Purdue families have. ...

Questions

Choosing Purdue

• Why did your student choose Purdue?

  A: Brandon was born to attend Purdue. From the time he was old enough to be propped up in front of the TV, he watched Purdue games. He told everyone he could about Gene Keady and what a great coach he was. His favorite player was “the Big Dog” Glenn Robinson. When we lost to Wisconsin in the Elite Eight in 2000, he cried like his heart was going to break, and his friends didn't’t understand. Brandon bleeds black and gold. He is a third-generation Boilermaker, and he was raised to understand things like where the best rivalry in college basketball exists – no matter what ESPN analysts say.

  - Joe and Jann Cassady

  A: Katie applied to a handful of schools, but it ultimately came down to a decision between a smaller private school in Ohio and Purdue. At the smaller school, which was very similar to her high school, Katie would have gone straight into a business major. She was not sure if that was ultimately what she wanted to do. Purdue not only offered a more diverse environment, but also the Undergraduate Studies Program where Katie could be undecided and still take the classes she wanted while staying on track to graduate in four years.

  -Tim and Susan Fowler

  A: Joe chose Purdue for the opportunity to major in computer graphics technology in the College of Technology. Very few schools offered anything similar and most were through their art schools.

  -Joe and Jean Imperato

  A: Both our boys grew up hearing many great Purdue stories from their parents, grandparents, uncles, great grandparents, uncles, and several grand aunts and uncles. We all had great and positive things to share about our college experiences. Since the boys were born and grew up in San Jose, CA we didn't have big expectations that they would leave California for college. At first, Brian was only looking at California universities. The Naviance software program (used at his high school for managing the college evaluation and application process), provided a high compatibility match with Purdue. It was enough to peak his interest to go and check it out. When Brian saw Purdue and compared it to all the other schools he applied to and visited, it became his first choice. No pressure from mom or dad – really! We were, however, very excited when he chose Purdue!

  -Scott and Deb Karstetter

  A: The top ranking engineering colleges in India have got a stringent evaluation process for admission. The seats are very limited and the number of students is very, very large. Parul discussed attending school in the U.S. with us, and when applying to U.S. schools, we chose top-ranking ones. She has always been a very focused child and knew that she wanted to build her career in computer engineering. We visited some of the U.S. schools before finalizing her admission. Though she was admitted in several schools, we found Purdue as one of the best schools for international students. Its township is wonderful, which is away from bigger metropolitan areas though still near enough to one of the largest U.S. cities - Chicago.

  -Pradeep and Bakul Schroff

  A: Kyle was interested in engineering, so Purdue was one of his obvious schools to look at. He had become quite comfortable with Purdue from the many visits he made with me (Chuck) for football games, Glee Club events, etc. Troy seemed interested in only Purdue from the very beginning of his college search.

  -Chuck and Laura Carothers

  A: Having an older sister that graduated from Purdue played a considerable part in Abhinav’s decision to attend Purdue.

  - Ranganathan and Usha Ravi

  A: Our oldest son, Kyle, was undecided until his two best friends from high school in Oklahoma City decided to go away to college (one to Notre Dame, one to Brown)....so Kyle decided to go away too, to Purdue largely because I had graduated from Purdue. Not only had Carol and I been taking our boys to Purdue football games since they were very young, but they also saw how well Purdue had prepared me for my career. Once Kyle came to Purdue and had an awesome overall college experience and got a quality education, then the other three boys followed.

  - Mark and Carol Lester

  A: Strong family influence, and they liked it! - Mike and Suzy Dilts

• What was your first impression of Purdue’s campus?

  A: I (Chuck) loved the Purdue campus from my first visit in the summer of 1965 for my new student Day on Campus. Laura first saw the campus in the mid-2000s with me (and also loved it at first sight. I LOVED my son’s decision to attend Purdue … it gave me reasons to continue to visit Purdue; a school I’ve LOVED since “Day 1.” It also gives me a “rallying point” to get together with my sons now that they have graduated. - Chuck and Laura Carothers

Selecting extracurricular activities

• How did your student benefit from involvement in activities outside the classroom?

  A: Brandon got involved in so many more things in his college career than I did when I was at Purdue. He has participated in student government, in residence hall athletics, and in the Phi Alpha Theta honorary. He has contributed poems to The Exponent, got noticed by and invited to join in the Black Cultural Center’s Haraka Writers, and gone to Indianapolis to meet Governor Mitch Daniels. Last year he became involved with the Native American Education and Cultural Center and helped them put on a regional conference for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). These activities have provided him with a group of friends outside his academic area and given him the chance to meet people and have experiences that provide a good basis for entering the “real world” after college. That can only happen at a great university like Purdue. - Joe and Jann Cassady

  A: The main student organization that Stephanie joined was Purdue Musical Organizations. As part of PMO, a lot of her outside-of-class time was dedicated to practices, performances and other commitments for this group. She learned commitment, time management, leadership skills, and best of all, made lifetime friendships. She told us she learned so much about professionalism and about herself during her time in PMO. She was able to travel and meet some amazing people, such as astronaut and Purdue alumnus Neil Armstrong. Stephanie was involved with the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA), Purdue Audiology Student Organization (PASO), American Sign language Club (ASL), and was a Study Abroad ambassador. - David and Kathy Shapiro

  A: Extracurricular activities have been extremely valuable in giving our sons a well-rounded college experience; it's more than academics. Our boys all joined a fraternity, which has taught them responsibility and fostered deeper friendships. They have participated in intramural sports, which helped fill the void left over from high school sports. They also have participated in many volunteer activities, including Big Brothers (mentoring local grade school kids), many fundraisers, and Purdue's Old Masters program. Volunteering and helping others while students at Purdue hopefully will carry with them throughout their lives.

  - Mark and Carol Lester

  A: Katie benefited tremendously from participating in extracurricular activities at Purdue. By attending call-outs during the first couple of weeks of freshman year she was able to get involved in many different organizations that she remained in until she graduated. Katie was able to gain valuable life skills, and she was able to meet people who shared in her similar interests and whom she is still friends with today.As a member of the traditional events committee for the Purdue Student Union Board (PSUB), Katie served as the project leader of Veterans Day all four years at Purdue. As the project leader, Katie learned many valuable skills that boosted both her communication and organizational skills. Katie also was able to advance into leadership roles within the organizations that she was involved in and was the president of an organization by her junior year. - Tim and Susan Fowler

• What was your student's most beneficial activity during their freshman year?

  A: Eric pledged a fraternity in the fall of his freshman year. Right away he had 25 new friends. Being part of the Greek system added some structure and accountability to his time, which in our view was a good thing given the new-found freedoms that college freshmen have. The fraternity also provided opportunities for service work and leadership and helped him feel connected socially at an otherwise large university. - David and Kathleen Prechtel

  A:The most beneficial activity our daughter became involved with during her freshman year was living in the Nursing Learning Community. She was also elected to the Nursing Student Council.

  - John and Sharon Landis

Adapting to your student’s departure from home

• Describe your experience as parents of a first-year college student.

  A: As alumni parents, it was a bit nostalgic returning to Purdue with our son as a student. We were excited for him because of our own positive experiences while students at Purdue. Being familiar with the campus certainly eased our transition to having a child away at college. While many things had not changed, it was impressive to see how technology has changed the college experience, both academically and administratively. - David and Kathleen Prechtel

• How did you avoid becoming overly involved “helicopter” parents?

  A: When Eric left for college we felt good about the skills he had developed while still under our roof — he had a good sense of self, roots, and a moral compass. That being said, we knew he would have to learn a few things about time management and attending to important business once Mom and Dad weren't around to keep him on task. We tried to check in with him about once a week. We figured if he needed something he would call, which he did. Letting him figure out things on his own has helped increase his independence. After all, emancipation from the nest is our goal!

  - David and Kathleen Prechtel

  We tried to be there for Stephanie when she needed us, but did not hover over her or make decisions for her. She took on the responsibility of classes, housing choices and her daily activities. We made periodic visits (but not too many) to campus to visit and supported her in her activities. We occasionally took cookies, soup, or other treats for her and her friends to enjoy. They always appreciated home cooked foods, especially around class finals time. We volunteered for committees at Purdue to help improve the quality of student life for our daughter and other students. We wanted to be more aware of campus services and activities and to be able to share that knowledge with other parents and families. The Parent Steering Committee meetings on the Purdue campus also gave us an opportunity to visit with our daughter while we were there.

  - David and Kathy Shapiro

  A: It wasn't easy. Brandon and his twin brother Keegan were our oldest so they were the first to go off to college. The temptation was pretty strong to call every day and check in. Then there were those first few crises that came up, and you were 600 miles away! Eventually though, you begin to realize that this is all part of the process. They learn to deal with the problems on their own when you are not right there. And that is a good thing. You start to go for days and even a week without a phone call. You begin to get the “no news is good news” philosophy. And Brandon has done just fine. Sometimes the issues get resolved differently than you might have done it – but that’s okay too! - Joe and Jann Cassady

• What advice would you pass along to other out-of-state parents?

  A: Texting works much better than phoning because you never know when they might be in the library! Jimmy John’s delivers hot food that you can order with your credit card when they lose their wallet – actually get the numbers for 2 or 3 local delivery restaurants just in case. The Lafayette Limo to Indy airport works really well, and Indy is a very friendly airport. Try not to watch the Weather Channel in January and February to see what the low temperature in West Lafayette is. Care packages are really a good idea, and the Boiler Treat Packs from the housing folks make it easy to do.

  - Joe and Jann Cassady

  Become familiar with the various Purdue website options by starting on the parents’ site and exploring the world your child is living in. This will help you know what to do if a problem arises. If your child becomes ill, send them to PUSH (Purdue University Student Health). They have an excellent staff, test services and saved our child's life by sending her to the emergency room by ambulance when an unusual problem occurred. Visit your child on campus when you can. Start with family day and football games. Keep in touch however you can.

  - Tim and Susan Fowler

  Keep the lines of communication open so your student knows they can always come to you. Try to visit your student at least once after they have started school. Family Weekend is always a good option for parents to consider. Make sure your student has winter clothing (hat, gloves, coat and boots).

  - Paul and Marie Lehman

• How do you stay in contact with your student at Purdue?

  A: Cell phone, text, football games and her dad takes her to dinner when in West Lafayette on Purdue business.

  - Joe and Jean Imperato

  A: Phone, texts and emails. Way more than he wants.

  Mike and Suzy Dilts

  A: Phone and texting.

  - Ranganathan and Usha Ravi

  A: Though we are over 8,000 miles away from Purdue, we stay in touch with Parul through regular periodic emails, skype video chat, phone, text messaging, etc. We also make it a point to visit Parul once a year, in addition to that, we call Parul to New Delhi India for each of her summer and winter holidays.

  Pradeep and Bakul Schroff

  A: We have stayed in contact with Elizabeth mostly through text messages, emails, and Facebook. Before I call her on the telephone, I usually send her a text first to ask if it a good time to call or for her to call me.

  - John and Sharon Landis

  A: Visit your son or daughter occasionally during their time at Purdue. Go to a varsity athletic event or a musical event with them. Encourage your student to get involved in campus activities in addition to the academics. Just because they are out of high school and away at college you still need to be in touch and in tune with them. Don't smother them.....they need their freedom....but stay in touch and visit occasionally. - Mark and Carol Lester

• How often do you contact (text, call, Facebook, visit, etc.) your student?

  A: Text and calling = sometimes daily but usually weekly. Facebook = look for updates on a weekly basis, but we don’t normally post messages or comment on their Facebook pages, unless they make posts about family matters. Visits on campus = usually twice a year (fall and spring).

  - Scott and Deb Karstetter

• What has been the biggest challenge for your student and you?

  A: The biggest challenge for us because of the separation has been letting go since, she is our one and only child. We are on campus quite a bit for football and basketball games, and John is there at least once a month for various meetings. Since she is only 1.5 hours away, we have told her she can be as near or far from us as she wants. She usually chooses to see us when we are there, unless she has classes or other plans. She knows she is welcome to come home any time she needs to get away from it all and chill at home, which she has done.

  - John and Sharon Landis

• What is the best way for parents to keep up with the news and upcoming events at Purdue?

  A: My homepage is boilerstation.jconline.com, and I have the jconline.com emailed daily. The boilerstation is very focused on Purdue activities, and sports and the jconline gives you more of what is going on in the Lafayette community.

  Don and Anne MacKay

  Note: Subscribing to the University Calendar is another way to keep abreast of campus events. The Purdue Parents and Families and general Purdue Facebook fan pages are great resources too.

• What is your best advice to other Purdue parents?

  A: Let your children explore all the opportunities available, even things you didn't think they would be interested in. Also talk to them meaningfully about alcohol use. Just saying, “Don’t drink,” accomplishes nothing and may cause more problems.

  - Joe and Jean Imperato

  A: Encourage your son/daughter to get involved in groups or extracurricular activities while on campus. It will help them feel that they are a part of something and give them opportunities to meet others with similar interests and even take on leadership roles if they choose. Let your student know you are there for them if they need you but don't be too invasive in their lives. Let them grow and learn responsibility. Keep on top of their grades, especially their first year. If you help with finances then strongly encourage your student to let you have access to their grades so you aren't surprised later.

  - David and Kathy Shapiro

• What words of wisdom would you like to share with new international parents?

  A: Parul has been trying to avail the right opportunities Purdue offers for her. It is good to be busy with suitable productive activities when a student is free. Particularly when the international students go to study far off where the accessibility of the parents is not so fast, there is every possibility of the student getting engaged in a wrong path and getting addicted to bad habits in the company of spoiled students. International parents must ensure that their children are busy for the purpose for which they have been sent to US far off from their homeland. The parents must have some kind of check on the children by visiting them, talking to them regularly, and also learning about their routine, their friends and their company. It is necessary that the process must begin from the day the children join the school, and not later when it may be too late for the international parents.

  - Pradeep and Bakul Schroff

Student life

• How have your students’ experiences at Purdue been similar and different?

  A: Different: age, technology has changed, many new buildings, dorms, majors. Similar: Greek life.

  - Mike and Suzy Dilts

• What has been your student’s best or most memorable experiences at Purdue?

  A: Sorority life. Both also have exemplary advisors in their schools.

  - Mike and Suzy Dilts

  A: Probably meeting her fiancé.

  - Don and Anne MacKay

• How did your student(s) decide where to live on campus?

  A: Both boys went through the college dorm application process during their freshman year. Brian selected the dorms based on his Day on Campus in the spring along with input from several Purdue students. Brian was late in accepting his admission offer (February), so he did not get into the dorm of his choice. Steven was the wiser and applied immediately for housing when he got accepted in the fall. He got his top choice: Shreve Hall. Brian and Steven both joined Fraternities. Brian joined a fraternity in the spring of his freshman year. He lived off campus his sophomore year and then in the fraternity for his junior and senior year. Steven joined a fraternity in the fall of his sophomore year. He stayed at Shreve for his sophomore year.

  - Scott and Deb Karstetter

• What does your student enjoy most about Purdue?

  A: One of the things that Elizabeth enjoys the most about Purdue is the familiarity and the family history, so that did work in her favor. She also enjoys the studying towards her career goals in nursing, although it can be overwhelming at times. She has taken on several leadership roles, including the student leadership conference at the beginning of the semester. She joined a sorority this fall, which gives her a sense of belonging and a social outlet.

  - John and Sharon Landis

• How did your student make Purdue seem smaller, considering the student body is almost 40,000?

  A: Sloane pledged a sorority at Purdue in her first month as a freshman. She believes her sorority sisters are her Purdue family. Sloane also joined student groups that allowed her to meet more people. Even though Purdue has a large student population, there are many choices for a student to find their niche.

  - Paul and Marie Lehman

• Did your student benefit from Purdue’s STAR (orientation) program?

  A: Attending the STAR orientation program was definitely a good jumpstart to college life. Being there during the summer was relaxed, which allowed us to take care of business and see the campus through the eyes of our son, Eric. He found the day worthwhile too.

  - David and Kathleen Prechtel

Preparation for and entering the real-world

• What did your student do while at Purdue to help them find a job after graduation?

  A: Our daughter is student teaching now and will be done in December. She has had great help in her placement from her Purdue advisor. Liz has worked for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in the summers and has been to Honduras working with children for six summers in a row – five with our church and one trip for three weeks with Purdue through the School of Education. She plans to go straight to graduate school. In her senior year (2009-2010) her advisor helped her to get hired by a family in Lafayette with a special needs child. She worked with him through the Wabash Center and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and affirmed that she wanted to work in special education.

  - Mike and Suzy Dilts

• What opportunities did your student take advantage of to obtain summer work and internship programs?

  A: Katie was able to use CC (Purdue's Center for Career Opportunities), a communications class and personal contacts to obtain her summer internship. The CCO was able to provide helpful tools like checking and providing tips on Katie’s resume, as well as tips on how to dress and answer questions at interviews. The communications class that Katie took, COM 325; Interviewing: Principles and Practices, taught Katie not only how to effectively be an interviewer, but also an interviewee. All of these opportunities were a great help for Katie when it came to obtaining her summer internship, which was required for her to graduate in her major.

  - Tim and Susan Fowler

  My son was the graphic designer for a professor that was writing a textbook. The professor had connections with “The Daily Show” and helped my son get an internship there this past summer.

  - Joe and Jean Imperato

• How did Purdue prepare your student for success in life after graduation?

  A: Through all of her classes, extracurricular activities, and her summer internship opportunity Katie feels like she will be able to succeed and is prepared for life outside of Purdue now that she has graduated. Knowledge obtained from class work and the invaluable skills that she acquired from extracurricular activities allowed Katie to prove during her summer internship that she would be a valuable member for the company, and they offered her a full-time job after graduation. Katie is very excited for this opportunity, and although she misses Purdue, she knows that she has obtained the skills and tools that are necessary to be successful in the future.

  - Tim and Susan Fowler

  Purdue gave Chrissy a solid foundation to prepare her for grad school. She also took a few courses in areas that she thought she was interested in, but then decided not to pursue. She had opportunities to meet and interact with people from all over the world.

  - Don and Anne MacKay

  Our daughter has been involved and occupied in a part-time job since the day she joined Purdue. She has been working in Meredith Hall since Fall 2009. She also joined the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) in 2010-2011 as a student ambassador. She is a member of Purdue Women Engineering Association, and also a member of other technical institutions, where she has the opportunity to demonstrate her leadership capability and get the exposure with fellow engineering students from all over the globe. All these activities have benefited her in various ways. First of all, these activities keep her fully engaged in her free time, and she does not get any idle time at her disposal. With her work experience gained during the past 3 semesters, she has learned the American way of working in local environment with fellow local workers. As a CCO Ambassador, she has been exposed to various local and international students and faculty. It has provided her an opportunity to improve her public speaking, vocabulary, communication skills, and speech freedom.

  - Pradeep and Bakul Schroff

• Any words of wisdom for the parents of students who are preparing for graduation?

  A: Do not wait until your last semester to decide what you want to do after graduation. If you plan to go to work get started no later than the first semester of your junior year. Get a summer internship. If you want to go to grad school then start planning and looking for options no later than the summer before your senior year.

  - Don and Anne MacKay

• Why did your student decide to continue her education as a graduate student at Purdue?

  A: Purdue's Audiology graduate program was rated as one of the top programs in the country. She liked the fact that during her fourth year internship she would be able to work in almost all areas relating to audiology and would get a better perspective of what area of audiology best suited her career interest. She was offered a research assistant position for her first year, which would pay for her tuition and help with living expenses. This was a big plus since she was looking at four years of graduate school. As an undergrad she came to love the campus, school spirit, and had pride for her alma mater, which helped make Purdue a top choice and good fit for her.

  - David and Kathy Shapiro

Visiting Purdue

• What activities do you enjoy when visiting Purdue?

  A: We enjoy going to football and basketball games; the tailgating during football seasons is an awesome Purdue experience. We recommend Slayter Hill, where the marching band puts on a concert two hours before each home game. We also enjoy going to the boys' fraternity activities (including "Parents" and "Moms" weekends), walking around campus, playing golf at the beautiful Purdue golf courses, riding bikes on the bike paths, shopping for Purdue gear, and going to Harry's for a beer and popcorn. Nine Irish Brothers restaurant on the Levy is one of our favorite eating establishments.

  Mark and Carol Lester

  A: Our daughter has graduated. We definitely went out to dinner a lot, usually with her roommates. There were, of course, the pre-football game activities.

  Don and Anne MacKay

  A: When we visit Purdue, it is usually for Glee Club or athletic events; and, of course, Purdue Parents Committee meetings.

  - Chuck and Laura Carothers

  A: Meeting and visiting with our sons and their friends; meeting up with fellow alumni; and sporting events.

  - Scott and Deb Karstetter

  A: Interacting with his dorm mates and his classmates. Love walking around the campus. - Ranganathan and Usha Ravi

• What hidden gem have you found at Purdue that other parents should know about or experience?

  A: I have one "physical" gem and one "abstract." The physical one is not necessarily hidden, but we have really enjoyed staying at the Union Hotel when visiting and experiencing all that the Student Union has to offer; so we recommend that parents stay at the Union Hotel and check out the shops and restaurants (Pappy's) at the Union during a visit to Purdue (also, Harry's Chocolate Shop ... another gem....is a short walk away). The more abstract "gem" is volunteerism; there is a lot of self-satisfaction with speaking to a class, serving on an advisory board if asked, and simply being involved with your own child's activities (dorm, fraternity or sorority).

  - Mark and Carol Lester

Purdue Pride

• What is your favorite thing about Purdue?

  Purdue does a very good job of providing individualized attention and addressing individual student needs considering there are over 35,000 students on campus. We feel they are genuinely concerned about not only the quality of the academic experience, but also developing the whole student. They take their charge very seriously, and we have been impressed with the knowledge and professionalism of all those we have encountered over the past 2 years.

  David and Kathleen Prechtel

  Very cosmopolitan.

  - Ranganathan and Usha Ravi

  It is hard to confine our answer to just one thing. We have felt welcome at Purdue from Stephanie's first day on campus. From the counselor who helped her with her first college semester class scheduling to the opportunities given us to be involved (from a distance), we were welcomed. We like the strong academic environment as well the multiple extracurricular activities available to students. Performances by the Purduettes and Glee Club have been highlights of our visits. The Purdue Musical Organization Christmas Show is a must. We enjoy watching the football games, the band, and the Purdue spirit. There are many wonderful hidden gems at Purdue, and we have learned something new and interesting each year.

  - David and Kathy Shapiro

  It is clearly demarcated from West Lafayette, yet very close. It seems easy to navigate and fairly safe. A little more greenery wouldn't’t hurt though.

  - Joe and Jean Imperato

  It is a prestigious large university within a small Midwestern community where the people are friendly, outgoing, and have strong family values. It has a true sense of community and belonging. The Midwestern hospitality is a gift the rest of this country needs.

  - Scott and Deb Karstetter

  A: The feeling of being part of the Purdue family. Some people call it Boilermaker Nation, but I prefer the Purdue family because we are all there for each other. Heck, you can’t be a Boilermaker without knowing some adversity – that’s part of the tradition. When the building falls down, you build it one brick higher! And we always have each other’s back. Jann went to Cornell (even though Purdue recruited her to play tennis!) but she feels it too. You can’t leave here without becoming part of something bigger than yourself.

  - Joe and Jann Cassady

• Your family has a long legacy at Purdue. What does that mean to you?

  A: Yes, my family does have a long history with Purdue. On my father’s side, my grandfather, father, uncle, and cousin all went to Purdue. On my mother’s side, 2 aunts, 2 uncles, 2 cousins, and 2 daughters of one cousin and the son of another all went to Purdue. I went to Purdue where I met John. Our daughter is now the fourth generation on my side of the family to attend Purdue. Elizabeth has been visiting Purdue since she was an infant, and her familiarity with the university and the campus could have worked for her or against her. We are so pleased and proud she chose Purdue and the School of Nursing.

  - John and Sharon Landis

• What is your overall impression of Purdue?

  A: We have been very impressed with the excellent environment on the Purdue University campus. We stayed there for over a week last Fall. The positive side is that the campus has all the services of a suburban township, away from the metropolitan traffic and crowded city life. Security at the campus appeared to be great, and the crimes have been found to be negligible. The students feel secure while staying in the campus town. For us, the Boiler Gold Rush (BGR), Purdue's orientation program that occurs the week before classes begin, has been a very good program for the students and parents both. Purdue offers several opportunities for the students to excel in his/her area of specialization. We have also found that Purdue has been one of the great research universities of the world. Purdue also enhances student success with careers in a dynamic global society, as well as fostering intellectual, professional and personal development for life-long learning.

  - Pradeep and Bakul Schroff