Exploratory Learning Communities
Learning Communities at Purdue University
Learning Communities (LC) are designed for first-year Purdue students who are looking for a smaller classroom experience combined with extracurricular learning and peer networking. Within Purdue University there are numerous Learning Community opportunities, each offering a unique format or topic focus. Some Learning Communities are for students admitted to a specific college, major or program (like Exploratory Studies), while others are Universal Learning Communities which are open to any student regardless of college or major.
See all Purdue Learning Community Profile Options for 2026-2027 here.
The goal of Learning Communities is to encourage students to build strong support networks, which helps make a large university like Purdue feel more manageable! You'll get to know your LC peers through living in the same Residence Hall and taking at least one class together during your first semester.
Exploratory Learning Communities
Exploratory Studies Learning Communities combine fun, extracurricular activities within our Academic and Career Planning course, EXPL 10100 (formerly EDPS 10500), which facilitates a student's exploration of majors and careers. We offer two Learning Community formats: Explorers and Exploratory Studies Honors
The Explorers LC is open to all Exploratory Studies students. The Exploratory Studies Honors LC is for Exploratory Studies students who have been admitted to Purdue's John Martinson Honors College.
Extracurricular activities and opportunities could include (but are not limited to) visits to local sites of interest (corn mazes, museums, etc.), volunteering in the community, guest speakers, attending Purdue sporting and musical events, meeting for lunch or dinner, study breaks with pizza, and bowling.
All Purdue West Lafayette Learning Communities, including Exploratory Studies and Exploratory Studies Honors, now have a required Residence Hall live-in component. All LC applicants will be roommate matched with other student(s) admitted to the same LC. If not selected for an LC, the student's original housing preferences will be considered and students will be roommate matched with other general housing students.
How to Apply to an Exploratory Studies LC
Students are encouraged to apply by the April 15th priority deadline since Exploratory Learning Communities will fill up quickly.
Applying to learning communities will occur as you complete your housing contract with University Residences. After accepting your offer of admission, allow up to two business days to gain access to the housing contract portal, where you will answer a few short LC application questions.
Initial review of LC applications will begin on April 15 on a first-come, first-serve basis for these small communities of approximately 25 students each. A second application window for remaining spots will go through May 5, the deadline for housing applications.
Students will be notified of their LC application status in mid-May through their Purdue email.
Questions
For more answers to questions about Purdue Learning Communities, consult the Learning Community FAQ page. For questions specific to the Exploratory Studies Learning Communities, contact Colleen Banter at brownce@purdue.edu.