Office of Admissions map, staff help new students find the right path

A new campus map of Purdue University in Indianapolis was developed recently by the Office of Admissions to help students visualize Purdue’s academic and student life spaces post-transition. The map, originally created in preparation for Indianapolis’ first Purdue’s for Me event on Feb. 16, has become a valuable tool to show the new campus configuration. Indianapolis is an extension of Purdue University in West Lafayette, not a satellite campus.

“We created the map as a self-guided option for families as they explored campus,” said Greg Hall, senior associate director of admissions, Indianapolis.

Purdue’s for Me events, which provide admitted students with more information and campus connection through presentations and breakout sessions geared to their academic school, typically end with an optional campus and residence hall tour.   

Use of the map has expanded as demand for both official campus visits and self-guided tours continues to increase this spring. The map, in digital and printed form, was quickly pulled into use at regular admissions presentations for visiting students and their families.

“Many of them take a picture of that slide when it comes up to have on their phone,” Hall said.

In addition to labeling academic buildings, the map pinpoints housing, dining and shared spaces to study and relax. Each space is marked with a gold “P” on a black pin. The existing IUPUI interactive map does not differentiate between future Purdue and IU spaces in Indianapolis, which can be confusing for prospective students.  

“Our campus is pretty walkable, and we wanted to provide students a way to identify different buildings that they would be using as students,” said assistant director of admissions Katie Hinh, who is based in Indianapolis and created the map.

Prospective and newly admitted students like the proximity of academic buildings to each other and to the residence halls, Hinh said. “The map also helps them understand that Lux on Capitol, although it’s off campus, is only a 10-15 minute walk,” she said.  

Both Lux on Capitol, an apartment-style residence, and North Hall, a traditional-style residence hall, will house Purdue students in Indianapolis following the campus transition.

Prior to spring break, families could register for campus visits on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. After spring break, due to high demand, campus visits will be held Monday through Friday, with Thursday and Friday events reserved for admitted students. Additionally, several Saturday tours have been scheduled.

“We’re ramping them up; we’re doing more,” Hinh said. “A lot more students want to come to see the campus.”

At a recent campus visit, newly admitted students from various states, including Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin, made the trip to Indianapolis, drawn by the Purdue reputation and urban location. A student ambassador led each group around campus and along part of the canal, highlighting the museums and restaurants as well as major companies and organizations nearby where students may seek an internship.

“Students are telling us they’re excited about the opportunity to study so close to major businesses in downtown Indy,” said Erin Connell, assistant director for admissions, noting they also appreciate that many of the buildings are not only close together but are also connected by tunnels and skywalks — elevated walkways often called gerbil tubes. “They are really useful during inclement weather.”

One student on the tour, Talya Moorman from Virginia, searched for the best engineering schools for her intended major — biomedical engineering — found Purdue, and decided to come to Indianapolis.

“I thought I’d check out the campus and get a feel for it,” she said. She didn’t realize before the tour that there are three hospitals attached to the campus and liked the idea of getting an internship close by.

Many admitted students have already gained experience in the field in which they intend to major and have checked out university programs. The missing piece of the puzzle is how they will like living on a particular campus.

“I run the cybersecurity club at my school,” said Lochlan McElroy, visiting from Chicago. “It has always been a big interest of mine. So I was looking at schools that are good for cybersecurity, and I’ve always found Purdue near the top of every list,” he said, adding that Purdue is also usually more affordable than the other schools listed.

McElroy feels that attending classes at a school with fewer students than his current high school, which has 4,000 students, will be an adjustment, but will be great for getting to know his instructors. “I’m hoping for smaller class sizes, too,” he said. “That would be nice.”

Matthew Miller, an admitted student from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, plans to major in computer science. “I had an internship at Textron, and there were a lot of Purdue people there,” Miller said. They urged him to consider Purdue for college. He said he was glad he made the trip to see the Indianapolis campus.

“I definitely like the overall vibe of the campus,” Miller said during the tour. “It’s a lot more urban with a lot more things happening — more opportunities.”  

Kate Bowen, an admitted student from Madison, Wisconsin, applied to Indianapolis to get the majors she wants in order to build racecars — motorsports and mechanical engineering — and was pleasantly surprised by the campus. “I love the campus,” she said. “This is a nice, open campus, and I love the green space. It’s also warmer than Madison,” she added.  

Positive reactions such as these have the admissions team excited to have as many students as possible visit Indianapolis. While the new map will help students understand Purdue’s place in Indianapolis, the Purdue Office of Admissions staff and student ambassadors are working to ensure new and prospective students have all the information and support they need with their transition from high school.

“We’re trying to help students make the most informed decision and help them discover the best fit for themselves with hopes that it’s Purdue in Indianapolis for many of them,” Hall said.

Purdue University’s presence in downtown Indianapolis extends beyond the central group of buildings on the admissions map, even beyond the 28 acres slated for current and future expansion. Numerous current and future partnerships, including with High Alpha in the Bottleworks District, are increasing Purdue’s ties to businesses, organizations and community leaders, which will provide more opportunities for Purdue students.