April 28, 2009

Purdue's 2009 applicants complement university's high academics

University officials announced Tuesday (April 28) that the academic characteristics of its 2009 freshman applicant pool surpass that of the previous year. This year's admitted student group includes Indiana's Top Young Scientist, Chelsea Arthur from New Carlisle, Ind., who will graduate from New Prairie High School this spring.

"Purdue continues to attract the best and brightest students like Chelsea," President France A. Córdova says. "Purdue is honored that students of such regard are selecting our university as their academic home. These are students accustomed to success, and we look forward to welcoming them to campus, where I'm confident even greater success awaits them."

This year's freshman applicants averaged a 22-point SAT score increase on the 2400-point scale and a 16-point increase on the critical reading and math 1600-point scale. The students' average class rank has increased by three percentage points.

"Purdue's learning environment will benefit from these students, who are classroom and community leaders, as they share their talents and skills with our campus," Provost Randy Woodson says. "For those students interested in solving real-world problems and pursuing discovery, they will have the opportunity to work within classroom settings and alongside faculty members on research projects. Other students can enhance their educational experiences through study abroad and service-learning opportunities."

Getting into Purdue requires a lot of hard work during high school, says Arthur, who is ranked second in her class and has a total 1790 SAT score. She says her journey to Purdue, where she plans to study chemical engineering and political science, is something she's made fun by engaging in academics, music and sports.

"It's not unattainable, you just have to work for it," says Arthur, who first became interested in Purdue when attending Band Day and Women in Technology. "Getting into Purdue is not just about one thing. I like to be very hands-on and involved, so I've participated in a lot of extracurricular activities while managing my time to do well in school."

Arthur's activities include Academic Super Bowl, jazz band, marching band, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, International Club and theater. She is best known for her work in science fairs. Gov. Mitch Daniels surprised Arthur at the 21st Annual Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair in April by announcing she was the state's first top science student and giving her a $10,000 cash award. The award is part of the governor's campaign to improve Indiana education and raise awareness about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Arthur's science fair project was "Using a Glass as a Catalyst for Diesel Particulate Filters."

The fall semester begins on Aug. 24. Final data on Purdue's enrollment and the academic profile of the freshman class will be available in mid-September.

"Student success is our priority, and Purdue is dedicated to ensuring that the academic environment inspires incoming students," Córdova says. "Purdue is nationally and internationally known and respected for many of its programs, and we are eager for these new students to be part of this Boilermaker experience."

Last week U.S.News & World Report's rankings reaffirmed that Purdue's graduate programs remain among the nation's best. The colleges and schools in which programs were ranked include engineering, management, education, liberal arts, science and pharmacy. In 2008 the university ranked 26th overall among the nation's public universities.

In December 2008 SmartMoney magazine ranked Purdue ninth nationally in its college "payback" survey, which quantifies the long-term value of a college education. Also, Purdue was ranked earlier this year in the Princeton Review's list of 100 "best value' colleges.

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Sources: France A. Córdova, 765-494-9708

Randy Woodson, woodson@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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