Volume WL: West Lafayette Chapter: N/A Responsible Executive: Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Responsible Office: Office of Admissions Date Issued: January 23, 2012 Date Last Revised: June 30, 2025
Contacts Statement of Policy Reason for This Policy Individuals and Entities Affected Exclusions Responsibilities Definitions (defined terms are capitalized throughout the document) Related Documents, Forms and Tools Website Address for This Policy History and Updates Appendix
Director of Admissions765-494-7014 | admissions@purdue.edu
Undergraduate applications to Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue University Indianapolis and Purdue Polytechnic Institute Statewide locations are reviewed individually, comprehensively and holistically. Admission is competitive and relative to both the pool of Applicants and the space available. All application reviews and admission decisions are made in support of and comply with the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement.
Successful Applicants must be academically prepared for the rigor of higher education and the specific demands of the academic program to which they are seeking admission. All first-time college Applicants must provide proof of a high school diploma or recognized equivalent as a minimum requirement for admittance to any Purdue academic program. Applicants with post-high school college credits may not be required to provide a high school diploma or recognized equivalent. In addition, the faculty of each college or school recommend the threshold academic expectations for new freshman and transfer students in their programs.
The Admissions Committee will take the following additional factors into consideration in the admissions review (if included in the admission application):
The University recognizes that not all secondary or preparatory schools provide access to the minimum academic expectations for admission to Purdue University; thus, strong overall candidates for admission may present small deficits relative to the expectations. The University also recognizes that a small number of students may present deficits but also bring exceptional talents, attributes, achievements or experiences that could significantly enrich the campus community. These Applicants may be considered for Special Admission.
Academic units (college, school, or department), non-academic units/programs (e.g., arts, athletics, musical organizations, etc.) or the Office of Admissions may identify Applicants for Special Admission. Such identification must take into account that the Applicant’s credentials demonstrate potential to complete an academic program at Purdue. In some cases, such potential will need to be considered along with appropriate and reasonable academic support from the University.
The Admissions Committee will make the final determination whether to approve an Applicant for Special Admission based on the recommendation of the Special Admission Review Committee.
Falsification of any part of the application for admission is grounds for revocation. Further, an offer of admission may be revoked if an Applicant’s academic or conduct record seriously deteriorates between the time of admission and matriculation.
To protect the privacy of Applicants, the credentials of freshman Applicants may be discussed with and disclosed to only the Applicant, their parent or legal guardian if the Applicant is under the age of 18, and officials of the Applicant’s secondary school. The credentials of transfer Applicants may be discussed only with the Applicant.
All Admissions Records submitted by and on behalf of an Applicant become the property of Purdue. Admissions Records will be retained in accordance with the policy on Record Retention and Disposal (VIII.A.5), as amended or superseded.
Purdue University is committed to attracting, enrolling and graduating a talented and broadly diverse undergraduate student body whose members:
Applicants, faculty and all units involved in student recruitment and/or admissions to Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue University Indianapolis and Purdue Polytechnic Institute Statewide.
There are no exclusions to this policy.
Admissions Committee
Applicants
Faculty of the Colleges/Schools
Office of Admissions
Provost
Special Admission Review Committee
All defined terms are capitalized throughout the document. Refer to the central Policy Glossary for additional defined terms.
Admissions Committee A standing committee under the direction of the Office of Admissions that reviews all applications to undergraduate academic programs on the West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses and Purdue Polytechnic Institute Statewide locations and makes the final admissions decisions.
Admissions Record Documents submitted to the University by or on behalf of an Applicant. The term refers only to items that are either:
Applicant An individual who has applied for admission as an undergraduate student to Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue University Indianapolis or Purdue Polytechnic Institute Statewide.
Office of Admissions The office of the same name on the West Lafayette campus charged with oversight of undergraduate admission to Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue University Indianapolis and Purdue Polytechnic Institute Statewide.
Special Admission Admission of an Applicant to Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue University Indianapolis or Purdue Polytechnic Institute Statewide who does not meet the published minimum academic expectations.
Special Admission Review Committee A standing committee appointed by the Provost that reviews requests for Special Admission and provides a recommendation to the Admissions Committee. Membership on the committee consists of no fewer than three faculty members, including representatives from the Education Policy and the Student Affairs Committees of the University Senate.
Access to Student Education Records (VIII.A.4)
Nondiscrimination Policy Statement
Office of Admissions website:
www.purdue.edu/vpec/policies/west-lafayette/wl-6
June 30, 2025: Added reference to Honors Plus Enrollment Seal in criteria for admission.
August 1, 2023: Removed class rank from list of factors considered and added references to Purdue University Indianapolis throughout.
January 3, 2022: Added requirement for high school diploma or equivalent and included statement about records retention in the Statement of Policy section. Added definition for Admissions Record. Corrected references to Purdue Polytechnic Institute throughout. Updated responsibilities section to account for removal of procedures.
February 8, 2013: Office of Admissions hyperlinks updated and references to them included in the Responsibilities and Procedures sections.
January 23, 2012: This is the first such policy to address this issue and is effective beginning with admissions to the spring 2012 semester.
There are no appendices to this policy.