Purdue University supplemental essays, 2026-27
Purdue University lists 5 supplemental questions for 2026-27 (2 required), 500 words in all. One is a "why this school" question, which is the one prompt you cannot reuse from another application.
The 5 prompts
In the order the school lists them. A limit appears only where the school prints one.
How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom?
What it asks for: personal story.
Briefly discuss your reasons for choosing your major and your interest in studying at this campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette).
What it asks for: why this major.
Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the alternate major and campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette) you have selected.
What it asks for: why this major.
Tell us about an experience you had which connected ideas from more than one discipline or subject. How did it impact you?
What it asks for: why this major.
Tell us about a time you were able to get involved with or explore a topic you are passionate about. What did you take away from that experience?
What it asks for: personal story.
Source: Purdue University, read October 24, 2026. Confirm the prompts in your application before you submit.
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Add Purdue University to My Schools and these prompts appear in your Essays tab beside the Common App personal statement, with autosave and version history. The prompt reuse map (Advanced) shows which of your drafts can answer which prompt across your whole list.
Questions
1. How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (250 words) 2. Briefly discuss your reasons for choosing your major and your interest in studying at this campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette). (250 words) 3. Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the alternate major and campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette) you have selected. (250 words) 4. Tell us about an experience you had which connected ideas from more than one discipline or subject. How did it impact you? (200 words) 5. Tell us about a time you were able to get involved with or explore a topic you are passionate about. What did you take away from that experience? (200 words)
Why Purdue? - Opportunities: 250 words; Why Purdue? - Major and Campus: 250 words; Why Purdue? - Alternate Major (if selected): 250 words; Honors College Essay 1: 200 words; Honors College Essay 2: 200 words.
These prompts ask about personal story, why this major. The why-this-school answer must be written for this school. Answers about a community, a challenge or an activity often adapt from drafts for other schools; My Schools maps which of your drafts fits which prompt.
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