PURDUE
Application Process
General Requirements & Eligibility
Below you will find the general requirements for undergraduate admission to Purdue University. The
following documentation must be submitted in order to apply for an undergraduate program:
1. International Undergraduate Student Application
2. Original or attested copies of original academic documents from all secondary and post-
secondary schools attended mailed in a sealed envelope from a secondary school or
examination board or university.
3. Check or credit card for $50.00 drawn on a US bank to cover the application fee.
4. Evidence of graduation from a recognized secondary school.
5. One of the following test scores:
TOEFL: Test Of English as a Foreign Language
o score of 550/213*/79** or higher (General)
o score of 570/230*/88** or higher (Freshman Engineering)
Purdue School Code: 1631 Dept. 00
*Paper/Computer based exam
** Internet based score (iBT)
SAT: Scholastic Assessment Test
o score of 480 or higher on the Critical Reading section. Students are strongly encouraged
to submit SAT scores.
Purdue School Code: 1631
Ordinary Level of G.C.E or G.C.S.E:
General Certificate of Education or
General Certificate of Secondary Education
o grade of at least B in English Language
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
o score of 6.5 or higher
ACT: American College Test
o score of 20 or higher on the English section
Purdue School Code 1230
Application Deadlines, Fees,
& Academic Calendar
Application Deadlines
Spring Semester (begins in January): October 1, 2010
Summer Semester (begins in June): March 1, 2011
Fall Semester (begins in August): Although the preferential filing date is officially March 1,
international students are encouraged to apply before January 15, because space is limited and
academic programs remain open only as space is available. Some programs have a November
15 application deadline.
Fees
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year 2010-11
(Fall 2010)
$25,600.00 Tuition
$11,100.00 Living Expenses
$ 1,100.00 Books
Total $37,800.00 (If attending summer session, add $7,400.00)
Fees in future years may be higher. Married students should add an additional $4,300.00 for a spouse
traveling to the United States and $2,650.00 for each child traveling to the United States.
Semester Academic Calendar
Fall Semester 2010: August 23- December 18
Spring Semester 2010: January 10 - May 7
Summer Semester 2010: June 10 - August 5
Fall Semester 2011: August 22 - December 17
Spring Semester 2011: January 9 - May 5
English Proficiency & Other Standardized Tests
English Proficiency Tests
The U.S. federal government requires that all U.S. institutions verify the English language ability of non-
native English speaking international students. Purdue uses the following examinations to evaluate the
English language skill level of international undergraduate applicants.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) (Critical Reading section)
American College Test (ACT) (English section)
Ordinary Level of the General Certificate of Education (GCE) English language exam
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) English language exam
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The following minimum scores are required for admission:
TOEFL –550 (213 computer-based test or 79 internet based test). Note: the Schools of
Engineering require 570 (230 computer-based test or 88 internet based) score
Purdue School Code: 1631 Dept. 00.
SAT Critical Reading - 480 or better. Purdue School Code: 1631.
ACT - English - 20 or better. Purdue School Code: 1230
GCE – B or better
GCSE – B or better
IELTS - 6.5 or better
Other Standardized Tests
Advanced Level of the General Certificate of Education (A Levels)
o credit is awarded for A-Level subjects with grades of A or B
International Baccalaureate
o credit is awarded for Higher Level subjects with scores of 5 – 7 only. Subsidiary Level
scores will be considered for introductory English and Chemistry only.
Applications are reviewed on an individual and holistic basis. First and foremost, applicants
must be prepared academically for the rigors of college and the academic demands specific to
the Purdue college, school, or program to which they are seeking admission.
Applications will not be evaluated until the application itself and all required materials are
received. For most freshman applicants, required material includes the high school transcript,
an SAT or ACT test score (including writing), and the application fee.
In its individual review of each applicant, Purdue considers the following factors:
High school course expectations
Overall grades in academic coursework
Grades related to intended major
Strength of student's overall high school curriculum
Trends in achievement
Class rank
Overall grade point average
Core grade point average (English, academic math, laboratory science, foreign
language, speech)
SAT or ACT score sent from the testing agency (including writing section). Test scores
must be sent electronically from the testing agency. When registering to take one of
these tests, take advantage of the free reporting option to have the testing agency send
your scores directly to Purdue (SAT School Code: 1631; ACT School Code: 1230).
Ability to be successful in intended major
Essay
Personal background and experiences
Information provided by high school guidance counselor (or other school
administrator)
Time of year the student applies
Space availability in the intended program
All applicants must graduate from high school or have a GED, and Indiana residents are given
preference.
Notice of Intent, Financial Documentation,
& Advance Fee Deposit
Notification of Intent
Prospective students admitted to Purdue University will be required to complete their NOTIFICATION OF
INTENT (NOI). After paying your tuition deposit or accepting your offer of admission (sponsored
students) you will receive an email from the Office of International Students and Scholars with
instructions on filling out the NOI form. This email should be received within 2 business days after the
deposit is made. When submitting the NOI form you must attach scanned images of your official
financial support documents, and your passport. These documents must be received before an
immigration document will be prepared and mailed. The NOI and supporting documents should be
submitted as soon as psosible to ensure that you will have sufficient time for processing the immigration
documents and obtaining your student visa.
Financial Documentation
The U.S. federal government requires U.S. universities to verify the finances of sponsors of international
applicants prior to issuing a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). A COE, Form I-20 for F-1 students and Form DS
2019 for J-1 students, is used to apply for a student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The following
original or certified copies (attested true copies) can be submitted as evidence:
bank statement or letter from sponsor's bank attesting to the financial savings of the sponsor
investment firm statements
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year 2010-2011
(Fall 2010 & Spring 2011)
$25,238.00 Tuition
$10,850.00 Living Expenses
$ 1,240.00 Books
Total $37,327 (If attending summer session, add $7,500.00)
Fees in future years may be higher. Married students should add an additional $4,600.00 for a spouse
traveling to the United States and $2,850.00 for each child traveling to the United States.
Advance Fee Deposit
Prospective international undergraduate students accepted to an academic program at Purdue are
requested to make a $200 non-refundable deposit. This deposit is credited to the student's account for
tuition and fee charges for the first semester at the University. An immigration document will be issued
only after the advance fee deposit and all supporting financial documentation (including completion of
the Notification of Intent described previously) have been received at the university. For fall semester
the deadline for receipt of payment is May 1; for spring semester, October 1.
Essay for 2011 Application
An essay is required as part of the application. The Purdue Admissions Committee and merit
scholarship committees use the essay during holistic reviews for admission and scholarship
consideration.
Admission to Purdue is competitive as is earning a merit-based scholarship. Therefore, the
essay can be a key factor in both evaluation processes.
There are three questions from which students can choose for their essay (below). Essays
should be 250-1,000 words in length.
1. What are the qualities of a good leader? Use examples from your personal experiences to
illustrate your particular leadership style.
2. Describe how your Purdue education would support the attainment of your personal and/or
professional goals.
3. If you had a second chance — the opportunity to do something over and do it differently —
what would you choose to do over and what changes would you make?
