How to Write the Purdue University Admissions Essay

 Purdue Excerpt

By Sarah ONeill, Supreme Editing

“Be prepared, be personal, be direct, be focused, be professional”

According to Purdue’s admissions (via the website):

Purdue applications are reviewed individually and holistically.  Please check out the Online Writing Lab and Advice for Writing Successful Application Essays.

▪  The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Purdue's own Online Writing Lab offers advice on writing essays for college applications.

Brainstorm by putting your thoughts on paper. You can free write (writing without stopping or censoring yourself), create word association maps (visually clustering concepts that you feel go together), or keep a journal over the course of several days so that you can collect your thoughts in one place. See the Purdue OWL's PowerPoint on “Finding your Focus” for more details on these strategies.

It is important to note that admissions officers care as much about your structure, style, and insights as they do about your content. That is not meant to add an extra layer of anxiety to your writing process but to highlight the fact that you don’t necessarily need to have something life-changing to write about in order to write a successful essay.

CHECK IT OUT: Advice from Undergraduate Admissions Officers. 

In history, the types of students admitted consisted of students who connected their specific interests to their interests in Purdue.  The best essays were concise and used fresh language and vivid details.  The writers pinpointed specific programs, opportunities, and resources at Purdue that helped explain why they will further their interests and goals.  Research is important!  Find the unique programs, opportunities, and resources to help you pursue your specific interests and goals.  Successful essays focused on what motivated them directly.  There are three parts to this essay.  You must explain what compelled your choice of major, demonstrate that you understand what your major involves at Purdue U, and help admissions learn about who you are and what you value.  It is helpful to frame your major selection within one or two activities, classes, or experiences. 

Supplemental Essay Example: 

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. 

To most Gen Z, life without computers and smartphones is like life without food: it’s impossible. However, I only started to appreciate the work behind the scenes (and screens) in the summer of 9th grade, when I created a small chatting program to exchange jokes with my sister in the next room. Through programming, I have found a clear and compelling way to reach the world beyond my fingertips. By majoring in computer science, I hope to build a solid foundation in AI, algorithms, UX design and more, with which I’ll help bring society a new generation of digital food.

Sarah ONeill Supreme Editing



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