Purdue University

Essay prompts (7)

2 required · 5 program-specific

1. why usAll first-year applicants (required)2026-27250 words
   Source details

   All first-year applicants (required). Purdue groups this and the major/campus question under the heading "Why Purdue?" and instructs: "Respond in 250 words or fewer to each of these required questions." Submitted through Common App — the guide page states "First-year college students use Common App to apply to Purdue."

   How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Purdue University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

2. academic interestAll first-year applicants (required)2026-27250 words
   Source details

   All first-year applicants (required). Second of the two required "Why Purdue?" questions, same instruction: "Respond in 250 words or fewer to each of these required questions." The question is campus-aware and expects the applicant to address their chosen campus.

   Briefly discuss your reasons for choosing your major and your interest in studying at this campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette).

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Purdue University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

3. academic interestJohn Martinson Honors College only2026-27200 words
   Source details

   Applicants to the John Martinson Honors College only (not required of general first-year applicants). Honors College consideration carries the Nov. 1 Early Action deadline. Prompt 1 of 4.

   Tell us about an experience you had which connected ideas from more than one discipline or subject. How did it impact you?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Purdue University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

4. activityJohn Martinson Honors College only2026-27200 words
   Source details

   Applicants to the John Martinson Honors College only (not required of general first-year applicants). Honors College consideration carries the Nov. 1 Early Action deadline. Prompt 2 of 4.

   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?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Purdue University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

5. otherJohn Martinson Honors College only2026-27200 words
   Source details

   Applicants to the John Martinson Honors College only (not required of general first-year applicants). Honors College consideration carries the Nov. 1 Early Action deadline. Prompt 3 of 4.

   Share about a destination you would like to travel to, why it interests you, and how you would engage with the culture while there.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Purdue University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

6. personalJohn Martinson Honors College only2026-27200 words
   Source details

   Applicants to the John Martinson Honors College only (not required of general first-year applicants). Honors College consideration carries the Nov. 1 Early Action deadline. Prompt 4 of 4.

   Describe a leadership experience you have had in your school or community. How did this shape your approach to leadership?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Purdue University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

7. academic interestApplicants who select an alternate major…2026-27
   Source details

   Applicants who select an alternate major on the application

   Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the alternate major and campus location (Indianapolis or West Lafayette) you have selected.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Purdue University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

The school's published AI policy

No published AI policy for applicants as of Aug 27, 2026.

How reviews use this page

When you request a review for a Purdue University supplement, the feedback is grounded in exactly what you see here: the prompt itself, its word limit, and what the school publishes about its values and programs. That's the whole claim — calibrated to the prompt and the school's own published guidance, scored against a consistent rubric. Not insider knowledge, and never a rewrite: Second Read is a coach, not a ghostwriter. It flags weaknesses and tells you what to fix and why; it never writes a sentence of your essay.

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Prompts move mid-season

Every Friday: what changed in this week’s prompts. Nothing else. See what changed.