Purdue University undoubtedly bears one of the most unusual nicknames among major colleges and universities in the United States today. If you go to Purdue you will officially and forever be known as a “boilermaker” even if you never go near or own a boiler. Purdue’s nickname may not inspire fear like “the Fighting Irish” or elicit the description “quaint” like the “Quakers” or sound majestic like the “Eagles” and is definitely not what attracts students to its halls . Fortunately the overall reputation of Purdue University is quiet sufficient to bring students in from across the state and across the nation.
One Very Large University. Purdue University , without any exaggeration, has a student body that is easily as large as many small or even medium sized American towns.
The total undergraduate student population is more than 30,5000. While the male population well exceeds that of the women, Purdue still draws a substantial 42% of its students from the ranks of women. With such a massive student body, Purdue University must employ an incredibly large faculty . In fact school statistics claim a full time faculty of 1,850 almost all of whom have received a terminal degree in their academic specialty.
With as many faculty members as some colleges have students, few are surprised by the wonderful variety of subject areas that are open for research and review at Purdue University. This school has a long history being founded in the 19th Century and has established its reputation as a premier research institution . Today at Purdue University there are Bachelor Degrees offered in such diverse fields as Agronomy, Early Childhood Education, Consumer Resource Management, Film, Robotics and Aeronautical Technology. in fact there really isn’t much that students wan to learn about that is not part of some program of study offered at Purdue. Being a “Boilermaker” then means being part of a very large academic community.
Outside the Classroom Being part of a large academic community has lots of side benefits. One that immediately becomes obvious to students considering applying to Purdue is the great variety of accommodations available on campus. You can choose from single sex or co-ed dorms. There are on campus apartments, cooperative living options and rooms to be had via fraternities or sororities.
What you do outside of the classroom is important to any student . There’s no getting around the fact that Indiana is a relatively rural state . But no one who attends Purdue University is likely to feel any sense of isolation in part because they are daily surrounded by 30,000 other “boilermakers” and in part because of the high level of activity which takes place here throughout the year.
Students find plenty to occupy their free time on the West Lafayette Indiana campus. There are the very most basic student activities found on every campus such as band, chorus , student government and student newspapers. Beyond the basics Purdue University also promotes and supports more than 600 other religious, service , political, hobby centered and even scholarly activities. That pretty much covers the full spectrum of student interests and keeps everyone connected to things they like to do outside of their studies. With 30,000 students on one campus the odds are pretty good that you will find a few folks that enjoy the same thing you do.
Purdue University at Its Best. Some students are attracted to Purdue University for its academics and its many co-curricular activities. But underneath these rather generic reasons there are certain traditions which have been established at Purdue that continue to be huge draws for undergraduate enrollment. First Purdue, though a very large university, happens to be located in a relatively small city . This means that students at Purdue University really can have the best of both worlds. There is plenty of academic exchange due to the large student population but there is also a small town feel thanks to the surrounding area of West Lafayette , Indiana.
Second , since its creation, Purdue University has successfully built two academic traditions . It is, and has been for many years, recognized as one of the outstanding research Universitys in the nation bringing in both large research grants and accomplished academicians to Purdue. The University also is well known throughout the nation as a leader in two rather disparate fields – engineering and agriculture
Third, Purdue offers its students an opportunity to enjoy participating in or cheering at major collegiate athletic competitions. This is a school where when you turn out to see your team play you discover that your opponent is Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State or Penn State. There is nothing easy about football at Purdue but it’s always exciting and Purdue is always working for the upset.
When the men’s basketball season begins fans realize that they are in the midst of perennially one of the best conferences in the country, the Big Ten . Once again they can expect so see top notch collegiate athletics and be in the thick of the fray. This kind of high level athletic competition brings excitement to the campus and ratchets up school spirit, reminding everyone of the pride involved in being a “boilermaker”.
Finally, what many parents discover to their delight is that what Purdue offers, which includes great academics, co-curricular activities and athletics can be had at very competitive prices. And for students living in the State of Indiana, the total cost of an education at Purdue University is about half of what out of state students will pay. For Indiana students Purdue is clearly a gift.
The word “boilermaker” clearly leaves a lot to be desired in terms of arousing student interest or excitement. But once you come to Purdue you discover that BEING a “boilermaker” really is a very special thing indeed.
