Need-to-Know Updates for Counselors

A Few Things to Know This Season

Meet Chip Timmons

Chip Timmons is Purdue’s new executive director of Undergraduate Admissions, leading recruitment, evaluation and admission of new undergraduate students. He arrives after 25+ years in selective admissions at Wabash College, his alma mater, where he led record growth as dean for enrollment management. A Frankfort, Indiana, native (and proud Hot Dogs fan), Chip enjoys fishing and beach time with his wife, Stephanie, their sons, Landon and Drake, and their dog, Harvey.

Purdue and IU Team Up for Counselor Events Across Indiana

Purdue University and Indiana University are joining forces this fall for a series of in-person counselor events across the state. Admissions leadership from both universities will be on hand, together, to share updates and answer your questions.

What we’ll cover:

• Admissions updates from both universities
• Affordability and financial aid
• Student support resources
• Indiana-focused enrollment initiatives
• Open Q&A with admissions leadership

Whether you work with students headed to Purdue, IU or you’re weighing both, these sessions are designed to give you direct access to the people who can answer your toughest questions.

We hope to see you there.

When Should Students Pick An Alternate Major?

An alternate major isn’t for everyone. Here’s how to tell which of your students could benefit, and how to guide them toward the right choice.

Who should select an alternate choice major:

• Students who want to give themselves a better chance at Purdue admission
• Students who are set on Purdue but are applying to a competitive primary choice major
• Students who are genuinely interested in a few majors (or both locations) and are open to options

Who shouldn’t select an alternate choice:

• Students who are only interested in one specific major and/or location

Tips for advising students on their alternate choice:

• Encourage students to choose an alternate that’s less selective than their primary choice. Our Class Profile page can help you compare selectivity across majors.
• Exploratory Studies is a strong alternate for students who are open to exploring majors — or who simply want to be a Boilermaker and figure out the major piece once they’re here.
• Unless a student’s primary choice is one of our most selective majors (Engineering, Computer Science/Data Science/AI, Nursing, Flight), we recommend steering them toward an alternate in a different, less selective college.
  • YES: Nursing (1st choice) → Public Health (2nd choice)
  • NO: Biology (1st choice) → Genetics (2nd choice)
• Primary and alternate choice majors are reviewed at the same time, so there’s no strategic advantage to waiting to declare one.

More Quick Application Tips

• Applications must be complete by Nov. 1, including all required documents. There’s no grace period, so ensure your students don’t wait until the last minute to submit supporting materials.
• Letters of recommendation aren’t required, but if a student submits one, we’ll include it in their review.
• There’s no advantage to applying earlier or later within the Aug. 1–Nov. 1 window. Everyone who applies by the Early Action deadline gets equal consideration.

Indiana Resident Admissions

Students earning the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal are eligible for Indiana Resident Admissions to West Lafayette or Indianapolis. Apply to one location with a complete application, including a test score, by Nov. 1.

NEW: Experience Purdue with dedicated programming, application support and special events designed just for Indiana students throughout the fall.

Classic Learning Test (CLT)

Indiana state law now requires public colleges and universities to accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) on equal footing with the SAT and ACT for admissions and scholarship consideration.

What this means for your students:

• Students may submit CLT scores in place of, or alongside, SAT/ACT scores for admissions decisions.
• Students are not required to take all three tests — families can choose whichever test best fits their student’s strengths or preferences.

Two Purdue campus locations. One degree.

Purdue now offers programs at two locations — West Lafayette and Indianapolis — under one university.

West Lafayette offers the classic Big Ten college town. Indianapolis offers a city experience where career-ready students prepare for the jobs of tomorrow through high-impact internships, industry connections and direct admission to engineering and other in-demand majors.

Purdue for Pre-Health: More Than You Might Think

Purdue isn’t always the first name that comes to mind for pre-med and pre-health students — but it should be on your radar.

Medical schools care less about a student’s major than their coursework, GPA and genuine academic engagement. At Purdue, pre-health students pursue a wide range of majors — from Biology and Biochemistry to Kinesiology, Psychology, Public Health and even engineering — and go on to medical, dental, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other health professional programs.

What gives Purdue students an edge: specialized pre-health advisors, research opportunities, hands-on clinical experiences and distinctive coursework like Medical Humanities, Spanish for the Professions and Critical Disability Studies — the kind of well-rounded preparation that makes a competitive application.