First-Year Admission Criteria
Admission to Purdue is competitive. Review our first-year criteria to make sure you’re ready to take your next steps.
Purdue applications are reviewed individually and holistically for both West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations. We focus on two key criteria: your academic preparedness for success in your desired program and your competitiveness within the overall applicant pool based on available space.
Gauge your competitiveness as a candidate. Explore the middle 50% ranges for GPA, SAT and ACT in our first-year class profile. Pay particular attention to these numbers by college, school and competitive majors.
High School Course Requirements
You should meet or exceed these minimum high school expectations:
- Math: 4 years
- English: 4 years
- Lab science: 3 years
- Engineering applicants: Chemistry experience is expected.
- Nursing, pharmacy and veterinary nursing: One year must be chemistry and one year must be biology.
- Social studies: 3 years
- World language: 2 years (can be different languages)
Work and career exploration opportunities, including internships, cooperative programs or Project Lead the Way courses can help you explore your career interests. However, they should not replace academic courses. Visit the high school course requirements page for more specific information.
Indiana Residents
Enrollment Honors Plus Seal
Beginning with spring 2026 high school graduates, students earning the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal will be eligible for Indiana Resident Admissions to Purdue University West Lafayette or Purdue University in Indianapolis. You must apply to one of these locations with a complete application, including an SAT or ACT test score, by Nov. 1 of your senior year.
Academic Honors Diploma
If you’re an Indiana resident, we strongly encourage you to pursue the Academic Honors Diploma. This does not guarantee admission to Purdue, but students who earn this diploma are generally stronger candidates and better prepared for the academic rigor of Purdue classes.
SAT/ACT Scores
Purdue accepts SAT and ACT scores. We have no preference on which test you take. For a given test, you may use your highest scores in each section from across different testing dates when reporting your full score. If able, you should take the SAT or ACT in the spring of your junior year in preparation for the Nov. 1 Early Action deadline that encompasses scholarship consideration.
Purdue school codes: ACT – 1230; SAT – 1631.
ACT and SAT scores must be from within the past five years to be considered.
Factors Evaluated on Application
Admission to Purdue is competitive. We use the following factors to evaluate your application:
- High school course expectations
- Overall grades in academic coursework
- Grades related to intended major
- Strength of your overall high school curriculum
- Trends in achievement (If you have weaker grades/courses, were they earlier in your high school record?)
- Grades in academic core coursework (English, math, laboratory science, world language and social studies)
- SAT or ACT scores (if provided)
- ACT and SAT scores must be from within the past five years to be considered
- Purdue does not require a separate test score for the ACT Science section
- Proof of English proficiency (for international students whose first language is not English)
- Ability to be successful in intended major
- Essay and answers to Purdue questions
- Activities, leadership and achievements outside of the classroom
- Opportunities unique to your experience
- Information provided by your high school
- Time of year you apply
- Space availability in the desired program
Purdue requires students to submit proof of high school graduation to meet enrollment conditions. This may include a high school diploma or equivalent high school diploma (i.e. GED). For international applicants, additional documents may be required depending on the country of origin.
Don’t Miss Deadlines
Staying on top of deadlines is essential for a smooth application process. Purdue follows a structured timeline to ensure every applicant receives full consideration for admission, scholarships and financial aid.