Hey everyone! I'm currently looking into Purdue for their CS program, but I'm a bit concerned about their out-of-state acceptance rate. Anyone have any info about this? Are there any significant differences in the acceptance rate depending on in-state vs out-of-state? Thanks!
Hey there! While specific acceptance rates for in-state and out-of-state students are not usually published, it's worth noting that Purdue University has a holistic admissions process. That means they consider all parts of your application, not just whether you're an in-state or out-of-state applicant. Generally, though, public universities like Purdue do have slightly higher acceptance rates for in-state students, as they are primarily dedicated serving their home state.
To give you a slightly more concrete idea of your chances at Purdue, the school's overall acceptance rate is usually around 60-70%. You mentioned you're interested in their CS program, which is known to be more competitive, due to the popularity of the field and the rigor of Purdue's coursework. While Purdue also doesn't release acceptance rates for specific majors, say the rate for computer science is somewhere around 40% (although this is just an estimate). For out-of-state applicants, then, you might be looking at a rate around 30-35%, although again these are just ballpark numbers.
To maximize your chances, make sure you have a strong application, including good grades in relevant coursework, solid standardized test scores (even though Purdue is test-optional, when applying to a selective program like computer science you want to demonstrate your strengths in as many ways as possible), a well-rounded extracurricular profile that highlights your passion for computer science, and well-written, personal essays. Ultimately, those factors matter far more for getting accepted at Purdue than any particular acceptance rate, whether at the school as a whole or for a particular major or subset of students.
Best of luck with your application to Purdue!
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