purdue essay 2022

Purdue Supplemental Essays 2023-24 – Prompts and Advice

July 26, 2023

Purdue is a school where the non-scary acceptance rate figures are not truly indicative of just how competitive the admissions process actually is. This public land grant research university in Indiana is actually a draw for students from around the world—out-of-staters apply at three times the volume of Hoosier State residents. Highly renowned academic programs in areas such as computer science, engineering, and business are part of the reason that the average enrolled applicant attending Purdue today possesses an SAT of 1300+ and a 3.7 unweighted GPA. This brings us to the topic of the Purdue supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Purdue? Visit our blog entitled: How to Get Into Purdue University: Admissions Data and Strategies for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In a competitive admissions environment, Purdue’s essay prompts are viewed by the committee as being “important” to the evaluation process. Therefore, it is vital that all Boilermaker applicants dedicate a significant amount of time to these three essays. Below are Purdue University’s supplemental prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing winning essays.

Purdue University Essay Prompt #1 (Required)

1) How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (100 words)

Purdue’s essay may not directly ask the applicant, “Why Us?”, but make no mistake—this is very much a classic “Why Us?” essay. This one is going to require some research and you’ll need to be judicious with your language as the 100-word count can be a bit restrictive.

Examples of items that quality “Why Purdue?” essays touch upon include:

• Firstly, opportunities available through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
• Purdue has more than 30 study abroad programs .
• The 600 student organizations on campus.
• The Pathmaker Internship Program.
• Numerous combined degree opportunities for ambitious students.

Of course, these are just five out of countless features that could be part of a successful essay. You may also wish to address items like specific courses you are excited about, particular professors, or internship/co-op placements that you would aim to take advantage of.

Purdue Supplemental Essays (Continued)

Essay Prompt #2 (Required)

2) Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (100 words)

Share an authentic story here of why you are interested in your selected discipline. What books have you read on the subject? What documentaries have you watched? Which podcasts have you listened to? What subtopics most intrigue you? Did a teacher excite you about a topic or was it a parent or outside mentor? Do you know where you want to take this knowledge post-bachelor’s degree? Do you aim to one day go on to pursue a graduate/professional degree or is there an occupation you are shooting for right out of undergrad? Include as much detail as possible.

You can structure the narrative of this essay as a soup-to-nuts chronicling of your entire journey toward your discipline of interest (even in limited space) or you could share one or two vignettes that illustrate your burgeoning passion for engineering, history, French, computer science, business, psychology, etc.

Essay Prompt #3 

3): Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words)

This may say “optional” but this essay should be considered mandatory for all serious applicants. Unlike many “optional” essays that may or may not apply to you (e.g. COVID impact, gap in education, gender identity, etc.), just about every applicant has at least one extracurricular or work experience worth elaborating on.

With this prompt, Purdue is not necessarily asking you to write about the activity where you earned the most prestigious awards or held the highest position of leadership. The university is going to see all of your activities in that section of the Common App. As such, you want to ask yourself which of your entries is crying out for more explanation and detail. Which one is closest to your heart and most representative of your unique passions? Pick the option that will allow you to deliver additional detail that may be memorable to the admissions reader. For example, you may be a volunteer EMT and have compelling, drama-filled experiences to share.

Alternatively, you may have worked in a local restaurant and learned more about the lives of your undocumented coworkers. Start this process by asking yourself, “What is the most interesting and consequential moment that I have experienced in one of my extracurricular activities?” If you can identify one clear-cut moment, that is likely the activity worth sharing with the Purdue admissions staff.

Essay Prompt #4 (Required if listing a second major)

4) Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the second choice major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

See answer #2 re: your first-choice major. You are essentially repeating this process for a different field. However, you probably don’t want to have two completely unrelated majors/career goals. For example, if your first choice was business and your second choice was economics, it’s easy to explain the relationship. If the fields are more disparate (e.g. Dance & Chemical Engineering, be sure to provide a thorough explanation.

How important are the Purdue supplemental essays?

The essays (both the Common App essay and three supplemental essays) are “important” to the Purdue admissions committee, given the same weight as recommendations, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, and first-generation status. This places the essays behind only GPA, standardized test scores, and the rigor of your secondary school record which are designated as “very important” by Purdue.

Purdue Supplemental Essays – Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

Lastly, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Purdue supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote today.

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College Essays

Known for its highly ranked engineering program and huge array of academic programs, Purdue University is an excellent public university to consider for college. To apply here, though, you will need more than just good grades— you will need to write unforgettable essays as part of the Purdue supplement .

In this guide, we go over the current Purdue essay prompts and offer helpful tips on how to write each Purdue supplemental essay you're required to submit. 

Feature Image: Wes Jackson /Flickr

What Is the Purdue Supplemental Essay?

Freshman applicants to Purdue are required to submit two short answers; there's also one optional longer Purdue supplemental essay. You must additionally write an essay in response to one of the Common Application or Coalition Application prompts , depending on which application system you apply through.

In total, then, you'll be writing three to four Purdue essays of varying lengths.

For each Purdue supplemental essay, you'll get a specific prompt to answer . (By contrast, the Common App/Coalition App personal essay offers you multiple prompts to choose from.) Every Purdue supplemental essay prompt has its own word limit and angle.

Here are the prompts for the 2022-2023 application cycle:

• [OPTIONAL] Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words max)

How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

The first Purdue supplemental essay above must be no longer than 250 words , whereas the two short answers may only be up to 100 words. Note that there is no minimum word count for any of the essays.

Now, how can you ensure you're writing your best Purdue supplemental essay possible?

Every Purdue University Essay Prompt, Analyzed

In this section, we'll look at each Purdue University essay prompt in more detail and give you tips for writing a highly effective response.

Purdue Supplemental Essay

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

As a reminder, this longer Purdue supplemental essay can be up to 250 words and is optional (though we highly recommend answering it) . The prompt here's pretty straightforward: just give a bit more detail about one of your extracurricular activities listed on your application.

The activity you choose could be pretty much anything , from a sport or instrument you play to an animal shelter you volunteer at on weekends.

The admissions committee at Purdue asks you to elaborate on one of your activities because they want to see other facets of your personality and learn more about what drove you to do a specific activity.

The key is to pick an activity or experience that has helped define you in some way. The best activity to choose is one that showcases an important and unique quality of yourself, such as your leadership skills, your can-do attitude, your adaptability, etc. You should also be heavily passionate about the activity you choose.

Here are examples of activities you could write about for your Purdue University admission essay:

• Clubs or organizations you're a member of
• Volunteer service
• Arts and music
• Work or internships
• Family responsibilities
• Any activity or experience that is meaningful to you

When trying to decide on an activity, it might help to ask yourself these questions :

• Do you have a story to tell about this activity?
• How has this activity positively impacted or influenced you?
• If you're still doing this activity, why is that? What about it makes you want to keep doing it?
• Have you already written about this activity in another Purdue essay? If so, consider choosing a different topic for this essay.

Don't feel obligated to pick your most "impressive" activity either. For example, maybe you've been figure skating competitively since middle school and have won many big national awards, but you'd rather write about your more recent experience with trying out for and making your school's basketball team after realizing you wanted to get involved in a new sport.

Be sure to explain what the activity is, when/how you started it, and what kind of meaning it holds for you. You won't have a lot of room here (just 250 words!), so make sure to keep the focus on its significance.

Purdue Short Answer 1

This first Purdue short-answer question is essentially a mini "why this college" essay that's asking you to answer the basic question, "Why Purdue?"

A cogent essay will answer these two questions:

• What does Purdue offer academically that makes it a good fit for you? 
• What does Purdue offer in terms of extracurriculars, student clubs and sports, professional connections, contests, etc. that makes it a good fit for you?

Note that you don't need to go into much detail about your major here, as that's what the second short answer is for (see below). But you will still need to identify two key points about Purdue (one academic, one non-academic) that drew you to apply to this university specifically .

To start, do some research on the university by browsing the official Purdue website . Look for any defining features that stand out to you, such as a professor with whom you wish to work, a course you can't wait to take, a club you'd like to join, a study abroad program you want to do, etc. Think about how these qualities, both academic and non-academic, could help support your own aspirations, whatever they may be.

For example, maybe you visited a Purdue art gallery and felt inspired to apply after realizing, as an artist yourself, just how much Purdue values creativity and freedom of expression.

Finally, be extremely specific here . You want it clear that your essay is about Purdue only . So use actual names and places while avoiding generalizations that can apply to other colleges!

Purdue Short Answer 2

This second short-answer question is all about your intellectual curiosity. Admissions officers want to know not only why you have selected your major, but also how studying this major at Purdue will help you achieve your goals .

Like the Purdue supplemental essay above, you don't have a lot of room here (just 100 words!), so you'll need to be concise but effective.

While it's great to mention how you got interested in your field, you should also try to steer your response toward your academic and professional goals. What do you plan to do with your major once you graduate? How will Purdue help you do this?

For example, perhaps you've been fascinated by bugs since you were little and now plan to major in insect biology.

In your essay, you could talk about what propelled your interest (perhaps a bully tried to shove an ant in your face once, but instead of being scared, you were enamored with the insect's tiny body), mention what you've done to further that interest (e.g., taken some classes and built your own ant farm), and then discuss how the insect biology program at Purdue gives you the opportunity to do real fieldwork and participate in the College of Agriculture's Career Fair so you can find jobs in pest management.

How to Write a Great Purdue Supplemental Essay: 4 Tips

To wrap up, here are four tips to help you write a great supplemental Purdue University admission essay.

#1: Write Succinctly and Purposefully

All three Purdue supplemental essays you need to write are pretty short, with one 250-word essay and two 100-word essays. You'll have to really use your space wisely if you want to produce solid and memorable essays in the end. This means that you should practice being more concise.

If you have a tendency to go on and on or add way too many details or flowery language to your writing, take some time to practice writing more directly and more crisply . You likely won't have enough room to throw in any extended metaphors, so don't even try—just write honestly about your passions and goals.

Additionally, be sure to cut out any words, phrases, or sentences that don't directly answer the prompt or reveal more about you as a person.

You might feel that your writing is boring, but as long as you're telling your story openly and with real emotion, you're sure to write an unforgettable Purdue essay.

#2: Be Extremely Specific

One thing lots of students struggle with in their college essays is being specific enough . Especially when it comes to such short essays, you want to ensure you're telling admissions officers the most important and essential information you can give them about yourself.

Remember, they already know the basics about your achievements—they can see your test scores, grades, and extracurriculars. But what they don't have is a clear understanding of what makes you you . It's your job to paint this picture for them.

For example, don't just write that you want to major in Jewish studies because you're Jewish. What specifically drew you to this major over all the others out there?

Maybe you had a special experience that cemented your connection to Jewish history and culture, or maybe somebody you deeply admire inspired you to research your ancestry, making you want to use this knowledge to support and empower other young Jews like yourself.

Whatever you choose to write about for your Purdue essays, just be sure that you give admissions officers the "what" and "why."

#3: Always Bring It Back to Purdue

As we saw with the Purdue supplement essay example we analyzed, it's critical that you bring your essays (mainly the two short answers) back to Purdue and why this school is ultimately a good fit for you, your talents, and your ambitions .

Avoid bland, meaningless compliments, such as "Purdue is very prestigious," and instead focus on the unique and specific aspects that you believe make this school worth applying to.

Here are some qualities of Purdue you could mention in your essay(s):

• A professor whom you wish to work with
• A specific class you're excited to take
• A piece of equipment, facility, lab, etc. you really want to use
• Opportunities for career building, such as its 30+ annual career fairs
• Schoolwide competitions or events you want to take part in
• A student club or organization you plan to join
• Its emphasis on inclusion and diversity
• Its vocal support of the arts

Regardless of what aspect of Purdue you choose to focus on in your response to the Purdue University essay prompt, just be sure to tie this characteristic back to yourself somehow and explain how it will help you achieve your goals.

#4: Polish It Up

Our final tip is to spend ample time editing and proofreading each Purdue essay you write.

Once you've written a rough draft, put the essay away for a few days. Then, take it out again and look it over with a fresh set of eyes. Note any irrelevant, incorrect, or unclear places and edit as needed. Do this process a few times until you have a fairly clean draft.

Next, hand your essay off to someone you trust, such as a parent or teacher, and ask them to read it over and edit for content, structure, and grammar. Use their feedback to tweak your essay until you're satisfied with how it sounds.

Right before you submit your application to Purdue, proofread your essay one final time . Follow these tips and you're guaranteed to have one great Purdue supplemental essay!

What's Next?

Want to learn more about what it takes to get into Purdue? Then check out our Purdue admission requirements page to see what GPA and SAT/ACT scores you'll need to aim for.

Applying to other colleges in and around the Midwest? Then it might help to look at our college essay guides for Notre Dame , UIUC , and the University of Michigan .

If you're getting ready to write your long Common App essay , you'll definitely want to read our in-depth guide to all Common App prompts and how to answer them effectively .

Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar.

Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges.

Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now :

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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Purdue Supplemental Essay 2022-2023

Purdue Supplemental Essay: Quick Facts

• Purdue University acceptance rate: 67%— U.S. News ranks Purdue as a more selective school.
• Purdue application: Purdue only accepts the Common Application , not the Coalition Application.
• 2 (100-word) required essays
• 2 (500-word) Purdue Honors College essays (required if applying to the Honors College)
• Purdue Essay Tip: We recommend answering both Purdue University supplemental essays comprehensively and thoughtfully, highlighting in each of your Purdue essays why Purdue is the perfect school for you.

What are Purdue University’s essays?

In addition to the Common App essay , students must also complete the Purdue supplemental essay prompts. 

Required Purdue supplemental essay prompts:

• How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (100 words)
• Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (100 words)

Required Purdue supplemental essay prompts for Honors College applicants are:

• One Purdue supplemental essay about your vision for your honors experience at Purdue (500 words)
• An additional Purdue supplemental essay about the interdisciplinary nature of your chosen field of study (500 words)

These Purdue application essays represent the final step in the Purdue application process. Strong responses to the Purdue supplemental essays can help your Purdue application stand out among the almost 60,000 applications the university receives each year.

So, if you want to get into Purdue, it’s important to spend time on your responses to the Purdue essay prompts. A solid set of Purdue application essays can make a major difference in the Purdue admissions process.

In this guide, we’ll break down each of the Purdue essay prompts and provide expert tips on how to make sure your Purdue application essays shine. Keep reading to learn how to approach your Purdue University supplemental essays!

Purdue application essay requirements

Many selective colleges require supplemental essays beyond the standard Common App essay, also known as the Personal Statement . The Purdue application requirements are no exception to this. 

There are two Purdue essay prompts required of all applicants. Additionally, Honors College applicants must complete two additional Purdue University supplemental essays. Pay close attention to which Purdue supplemental essays you should complete, as it varies by program. 

So, if you are applying to Purdue University, you must complete at least two 100-word Purdue essay prompts. Each Purdue supplemental essay is designed to give you a chance to show Purdue admissions officers who you are, beyond the rest of your application. You should treat each Purdue supplemental essay as an opportunity to showcase a part of yourself that isn’t highlighted elsewhere within the Purdue application requirements.

Honors College essay requirements

Like many schools, Purdue has additional requirements for the Purdue Honors College. If you apply to the Purdue John Martinson Honors College, you must complete two more 500-word Purdue Honors College essays. These additional prompts help Purdue Admissions ensure that Purdue Honors College applicants go above and beyond the typical Purdue application requirements. 

You should be sure to set aside more than enough time to craft strong Purdue Honors College essays and Purdue supplemental essays.

Purdue Supplemental Essay- Prompt 1 ( Required )

How will opportunities at purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom (100 words maximum).

The first Purdue essay asks applicants to reflect on their academic and personal interests. Then, it asks them to explain how Purdue will help them pursue those interests. In other words, the first of the Purdue essay prompts asks why you want to attend Purdue over any other school. 

You’ve probably encountered similar “why this college?” essay prompts on other applications. So, as you might expect, this Purdue application essay must be specific to Purdue. You won’t be able to copy and paste another school’s essay to answer this Purdue supplemental essay. 

Brainstorming your topic

Before starting to write this Purdue supplemental essay, think about your interest in Purdue. Write down a list of reasons why Purdue made your college list. Does Purdue offer a particular program that interests you? Or does Purdue’s campus culture fit your vision for your college experience? The best responses to the Purdue essay prompts will include specific details.

Building your narrative

Once you have created your list of interests, identify several that you would like to write about in your Purdue supplemental essays. This Purdue supplemental essay doesn’t give you much space; picking one or two interests, therefore, will help you stay within the word count and give your essay some structure. 

When deciding which interests to focus on, remember your other Purdue essay. You can discuss your intended major in the second of the required Purdue essay prompts. With this in mind, make sure you don’t delve into topics better suited for other Purdue essay prompts. Instead, use this Purdue supplemental essay to talk about interests that you have not discussed in other areas of your application. After all, you want each Purdue supplemental essay to showcase a different part of your identity.

Making it specific

Next, research Purdue to see how your interests overlap with opportunities Purdue offers. The Purdue essay prompts are a chance to show off the research you’ve done; for example, talking to Purdue admissions representatives or visiting campus. If any of these interactions relate to one of your chosen themes, mention them in this Purdue supplemental essay. This shows your knowledge of Purdue’s strengths as a university. 

For example, a prospective student could use this Purdue application essay to discuss the state-of-the-art kinesiology labs she visited and how they would help her pursue her interest in physical therapy. Make sure you discuss what you experienced along with how it relates to your interests. Once again, the best Purdue University supplemental essays will use specific details to show why you belong at Purdue.

Writing your essay

Now that you’ve done the brainstorming and research for this Purdue supplemental essay, you can start writing. Because you only have 100 words for this Purdue supplemental essay, you need to make each one count. Avoid unrelated topics, vague wording, and forms of “to be.” Instead, use clear language and strong action verbs in each Purdue essay. Compare these two sentences below:

“There is no school that is a better fit to support my interests than Purdue University.” (16 words)

“Purdue possesses the resources to support my interests.” (8 words)

The second sentence conveys the same message as the first, but it uses much stronger language and fewer words. Specific details and short, powerful sentences will help your Purdue essay stand out. 

Purdue Supplemental Essay Reflection Questions:

• Does your Purdue essay refer to 2-3 strong interests from your list?
• Do you present information not found in other areas of your application?
• Does your Purdue supplemental essay contain specific information about Purdue based on your research?
• Do you clearly explain to Purdue admissions how Purdue will help you pursue your interests?

Purdue Supplemental Essay — Prompt 2 ( Required )

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (100 words maximum).

The second of the Purdue supplemental essays is the typical “why major essay.” The “why major essay” is a common supplemental essay question that many schools require. Purdue is no different—they want to understand why you aim to pursue the field you’ve indicated on your application. 

The reality of the “why major essay” question is that schools want to know you’ve done your research on their programs. As a result of this, your “why major essay” for each school must relate to that school’s unique offerings. While you can include some general details, you should make sure this essay remains school-specific. 

Not all students know what they plan to major in. Choosing your college major is a big decision, and it requires plenty of forethought. This Purdue supplemental essay can be especially daunting if you’re unsure of your major, so let’s explore how to get around that. 

Brainstorming your major

Before starting to write this “why major essay,” think about the school subjects you enjoy. You may already identify as a lover of math or know you have the most fun in English class. However, Purdue University offers more than 200 different undergraduate majors across their 11 different colleges, so check the full list for options. This research will also help you show demonstrated interest in this Purdue supplemental essay.

When selecting a major for this Purdue application essay, think about the career you might want to pursue. You might consider the topics you have liked learning about, both inside and outside the classroom. If you’re having trouble selecting one major for this Purdue supplemental essay, choose the major you have the most compelling reasons to pursue.

Selecting a field of study for this Purdue supplemental essay might feel daunting. However, don’t be stressed about choosing a major. Instead, as you write your Purdue supplemental essay, focus on showing your intellectual curiosity and engagement with your studies. You can always change your major once you arrive on campus.

Using details

In order to write the best essay possible, include experiences that have made the biggest impact on your academic career. Have you had a teacher who drove you to explore more about their subject? Have you had work or volunteer experience that inspired you to pursue a particular major? Do you have a burning passion to support a specific cause? 

Your Purdue application essay should tell a story. So, highlight stories where you’ve engaged deeply with your chosen subject, whether directly or indirectly. In doing so, you’ll help readers understand why your chosen major excites you. This can help your Purdue supplemental essay showcase your intellectual curiosity.

Whatever major you choose, don’t just discuss the basic reasons why you enjoy it in this Purdue essay. Instead, go deeper. Think of this Purdue essay as a short narrative where you share moments in your life that have influenced you. A student who wants to major in electrical engineering might talk about getting a circuitry kit for Christmas and watching his dad repair wires around the house. She might then share how she helped the school robotics club win a competition. Find those formative moments in your life and use them as the foundation of your Purdue supplemental essay. Again, the best Purdue supplemental essay will be the most specific!

• Does your Purdue essay focus on the major that most interests you?
• Do you use specific details about how you came to love that major?
• Does your Purdue supplemental essay help your reader learn something new about you?

Purdue Honors College Essay Requirements

The Purdue Honors College is a separate program within Purdue University specifically designed for high-achieving students. Recently, the Purdue Honors College became formally known as the John Martinson Honors College. According to their website , “Martinson supports new programmatic initiatives which promote undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity, leadership and professional development, global and community engagement, and innovative pedagogies.” 

You should research the Purdue Honors College thoroughly before deciding if you want to apply. Once you make the decision that the Purdue Honors College is right for you, it’s time to crack down on the Purdue Honors College essays.

The Purdue Honors College supplemental essay requirements are:

• 1 (500-word) Purdue supplemental essay about your vision for your honors experience at Purdue
• 1 (500-word) Purdue essay prompt about the interdisciplinary nature of your chosen field of study

Now, let’s break down each of the Purdue supplemental essays for the Purdue Honors College and talk about strategies to tackle each one. 

For more help on writing supplemental essays, click here . For help standing out in the college admissions process, read this article .

Purdue Honors College Essays- Question 1 

Explain your vision, ideas, or goals for how you hope to shape your honors experience while at purdue. please put this in the context of the four pillars which are the foundation of the john martinson honors college. (500 word maximum).

In order to answer the first of the Honors College Purdue essay prompts effectively, you need to reflect on your reasons for applying to the Honors College. Then, you need to connect those reasons to the four pillars that express the Honors College’s values. The best Purdue application essays will directly connect an applicant’s academic goals with the four pillars of the Purdue Honors College.

Understanding Purdue

Before starting this Purdue supplemental essay, you need to have a firm understanding of the four pillars mentioned in the prompt. These pillars are: community and global engagement, undergraduate research, leadership development, and interdisciplinary academics. Reviewing the Honors College mission statement will give you more information about the four pillars. You do not need to reference all four of these pillars in your Purdue essay; instead, focus on whichever ones best fit with your future plans.

Researching the Honors College beyond the four pillars can also help strengthen your Purdue supplemental essay. Start by browsing this year’s Honors College course list . Review some of the research projects done by past Honors students. As you brainstorm for your Purdue admissions essays, look for programs and projects that connect to your interests. You might see a course or research project that lines up with one of your passions. You can use that as evidence in your Purdue essay that the Honors College will provide an ideal learning environment to nurture your interests.

Making it about you

This Purdue essay prompt asks you to imagine how you would spend your time as a Purdue Honors student. That future will likely be rooted in your past experiences. Strong Purdue application essays, therefore, should use the four pillars of Purdue Honors to connect your past experiences to your future at Purdue. 

When you talk about your future, try to be as specific as possible. For instance, saying that you want to travel to India to study their culture is not as powerful as saying that you want to travel to India to research how native fashions have changed due to modern technology in this Purdue essay.

You can begin brainstorming for this Purdue supplemental essay by doing a fr e e-write based on this prompt: “If I could have any academic experience I want in college, what would it be?” Think about the questions you might explore or problems you would like to solve if you had the freedom to choose. Don’t limit yourself—the best way to start writing is to free yourself from any perfectionism. 

Use this Purdue admissions essay to share the subject that you could stay up all night researching or the idea you cannot get out of your head. Let your ambition come across in your writing, using the four pillars of the Honors College as the foundation for achieving your goals. Finally, help your reader envision how you would contribute to the Honors College in this Purdue supplemental essay.

• Does your Purdue essay clearly describe your goals for attending the Honors College?
• Do you include references to at least one of the four pillars of the Honors College?
• Does your Purdue supplemental essay indicate specific projects you might undertake or resources you might use as an Honors student?

Purdue Honors College Essays — Question 2

Please describe the interdisciplinary nature of your chosen field of study and how it complements or supports other fields. (examples: you might describe how your work in a liberal arts career may impact or inform the work of an engineer.) (500 word maximum).

The second of the Purdue application essays asks how your chosen subject connects to other fields. At first, this Purdue essay can seem daunting. After all, most high school classes are separated by subject without much room for interdisciplinary work. However, with a little creative thinking, you can develop relationships between just about any set of subjects and use those relationships to write a strong Purdue essay.

Finding an intersection

To get you started, here are a few examples of interdisciplinary study that would make good material for Purdue application essays:

• Creating a business plan for a health care clinic combines medicine with economics
• Volunteering at a music therapy provider combines Psychology and Music into an interdisciplinary field grounded in helping those with mental illnesses
• A project about the evolution of manufacturing technology combines history with engineering

These example topics for a Purdue supplemental essay represent a tiny fraction of the ways you could answer this prompt. Each of these potential Purdue application essays could also tie in with some of your activities from high school. 

You might also use your Purdue essay to consider what you have learned working with people who have different interests than yours and how you could bring that knowledge to your studies. Strong Purdue admissions essays can come from anywhere, so don’t limit yourself. 

Getting creative

If you struggle to form connections between academic fields based on your personal experience, you can use your imagination to come up with hypothetical situations that might foster collaboration across fields. These imaginary situations can still make for a great Purdue supplemental essay. 

For instance, as a lover of computer science, you might imagine its applications in the world of digital art to create vivid settings for a video game. The best Purdue supplemental essays will be unique and creative. Additionally, strong Purdue application essays will tell a story. The more you can use narratives to illustrate the wide range of uses for your discipline, the more successful your Purdue admissions essay will be.

Essays Reflection Questions for Purdue Honors College :

• Does your Purdue supplemental essay demonstrate your enthusiasm for your chosen field?
• Do you include a variety of possible connections between your chosen fields and other fields?
• Does your Purdue admissions essay use stories and examples to illustrate the connections between fields?

Want more helpful tips on how to approach your Purdue supplemental essays and other aspects of Purdue University’s application process? Check out this video below from Purdue’s senior assistant director of admissions! 

What does Purdue University look for in essays?

Your Purdue supplemental essays help the admissions team get to know you beyond your demographics, transcript, and activities list. Each Purdue essay also provides valuable insight into what kind of student you would be.

These specific Purdue essay prompts help the Purdue admissions committee understand how you will use your education at Purdue. Purdue looks for students who can articulate their interests and describe how Purdue’s resources will help them pursue these interests. Your Purdue application essays, then, should show the Purdue admissions team how Purdue would help you meet your goals.

Demonstrated Interest

The committee wants to see you show demonstrated interest (DI) in Purdue. DI is a gauge that universities use to determine how interested a student is in attending their school. To take advantage of this, use your Purdue application essays to explain exactly what about Purdue interests you. You don’t need to physically visit the campus to write strong Purdue supplemental essays. However, if you don’t visit , it helps to find other ways of showing your interest. These include contacting admissions officers, reviewing the school’s website, or attending a virtual information session/webinar.

The Purdue admissions team also wants to know if you can write clearly and concisely—an important skill for succeeding in college. So, ensure your writing is strong, clear, and free of any errors. Your Purdue application essays also show your attention to detail and passion for learning. Students who use the Purdue essay prompts to showcase their passions will definitely impress the admissions team.

How do I get into Purdue University?

Getting accepted into Purdue starts with filling out the Common Application and meeting the Purdue application requirements. On the Common Application, you will report your GPA, list your high school activities, and write a 250-650 word Common App essay. 

For the fall and spring of 2023, Purdue is test flexible . This means if you have the opportunity to take the SAT or ACT, Purdue admissions would prefer you do. This is different from test optional because test optional schools truly have no preference for test scores. Purdue, however, makes it clear that they would like to review test scores as part of your application if possible. Strong scores will only enhance your application . 

Purdue application requirements

Your GPA , course schedule, test scores, Common App essay, letters of recommendation , supplemental essays, and extracurricular activities comprise the Purdue application requirements and will all factor into the committee’s decision.

Last year, approximately 60,000 students applied to Purdue University. The median GPA range of accepted applicants was 3.5-3.9, the median SAT was 119-1410, and the median ACT was 26-33. As you can see, Purdue admits students with high scores, which contributes to the U.S. News Purdue University ranking.

Purdue Application

In 2022, U.S. News assigned its Purdue University ranking among national universities at #51 overall. US News also named Purdue as one of the Top 10 most innovative universities in the last four years. Among public universities , the Purdue University ranking is #18 in the country. Purdue University’s top academic programs include Aerospace Engineering (where the Purdue University ranking is #5) and Biological/Agricultural Engineering (where the Purdue University ranking is #2). This makes Purdue a great fit for students specifically interested in those fields.

Finally, the Purdue University ranking attracts many applicants who view Purdue’s rankings as a sign of prestige. This means that Purdue supplemental essays will be used to determine which students are interested in attending for reasons beyond the Purdue University ranking. Remember, your Purdue supplemental essays are your chance to show the admissions team your genuine interest in the school. 

Looking to put your best foot forward when filling out the Common Application and writing the Common App essay? Check out this guide for helpful tips.

Top 5 Purdue Supplemental Essay Tips

How to write an outstanding purdue supplemental essay:, #1 – start early.

Be sure to leave yourself time to edit and revise each of your Purdue University supplemental essays. You don’t want to be drafting and editing a Purdue supplemental essay down to the wire.

#2 – Look at the big picture

When writing your Purdue supplemental essays, consider your application as a whole. Make sure that each Purdue supplemental essay explores something new about you. 

#3 – Be authentic

Don’t lie or exaggerate on your Purdue University supplemental essays. Each Purdue application essay is a chance for you to showcase who you are.

#4 – Show your unique self

These Purdue supplemental essays are an opportunity for you to stand out to Purdue admissions. Don’t generalize in your responses to the Purdue essay prompts. Instead, get specific about your experiences. Use the opportunity to not only demonstrate who you are, but also to show off your writing style.

#5 – Proofread, proofread, proofread!

Edit your essays . You don’t want to craft a stellar Purdue supplemental essay, only to have it marred by poor grammar or a spelling mistake. Have another person look over each Purdue supplemental essay before you submit it. 

Purdue Supplemental Essay — Final Thoughts

Although each Purdue supplemental essay is short, they are also incredibly important. Don’t think that a short essay will take you less time to write—often, short essays are the hardest to write. Given the Purdue University ranking, you should use every chance you get to stand out. This includes crafting strong Purdue supplemental essays.

Be yourself

The Purdue essay prompts help the admissions committee get to know the person behind the grades and test scores. Make sure that your Purdue supplemental essays are full of anecdotes and stories that show why you will succeed as a Purdue student! Let your readers know in each Purdue supplemental essay that you have done your research and thought about why you want to attend Purdue.

Ask for help!

And finally, seek help from trusted sources with editing your Purdue supplemental essays; sometimes a second opinion can help you improve your Purdue essays in unexpected ways.

This Purdue supplemental essays guide was written by Laura Frustaci.   Looking for more admissions support? Click  here  to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how  CollegeAdvisor.com  can support you in the college application process.

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How to Respond to the 2023-2024 Purdue University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prior to coming to Scholarships360 for her first internship in 2022, Savannah utilized her campus publications by joining various fashion publications that are offered at Ohio University. One of those publications is Thread Magazine, where Savannah has had the opportunity to work on articles related to world-wide related fashion news and events, as well as articles closer to home, such as a fashion piece on Athens hometown-hero Joe Burrow. This year, Savannah also had the opportunity to be a content writing intern for Aiken House, as well as a section editor for Southeast Ohio Magazine. In 2023, Savannah served as the Chapter President of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. These collective experiences, as well as her experience currently working for Ohio University’s Undergraduate Admissions, has led her to Scholarships360 and aided in her passion for helping students better understand the college admissions process and financial aid. In her free time, Savannah enjoys horseback riding, watching Formula One races, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Savannah will graduate from Ohio University in May 2024 with a degree in Journalism News and Information and a certificate in Italian Studies.

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Purdue University is a public university in West Lafayette, Indiana. Voted a Top 10 Public University in 2021, many students are hoping to gain entrance into one of Indiana’s best public colleges. This means you will have to use your very best writing skills and personal creativity to help you stand out in the Purdue supplemental essays. 

The Purdue University supplemental essays

For the regular undergraduate admissions application, you will have two 100 word prompts to write, and an additional optional 250 word prompt. It is always a good idea to write the optional essay, because this gives the admissions team at the university a better idea of the type of person that they could potentially be adding to their community and demonstrates your interest in attending.

Supplemental prompts on the traditional application focus on why you think Purdue would be a good fit for you, whereas the Honors College prompts are more focused on discovering what you may offer the college. Let’s break down the prompts for each application to give you a thorough idea of how to respond to all of them:

Also see: How to respond to the Common App essay prompts

If you are applying with the traditional application

How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (250 words or fewer)

This prompt is a classic, as it can tell the individual reading your application more about you as a person than your transcript can. This is your opportunity to highlight what makes you you . There are multiple facets to this question, and although both are important, the “in the classroom” part of the question is going to tell Purdue what you can offer them academically. 

Every person has something different to offer, but there are some things that you want to avoid writing about that are seen as cliche. Think about what makes you interesting that is different from what makes your peers interesting. You could talk about how learning a foreign language in high school has inspired you to study international affairs at Purdue, or how the musical instrument that you decided to pick up during the pandemic made you decide to pursue a degree in music. 

Questions to consider

• What makes you interesting as a student? 
• What interests have you pursued in and/or out of the classroom? 
• In what ways have you pursued those interests and how would you continue that pursuit at Purdue?

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Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (250 words or fewer)

Every person chooses their major for a reason. Whether it is something you have wanted to pursue your entire life, or it was a recent find that sparked your interest, now is time to tell the story of how it came about. 

You want to draw the reader in with something enticing that makes them want to keep reading. Making sure to add specific details is something that will make you stand out among other applicants. 

Questions to consider:

• Did you choose Purdue for the program you want to go into? 
• What made their program stand out enough for you to decide to apply?
• What are you passionate about academically?
• What does your desired major say about you as a person, academically or extra curricularly?

Related: Show, don’t tell essay primer

If you are applying with the honors application*

Explain your vision, ideas, or goals for how you hope to shape your honors experience while at Purdue. Please put this in the context of the four pillars which are the foundation of the Honors College. (500 words)

The honors application prompts can look like a doozy at first glance, so let’s break it down. Ultimately, they want to understand how Purdue will benefit from you being a student there. This may sound intimidating, but realistically, most colleges want to know that when looking for students to accept. How will you use what you already know to further not only your education, but also the people around you and your university? 

The four pillars of Purdue’s John Martinson Honors College are leadership development, undergraduate research, community and global experiences, and interdisciplinary academics. Visualize what you want for your future and how those goals align with what Purdue looks for in a student attending their Honors College. Let those goals guide your writing. 

• What career path do you want to pursue and how did it lead you to Purdue?
• How will your career benefit from your time at Purdue and from the opportunities offered by the Honors College?
• If you imagine yourself as a Purdue student, what do you see yourself doing?

Please describe the interdisciplinary nature of your chosen field of study and how it complements or supports other fields. (Examples: You might describe how your work in a liberal arts career may impact or inform the work of an engineer.) (500 words)

This is a unique question, but an important one to answer. They want to know if your mind works like a team player. Are you able to think about how what you do affects others, or is your mind a one way road looking at just your journey through college and into your career? Take this question and run with it.

You want to think of a career that compliments yours well. For example, if your major is journalism, talk about the ways that a major like food science or history can impact your work, and vice versa. As a journalist, it is important to have sources, and on the other careers side, they need journalists for publicity. This can go both ways for any career, just try to be creative with it. 

• What career compliments yours best?
• Is there another major that you would want to work closely with?
• What goals can you accomplish better if you worked as a team?

* Students must select “yes” on the last question of the Purdue application (“Are you interested in applying to the Honors College?”) for the two Purdue Honors College questions to appear.

Summing up the Purdue supplemental essay s

We made it through all of the Purdue supplemental essays! In general, for any essay that you choose to write for college admissions, you want to be open and honest about any and all experiences that you write about. Admissions readers will be glad to hear your honesty and transparency, and they will value that in the long run. Make sure to read over your responses and consider giving your essay to a peer or advisor to read over before you submit it. We also recommend taking a break from your essay and going back to it another day to get a fresh pair of eyes. 

Other colleges to apply to

• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
• University of Illinois (Urbana-Campaign, IL)
• Pennsylvania State University (Throughout PA)

Additional resources

While you continue your college decision process, you have a lot to think about. Let us take some of that pressure off of your shoulders, and check out some of our helpful resources that can help alleviate some of the stress! Learn about how many colleges to apply (including reach, match, and safety schools ) and what looks good on college applications . When it comes time, learn  how to choose the right college ! Throughout the process, make sure that you apply to all the scholarships you qualify for! 

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Undergraduate Admissions

Freshman Admission Criteria

Are you ready to take your next giant leap?

1) Are you academically prepared to succeed in your desired academic program?

2) are you a competitive candidate in the context of the overall pool of applicants for the program based on available space.

Purdue applications are reviewed individually and holistically with these two primary questions in mind.  There is no definitive answer to 'what does it take to be admitted?'

You can use our Freshman Class Profile Page to see “middle 50%” ranges for GPAs and SAT or ACT tests. However, these ranges represent the entire freshman class – the middle 50% for individual majors may be higher or lower based on space availability or the rigor of the program's curriculum.

Those that accept their offer of admission to Purdue must have a high school diploma or receive a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma (e.g., GED) unless they are 18 years of age or older. Purdue requires that students submit proof of high school graduation. Purdue will review to confirm that enrollment conditions have been met.

Evaluation begins when we have received your application and all required material.

Here's what you need to know when preparing for admission to and success at Purdue:

Complete your application.

For most first-time college students (future freshman) a complete application includes:

• The application itself
• Purdue-specific questions from the application
• Self-reported high school grades
• Self-reported ACT or SAT test scores*
• The application fee (or qualified fee waiver)

Students apply to Purdue using the Common Application. This application requires you to provide a personal essay and answer Purdue-specific questions. View  current essay questions .

We accept SAT or ACT scores and have no preference on which test is taken. You may report the best scores from across different tests. If able, you should take one or the other in the spring of your junior year in preparation for the November 1 Early Action deadline that encompasses scholarship consideration.

When you apply, you are able to report best components from different test dates. School codes for Purdue West Lafayette: ACT – 1230; SAT – 1631.

*Purdue University expects applicants to have SAT or ACT scores. Recognizing that in some exceptional cases, applicants may not have been able to take a test, we allow submission of applications in those cases via the Common App. 

International undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English will be evaluated for English language proficiency during the application review process. The most common and preferred way for applicants to provide evidence of their English proficiency is through an English proficiency exam .

Don't Miss Deadlines

Meet the minimum requirements and be competitive.

You should meet or exceed these minimum high school expectations.

• Math—eight semesters
• English—eight semesters
• Lab science—six semesters ( for engineering applicants, chemistry experience is expected ; for nursing, pharmacy and veterinary nursing, two semesters must be chemistry and two must be biology)
• Social studies—six semesters
• World language—four semesters

Visit the  high school course requirements page for more specific information.

If you are an Indiana resident, we strongly encourage you to pursue the Academic Honors Diploma. While this does not guarantee admission to Purdue, those who earn this diploma are generally stronger candidates and better prepared for the academic rigor of Purdue classes.

Admission to Purdue is competitive and we’ll 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, academic math, laboratory science, foreign language, social studies)
• SAT or ACT scores (if provided)
• Proof of English proficiency (for citizens of non-English speaking countries)
• Ability to be successful in intended major
• Essay and answers to Purdue questions
• Personal background and experiences
• Information provided by your high school
• Time of year you apply
• Space availability in the desired program
• Check Your Application Status
• Closed Programs
• Maximizing Scholarship Consideration
• Find Your Admissions Counselor
• High School Course Requirements

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Want to see your chances of admission at Purdue University?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Purdue University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this college short response.

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

Honors College Short Response 1

Explain your vision, ideas, or goals for how you hope to shape your honors experience while at Purdue. Please put this in the context of the four pillars which are the foundation of the John Martinson Honors College.

Honors College Short Response 2

Please describe the interdisciplinary nature of your chosen field of study and how it complements or supports other fields. (Examples: You might describe how your work in a liberal arts career may impact or inform the work of an engineer.)

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

Please answer one of the following questions

Oxy’s central mission emphasizes the value of community amidst diversity. What do you value in a community and how do you see your perspectives and life experiences enhancing it?

Briefly describe a current event or social movement that is affecting a place that is important to you. Describe its significance to you and the future implications for that community. How do you anticipate an Oxy education helping you better understand and respond to that event/movement?

Research is an integral part of an Oxy education. Completing a senior comprehensive is a requirement of every Oxy student and there are a myriad of opportunities for research throughout your four years. Imagine you were just awarded one of our research grants for a project of your choice. What are you researching and why?

Why This Major Short Response

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Guide to the Purdue University Supplemental Essays (2022-23)

Purdue University asks applicants to write three short supplemental essays as part of their admissions application. Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and the motivation behind them so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.<br />

Supplemental Essays 101

How to Write College Admissions Diversity Essays Regardless of Your Background

With the Supreme Court ruling on Affirmative Action came an avalanche of diversity essays meant to compensate for a missing tool that aimed to level the playing field. We here at CEA have celebrated the preponderance of opportunities to address race, gender, and other identity-oriented details on the application. We have also found that these prompts can be flummoxing for some students. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to provide guidance to applicants who feel like they don't have an obvious "diversity" story to tell.

How to Write the Vanderbilt Supplemental Essays

Vanderbilt asks 2023-24 applicants to respond to one of two prompts in 250 words or fewer. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through drafting a distinct essay response.

Guide to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Supplemental Essay Prompt

Worcester Polytechnic Institute seeks students who are the right fit for its academic and campus community. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you make your case as to why you're the perfect fit for WPI (and vice versa)!

Guide to the University of Miami’s Supplemental Essay Prompt

The University of Miami asks applicants to respond to one supplemental essay prompt in 250 words or less (full text below). CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to share some tips and tricks for differentiating your response.

Guide to the American University’s Supplemental Essay Prompt

American University asks applicants to respond to the following prompt, "Why are you interested in American University?" in 150 words or less. With such few words at your disposal, you'll want to be succinct as possible. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, has some tips to help you get started on a distinct response.

Guide to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Supplemental Essay Prompt

Admissions wants to know just what appeals to you about the University of Wisconsin-Madison. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to lend tips and tricks for writing a winning supplemental essay for your Wisconsin-Madison application.

How to Respond to Wake Forest’s 150-Word “How Did You Become Interested in WFU?” Essay

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you a jumpstart on your drafted response for Wake Forest's "Why?" essay: "How did you become interested in Wake Forest University? Feel free to tell us about any contact that you had with Wake Forest that was important to you. (150 words)"

How to Approach the 2021-22 Wake Forest Brief Responses (Writing Section)

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through Wake Forest's 2021-22 Brief Responses, so you can submit a distinct and personal application to WFU.

CEA’s Guide to Yale’s 2021-22 “Intellectual Interest” Essay

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down Yale's 250-word "Intellectual Interest" essay, which reads, "Yale’s extensive course offerings and vibrant conversations beyond the classroom encourage students to follow their developing intellectual interests wherever they lead. Tell us about your engagement with a topic or idea that excites you. Why are you drawn to it?"

How to Write an Artist Statement

Many colleges and universities ask art students to write an artist statement as part of their applications. Writing an Artist Statement can be tricky, especially if you’re applying as an undergraduate.

Purdue University asks applicants to write three short supplemental essays as part of their admissions application. Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and the motivation behind them so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

CEA’s Guide to Yale University’s “Short Takes” Supplement Section for the 2021-22 Application Year

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through Yale University's "Short Takes" supplement section for the 2021-22 application season. It's time to brainstorm!

How to Respond to Yale University’s “Why Yale?” Supplement Section in 100 Words or Fewer

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the 2021-22 Yale University "Why Yale?" supplement section, so you can infuse your response with specificity while demonstrating fit.

CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Georgetown University Essay Prompts

Georgetown University asks applicants to submit four (4) essays in their undergraduate admission application. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through each of Georgetown's 2021-22 prompts, so you can draft with confidence.

CEA’s Guide to the University of Chicago’s 2021-22 Supplemental Essay Prompts

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the 2021-22 University of Chicago supplemental essays, so you can better understand what admissions is looking for in your response.

CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Colgate University Supplemental Essays (and List!)

CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the 2021-22 Colgate University supplemental essays, so you can draft winning responses.

CEA’s Guide to the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Portfolio Submission

Preferred Admission applicants to the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business will complete a portfolio. This portfolio is in addition to the materials you submit with your Common Application or Coalition Application.

CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompts

Boston College asks students to select one prompt (out of five) to respond to in 400 words or less (prompts below). So what will you write about? Philosophy, racial injustice, conversation partners, introspection, or your favorite book? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you all the information you need to select a prompt and write an amazing supplemental essay.

CEA’s Guide to the 2021-22 Dartmouth College Supplemental Essays

Dartmouth College is one of the most competitive schools in the country, and every year admissions officers are faced with countless applications from eager students looking to make the cut. Dartmouth's supplemental essay prompts are an opportunity for applicants to distinguish themselves from their peers. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the seven Dartmouth College supplemental essay prompts, so you can draft your responses with confidence.

4 Types of Essay Prompts to Expect from Military Academy Applications

Whether you’re applying to the United States Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, or West Point Military Academy, you can anticipate penning responses to these four types of essay prompts. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the four most common Military application essay categories!

How to Respond to College Essay Prompts About Diversity and Inclusivity

Many colleges and universities have started asking applicants to respond to prompts that ask them about their experiences with diversity, inclusion, and equity. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through the popular new supplemental essay prompt.

Guide to the 2020-21 University of Southern California (USC) Essays | CEA

So, we just have to say it: the USC application is kind of all over the place! You’ll be asked about everything from your academic interests to your life's theme song, so make sure to tighten the straps on your brainstorming helmet. Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to show you how to use every essay as an opportunity to showcase something different about yourself!

Guide to the 2020-21 University of California Essays | CEA

For the UC application, the rules may be unfamiliar but the game is the same: tell admissions something they don’t know, and then do it three more times! A strategic applicant will choose an amalgam of prompts that highlight vastly different aspects of their life and personality, leaving an admissions officer with a deep and complete picture of who they are. Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you avoid getting hung up on trying to find the questions admissions "wants" you to answer -- with each essay, your goal isn’t just to answer the question, but to tell a very short story about yourself!

Guide to the 2020-21 Georgetown University Essays | CEA

Since it's not on the Common App, Georgetown requires some extra special attention when it comes to its supplemental essay requirements! Luckily, our Founder and Chief Advisor Stacey Brook is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and discuss the motivation behind them. Take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice!

Guide to the 2020-21 Harvard University Supplemental Essays | CEA

Harvard University is one of the most competitive schools in the country, and every year admissions officers are faced with countless applications from eager students looking to make the cut. As a result, Harvard's supplemental essay prompts are diverse and complex, to allow students an opportunity to distinguish themselves from their peers. If you're feeling overwhelmed, fear not! CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the Harvard essays so you can hit submit with confidence.

Guide to the 2020-21 Stanford University Essays | CEA

The Stanford University application is nothing short of a doozie -- no less than EIGHT essays of varying lengths for students to answer and submit! To help you tackle this beast, our Founder and Chief Advisor Stacey Brook has created this video guide to walk you through each of the prompts, and give you the tips and tricks you need to make an impression on admissions.

Guide to the 2020-21 Boston University Essays | CEA

The Boston University essay requirements are a gift to students: two of the most straightforward prompts you could ask for, and only one of them is required! Of course, our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, doesn't believe that any essay is truly optional, so make sure you're taking advantage of every opportunity you have to speak to admissions in your own voice. Plan ahead, pay attention to the questions, and above all don't wait until the last minute to start your work!

Guide to the 2020-21 University of Michigan Essays | CEA

We know that submitting your application to the University of Michigan can cause some serious stress. Thankfully, this year Michigan only requires two supplemental essays instead of three! Our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and provide you with tips and tricks to help you showcase yourself to admissions using your own unique voice.

Guide to the 2020-21 New York University Supplemental Essay | CEA

New York University (NYU) asks undergraduate applicants to write one supplemental essay (prompt in description below) on top of their Common App personal statement. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know in order to craft a winning response!

Guide to the 2020-21 Brown University Supplemental Essays | CEA

Applying to an Ivy League institution, such as Brown University, can be incredibly stressful! Luckily for you, CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to walk you through Brown's four (4) supplemental essay prompts.

Are “Optional” College Essay Prompts Really Optional?

Every year, colleges and universities around the world offer applicants the opportunity to respond to "optional" supplemental essay questions...But are these prompts truly optional? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, lets you in on a college admissions secret.

The Expert’s Guide to Finding Sneaky Supplemental Essays

There's probably a section of the Common Application that says "Writing", in which all of the supplemental essays live, right? WRONG! Supplements can be found in a variety of places and can sneak up on students who have spent months preparing to submit their applications. Don't let that be you! This video will detail the several different places where you can find supplemental essays.

How to Write Vanderbilt University’s “Extracurricular Activities” Essay

Vanderbilt University's supplement consists of one prompt (text below). CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to help you take full advantage of this opportunity to illuminate your leadership skills or personal values for admissions.

The College Application ‘Activity’ and ‘Community’ Essays: What You Need to Know

Want the key to writing the most important and pervasive school-specific supplemental essays? We've got the tips and tricks you need to conquer the ever-popular "Activity" and "Community" supplements so you can showcase for admissions how you spend your time, where you feel like you belong and what truly motivates you to action. Assigned by schools like Harvard, Stanford, The University of Michigan and so many more, mastering these supplemental essays will ensure you utilize every opportunity a school's application provides to showcase your strengths.

What is a Supplemental Essay?

Most supplemental essay prompts are designed to both gauge a student’s interest and determine where a student might fit into a school’s particular community. Typically, these essays focus more specifically on future academic and professional goals, school-related activities and a student's role in your current community than the Common App's personal statement. Watch this video for a short and sweet introduction to supplemental essays. Know what you're up against!

How to Write a Powerful “Why Do You Want to Go Here?” Essay (The Why Essay)

The Why Essay takes on many forms and can ask many questions: What will you do when you get here? How will you take advantage of all the resources our school has to offer? How will the school support your academic or professional goals? How do your past experiences or future goals support these claims? It’s likely that many schools to which you apply will as the Why question in slightly different ways (and with a WIDE range of word limits). This video will teach you everything you need to know about how to respond to the "Why do you want to go here?" essay.

How to Respond to Quirky, Odd, and Bizarre College Essay Prompts

There are certain schools, like the University of Chicago, who have always taken special pride in developing crafty questions for their applicants to answer. In recent years, more schools are jumping on the bandwagon, luring students to their applications with questions like “What does #YOLO mean to you” (Tufts, 2013). This is both fun and exhausting for applicants who are grateful for an injection of modern, quirky inspiration, but whose creative wells may be running dry. This video will get down to the bottom line: Why are schools asking these questions and what are they looking for in applicants' responses?

How to Gain Acceptance to Boston University (with Winning Supplemental Essays)!

The Boston University application supplement is a gift: two of the most straightforward prompts you could ask for, and only one of them is required [full prompts below]. But beware, a simple supplement is no reason to ignore a school or save it until the last minute. In fact, it means you have no excuse not to nail your essay, so pay attention and do your work!

How to Write the “Why NYU?” Essay

New York University (NYU) asks undergraduate applicants to pen one supplemental essay (prompt below) in addition to the personal statement. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know in order to draft a compelling response.

How to Gain Acceptance to Boston College (with a Winning Supplemental Essay)!

Boston College asks students to select one prompt (out of four) to respond to in 400 words or less (prompts below). So what will you write about? Art, community, a contemporary problem, or character formation? CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to give you all the information you need to select a prompt and write an amazing supplemental essay.

How to Write Fantastic Application Essays for the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia asks students to write two application essays of 200-300 words. The first prompt is set in stone, and for the second essay, applicants can choose one of four prompts to respond to [prompts below]. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know about choosing and responding to these prompts for UGA. Let's begin!

How to Write Short Answers and the Additional Info Essay

The challenge of short answer questions lies half in generating honest, unique and clever ideas, and the other in being concise. The purpose of additional info essays is to provide admissions with an explanation for a drop in grades, low test scores, or prolonged absences. Both of these essay types need to be handled with care -- and that's exactly what this video will show you how to do.

How to Get Into University of Texas: Austin (with Great Application Essays!)

The University of Texas: Austin application is a beast unto itself, with a slew of essay prompts (full text below) that ask you to dig into all aspects of your life. From your home life to your future plans, you're going to have to tell all -- and in a way that sets you apart! Luckily CEA's Founder, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the prompts so you're ready to tackle anything Texas' independent platform throws at you.

How to Get Into Emory University (With Amazing Supplemental Essays!)

Emory University asks first-year applicants to write two (2) essays in addition to the personal statement. Applicants must choose one prompt from the "Reflections" category and one prompt from the "Tell us about you" category. CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know about choosing and responding to these prompts. Let's begin!

How To Answer Supplemental Application Questions: “Why Do You Want To Go Here?”

These days, most colleges and universities require supplemental applications in addition to the Common Application. You could be looking at a list of 10+ supplemental essays, so we made you a quick guide to the most common supplemental question: "Why do you want to go here?"

Guide to the 2018-19 Northwestern University Supplemental Essay

Are you planning to apply to Northwestern University? The Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into Northwestern's supplemental essay prompt so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

Guide to the 2018-19 University of Michigan Essays

Submitting your college application to the University of Michigan can be a real nail-biter. Michigan requires three supplemental essays. The Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and the motivation behind them so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

How to Get Into UNC (With a Great Essay)

UNC is well-known for being the first public university in the United States and a leader in innovative teaching strategies. The school is also known for receiving many college applications, which means it is crucial for applicants to differentiate themselves in their essays. Luckily for UNC hopefuls, the university gives students two additional supplemental prompts to respond to in order to set themselves apart from the sea of similarly qualified applicants and increase their chances of getting into UNC. College Essay Advisors Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to break down the UNC supplemental prompts so you know which essays will showcase your best attributes!

Guide to the 2017-2018 Duke University Supplemental Essays

Submitting your college application to Duke University can be a real nail-biter. Although it's probably too late now to tweak your test scores or GPA, you can make sure that your college application essays will bring you admissions success! Duke requires one supplemental short answer and gives students the opportunity to respond to two optional prompts. The Founder and Chief Advisor of College Essay Advisors, Stacey Brook, is here to give you invaluable insight into the prompts and the motivation behind them so you can take advantage of this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice.

Guide to the 2017-2018 Harvard University Supplemental Essay

Harvard University is one of the most competitive schools in the country. Every year admissions officers are bombarded with applications from eager students looking to make the cut. Thus, Harvard has a supplement to give students an opportunity to distinguish themselves from the competition. Writing supplemental essays can be daunting, but luckily for you, College Essay Advisors founder (and admissions expert) Stacey Brook is here to break down the Harvard supplement so you can hit submit with confidence.

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3 Purdue University Essay Examples

Home of the Boilermakers, Purdue University was established in 1869 and is steeped in history and tradition. From the first 39 students to attend in 1874, to over 33,000 in attendance today, Purdue is matched in tradition only by innovation. Known for its world-class faculty, curricula, and facilities, Purdue attracts many future engineers.

As it is a selective university, you will need a strong application to stand out. A crucial aspect lies in your essays. To get some inspiration for your Purdue essays, we will be sharing three essays by real students who applied to Purdue in this post. We will also go over what they did well and where they could’ve improved. 

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Purdue essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts. 

Essay Example #1

Prompt: Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected (100 words)

To most Gen Z, life without computers and smartphones is like life without food: it’s impossible. However, I only started to appreciate the work behind the scenes (and screens) in the summer of 9th grade, when I created a small chatting program to exchange jokes with my sister in the next room. Through programming, I have found a clear and compelling way to reach the world beyond my fingertips. By majoring in computer science, I hope to build a solid foundation in AI, algorithms, UX design and more, with which I’ll help bring society a new generation of digital food.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay is short and sweet; every sentence is intentional and conveys a new idea clearly and concisely. Comparing their generation’s reliance on technology to “ life without food ” speaks volumes more than the three words it takes up. They simply explain what they did and why without any extraneous fluff or flowery language: “ I created a small chatting program to exchange jokes with my sister in the next room. ” Getting creative with your prose is great for a longer essay, but this is not the time or place, and this student understood that. They also get straight to the point when discussing what they hope to gain and achieve from a degree in computer science—another plus.

Despite the limited space, this student still manages to work in some of their personality. The analogy of smartphones being as crucial as food is a humorous example of hyperbole that helps humanize the student.  The phrase “ behind the scenes (and screens) ” is another way of them expressing their playful side while also adding a rhyme to make the essay more interesting. Including these little crumbs with humor, coupled with the knowledge they learned to program to share jokes, makes the student come across as a fun person admissions officers would want on their campus.

What Could Be Improved

Although the opening line about Gen Z is a chance for the student to inject some of their personality, in reality it is not the best use of space. As we said above, every word counts in an essay this short, and although the observation about Gen Z did contribute to the essay, it’s not as crucial to include as additional details about the student.

They could have kept the analogy to food, but instead of generalizing to all of Gen Z, this student should have made themselves the focus of the sentence. For example, they could say something like this: “ At this point my phone is a permanent appendage of my hand; life without it is like life without food. ” This sentence focuses the attention on the student right from the beginning, telling us about their phone addiction rather than everyone else’s.

Essay Example #2

How much duct tape would my boat need to stay afloat?

I will never forget my first Do-It-Yourself Project of building a boat with cardboard. While the outcome of the project was bitter-sweet as my boat sank, my passion for engineering surfaced. Subsequently, I voyaged across countless pursuits until I reached an epiphany while developing a customized voice assistant for an enterprise; I was fascinated by the multifaceted applicability of technology. Hence, I intend to pursue Computer Engineering because the skills from this major will enable me to pursue my widespread goals of lobbying for technological advancements in under-developed societies.

Starting the essay with a question is a great way to catch the reader’s attention in a short amount of space. Right off the bat, we are asking ourselves why are they using duct tape, what’s the boat for, how much duct tape do they need,  all of which get us engaged and excited for what is to come.

The student also does a nice job of incorporating sailing-related language with lines like “ my passion for engineering surfaced ” and “ I voyaged across countless pursuits. ” This is a creative way of linking the main points of their essay with their anecdote.

The student’s realizations are a bit underdeveloped. They don’t explain how they realized the “ multifaceted applicability of technology ” or why exactly they want to lobby “ for technological advancements in under-developed countries. ” They could’ve perhaps been better-served by eliminating the boat anecdote and beginning with the voice assistant story, which would allow them to explain their realization and goals. 

A common mistake students make with this prompt is that they think they have to include the very moment they got interested in the major. You certainly can use this technique, but it may not always be the best way to approach this essay, especially when there is such limited space. Instead of starting with the introduction, students should first focus on writing the reasons they like the major and what they hope to accomplish with it, and find a story or moment that flows with these points.

Essay Example #3

Prompt: How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (100 words)

The Computer Engineering course at Purdue has a dynamic combination of fundamental courses and enthralling electives such as ‘Engineering Environmental Sustainability’, allowing me to apply my engineering proficiency to resolve complex global issues such as technological disparity. Furthermore, by joining the Engineers Without Borders – Purdue organization, I will gain first-hand experience in tackling real-world humanitarian problems and push my intellectual ability to higher stakes. Having followed EWB- Purdue’s pioneering Bolivia project, I aspire to contribute in both the Technical and the Leadership team. Hence, Purdue is the best institution for me to grow as an enthusiastic humanitarian engineer. 

Right off the bat, the student is specifically noting courses the school offers that they are eager to take. This is great! They show that they’ve been following a specific organization within the school, and already have ideas as to how they could contribute. They really specified why they wanted to attend the school, and personalized the essay accordingly. 

This student also chose two opportunities at Purdue that seamlessly fit into their future career. They want to be a humanitarian engineer, so discussing a class about environmental sustainability and an organization that creates solutions to humanitarian issues around the world is a great way to demonstrate their affinity to their career throughout the essay. When they tell us their career aspirations at the very end of the essay, it makes perfect sense to the reader based on the 100 preceding words we just read.

The main issues in this essay come from minor grammatical mistakes that could confuse the reader. For example, the first sentence covers too much ground: The Computer Engineering course at Purdue has a dynamic combination of fundamental courses and enthralling electives such as ‘Engineering Environmental Sustainability’, allowing me to apply my engineering proficiency to resolve complex global issues such as technological disparity. Instead, the reader should separate these ideas into two sentences. In the first sentence, the student can explain the courses they are interested in, and the second can give reasons why and explain what the student’s career goals are. Overall, it very clearly addresses the prompt, shows the student has done their research, and shows their ambitions after graduation. It is very well done. 

Where to Get Your Purdue Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Purdue essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Short and sweet: how to write the purdue supplemental essays | 2022-2023, school supplements.

In addition to the Common or Coalition app essays, Purdue University has two required supplemental essays. With word limits of just 100, the Purdue essays are short... but that doesn't make them simple. This guide looks at how to write Purdue supplemental essays that pack a lot of information into very little space.

Let's start by looking at the Purdue supplemental essay prompts.

How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)

Your Purdue essays can (and should) work together. These prompts ask you to define two things: your interests, and specific classes, resources and programs at Purdue that will help you pursue those interests. There's some overlap between these two essays, so let's consider them together. Get some paper, or open up a fresh document, and prepare to take some notes!

Step One: Motivation.   Think about the kinds of things that you like to do, and that make you feel fulfilled when you pursue them. Remember that you can have different motivations for the same thing. For example, you might love math because you like bashing away at difficult problems until you solve them, or you might love math because you see beauty in it.

• Tip: for help brainstorming your motivations, check our guide to choosing topics for the Common App essay. We'll share some techniques for thinking about what drives you.

Step Two: Catalysts.   Catalysts are experiences or accomplishments that spark or further your interest in your chosen major. For example, a struggle with food allergies might have drawn you towards the medical field, or completing a special project in an inspiring class about WWI might have gotten you excited about history.

• Tip: Catalysts can be big or small. List as many of them as you can think of.

Step Three: Goals: What kinds of things do you want to do in your life? Are there any particular careers that you are interested in? What do you want to get out of college? What do you want to do in your life that you couldn't do without this degree?

• Tip: If you're not sure of a particular career path, think about the kinds of things that interest you in general.

Step Four: How Purdue Can Help: Spend some time on Purdue's website looking at majors and courses that relate to your chosen interests. Start with the list of majors and the course catalog , but don't neglect the rest of the website. You might be intrigued by Purdue's learning communities , cultural programs , or diversity initiatives . Jot down anything that excites you, especially if it relates to your chosen major.

Let's take a look at an example student's brainstorming list.

• Major : UX Design
• Motivations : Collaborating with artists and engineers, guiding others through new experiences
• Catalysts : Designing apps as part of an in-school competition, leading theatre tech club
• Goals: A career that involves collaboration, and is both creative and technical, the chance to create new things
• How Purdue can help : A lesson plan that combines classes like "Fundamentals of Imaging Technology" with classes like "Elementary Psychology;" the Design Purdue IRL Learning Community; Devised Theatre Opportunity in Columbia

Structuring Your Purdue Supplemental Essays

Once you have your brainstorming list, it's time to structure your response. In the "Why Major" essay you can focus on your motivations and catalysts. In the "Why Purdue" essay, you can focus on the ways Purdue can help you achieve your goals.

• Tip: If you have a lot of material, it's ok to mention some specific major-related resources or career goals in your "Why Major" essay, especially if that major is unique to Purdue. The important thing is to avoid repeating yourself between the essays.

For longer "Why Major" and "Why Us" essays, you'll often want to start out with a summary or thesis statement. But the Purdue supplemental essays are too short for that to be an effective strategy. Instead, open with the most compelling reason, then fill in the others. 

Here are some sample Purdue essays that match the brainstorming list above.

I have always been drawn to use both technology and creativity to connect with other people. Whether I'm creating new apps for the iPhone or lighting the school musical, I am happiest when learning new tools, and using them to create new experiences for audiences. When I heard about Purdue's major in UX design, I realized it could be a path to a career that used both the STEM and creative sides of my brain. I can't wait to embark on a lesson plan that combines Fundamentals of Imaging Technology with Elementary Psychology and Transformative Texts.

As a highly collaborative person who doesn't like to put artistic and technical learning in separate boxes, I am excited by the opportunities Purdue offers to work with other students across disciplines. By pursuing a UX design major, I plan to take full advantage of the Polytechnic Institute's team-based learning. Outside of my major, I hope to join the IRL Design Learning Community, which will give me the chance to create something new with a group of students from all departments in a 24-7 collaborative environment, and participate in unique programs like the Devised Theatre Opportunity in Columbia.

For additional help with your Purdue supplemental essays, check out our "Why Major" guide and our "Why This School" guide .

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2024 Final Four: Evaluating UConn vs. Alabama, Purdue vs. NC State as March Madness reaches last weekend

The final four matchups have been set following a dramatic elite eight.

After two thrilling weekends of NCAA Tournament action, the 2024 Final Four field is set and a field of 68 has been reduced to a mere quartet. Reigning national champion and No. 1 overall seed UConn will square off No. 4 seed Alabama, and No. 1 seed Purdue faces No. 11 seed NC State in the national semifinals. The Boilermakers are making their first appearance in the Final Four since 1980 , while the Crimson Tide are appearing in their first Final Four in program history.

Only one gets to cut down the nets in Glendale, Arizona, on April 8.

UConn entered last year's NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed with a 25-8 record after losing to Marquette in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament. The Huskies didn't win the Big East regular-season title last year, either, but still managed to go on a dominant run of six straight double-digit victories in the Big Dance.

This year's version of UConn won both the Big East regular-season and tournament titles to add a couple new pieces of hardware to the program's expanding collection of trophies and banners. Clearly, the Huskies have established themselves as the team to beat in college basketball yet again.

But March Madness is about the upsets and the unexpected, and those things don't stop after the tournament's first weekend. The Sweet 16 was rife with chaos as well, and it would be no shock if the Final Four brings more of it. Alabama boasts the nation's highest-scoring offense and is playing at an elite level after limping into the Big Dance following some late-season struggles.

Purdue lost last season to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament but finds itself two games away from winning its first national championship. NC State is making its first appearance in the Final Four since 1983 and on the heels of nine straight victories dating back to the ACC Tournament. 

Here is the early look at what's ahead for the Final Four. All times Eastern

(1) Purdue vs. (11) NC State

Date : Saturday, April 6 |  Time : 6:09 p.m.  Location : State Farm Stadium -- Glendale, Arizona TV : TBS |  Streaming :  March Madness Live  

About the Boilermakers 

Zach Edey is the heart and soul of this Purdue team. The reigning National Player is arguably the most dominant in the sport and putting up numbers in the NCAA Tournament that haven't been accomplished in decades. Edey is the only player to average at least 30 points and 15 rebounds entering the Final Four since Elvin Hayes in 1968. Edey recorded 40 points and 16 rebounds against Tennessee in the Elite Eight for his fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. That tied former Navy star David Robinson for the most in the last 50 years. 

The Boilermakers are statistically the top 3-point shooting in the country and have connected on 41% of their attempts behind contributions from Mason Gillis, Fletcher Loyer, Lance Jones, and Edey's co-star, Braden Smith. Purdue possesses one of the most lethal half-court offenses in the country and uses Edey as the focal point to slow down the game. Purdue is making its first Final Four appearance since 1980. Matt Painter will coach his first game in the final weekend of the NCAA Tournament at his alma mater after going 19 seasons without a Final Four appearance. After losing to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament last spring, the Boilermakers are on the cusp of their first appearance in the title game since 1969.

About the Wolfpack

NC State is the definition of survive and advance. Earlier this month, the Wolfpack entered the ACC Tournament needing to run the table to have a chance at reaching the NCAA Tournament. After winning five games in five days in Washington D.C. to clinch the ACC's automatic bid, they won four games over the last two weeks to advance to its first Final Four since 1983. NC State is tied for the lowest seed (11) to reach the Final Four since seeding began in 1979; LSU, George Mason, VCU, Loyola Chicago and UCLA previously reached the Final Four as a No. 11 seed.

NC State is a veteran-led team that features March Madness darling DJ Burns Jr. The star big man is a force inside that will have the task of slowing down Purdue's Edey. NC State guards DJ Horne, Casey Morsell, and Michael O'Connell are part of a unit that turns the ball over 13.8% of the time, per KenPom. That ranks 10th-best among all Division l teams. NC State coach Kevin Keatts was on the hot seat not long ago. Now, he has his team two games away from immorality.

(1) UConn vs. (4) Alabama

Date : Saturday, April 6 | Time : 8:49 p.m.  Location : State Farm Stadium -- Glendale, Arizona TV : TBS | Streaming :  March Madness Live     

About the Huskies

UConn is on a mission to become the first repeat national champion in college basketball since Florida  in 2006 and 2007. Despite losing the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player (Adama Sanogo) and a pair of NBA Draft picks (Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr.), the Huskies have actually improved since cutting down the nets in Houston at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. 

How did they do it? Star point guard Tristen Newton returned and upped his production, as did 7-foot-4 center Donovan Clingan and reliable forward Alex Karaban . Sixth-year coach Dan Hurley added sharpshooter Cam Spencer to the mix as a transfer from Rutgers , and five-star freshman Stephon Castle has also delivered on the hype he generated as a prospect. Veteran returners Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson are making substantive contributions, and freshmen Solomon Ball and Jaylin Stewart give the Huskies waves of depth.

The Huskies are elite on both sides of the ball with Newton and Spencer serving as dynamic scoring options from the guard positions. Clingan is a force in the paint on both ends and showing why he is regarded as a potential lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. As a shot-blocking presence in the lane, he is the ultimate deterrent to opposing offenses seeking to attack the basket.

About the Crimson Tide

Alabama is led by Mark Sears . The 6-foot-1 senior guard is in his second season with the program after transferring in from Ohio , and he took on a massive role this season following the departure of 2022-23 one-and-done star Brandon Miller . The Crimson Tide were the No. 1 overall seed last season with Miller leading the way but eliminated in the Sweet 16 by San Diego State . This season, Alabama beat No. 13 seed Charleston , No. 12 seed Grand Canyon , No. 1 seed North Carolina and No. 6 seed Clemson to reach the sport's biggest stage. Sears led the way with his outside shooting and was particularly clutch in the second half against Clemson, when he knocked down 6 of 7 tries from beyond the arc.

The Crimson Tide get a significant percentage of their points from 3-point range and are 15-1 this season when making 12 or more 3-pointers. They have reached 100 or more points on 10 occasions while ranking as the highest-scoring team in college basketball. Defensively, Alabama has struggled at times this season and is just 4-7 when allowing 90 or more points. But when this team puts it all together, it can be lethal. Fifth-year coach Nate Oats has established himself as one of the best in the profession since arriving from Buffalo , and his stardom will only increase now that he's led the Crimson Tide to the sport's biggest stage.

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Gonzaga Bulldogs

Purdue Boilermakers

Game leaders, g. ike f - gonz, z. edey c - pur.

Game Information

• Michael Greenstein

Video Highlights

Braden smith fires up the purdue crowd after made bucket, braden smith finds camden heide for a trey, zach edey gets the jump hook to fall, fletcher loyer drills a 3 for purdue, zach edey throws down and-1 slam, sweet 16 nets another big win for purdue and big man zach edey, 80-68 over gonzaga.

• Fletcher Loyer missed Jumper.
• Zach Edey made Jumper. Assisted by Lance Jones.
• Braden Smith made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Fletcher Loyer.
• Trey Kaufman-Renn missed Jumper.
• Trey Kaufman-Renn missed Three Point Jumper.
• Lance Jones made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Zach Edey missed Layup.
• Mason Gillis made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Zach Edey.
• Zach Edey made Dunk. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Lance Jones missed Three Point Jumper.
• Lance Jones made Jumper. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Braden Smith missed Jumper.
• Myles Colvin missed Three Point Jumper.
• Mason Gillis made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Braden Smith made Layup.
• Mason Gillis missed Jumper.
• Braden Smith made Three Point Jumper.
• Braden Smith missed Three Point Jumper.
• Fletcher Loyer missed Three Point Jumper.
• Fletcher Loyer made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Lance Jones made Layup.
• Zach Edey made Layup. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Lance Jones made Jumper. Assisted by Mason Gillis.
• Trey Kaufman-Renn made Layup. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Trey Kaufman-Renn made Jumper. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Fletcher Loyer made Jumper. Assisted by Lance Jones.
• Zach Edey missed Jumper.
• Fletcher Loyer made Layup. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Zach Edey made Jumper. Assisted by Mason Gillis.
• Braden Smith missed Layup.
• Camden Heide made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Braden Smith.
• Mason Gillis missed Three Point Jumper.
• Camden Heide made Layup.
• Lance Jones missed Layup.
• Zach Edey made Layup.
• Zach Edey made Jumper. Assisted by Fletcher Loyer.
• Graham Ike missed Jumper.
• Ryan Nembhard made Jumper.
• Anton Watson made Jumper. Assisted by Ryan Nembhard.
• Anton Watson made Layup. Assisted by Ryan Nembhard.
• Graham Ike made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ryan Nembhard.
• Ryan Nembhard made Three Point Jumper.
• Nolan Hickman missed Three Point Jumper.
• Nolan Hickman made Jumper.
• Anton Watson missed Jumper.
• Graham Ike made Layup. Assisted by Nolan Hickman.
• Braden Huff made Layup. Assisted by Nolan Hickman.
• Ryan Nembhard missed Jumper.
• Ryan Nembhard missed Layup.
• Ryan Nembhard missed Three Point Jumper.
• Graham Ike made Dunk.
• Anton Watson made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Graham Ike.
• Graham Ike made Jumper. Assisted by Ryan Nembhard.
• Graham Ike made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ben Gregg.
• Ben Gregg missed Three Point Jumper.
• Graham Ike missed Three Point Jumper.
• Nolan Hickman made Three Point Jumper.
• Anton Watson missed Layup.
• Graham Ike missed Layup.
• Graham Ike made Jumper. Assisted by Ben Gregg.
• Nolan Hickman missed Jumper.
• Ben Gregg made Jumper. Assisted by Nolan Hickman.
• Braden Huff missed Jumper.
• Anton Watson missed Three Point Jumper.
• Braden Huff made Layup. Assisted by Dusty Stromer.

2023-24 West Coast Conference Standings

2023-24 big ten conference standings, men's college basketball news, seton hall and indiana state meet in nit, seton hall advances to nit championship game for the first time since winning the tourney in 1953, the best of johnell davis' season with the florida atlantic owls.

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NCAA.com | March 31, 2024

2024 ncaa division i men’s basketball championship final four tips off saturday, april 6, on tbs, tnt and trutv.

CBS Sports and TNT Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship will continue with the Final Four National Semifinals on Saturday, April 6 on TBS, TNT and truTV. The games will also stream on NCAA March Madness Live and Max’s B/R Sports Add-On. NC State will take on Purdue, tipping off at 6:09 p.m., ET, followed by Alabama against UConn. 

Ian Eagle , Bill Raftery and Grant Hill will call the games with reporter Tracy Wolfson . Gene Steratore will serve as rules analyst for his fifth Final Four. 

Saturday’s live pregame coverage on TBS, TNT and truTV from Phoenix will begin with The Final Four Show Built by The Home Depot from 3-4 p.m. ET, followed by At the Final Four presented by Nissan from 4-5 p.m. and At The Final Four from 5-6 p.m. ET. 

Follow us on X ( @MM_MBB_TV ) and NCAA.com for schedule updates and the latest NCAA Tournament broadcast news and information. 

NCAA, March Madness, Elite 8, Sweet 16, First Four, Final Four and Road to the Final Four are trademarks owned or licensed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. 

Media Contacts:   Gerry Manolatos, TNT Sports, [email protected]  Blair Cofield, TNT Sports, [email protected]   Randall Liu, CBS Sports, [email protected]   Bailey Knecht, CBS Sports, [email protected] 

2024 NCAA tournament schedule, scores, highlights

Saturday, April 6 (Final Four)

• (1) Purdue vs. (11) NC State | 6:09 p.m. ET | TBS/TNT/tru TV
• (1) UConn vs. (4) Alabama | 8:49 p.m. ET | TBS/TNT/tru TV

Monday, April 8 (National championship game)

• TBD vs. TBD | 9:20 p.m.

Tuesday, March 19 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)

• (16) Wagner 71 , (16) Howard 68
• (10) Colorado State 67 , (10) Virginia 42

Wednesday, March 20 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)

• (16) Grambling 88 , (16) Montana State 81
• (10) Colorado 60 , (10) Boise State 53

Thursday, March 21 (Round of 64)

• (9) Michigan State 66 , (8) Mississippi State 51
• (11) Duquesne 71 , (6) BYU 67
• (3) Creighton 77 , (14) Akron 60
• (2) Arizona 85 , (15) Long Beach State 65
• (1) North Carolina 90 , (16) Wagner 61
• (3) Illinois 85 , (14) Morehead State 69
• (11) Oregon 87 , (6) South Carolina 73
• (7) Dayton 63 , (10) Nevada 60
• (7) Texas 56 , (10) Colorado State 44
• (14) Oakland 80 , (3) Kentucky 76
• (5) Gonzaga 86 , (12) McNeese 65
• (2) Iowa State 82 , (15) South Dakota State 65
• (2) Tennessee 83 ,   (15) Saint Peter's 49
• (7) Washington State 66 , (10) Drake 61
• ( 11) NC State 80 , (6) Texas Tech 67
• (4) Kansas 93 , (13) Samford 89

Friday, March 22 (Round of 64)

• (3) Baylor 92 ,   (14) Colgate 67
• (9) Northwestern 77 , (8) Florida Atlantic 65  (OT)
• (5) San Diego State 69 , (12) UAB 65
• (2) Marquette 87 ,   (15) Western Kentucky 69
• (1) UConn 91 , (16) Stetson 52
• (6) Clemson 77 , (11) New Mexico 56
• (10) Colorado 102 , (7) Florida 100   
• (13) Yale 78 , (4) Auburn 76 
• (9) Texas A&M 98 , (8) Nebraska 83
• (4) Duke 64 , (13) Vermont 47
• (1) Purdue 78 , (16) Grambling 50
• (4) Alabama 109 , (13) College of Charleston 96
• (1) Houston 86 , (16) Longwood 46
• (12) James Madison 72 , (5) Wisconsin 61
• (8) Utah State 88 , (9) TCU 72 
• (12) Grand Canyon 77 , (5) Saint Mary's 66

Saturday, March 23 (Round of 32)

• (2) Arizona 78,  (7) Dayton 68
• (5) Gonzaga 89 , (4) Kansas 68
• (1) North Carolina 85 , (9) Michigan State 69
• (2) Iowa State 67 , (7) Washington State 56
• (11) NC State 79 , (14) Oakland 73
• (2) Tennessee 62 , (7) Texas 58
• (3) Illinois 89 , (11) Duquesne 63 
• (3) Creighton 86 , (11) Oregon 73 (2OT)

Sunday, March 24 (Round of 32)

• (2) Marquette 81,  (10) Colorado 77
• (1) Purdue 106,  (8) Utah State 67
• (4) Duke 93 , (12) James Madison 55 
• (6) Clemson 72 , (3) Baylor 64
• (4) Alabama 72 , (12) Grand Canyon 61
• (1) UConn 75 , (9) Northwestern 58
• (1) Houston 100 , (9) Texas A&M 95 (OT)
• (5) San Diego State 85 , (13) Yale 57 

Thursday, March 28 (Sweet 16)

• (6) Clemson 77 , (2) Arizona 72
• (1) UConn 82 , (5) San Diego State 52
• (4) Alabama 89 , (1) North Carolina 87
• (3) Illinois 72 , (2) Iowa State 69

Friday, March 29 (Sweet 16)

• (11) NC State 66 , (2) Marquette 58
• (1) Purdue 80 , (5) Gonzaga 68
• (4) Duke 54 , (1) Houston 51
• (2) Tennessee 82 , (3) Creighton 75

Saturday, March 30 (Elite Eight)

• (1) UConn 77 , (3) Illinois 52
• (4) Alabama 89 , (6) Clemson 82

Sunday, March 31 (Elite Eight)

• (1) Purdue 72 , (2) Tennessee 66
• (11) NC State 76 , (4) Duke 64

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Why Zach Edey, Purdue will win 2024 NCAA Tournament

A lot of vitriol and animosity has existed between different fanbases of college basketball and the Purdue basketball program. It has long been rooted in Coach Matt Painter’s lack of success in getting a national title for the Boilermakers despite having a good standing in the Big Ten Conference. They have got the star talent in the past years with Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey. However, this year is looking to be different for their March Madness run. A lot of signs point toward the NCAA Tournament national title coming to West Lafayette in 2024.

The first indicator of a good team’s chances of winning March Madness is their history. Experience has molded the Boilermakers through a lot of heartbreaks. The NCAA Tournament has not been kind to Coach Matt Painter in the past few years. His Purdue basketball program suffered upsets from Doug Edert’s Saint Peter’s back in 2022 and the soul-crushing defeat in March Madness’ first round to the FDU Knights. Both of which have molded this team to be better in a lot of situations. This is very evident in how they handle late-game droughts and push to gain momentum.

Purdue’s generational offense

The Purdue basketball squad’s record also speaks for itself. They are the best team in the Big Ten with an outright title and were only a Lance Jones shot away from reaching the finals of their conference tournament. Looking back, the Zach Edey-led squad has gone undefeated against all Quad 2 to 4 teams during their 2023-24 campaign. They also boast an astounding 12 wins over Quad 1 teams while only suffering losses to Boo Buie’s Northwestern, Keisei Tominaga’s Nebraska, Ohio State, and Wisconsin.

Three out of these four entries in the loss column were determined by four points or less. The only exception was when Nebraska got on an absolute heater and demolished them by 16 points. Since that loss, Coach Matt Painter has been able to adjust his schemes to create a better flow on both sides of the floor. The emergence of Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn also allows them to have a creator on offense. Rather than just the Zach Edey post-ups and paint touches to shooters like Fletcher Loyer, Lance Jones, and Mason Gillis, they added a new dimension to their point of attack.

These adjustments have given them 83.4 points scored on average and a +13.2 average score margin which are both good for 10th in all of college basketball. A big part of their offense is how they keep the ball moving without any stagnant plays. The constant search for the open man mixed with precision passing has gotten the Boilermakers 18.4 assists on a nightly basis which ranks them fifth in the nation. Their assists-to-field goals made of 0.645 and assists-to-turnover ratio of 1.602 also sit them fourth and 16th respectively.

Painter’s ever-evolving defense

Now, defense wins championships and Purdue basketball has been doing better in that regard heading into March Madness. They may not have the impressive perimeter defense of Houston and Iowa State but the Boilermakers can hold their own. They allow only 70.2 points per contest which is the 10th-best across all programs. Their ability to get into good positions to disallow rebounds from opponents is also generational. Purdue basketball only made their rivals notch 29.6 boards which is good for third in college basketball.

Moreover, one of their most important assets is not allowing opposing players to get a shot off. They are the 10th-ranked defense as Purdue only allows 0.230 of those attempts to bear fruit. When rivals do get a shot off, Coach Painter’s schemes only make them shoot a 47.7% effective field goal percentage which is the 44th-best in the nation.

All of this equates to a deep run that the Boilermakers can make in the NCAA Tournament. They should be able to take it one game at a time and beat whoever wins between Grambling State and Montana State first. BTFU!

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Zach Edey and No. 1 seed Purdue roll into Sweet 16 with runaway win against Utah State

Purdue center Zach Edey (15) dunks the ball over Grambling State guard Jourdan Smith in the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 22, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Zach Edey applauds as he heads off the court following a second-round college basketball game against Utah State in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. Purdue won 106-67. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) celebrates with teammates Mason Gillis (0), Braden Smith (3) and Fletcher Loyer during the second half of a second-round college basketball game against Utah State in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Utah State’s Darius Brown II (10) and Ian Martinez (4) walk off the court following a second-round college basketball game against Purdue in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. Purdue won 106-67. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Zach Edey (15) has the ball knocked away by Utah State’s Isaac Johnson (20) during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Lance Jones, right, loses control of the ball on his way to the basket as Utah State’s Javon Jackson (22) defends during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Zach Edey (15) looks for a pass under the basket as Utah State’s Kalifa Sakho (34) defends during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Lance Jones celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Utah State in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Utah State’s Mason Falslev, left, passes around Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Zach Edey shoots over Utah State’s Kalifa Sakho (34) during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Utah State’s Mason Falslev (12) heads to the basket past Purdue’s Zach Edey and Fletcher Loyer (2) during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Zach Edey, left, and Utah State’s Ian Martinez (4) battle for the ball during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue’s Zach Edey, left, and Utah State’s Ian Martinez battle for the ball as Utah State’s Kalifa Sakho (34) watches during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Members of Utah State sit on the bench during the second half of a second-round college basketball game against Purdue in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — For Zach Edey and Purdue, it was just another step toward a goal. A dominant performance, but just another step regardless.

They want more.

“There’s no satisfaction,” Edey said. “I didn’t come back to make the Sweet 16. I came back to make a run, a deep run.”

So far, so good.

Edey had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and the top-seeded Boilermakers advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament by pounding eighth-seeded Utah State 106-67 on Sunday.

Trey Kaufman-Renn added 18 points and eight boards for Purdue (31-7), which broke the school’s single-season record for victories. Fletcher Loyer had 15 points, and Braden Smith had all six of his assists in the second half when the Boilermakers shot 65.2% from the field before pulling the starters.

Purdue also set a school record for most points in a March Madness game. Edey, meanwhile, became the first player since Lew Alcindor in 1968 with at least 50 points, 35 rebounds and a field goal percentage of 65.0 through two rounds of the NCAA tourney.

Next up is fifth-seeded Gonzaga in the Midwest Region semifinals in Detroit.

“Nobody is satisfied with where we are now,” Edey said.

Great Osodor, the Mountain West Player of the Year, had 14 points and six rebounds for Utah State. The Aggies (28-7) were outrebounded 49-26, and they headed home still in search of the program’s first regional semifinal since 1970.

The biggest reason was Edey, who turned in another impressive showing in Indianapolis, just 60 miles southeast of campus.

Just two days after he produced the first 30-point, 20-rebound NCAA Tournament game since 1995, Edey was 8 of 11 from the field and 7 of 8 at the free-throw line. The 7-foot-4, 300-pound center also had three blocks, three assists and two steals in 26 1/2 minutes.

He became the first player with three consecutive NCAA tourney games with at least 20 points and three blocks since Shaquille O’Neal for LSU in the 1991 and 1992 tournaments, according to OptaSTATS .

“Zach Edey, he’s special,” Utah State coach Danny Sprinkle said. “There haven’t been many players like that in college basketball history. That’s why I think they can just take it to another level. We told our guys, yeah, Zach Edey is obviously a national player of the year, but they’ve got other really good players and that can’t go unnoticed.”

Another win would put Purdue in its first Elite Eight since 2019, when it lost in overtime to eventual national champion Virginia — one year after the Cavaliers became the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed, UMBC.

With Edey in the middle, the Boilermakers are hoping to follow in that same path that the Cavs did when they won it all. If Loyer and Smith play like they did against the Aggies, they are going to be one tough out this time around.

“We’re a really deep team,” Edey said. “When I went out, we were good. When Braden went out, we were good. We’ve got a lot of guys who can and sustain a high level of play.”

Utah State threw everything it had at Edey. It sent multiple players at him, tried to get physical and attempted to frustrate him. Nothing worked.

The Toronto native drew eight fouls, seven in the first half and four in the opening minutes to send two Utah State starters to the bench.

Edey easily controlled the middle, scoring the first four points in a decisive 16-0 spurt that ended with Purdue holding a 39-24 lead. Then the 3-point shooters got going, spurring a 20-6 run to open the second half that extended a 49-33 halftime margin to 69-39.

“Today was just our day,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “After we kind of get settled into the game, we were able to establish Zach at the rim. That was just too much for them and then we balanced some things out.”

ON THE RECORD

Sprinkle was the Mountain West Coach of the Year after taking a team with three returnees — none of whom scored a point in 2022-23 — to the regular-season conference title. One of the players he brought with him from Montana State, point guard Darius Brown II, had four assists to break a tie with Kris Clark for the Aggies’ single-season record. Brown finished with 228.

“To me, everything feels kind of like a storybook ending,” said Brown, who played in two straight NCAA tourneys with two different teams.

The Purdue-Gonzaga game is a rematch from November in the Maui Invitational. Purdue won that game 73-63.

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness