Purdue denies applications

By Megan Finnerty
Asst. Campus Editor

Purdue has reached its limit on incoming freshmen sooner than at any other time in University history due to a record number of applicants.

This means that no more applications from freshmen are being accepted, but applications from transfer students, returning students and international students are still being reviewed because the programs and classes that those categories of students typically fill still have room. These programs include upper level classes, which freshmen cannot enter into.

Record-setting enrollment and applicant numbers have caused certain programs and schools to fill up very quickly. According to Doug Christiansen, director of admissions, some programs reached their capacity of students as early as January.

"The demand for Purdue programs is just tremendous," he said. "This is the first time the programs at the West Lafayette campus have been filled this early in the admissions cycle for first-time students."

According to Christiansen, this high demand for Purdue degrees increases their value. He said he feels as though the value of the degree is so strong, and the education and experiences are so great, that it creates a self-perpetuating cycle of prestige.

As more students apply to Purdue, the Office of Admissions can afford to be more selective and the admissions process becomes more competitive. This drives up the recognition of the degree and also the quality of education for all students, he said.

Christiansen said, however, that admissions requirements are not created to keep people out, but rather, "to ensure that we admit students who have the tools in their tool kits to succeed here."

And some of those targeted to succeed here are international students. Just over 11 percent of the student body is composed of those students; however some of the students who were denied admission feel as though they were denied because of the number of foreign students that were accepted.

"I am not saying that they (international students) are not welcome and that they are not important to have in classes, but I heard from everyone, counselors and other students — everyone — that they took in too many foreign exchange students," said Amber Shebesh, a graduating senior from Portage High School.

"It's not a big deal because I will just go to PNC (Purdue North Central) for my first semester and transfer to West Lafayette for my second one."

And that is just the response that the Office of Admissions wants denied applicants to have. In the letters of rejection, Christiansen explains that students were rejected because of full programs on this campus, but also tells applicants that other Purdue campuses throughout the state are still accepting applicants.

He attributes the high influx of applicants to refocused and specialized recruitment efforts. The Office has created on-campus and off-campus programs, in addition to special brochures and letters geared to express specific programs and opportunities to certain types of students.

Because Christiansen and others in the Office of Admissions have found that students interested in Purdue have certain characteristics; strong academic preparation, strong extra-curricular activity involvement, and interest in certain majors, they have created a publication series and programs that show students exactly what they want to know about Purdue. This informs applicants in a way that is tailored to their specific interests.

But with the success of recruitment efforts comes the fear of lessening the quality of education and life at Purdue. In order to maintain a positive learning and living environment, the Office of Admissions' goal is to stay at approximately the same number of students on campus as last year.

"The reason we cannot accept more applicants is so that we can guard the academic experience we offer," said Christiansen. "We don't want to dilute the education you get here."