Purdue University Reviews

The teachers are alright. Bigger...

The teachers are alright. Bigger lectures are led by professors, while smaller classes are led by grad students. Overall, they’re good, except I feel that sometimes they spit out facts to show off how much knowledge they have in their course of study, instead of relating the information to the students so they actually learn. I really liked the kid that taught my Introduction to Creative Writing class, because he didn’t seem caught up in the conservative manner of people here in the Midwest farm country. That was great, because I feel like my schooling up to that point was so sheltered.

For the most part, the teachers...

For the most part, the teachers are great. It has a lot to do with how much effort you put into getting to know them. Going to office hours to get help on homework, or just to talk more about an interesting topic, is a good way to make connections for good reference letters.

The professors that have a passion...

The professors that have a passion for teaching are wonderful! Those who educate for the sole purpose of continuing their research, not so much. I’m not all that impressed with many of the math teachers, but they get the job done.

Most likely, your classes will be...

Most likely, your classes will be taught by teaching assistants for the first year or two. The push by the University is to have all classes taught by professors in the future. In general, the profs are willing to help, if you need it, and they are usually pretty easy to entreat.

The local atmosphere is pretty...

The local atmosphere is pretty relaxed, when you don’t have anything to do, or a place to be. Stay away from campus during home games.

I love that everything is open so...

I love that everything is open so late. It kind of sucks going home, because you’re used to ordering pizza at school at 1 a.m., but all the places at home close at 9 p.m.! I know this is weird, but you have to check out the Rainforest Carwash! Definitely worth the money! The most entertaining carwash ever! It’s like a Disney World ride!

West Lafayette doesn’t have that...

West Lafayette doesn’t have that much to visit, and I don’t think that Lafayette does, either. There aren’t any other universities in the area, but I love the atmosphere in West Lafayette. That’s one reason I miss it so much during the summer; it’s just all people my age walking around, just chilling and hanging out. During the summer, spring, and fall, people are everywhere outside: having fun, listening to music, grilling out, drinking, and playing sports. It’s a great atmosphere.

West Lafayette is basically just...

West Lafayette is basically just Purdue, so the population is mostly us college kids. You don’t really have to worry about offending older people with music or college stuff, because you rarely see people above the age of 23.

West Lafayette is a small town,...

West Lafayette is a small town, and it’s very safe to walk around campus alone, even at night. There are yellow call-boxes wired directly to the Purdue Police Department every 100 yards (they say that if you hit one call-box, a squad car will be waiting by the next one that you run to). Also, all of the residence halls are locked down at 11:00 p.m., after which you have to swipe your ID.

My favorite restaurant out of all...

My favorite restaurant out of all the food places around campus is definitely Triple XXX, an old-style burger joint that has great homemade root beer (it’s not astrip bar).

Avoid McCutcheon. (I was there my...

Avoid McCutcheon. (I was there my first year, and it was very lacking in amenities such as food or marts, and it was old and worn.) Shreve is often considered the best, but I have never known anyone who is thrilled with it. I think it is more hype than anything.

The only residence hall that is...

The only residence hall that is nice all the way around is Hillenbrand. The rooms are large and semi-private. Cary features a style similar to Hillenbrand. If you like historical-looking buildings and architectural styles, go with Cary (boys) and Windsor (girls). The rest of the residence halls are very 1950s cellblock style, but usually have larger rooms. Hillenbrand has the best overall package, but is not open to freshmen.

The atmosphere in Lafayette is the...

The atmosphere in Lafayette is the picture you have in your head when you imagine what college is like. The red brick buildings are all condensed in a small walking campus that leaves no need for cars. The students live close by, which confines social life to the college, and students will have little intermixing with locals.

Being from Chicago, a city with a...

Being from Chicago, a city with a murder rate as high as (the more populated) LA and New York City, Purdue is a walk in the park. Then again, I am six feet tall and 220 pounds—want to mess with me?

Dorm food is pretty good at...

Dorm food is pretty good at certain dining halls, and it’s pretty bad at others. Some of the residence halls also have little convenience stores in them. There are also a lot of fast food places and restaurants within walking distance on all sides of campus. The Purdue Memorial Union has very good food, but it’s a little expensive.

After your first year, you have...

After your first year, you have the option of living in Hillenbrand Hall, which is one of Purdue’s newest residence halls. It’s not surprising to find juniors and seniors living in this hall—the rooms are suite-style with a connecting bathroom. The rooms are the largest of all the halls, the dining hall is the bomb, and there’s air-conditioning. Best of all, someone comes in to clean your bathroom once a week, so even though you have your own bathroom, you still don’t have to clean it! It’s the next best thing to living at home!

I lived in the dorms for three...

I lived in the dorms for three years, and I lived in Earhart and Windsor. Windsor is really close to campus. Earhart has a convenient bus stop right outside. I would probably not want to live in McCutcheon, because it is so far away. Owen and Tarkington for the same reason.

There’s a little of both, hot and...

There’s a little of both, hot and not so hot, but mostly people are really fun and outgoing; that always makes people more attractive.

Are the guys hot? The girls that...

Are the guys hot? The girls that go to school at Indiana University say they prefer Purdue boys to their own, so that is how I would answer that question. Everyone is generally really nice here; you will run into some snobs, but that happens everywhere. I get along well with almost anyone, so I’d like to think that we are a rather personable university.

At Purdue, for a true Boilermaker,...

At Purdue, for a true Boilermaker, football is life. Sports are huge here. Intramurals are very popular, especially with the Greeks and in the residence halls.

Don’t go to parties. The ones I...

Don’t go to parties. The ones I did attend were at fraternities and, looking back, they were all the same. Rooms with colored, spinning lights and beer, and people dancing. Apartment parties are far more fun, because it’s usually a group of close friends and you don’t have to deal with all the sorority/fraternity crap! Good bars: Where Else?, Jake’s (for food and drink), and the Cactus.

Greek Life is huge at Purdue....

Greek Life is huge at Purdue. According to the Greeks, everyone who’s anyone is a Greek here. I was Greek for a while, but it wasn’t for me. I did meet a lot of people with whom I will be friends for a long time. I recommend taking part in rush—no matter what you decide about joining Greek life.

I will mention that an alarming...

I will mention that an alarming number of people smoke cigarettes. Lots of people smoke pot, too.

My overall experience at Purdue...

My overall experience at Purdue was excellent; I wouldn’t change anything about it. I didn’t know anyone when I first got to school here, but I made friends right away without any problems.

Not only did I have the time of my...

Not only did I have the time of my life socially and meet a ton of great friends, whom I know that I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life, I also received a college degree from a prestigious university.