How to Write a College Essay That Stands Out at Purdue University—and Beats the AI Bot

Purdue asks this year's applicants:


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

 

This is one of those prompts where it’s easy to play it safe. List a few programs, name a major, mention a club or two, and call it done. But that’s exactly the kind of answer a chatbot could write in under a minute. Purdue is looking for students who have done the research, connected the dots, and can clearly picture themselves in the community.



The key to standing out? Go beyond the brochure.

Start with your interests—not the opportunities

Before you mention Purdue at all, take a moment to reflect on what matters to you. What are you curious about? What kinds of projects or questions light you up? What kinds of people do you like to learn with? Maybe it’s climate innovation, storytelling, ethical tech, or public service. Get specific about what drives you.


Then show how Purdue fits

Now connect those interests to the Purdue experience. Don’t just name-drop programs—explain how you would engage with them. Are you someone who wants to explore entrepreneurship through the Burton D. Morgan Center? Would the EPICS program give you a way to turn your engineering skills into real-world impact? Would a research project or student group help you explore a cause that matters to you?


The strongest essays show a student who has both direction and curiosity. They show that you’re not just looking for any college. You’re looking for this college—for a reason that only makes sense when we understand who you are.


If you write about how Purdue connects with your actual goals and values, you’ll rise above the AI noise.

Bots can list opportunities. But only you can explain what you’ll do with them.