Rank of Purdue (Terre Haute, Lafayette: transfer to, high school, universities)

[sailing]

My background is Material/Chemical Engineering. I am thinking about transfer to Purdue. But I got confused when I searched the ranks. According to US news, the overall rank of Purdue is around 60th in 08, but it ranked 30th in 06. Purdue engineering ranked 6th in 06, while 15th in 08. I wonder if purdue is declinig? For the academic reputation Purdue only ranked around 70th in US. But it is in the list of 100best universities in the world. I would like get the information about the engineering school of Purdue. Whether Purdue is still one of the best university in the country, or at least in the engineering field. I appreciate your inputs. Thanks

[plantlover]

Purdue is by far, the best university in the world! Ha ha, I am biased, I grew up in Lafayette and went to Purdue. I was in the school of Agriculture, not Engineering. Why don't you contact P.U. engineering school for more information regarding their Chemical Engineering program. I really think Purdue is a great school and has a fine reputation. Whatever you do, good luck!

[domergurl]

What other schools are you considering tranferring to? Where are you coming from? I'd stick to comparing the schools you are interested in, base your decision on that, rather than a national survey. BTW, Purdue is one of the best engineering schools in the country.

[Zig'sbird]

Well, I do know that Purdue is known worldwide.

After drifting for awhile after high school, I decided to go to Purdue. Their computer schooling is actually in their School of Engineering and Technology. My grandfather, who is an electrical engineer that lives in AZ (ie, never lived in IN), upon hearing that I'm going to Purdue, replied:

"It's not MIT, but not far behind"

So, take it with a grain of salt, but I think that quote shows how Purdue is seen nationally.

Also, I might add that I spent some time in Texas for military training, and another guy with me was going to school at Purdue. He could not get over how many people (read girls) around Ft. Bliss actually thought that Purdue is an Ivy League school. Stupid people, but again, it shows how Purdue is thought of...

[plantlover]

Purdue does have a fine reputation. No matter where you might be, if you mention Purdue, many have heard of the university. Purdue is sometimes called "Mother of the astronauts" due to the fact that so many of them attended P.U.'s aeronautical engineering school.

[domergurl]

I have a friend who was and exchange student in Greece and everyone she spoke to knew of Purdue ...

[zenderna]

Purdue is very good engineering school, in my opinion. I was first acquainted with it on a personal level about 20 years ago...and I'm still amazed at the improvements that have taken place over the years. It is still on an upward trend

[hal512]

US News and World Reports has few requirements to how schools submit and derive their information. Purdue decided that they would come up with one standardized way that all schools would follow. Purdue knew they would take a hit in the rankings but also realize they have a reputation that would overcome this hit. Now that all schools are reporting the info in the same manner it is much less time consuming and staff can spend more time concentrating on students. The Wall Street Journal (2008) ranks Purdue and Michigan neck and neck for most heavily recruited engineering schools in the nation. Companies like the Midwestern work ethic and the well rounded education that Purdue and Michigan provide. Call the dept. for your major and I am sure that they will be able to better explain this to you. I would provide the link but I read the article several months ago so....

Hail Purdue!

[TNNative]

My husband went to Purdue back in the early 70's. We've lived in two different states in all of our years and he can spot a Purdue bumper sticker, license plate, or tshirt at 50 yards.

Recently we advertised selling our living room set. A married couple that had both graduated from Purdue bought it. If my husband would have had his way, he would have given it to them just because they were Boilermakers.

But our son starts college next fall...majoring in civil engineering. He chose the University of Tennessee over Purdue in spite of his dad's persuasion.

[Naptowner]

Some of the things that might lower Purdue in the rankings are the large number of students, possibly lower student/teacher ratio, the number of TAs or research assistants teaching classes, and possibly the selectivity (e.g., US News ranks schools higher if the GRE/SAT scores of the student body are higher and if fewer students are admitted). I have two degrees from IU so I'm hardly a Boiler booster, but I believe Purdue has a good reputation for engineering. Rose-Hulman might even be better, though, although it's in Terre Haute, private, and isn't as well-known. Illinois/Champaign is also known as a good engineering school, but it depends on the discipline.