Applying to Purdue

PLEASE NOTE: THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE PERTAINS TO OUR ON-CAMPUS GRADUATE PROGRAM. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN OUR FULLY ONLINE LAMB SCHOOL GRADUATE DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES, VISIT THIS PAGE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ONLINE PROGRAM.

We review files starting on December 1 and continue reviewing files through early Spring for admission in the Fall. March 15 is our application deadline. Complete applications received by December 1 will receive full consideration. Applications submitted later in our review process may not receive full consideration. 

Overview of Application Requirements

Both the Brian Lamb School of Communication and the Graduate School have a number of documents required for a complete application.

The Lamb School requires:

1. Statement of Purpose
2. TOEFL Scores (International Applicants)
3. Three Letters of Recommendation
4. A Sample of Scholarly Writing
5. Additional Supporting Materials (at the applicant’s discretion)

The Graduate School requires:

1. Official Transcripts
2. Purdue University Graduate School Application
3. Application Fee
4. TOEFL Scores (International Students)

Details of School Requirements

1. Statement of Purpose
   Submit a statement of approximately 300-500 words concerning your purpose for undertaking or continuing graduate study, your reasons for wanting to study at Purdue, and your professional plans, career goals, and research interests. You also may explain any irregularities or special circumstances applicable to your background and elaborate on your special abilities, awards, achievements, scholarly publications, and/or professional history. The statement of purpose is important because it helps us see alignment between your academic goals with the expertise of our faculty.
2. TOEFL Scores (International Applicants)
   Forward TOEFL scores to the Graduate School.  To be considered for admission into the graduate program, non-native, English-speaking applicants must achieve a TOEFL score of 27 Speaking, 19 Reading, 14 Listening, and 18 Writing.  The score must be documented by an official report from ETS and must be no more than two years old at the time the application credentials are reviewed in the Graduate School.IELTS with a score of 8 or higher will be accepted by the school. Only official TOEFL scores received directly from ETS are acceptable. All TOEFL scores should be sent to us from ETS as follows: Institution code 1631.

   TOEFL is required of all applicants from non-English speaking countries. Even if a previous degree was earned in the U.S. the TOEFL is STILL required.

3. Three Letters of Recommendation
   Letters of recommendation should be solicited from individuals qualified to judge the student’s academic merit and potential. The Graduate School provides an electronic means of recommendation submission as well as an optional form for paper submission.
4. A Sample of Scholarly Writing
   For master’s students, this could be your best paper at the undergraduate level; for doctoral students, this could be your thesis or other academic paper sample.
5. Additional Supporting Materials
   Additional supporting materials (such as other test scores or supporting written materials) at the applicant’s initiative.

Details of Graduate School Requirements

1. Purdue University Graduate School Application
   Please complete an online graduate school application. The statement of purpose may be used both for the University graduate submission, as well as for the School of Communication.
2. Transcripts
   Official transcripts should reflect receipt of undergraduate degree (or master’s degree if applying for the doctoral program). International applicants should submit official, original-language transcripts and certified English translation transcripts. All international applicants must submit a photocopy of all of their degree diplomas. Median undergraduate GPA for admitted students is 3.7 (4-point scale). Recognize that these are medians. Having scores below or above these metrics are not a guarantee of application denial or acceptance.
3. Application Fee
   Currently, the application fee is Domestic $60 and International $75 and can be paid online by credit card payment only.
4. TOEFL Scores (International Applicants)
   Forward TOEFL scores to the Graduate School. To be considered for admission into the graduate program, non-native, English-speaking applicants must achieve a TOEFL score of 27 Speaking, 19 Reading, 14 Listening, and 18 Writing. The score must be documented by an official report from ETS and must be no more than two years old at the time the application credentials are reviewed in the Graduate School.

IELTS with a score of 8 or higher will be accepted by the school. Only official TOEFL scores received directly from ETS are acceptable.

All TOEFL scores should be sent to us from ETS as follows: Institution Code 1631.