2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
    Dec 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Admission to Purdue University Northwest



The Office of Undergraduate Admissions offers PNW Preview Days, guided virtual and in-person campus tours and pre-admissions counseling appointments. For more information please contact us at either of our campus locations:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions Lawshe Hall, Room 130
Purdue University Northwest, Hammond Campus
2200 169th St Hammond, Indiana 46323-2094
Phone: (219) 989-2213 Toll-free: (855) 608-4600

Office of Undergraduate Admissions, James B Dworkin Center, Room 1114
Purdue University Northwest, Westville Campus
1401 South US Highway 421
Westville, IN 46391
Phone: (219) 785-5505 Toll-free: (855) 608-4600

Click here to go to the Admissions website

Click here for more information on Graduate School  

First Time Degree-Seeking College Students

What is a Freshman Applicant?

First Time Degree-Seeking College Student who has completed at least 6 semesters of high school course work or has graduated from high school and has not attended a college or university after graduation.

Submit the following to be considered for admission:

  1. Completed Application, with non-refundable $25 application fee.
  2. Official High School Transcript and/or GED Scores - Note: Domestic students with transcripts from international institutions must submit an official course by course evaluation of their foreign courses from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
  3. SAT or ACT standardized test scores are recommended but not required. Applicants may choose to be evaluated “test optional.”

Acceptance

Admission to Purdue University Northwest is based on demonstrated academic quality rank factors, which include a high school diploma (Core 40 diploma is required for applicants who graduated in 2011 and forward from an Indiana public high school) or GED, meeting subject matter requirements, grade average in degree-related subjects, as well as overall grade average and the strength of the college preparatory program.

Admissions Decisions

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will evaluate applications and make one of the following determinations:

  1. Direct Admission - Applicants who meet all quality rank requirements for a particular program will be directly admitted into their choice of major and/or concentration.
  2. General Admission - Applicants who DO NOT meet the requirements for a particular program may be offered general admission to the University.
  3. Denied admission - Applicants will not be admitted to the university until adequate preparation for university work can be demonstrated. Conditional Admission is NOT offered.

Click here for scholarship information.

Gap Year Policy

Purdue Northwest allows for domestic freshman students to delay their enrollment for up to one year from their original admission term.  Students seeking to extend a gap year beyond one year must reapply for admissions.  If approved, you do not need to apply for admission again for the following term.  The Admission Office will process all materials and keep your application on file for you. Should any of the information provided in your application change (coursework, address, etc.) you must contact the Admissions Office at 219-989-2213. 

Degree-Seeking Transfer Students

What is a Transfer Student?

Degree-Seeking student who has completed at least 12 college level credits after high school graduation from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

How transfer credit is established:

  • Purdue University Northwest accepts credit from regionally accredited institutions for college level classes in which the student has received a grade of C- or better. The University reserves the right to determine the transferability and acceptance of transfer credit. Grades from transfer courses do not transfer, only credits
  • Course equivalencies are determined by respective academic departments (e.g. math course equivalencies are determined by the Department of Mathematics). Course syllabi are required for course not previously required by PNW.
  • Transfer courses will be evaluated by academic department and advisor on an individual basis to determine how credits will apply toward plan of study and graduation requirements
  • Purdue University Northwest accepts a maximum of 90 credits toward a baccalaureate degree from other regionally accredited colleges and universities

An applicant transferring from another college (non-Purdue campus) must submit the following items:

  • Completed application with a $25 application fee (non-refundable)
  • $30 transcript evaluation fee (non-refundable)
  • Official college transcripts from each institution of higher education attended
  • Official high school transcript and/or, GED scores if less than 12 credits earned after high school graduation at a regionally accredited institution of higher education 
  • Domestic students with transcripts from international institutions may submit an official course by course evaluation of their foreign courses from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) otherwise evaluations will be completed by Undergraduate Admissions

Transfer Student Admission Criteria

The applicant must have at least 12 credit hours of college level course work after high school graduation with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0/4.0 from the last college attended. Some programs require a specific cumulative grade point average and pre-requisite transfer courses completed for transfer student admission.

The Online Transfer Equivalency System

Students and faculty can efficiently evaluate transferring course credit through the Purdue University Northwest Transfer Equivalency System. This system compares Purdue University Northwest courses with that of other colleges and universities. If a course is not listed in the report, it does not mean that the course is not accepted, it simply means that this course has not yet been articulated. Transfer credit is subject to departmental acceptance and distribution and equivalencies can be changed at any time.

Click here for scholarship information.

Re-Entry

What is a Re-Entry Applicant?

A Purdue student from any Purdue campus who has not attended for one year or longer and left in good academic standing.

Applicants who have attended another college or university since their last semester at Purdue must submit official college transcripts before receiving an admission decision.

Re-Admission

What is a Re-Admission Applicant?

A person who has been Academically Dismissed from any Purdue University campus for academic reasons.

  • A student dismissed by this rule must apply for re-admission by filing a Re-admission application
  • A student who is academically dismissed from Purdue University Northwest for the first time will be ineligible to enroll for at least one fall or spring semester
  • A student who is academically dismissed for the second time will be ineligible to enroll for at least one year
  • A student who has been academically dismissed three or more times may complete the readmission appeal process. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions office at admission@pnw.edu for additional information.

Undergraduate Admissions Merit Scholarships

Academic Achievement Scholarship

Who is eligible?

Entering Freshman applicants beginning their studies in Fall 2024, enrolled as full time students each semester (minimum of 12 credits) and successfully completing a minimum of 24 credits hours per academic year, progressing toward graduation within 4 years.

When is the scholarship deadline and when are recipients notified?

Applicants must be admitted to Purdue University Northwest for Academic Achievement Scholarship consideration before May 1, 2024.

Scholarship recipients will be notified within a week of receiving their admission decision.

What is the scholarship consideration criteria?

  • Students who meet a minimum overall GPA of at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale

How much is the scholarship worth?

$1,000 – $3,500/year (summer semester excluded)*

Is this scholarship renewable?

Yes. The scholarship is renewable for up to 4 consecutive years (8 semesters). Scholarship renewal will be assessed at the end of Spring semester. Those with 3.0 cumulative GPA and successful completion of at least 24 credit hours will be automatically renewed for the following academic year. Summer classes will be considered for those who do not meet requirements.

*Scholarships are awarded in accordance with fund availability

PNW Transfer Scholarship

Who is eligible?

Entering Transfer applicants beginning their studies in Fall 2024, enrolled as full time students each semester (minimum of 12 credits) and successfully completing a minimum of 24 credits hours per academic year.

When is the scholarship deadline and when are recipients notified?

Applicants must be admitted to Purdue University Northwest for PNW Transfer Scholarship consideration before May 1, 2024.

Scholarship recipients will be notified within a week of receiving their admission decision. 

What is the scholarship consideration criteria?

Consideration begins with a GPA of 3.0

How much is the scholarship worth?

$1,000 – $1,500/year (summer semester excluded)*

Is this scholarship renewable?

Yes. The scholarship is renewable for up to 2 consecutive years (4 semesters). Scholarship renewal will be assessed at the end of Spring semester. Those with 3.0 cumulative GPA and successful completion of at least 24 credit hours will be automatically renewed for the following academic year. Summer classes will be considered for those who do not meet requirements.

*Scholarships are awarded in accordance with fund availability.

Indiana High School Dual Credit/Concurrent Enrollment

Dual credit/concurrent enrollment programs are partnerships between an individual high school or high school corporation and a particular college or university.  In Indiana, concurrent enrollment courses are those which high school students may take to earn both high school and college credits. Concurrent enrollment courses are taught by high school faculty or university faculty members either at the high school, college or university, or through on-line courses or distance education. Concurrent enrollment is one of several options a high school student may use to fulfill Core 40 diploma requirements with Academic Honors or Technical Honors.

Students wishing to fulfill Core 40 with Academic Honors or Technical Honors diploma requirements are encouraged to choose concurrent enrollment courses from either the Core Transfer Library (CTL) or from the courses listed by the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI). Courses chosen from both the CTL and ICI list of courses may maximize the chances for the transferability of credit for courses and also meet the concurrent enrollment requirements necessary for Core 40 with Academic Honors or Technical Honors.

If students choose a concurrent enrollment course NOT on the CTL or on the courses listed by ICI, they should contact the college they plan to attend to see if the course can be transferred to that institution. If you have taken concurrent enrollment courses outside of PNW, official transcripts from those institutions need to be sent to PNW by contacting the outside institution directly. Indiana colleges and universities provide many opportunities for students to earn college credit while still attending high school. For more information and the latest details on the Core Transfer Library click here.

PNW’s concurrent enrollment programs are nationally accredited by NACEP. To learn more about concurrent enrollment programs at PNW, click here.

International Student Admission Requirements

The following documentation must be submitted in order to apply for an undergraduate program at Purdue University Northwest:

  • International Undergraduate Student Application. Students who have not attended a previous university must submit a non-refundable $25 application fee. Transfer students must submit a non-refundable application fee of $55. This fee includes evaluation of all college transcripts.
  • First Time College Student: Copies of all international transcripts, diplomas, mark sheets and certificates. Documents may be uploaded with the application, sent by email, or mailed in a sealed envelope from the secondary school or the examination board. All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Officials required upon matriculation.
  • Transfer Student: Must submit official transcript, diplomas, mark sheets and certificates. (Transcript needs to be in the school’s sealed envelope) along with course syllabi and mailed to the address below.   All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. 
  • Proof of English Proficiency - provide one of the following: (tests should be taken within the past 2 years)
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 79 iBT, or 550 paper based exam
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.5
    • Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) Critical Reading 480 or higher (old); New SAT Reading Test 25
    • British Ordinary Level English Language Exam (GCSE/IGCSE) Grade of a B or higher in first language English
    • Duolingo (DET) 100 or higher

Scanned documents for First-Time College Students that are uploaded with the application will be considered for an admission decision, official copies (must be in sealed envelope from the board or school) are required upon arrival.

Note: After admission you will need to provide evidence of financial support. See Documentation for Student Visa here.

If you did not take or have low English test scores for entry into a degree-seeking program, you may still be eligible for admission to the Purdue University Northwest’s English Language Program (ELP), located at the Hammond campus. Upon successful completion of ELP, students are eligible to transition to their academic program (TOEFL or above English Proficiency scores will not be required upon successful ELP completion). Visit the website for more information and application materials:

Click here to view the English Language Program website.

Purdue University Northwest must receive all required application materials on or before the dates indicated below:

June 01 - Fall Semester
November 15 - Spring Semester
March 01 - Summer Semester

Contact information for International Admissions:

Purdue University Northwest
Office of Undergraduate Admissions

2200 169th Street
Hammond, IN 46323
USA
Phone: 219-989-2213
Fax: 219-989-2775
Email: iadmissions@pnw.edu

For information on admission requirements for International Graduate Students click here.