<p>Purdue is just another example where selectivity does not equal quality. Both IU and Purdue have relatively open admissions policies. Yet, both schools have some of the best programs in the nation.</p>
<p>What happens, particularly in the engineering programs, is that many students are "weeded out" after the first semester or two (it happened to one of my old bosses). These students then either transfer out or (more likely) switch to other majors. </p>
<p>I continually find it amusing that so many individuals equate selectivity in the admissions process with the quality of education available at that school. I tend to believe that qualitative rankings of specific majors or programs are, for the most part, a sham (from what I have seen, for the most part they are a function of the size of the program and not necessarily the quality of the program). That being said, I think that you will find that Purdue engineering is highly regarded by most professionals.</p>
<p>Regarding Purdue's location, it is true that there is not much around Lafayette. In that way, I think that it is similar to the University of Illinois and Penn State. Most of the social and cultural activities will revolve around the university. But at lease Lafayette is probably only an hour away from Indianapolis and probably only about an hour and a half away from Chicago.</p>