@ucbalumnus Purdue is less selective than say a Georgia Tech, however, they teach the same physics, calculus etc. that they do. The FYE courses are a lot of work but not necessarily considered “hard”. 1st semester reviews the varying types of engineering, the second gets into programming and working with other students on projects. It’s time consuming and generally considered the more difficult of the FYE courses. I think what gets many of the kids at Purdue is that some haven’t been challenged as much in HS as they will be in Purdue engineering.
My D came from a good suburban HS with a strong AP program especially in the sciences. She has seen two types of kids who struggle in FYE. Those whose HS really didn’t prepare them and those who just expected it to be easier. It’s been mentioned on other threads that Purdue engineering students seem to be kind of bifurcated. Those who come in prepared do well and tend to have GPA’s of 3.5 or better and those who don’t and tend to have GPA’s under 3.0. Purdue does not make the courses harder in order to weed people out. The courses are the courses and you’ll learn calculus etc. just as well at Purdue as at RH or GT. Purdue has plenty of opportunities for review or tutoring. What Purdue does do is give the kid who wants to work hard an opportunity to get an excellent engineering degree where other more selective schools would not. If you are from the state of Indiana Purdue is a bargain.