Purdue University Fort Wayne (PUFW, IPFW, IUPUFW, Purdue University-Fort Wayne, Purdue-Fort Wayne) Academics and Admissions

Academics

Fort Wayne, Indiana has been home to the combined regional campus of Indiana University and Purdue University since 1964. During the 1980s, an organizational structure was put in place that emphasized local, interdepartmental relationships rather than the influence of the parent institutions of Indiana or Purdue. Steady growth has been the norm at IPFW, with enrollment recently approaching the 15,000 student mark. Despite its continued growth rate, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne maintains a healthy student to faculty ratio of 18:1.

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne is accredited by The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university is divided into several units, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Public Policy, the Richard T. Doermer School of Business, and the College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science. Students can choose from more than 200 distinct academic programs. After two years, students can elect to take their credits with them to either Indiana University or Purdue University for more advanced coursework. Engineering students, in particular, typically transfer after their first two years.

The most popular fields of study at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne are business/marketing, liberal arts and education. Both associate’s and master’s degrees are available, along with 16 teacher certification programs. The Richard T. Doermer School of Business offers academic programs in accounting and finance, economics, and management and marketing. The school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, an international assessment agency. The accelerated MBA program is overseen by Indiana University and provides motivated students the chance to earn their Master of Business Administration in less than one year.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 42nd in Indiana and 1610th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	71.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$22,200
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	25 / 1180
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	55% / 43%
Enrollment Total (all students)	10,139

Admissions

The Undergraduate Applications Coordinator is the person of contact for all prospective students. Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne is not especially competitive, with the top half of any high school graduating class earning regular admission. IPFW offers prospective students a convenient and free online application process, though paper-based applications are still accepted.

Transfer

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne welcomes transfer students from any college or university that has attained regional accreditation. An online course equivalencies database helps potential transfer students see which of their credits will transfer. An IPFW academic adviser can assist with determining how to most efficiently transfer courses, especially when the database is incomplete or inaccurate.

International

International students must complete an international student application and pay a non-refundable fee. Additionally, prospective international students must submit copies of the first page of their passport, visa and I-94 form. Demonstration of English proficiency through passage of a standardized test, such as the TOEFL or ACT, is likewise required. Lastly, international students must present originals or certified copies of all academic records and proof of financial support for their attendance at IPFW.

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Financial Aid

For many students, paying for college is a larger concern than even making good grades. It’s advisable to begin the financial aid process before applying for admission. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is one of the most important pieces of paperwork in a student’s academic career. In the state of Indiana, the filing deadline for state-based aid is March 10. Late filers will still be eligible for federal assistance.

Grants

Primarily need-based, grants do not have to be repaid. The federal government awards both Pell Grants and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. A variety of state grants are available to permanent residents of Indiana. To be eligible for Indiana grants, students must file their FAFSA before the deadline of March 10.

Scholarships

Most scholarships at Indiana are a combination of need-based and merit-based. The merit-based scholarships are generally specific to each discipline. As with all other forms of aid, completing the FAFSA accurately and on time is key. Academic advisers gladly help their students find and apply to lesser-known sources of scholarship money.

Loans

Students who still have trouble paying for their education can apply for loans. Unlike other forms of aid, loans eventually have to be paid back. The most common variety of loan is the Federal Direct Stafford Loan. Students seeking government loans must complete entrance counselling and sign a Master Promissory Note, which is their official agreement to all present and future loan conditions.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5383rd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Indiana.

Students

A diverse student body makes up the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Approximately one-third of the student populations falls into the category of “non-traditional,” meaning they are 25 years of age or older. Part-time students also account for one-third of the students on campus. Various campus housing units are available for all students who don’t have other living arrangements.

Several programs are in place to both ease the transition into college life, as well as encourage more social and community engagement for all students. The First Year Experience program helps incoming freshman acclimate to life at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. The experience covers classroom topics such as good study habits and note-taking, time management and test preparation. Students who need hands-on guidance with specific scholastic issues can visit the Center for Academic Support and Advancement (CASA) in Kettler Hall. The staff at CASA, some of them students themselves, specialize in writing, math, computers, English as a second language and basic study skills.

There’s more to life at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne than just academics. When study time is over, students can sign up for a number of club sports, such as equestrian, judo, rugby and snowboarding. Students representing a variety of religions have established faith-based groups and performed charitable work on and off campus. Special interest groups run the gamut, from film and anime enthusiasts to vegetarians, dancers, and yoga practicioners. Nearly every student will be able to find like-minded individuals on campus with whom to forge bonds of friendship and support.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The Mastodon is the official school mascot for Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. In 1968, a farmer happened upon a large, fossilized leg bone. Geology professors and students excavated most of the skeleton of the prehistoric creature. A few years later, the department successfully pushed for the university to adopt the Mastodon as the mascot and logo for all of its athletic teams.

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne fields men’s and women’s teams in basketball, soccer, tennis, track and field, cross country, golf, and volleyball. Women’s softball and men’s baseball also represent the school. Notably absent is a football program. Most of IPFW’s sports teams compete in the Summit League, an NCAA Division I conference of mid-sized Upper Midwest and Northern Plains universities.

Local Community

Situated in northeastern Indiana, Fort Wayne is a community of just over 250,000 people. Residents experience four distinct seasons each year, with hot and humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Annual festivals include Germanfest, Greek Fest and the National Soccer Festival. The African/African-American Historical Museum, Greater Fort Wayne Aviation Museum and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art all add cultural value to the city. For sports fans, a number of minor-league professional sports teams have made their home in Fort Wayne. Like many Midwestern cities, Fort Wayne’s economy has been adversely impacted by large-scale factors. However, the city has fared better than most, with a jobs base that has diversified into healthcare, insurance, education, defense and security. Forbes magazine recently ranked Fort Wayne highly both in terms of cost of living and cost of doing business.

Bibliography

City of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visitors-Home. 2011. Web. 7 July 2011.
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. 2011. Web. 7 July 2011.
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. The Official Site of the IPFW Mastodons. 2010. Web. 8 July 2011.
Petersons Four-Year Colleges 2011. New Jersey: Peterson, 2010. Print.

Purdue University Fort Wayne