Purdue Food Science Graduate Program FAQ

Yes. Most students are offered admission into the Food Science Graduate Program with a research assistantship or fellowship.

Assistantships typically involve approximately 20 hours of work per week for a professor. Frequently this entails research or teaching. In return, you receive a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend (i.e., salary).

Fellowships are similar to undergraduate scholarships. They are typically awarded by a competition and generally do not require work in return for the award. Fellowships provide tuition scholarships and stipends, along with a supplement for purchasing medical insurance.

Fellowships may be obtained from your academic department or program, the Graduate School, or an outside entity, such as a government agency or philanthropic foundation. Fellowships are typically awarded to the most competitive applicants. A program will typically consider you for available fellowships when you apply for admission; however, some fellowships may require the completion of a separate application. Selection criteria and processes will vary.

Assistantship benefits include tuition waivers which pays all but a nominal portion of tuition. Fellowships generally include tuition scholarships. Tuition waivers and scholarships are in addition to the monthly stipend and other benefits.

All applicants are considered for research assistantships when they complete the application for admission. Graduate Committee identifies the most competitive applicants to be considered for fellowship.

When you apply for admission, you will be considered for available fellowships. To be considered for fellowships offered by the Graduate School, you must be admitted to Purdue. The Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars provides information regarding specific Graduate School fellowships, including the application process and requirements.

The Graduate School requires all admitted students to possess a minimum of a 3.0/4.0 GPA in order to be admitted.

Yes, for Fall 2024 admission and after.

Recommended: Verbal 146, Quantitative 144, Analytical 4.0

A holistic approach to the selection process is generally employed by considering all components of the application package, including application information, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, academic record (i.e., transcripts), test scores, resume/curriculum vitae (CV), and other information a graduate program requires.

Yes.

Fall Entry Term

Spring Entry Term

Domestic: December 15
International (applying from overseas): September 30
International (applying while in US, excluding currently enrolled Purdue students): October 31
International (currently enrolled at Purdue): November 30

Summer Entry Term

Domestic: April 15
International (applying from overseas): January 31
International (applying while in US, excluding currently enrolled Purdue students): February 28
International (currently enrolled at Purdue): March 31

In general, it is suggested that you apply early in your senior year of college, which is usually nine to 12 months prior to when you want to begin graduate studies. Applying early has its advantages. More funding opportunities are typically available, and more spaces may be available for admission.

It is difficult to predict how likely you are to be admitted to the Food Science Graduate Program at Purdue University. Many factors impact admission decisions, such as the qualifications of other applicants, the number of new students that can be accommodated, and the number of professors that share your research and scholarly interests. Each application is given careful consideration and a holistic approach to the admissions process is generally employed by the graduate admissions committee. All components of the application package, including the application, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, academic record (i.e., transcripts), test scores, resume/curriculum vitae (CV), and other items required are considered.

All applicants must complete the Graduate School's online application and pay the application fee. Detailed instructions and requirements are available in the application.

If a completed application has been submitted (i.e., you have completed and submitted the Graduate School's application, paid the application fee, and submitted letters of recommendation, official transcripts, test scores, and any other items required), no additional action is required. After your application file has been reviewed by the Food Science Graduate Review Committee, you will be notified of the committee’s decision of “acceptable” or “unacceptable” to be considered for available funding. This process typically takes 2-3 weeks.

The Office for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars offers step-by-step information on the application process.

International students pay a $200 fee each semester to help fund the unique services the University offers to international students, such as immigration regulation advising, cultural/educational programming, SEVIS reporting (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), and compliance with the United States' government.

If you are not a permanent resident or citizen of the United States, you are classified as an international student.

Yes.

• Internet-based (iBT) overall score: 80 and individual component score minimums (if taken before January 21, 2026):
  • Writing: 18
  • Speaking: 18
  • Listening: 14
  • Reading: 19
• Internet-based (iBT) overall score: 4.0 and individual component score minimums (if taken on or after January 21, 2026):
  • Writing: 4.0
  • Speaking: 3.5
  • Listening: 3.5
  • Reading: 4.0
• TOEFL Essentials overall score: 8.0 and individual component score minimums:
  • Writing: 8.0
  • Speaking: 8.0
  • Listening: 8.0
  • Reading: 8.0
• Duolingo English Test Scores Requirements
  • Comprehension 115
  • Conversation 115
  • Literacy 115
  • Production 115
  • Minimum Overall Required for Admission 115

Note that in addition to required minimum scores for writing, speaking, listening, and reading, the Graduate School also requires a minimum overall score that is higher than the minimums for the four area tests combined. Applicants must meet or exceed each of the five scores (listed above) for admission to the Graduate School. Only official TOEFL scores received directly from Educational Testing Service are acceptable.

If you take the IELTS, a minimum band score of 6.5 is required. For more information on the IELTS, visit the IELTS website.

• Reading: 6.5
• Listening: 6.0
• Speaking: 6.0
• Writing: 5.5

TOEFL scores are valid for only two years.

The Graduate School waives the TOEFL for applicants who have received a baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree from a U.S. institution within the past 36 months (at the time the recommendation for admission is received at the Graduate School.)

Please contact Betty Lewis, Graduate Program Coordinator at lewisbl@purdue.edu to inquire about visitation opportunities. All campus visits are done on an individual basis to provide more individualized attention to each applicant.

In general, the Food Science Graduate Program has about 60-80 graduate students each year.