Consumer Science Graduate Program

Required Application Materials

These are documents that are required to support a successful application. Supporting documents should be uploaded to the electronic application or mailed directly to the graduate program. See the sections below for more details. Supporting documents include the following unless otherwise noted:

• Transcripts

The admission committee is looking for transcripts with a GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. Prospective PhD students need a transcript that shows completion of a master’s degree completion. You can upload offical copies directly to the application portal. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. If transcripts are not in English, an English translation will need to accompany the transcript.the transcript.

You must provide physcial copies of the official transcripts and/or academic records if you are admitted and choose to enroll.  Official documents should be submitted to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Purdue University Graduate School
155 South Grant Street, YONG 170
West Lafayette, IN 47907

• GRE Test OR GMAT Test (optional) 

Due to COVID-19 constraints, the GRE/GMAT is optional. The admissions committee values these tests and highly recommends applicants take and send their scores as part of their application package for a holistic review.

We encourage inclusion of Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) OR GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) report of scores taken within the last five years. Applicants may submit results from either the GRE or GMAT, but most students use the GRE. 

GRE (minimum)  | verbal and quantitative score of 290 or higher (each: minimum of 145) | code 1631. For information and test dates visit www.gre.org.

GMAT (minimum) | total score of 550 (verbal and quantitative sections) | code 1RZ-NJ-46. For more information visit www.mba.com.

• English Proficiency (a requirement for International Students)

International applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency for admission to all degree graduate programs.

TOEFL iBT (minimum) | Writing 18, Speaking 18, Listening 14, Reading 19 | Total 80 | code 1631. For further information, visit www.toefl.org.

TOEFL Essentials (minimum) | Writing 8, Speaking 8, Listening 8, Reading 8 | Total 8 | code 1631. For further information, visit www.toefl.org.

IELTS (minimum) | Writing 6, Speaking 6, Listening 6, Reading 6.5 | Overall brand score of 6.5. For more information, visit www.ielts.org.

• Recommendation letters 

HTM requires three letters of recommendation: two from academia and one from an employer.

When you create an online application to the Purdue Graduate School, you will be asked to input the names and emails of your recommender. Once you click “Send to Recommender,” your recommendation providers will receive an email with instructions on submitting their recommendation online. The Purdue University Graduate School strongly encourages you to provide an email address affiliated with an academic institution, professional organization or employer. If there is not an affiliated email, please be sure to inform the individual writing your letter that they must be on business letterhead to assure they are valid. Once the online recommendation is submitted the graduate program to which you applied will have access to view your online recommendation.

• Current Resume

HTM’s application review committee is looking for a minimum of one year of work experience in a related area or two completed internships (internships must total six months or more).

Assistantships that HTM offers are typically determined based on past work experiences and career goals outlined in the resume. Preference will be given to admitted applicants with related work experience that meet the needs of HTM.

• Diversity Essay 

The application portal will ask for a diversity letter. In this document you should describe your leadership; work experience; service experience; or other significant involvement with racial, ethnic, socio-economic or educational communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in higher education. You should then describe how these experiences would promote a diversity of views, experiences and ideas in the pursuit of research, scholarship and creative excellence. You should feel free to discuss your own personal experiences in the essay.

• Statement of Purpose

A statement of approximately 500 words is encouraged that explains your interest in undertaking or continuing graduate study; your reasons for wanting to study at Purdue; and your professional plans, career goals and research interests. You also may explain any special circumstances applicable to your background and elaborate on your special abilities, awards, achievements, scholarly publications and/or professional history.

•  Pay Application Fee

A $60 application fee applies for domestic students, and a $75 application fee applies for international students.