Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can join VIP?

  • VIP is open to all undergraduate students of any major at Purdue.
  • The VIP Learning Community provides an opportunity for first-year students to engage with other undergraduates (sophomores, juniors and seniors) and graduate students and faculty mentors in authentic and extended research and design projects on multi-disciplinary VIP teams that are typically related to active research areas of Purdue faculty members.

How do students register for VIP?

  • Students can register during pre-registration and open registration periods. Specific course numbers correspond with the student’s academic year and major.

Can first-year students be part of VIP and not part of the VIP Learning Community?

  • Yes. Students of any major in their first year can join a VIP team by adding VIP 17910.

How do students register for the VIP Learning Community?

  • Complete and submit the housing application and then the Learning Community application. (This can take a few days for each part to process, so it’s important students ensure all parts are completed by April 15.)
  • For all other Learning Community questions about logistics (housing location, registration, etc.), visit the Learning Community website.

What are the benefits of participating in VIP?

  • Students gain hands-on experience, develop interdisciplinary skills, build professional networks and contribute to meaningful research projects.
  • Real-world experiences with teams, clients and leadership allow students to build confidence.
  • Students can speak to research they are participating in beginning their first semester.
  • VIP experience acts as a strong component in resume building, applying to graduate school and interviewing for a job or internship.

How are teams structured?

  • Teams are interdisciplinary and vertically integrated, including students from different academic years (first years, sophomores, juniors and seniors) and disciplines. Each team is guided by faculty/graduate student mentors.

How long can students participate in VIP?

  • Students can participate for multiple semesters, allowing them to develop deep expertise and make significant contributions to their projects.

What support is available for VIP students?

  • Students receive mentorship from faculty and graduate students, as well as support from their peers and VIP program office.
  • VIP offers a unique opportunity for students to be supported and mentored while supporting and mentoring others.

How large are the teams?

  • VIP teams vary in size according to the need of the faculty and their research. The smallest VIP team is four students, and the largest is more than 250. Team sizes typically average 15-40 students.

How do students choose their team?

  • Students can find the teams they are interested in by using the VIP teams page on our website.