Purdue Daniels School of Business students pose with certificates after winning a case competition. Competitions like these became one of Luke Ellis’ favorite parts of his first year, turning early setbacks into lessons about preparation, teamwork, and persistence.
As it is for many high school students, the decision of choosing a college – one that would define the next four years of my life – carried a sense of real pressure. I’ll walk you through why I chose the Daniels School of Business and how transformative that has been my first year of college.
CHOOSING FIT OVER PRESTIGE
While waiting for my college decisions, I stayed caught up on rankings because I thought that would help me find the best school. If I could go back in time, I probably would not approach things this way. Although it may be satisfying to say you attend a top-ranked business school, those programs are not always the best personal fit. For me, focusing solely on prestige would have meant overlooking factors that mattered far more to me and my long-term career growth. Factors like mentorship, community, collaboration and innovation.
Luke Ellis and friends take a selfie during a Purdue football game. Outside the classroom, moments like these helped Ellis build friendships and feel part of the Daniels School community during his first year.
The Daniels School of Business checked all of these boxes. Being selected to join the Business Opportunity Program (BOP) and the Larsen Leaders Academy, which both provided me with mentorship opportunities right away, helped ease the pressure and encouraged my transition into college. From the start, I was surrounded by students who were driven, collaborative, and invested in one another’s success. These programs not only helped me adjust academically and socially but also helped me explore opportunities to grow as both a student and a leader. While touring other schools, I noticed cutthroat environments, less club access and limited internship opportunities. I wanted a place that would build me up and not push me aside.
Another box that was important for me to check was innovation. I saw firsthand the investment Purdue was making in their new business school: a 168-million-dollar building, elite professors, and the implementation of AI classes across the curricula of all majors. It made me realize how future-driven Purdue is and all that it does to support its students in their pursuit of successful careers.
After my first semester, I can confidently say that I chose the perfect school. I found a place that challenged me academically with valuable guidance and support along the way. I got involved in clubs and organizations that would not have been feasible at other schools. I participated in case competitions because I was quickly encouraged by my peers and my competition opponents. Instead of being told, “It’s too competitive” or “you’re not ready,” I got the support to chase new experiences and experiment.
Community service and leadership opportunities, including Ellis’ involvement with organizations like Pi Kappa Phi and The Ability Experience, are an important part of the Purdue student experience.
TURNING SETBACKS INTO MOMENTUM
Case competitions have easily become my favorite part of Purdue. If I had to sum up my experience with them in one phrase, it would be “Rags to Riches.” I remember my first month on campus when I entered the First-Year Pitch Case Competition. Even with only a couple of hours of preparation, we felt like we could win. To our surprise, the judges did not share that anticipation. Instead, we failed. While it first felt like a punch in the chest, this experience turned into a learning opportunity quickly, and I learned that success needs preparation.
Later in the semester, I participated in a case competition hosted by Eli Lilly. My team and I committed to doing things differently this time, and preparation that once lasted only a couple hours turned into over 25 hours of research, collaboration and refinement. This effort paid off, because we were selected as finalists and had the opportunity to deliver our recommendations in person after a final night of hard work. When the results were announced, we placed first, switching an early failure into a defining moment. Teaching me that real growth comes from using setbacks as fuel to rise.
TURNING EXPERIENCE INTO IMPACT
The Larsen Leaders Academy (LLA) has been another space where I’ve learned to apply classroom lessons in real-world leadership settings. Being selected to serve on the Larsen Executive Board has pushed me to focus beyond individual success and consider impact at scale. Being in charge of collecting data and conducting focus groups to analyze member experience has been a life-changing experience. Larsen has been instrumental in shaping how I view leadership as a responsibility–to serve others and drive improvement across organizational levels.
If you had told my high school self that I would have accomplished all this in my first year, I would’ve laughed in your face. This just shows how powerful selecting a school that you belong in can be. Not where you think you should go or where others think you should go. Finding the right fit didn’t just change where I wanted to go to school; it changed the motivation and confidence that helped me achieve all I am today.
Author Luke Ellis is a freshman from Fort Wayne, Indiana, double majoring in Finance and Accounting with concentrations in Leadership and Data Analytics. On campus, he serves as Vice President of Internal Data for the Larsen Leaders Academy, is a Purdue Business Ambassador, and participates in the Business Opportunity Program. He is also a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, where he is actively involved with The Ability Experience, advocating for and raising awareness for individuals with disabilities.
About the Mitch Daniels School of Business: The Mitch Daniels School of Business at Purdue University is building the future of business. Comprised of the Bruce White Undergraduate Institute and the Krannert Graduate Institute, the school offers top undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and professional development programs in critical business areas. The Daniels School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the leading global reviewer of business schools. Guided by five strategic pillars — Integration of STEM and Business, Academic Prowess, Transformational Student Experience, Freedom and Capitalism, and Powered by Business Partnerships — the Daniels School provides a STEM-infused, interdisciplinary education that empowers graduates to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving world.
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