Author Emilee Balzer represents The Cray Matters Collective at a student involvement fair on campus.
Trekking through a snow-covered college campus in the middle of freezing February was the last way I imagined spending my weekend – especially with decision day right around the corner. I regretted applying to so many colleges at the beginning of my senior year, because now I had more options than I knew what to do with. I wanted to excel in college, and I didn’t see how I could do that at a school where I didn’t feel comfortable.
So there I was, driving to the next stop on my college tour: Purdue University in West Lafayette. As soon as I stepped onto campus, I knew this place felt different. When I attended the Purdue’s For Me event, I was immediately impressed by the presentation the recruiters gave. Their impressive statistics on the Daniels School, including high job placement and internship recruiting rates, made the school stand out for all the right reasons. Moreover, hearing professors speak so passionately about their work made me eager to learn so much more.
WHEN PURDUE STARTED FEELING LIKE HOME
When I toured the business school with a student ambassador, I was able to learn about the various clubs and projects that students have been working on. I immediately loved how competitive and collaborative business school organizations were, with a strong sense of support among them — something I didn’t see at the other schools I visited.
While touring, an ambassador asked me if I was nervous about college. I told him I loved Purdue, but I was nervous about going out-of-state, as I had never lived that far away from home before. The ambassador told me that he, too, was far from home and initially had similar reservations, but assured me that I would be making a good decision if I chose Purdue. Being so far from home brought him outside his comfort zone and taught him independence in ways that staying closer to home wouldn’t have.
Emilee Balzer volunteers with her team at Purdue University Dance Marathon.
SMALL GESTURE MADE A BIG SCHOOL FEEL SMALL
A couple of weeks later, when I received a postcard from that same ambassador — wishing me well on my college search, one of my biggest reservations dissolved: with most colleges I applied to being so big, I would feel just like a number. Getting a handwritten letter from a student I had met only a few weeks ago changed all of that. It made me feel seen. My reservations about Purdue being a larger school vanished. I learned that while Purdue is large, the Daniels School is much smaller, with only around 4,000 students. This helped students receive more one-on-one insight from professors and advisors, while also getting personal attention. This was extremely exciting.
Another reason I chose the Daniels School was its financial fit. Purdue is an academically rigorous school, and having frozen tuition for over fourteen years makes this school affordable for out-of-state students like me.
When I talked to recruiters, they explained that Purdue, being known for its engineering program, also helps qualify Daniels as a STEM-based school. Unlike other business schools, there is a greater emphasis on making data-driven decisions, using mathematics and working with computer programs and AI early on in your career. I was nervous to hear this at first – because math and science have never been my strong suits. However, something about this format felt intriguing and fresh. Knowing that I could build important soft skills while honing in on technical abilities felt like the full package.
Emilee Balzer cheers on the Boilermakers with Purdue Pete at a packed Purdue basketball game.
As the world becomes more technologically advanced, these skills are becoming more and more important. I knew it would be a good challenge for me to better my STEM skills. I believe that for anyone deciding where they want to go to school, they should keep three important questions in mind. First, is this a good academic fit? Second, is this a strong social fit? And third, is this an affordable financial fit? This is how I felt about Purdue when I went back and evaluated my visit. I was so sure that I wanted to go to the Daniels School that I cancelled the rest of my college visits on the spot!
LOOKING BACK WITH CONFIDENCE
I will never forget the stress of choosing a college back in high school. It felt like a life-or-death decision. What if I choose wrong? What if I don’t like my major? It is scary to make such big decisions at such a young age. It was reassuring to attend an orientation that answered many of my questions and helped me feel confident about my decision. As a current sophomore, after being at Purdue for a while now, I can say I definitely chose right!
I love the Daniels School of Business, all the friends I’ve made so far, and the organizations I’ve been able to join during my time here. Being able to apply and join the Business Ambassadors organization (from whom I got my first Purdue tour!) felt like a full-circle moment. If you’re a future college student reading this, I want to tell you: you will be okay, and that Purdue may be an amazing option for you!
Author Emilee Balzer is a sophomore at the Mitch Daniels School of Business at Purdue University, majoring in Marketing. She is from Ann Arbor, MI. Emilee is involved in Purdue Business Ambassadors, Women in Business, and the Business Law and Compliance Society.
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.
© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.
