iupui essay requirements

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• Admission Standards

At Indiana University Indianapolis we carefully review each application for its individual merits and qualities. We look at your academic performance and preparation, the strength and quality of the curriculum you were in, your recent grade trends and class rank.

We use the following standards when making admission decisions:

• You have completed or will complete secondary school by the time of enrollment;
• No grade point average guarantees admission to IU Indianapolis. We look for applicants who have demonstrated a "B" average or above average grades, with strong grades in math and science;
• SAT or ACT exam scores are not required for admission nor our merit scholarships . However, scores may be required for competitive scholarships.
• You must meet our English language Proficiency standards.

Secondary School Graduation

You must earn a diploma from an accredited secondary school or examination results that show an equivalent level of academic achievement such as “O” levels or a general equivalency diploma (GED) to be eligible for admission. If you are homeschooled or attend an alternative school, you should submit credentials that demonstrate equivalent levels of achievement and ability.

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Frequently asked questions about applying

We’re here to make the application process as smooth as possible for you. In addition to the information provided in our How to Apply pages, here are a few more top questions students and families ask during the application process.

Which application do I choose?

Freshman applicants.

Indiana University Bloomington accepts the Apply IU Application and the Common Application. No preference is given for any one application platform, and the materials needed to complete each are the same. The application review process is also the same for both platforms. To learn more about which application may be the best option for you, we encourage you to visit the Apply IU Application and Common Application websites.

Transfer applicants

Apply for admission to IU Bloomington by using the Apply IU Application .

Can I apply using more than one application (freshman applicants)?

Although there are two applications to choose from, you should submit only one application. There is absolutely no advantage to submitting multiple applications and this may even result in a delay in the review of your application and receipt of your admission decision. In the event that you submit multiple applications, the first complete application will be considered for admission. Please also note that application fees are non-refundable.

What is Advising & Major Exploration Services?

Advising & Major Exploration Services (or AMES, formerly known as University Division) provides academic advising for pre-business, pre-nursing, pre-social work, and exploratory students at IU Bloomington. 

Pre-business, pre-nursing, and pre-social work students who start in AMES can immediately begin their preparation for their preferred program. You'll have access to the same courses and prerequisites as direct admits, so you don’t have to wait to start pursuing your goals.

Exploratory students will work with AMES advisors to:

• Explore programs
• Learn about the requirements for your chosen major or majors
• Complete a formal application or automatically certify into a program

All along the way, students work with expert advisors in AMES who understand the many academic options available. They are also matched with a career advisor for complete support on their path to achieving their goals—both for their education and their career.

Learn more about AMES

What is direct admission?

There are a few ways to start your academic journey at IU, including direct admission which refers to admission to specific academic programs and degree-granting schools. No matter how you begin, you will have expert academic and career advising to help you create your ideal path to your reach your goals.

Get to know the different admission paths and each school's requirements for direct admission. 

Why am I experiencing issues submitting my application and/or fee payment?

If you are applying on a desktop or laptop, make sure you allow pop-ups and enable third-party cookies so that your application and fee payment will be submitted correctly. If you experience any payment issues, please contact us at [email protected] or 812-855-0661 . Please note that the Apply IU Application does not work properly with Internet Explorer.

What determines when I will receive a response to my application?

Several factors influence the timing of when a student will receive a response to their application including, but not limited to:

• When the application is received . While the applications open as early as August 1, historically over 50% of students applying for the fall term complete their application within the last 10 days of October. This large number of applications in a very short time period requires sufficient time for processing and review.
• Additional time for review. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications and are always looking for reasons to admit. All students who complete their application by the November 1 early action deadline will receive a response on or before January 15. Students who complete their application by the February 1 regular decision deadline will receive a response on or before March 15.
• Space availability in desired program. Indiana University offers hundreds of exciting majors, minors, and programs for students to consider and pursue. Many of these programs are rated among the highest in the nation and draw strong interest from students around the world. To look for opportunities to offer admission to as many students as possible and honor their interests we may take a little longer in our review.

What if I’m a 21st Century Scholar?

If you are an Indiana resident and a 21st Century Scholar, please indicate that you are a 21st Century Scholar when you are completing your application for admission to IU.

What if I have received a special type of diploma or honors?

When you are competing your application for admission to IU, please indicate if you will receive any special diploma or honors, such as the following:

• Core 40 Diploma
• AICE Diploma
• Academic Honors Diploma
• National Achievement Scholar
• National Merit Semifinalist

What if I don’t have a major in mind?

Many students come to IU wanting to explore their options for a major—and that’s a good thing. If you are undecided about a specific major, mark “Exploratory (general)” on your application.

Note: The College of Arts and Sciences and the Kelley School of Business have their own Exploratory options. If you know you would eventually like to pursue a program in the College or Kelley, but aren't sure which one, please choose "Exploratory (College)" or "Exploratory (Kelley)" on your application.

How much do you need to know about my high school senior year schedule (freshman applicants)?

To confirm that you will have met the high school course requirements for admission set by the IU faculty, we need to receive your full senior year schedule (not just your fall courses). We won't begin our review until this information is received.

Here are some additional pointers:

• If your school is on semesters , list your fall and spring classes.
• If you have full-year classes , list them once for fall and list the same classes again for spring.
• If you’re on trimesters , use fall, winter, and spring; list your classes three times, once for each term.

How can I ensure that my birthdate and other personal information are correct?

When entering your information, make sure to review your birthdate to make sure that you haven’t accidentally put numbers in the wrong order.

Making sure all the numbers and other information are correct will help avoid delays in processing your application.

Is an essay required?

As part of your application, regardless of which platform you choose, you will need to submit an essay. If you are applying through the Common Application, you can choose from any of the essay prompts in the application. If you are applying through Apply IU, you will need to submit the IU-specific essay using the prompt below.

IU-specific essay: In 200–400 words, describe your academic and career plans and any special interest (for example, undergraduate research, academic interests, leadership opportunities, etc.) that you are eager to pursue as an undergraduate at Indiana University. Also, if you encountered any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in pursuit of your education, you may share those experiences and how you overcame them. Please note that this essay may be used for scholarship consideration.

Should I submit supplemental information with my application, such as a counselor or teacher recommendation?

Letters of recommendation are not required as part of the application process. However, if you would like to submit these documents because they provide additional information about your academic and personal merit/accomplishments that is not indicated elsewhere in your application materials, we will accept one counselor recommendation and one teacher recommendation. Recommendations or other supplemental documents should be submitted with your official high school transcript (using your school's process for submitting electronic or paper transcripts) or included as part of your Common Application submission if you are applying through this platform.

How do I qualify for a fee waiver?

Please note that the application fee can be waived for students who have demonstrated financial need. If you feel that your financial circumstances may qualify you for a fee waiver, make sure you request a fee waiver when completing your application. Also, if you are a 21st Century Scholar or a Balfour Scholar, the application fee will be waived if you indicate you participate in one of these programs when you complete your application.

If you are submitting the Apply IU Application, you will need to submit a completed ACT , SAT , or NACAC fee waiver form that has been verified by your high school counselor. If you are submitting the Common Application, you will need to complete the fee waiver section on your profile and your counselor will need to verify your eligibility. Please note that regardless of which application you submit, an admission decision will not be made until we receive a fee waiver form/verification or your $65 application fee.

What if my school doesn't report a cumulative GPA?

If your school does not report a 6-semester cumulative GPA on your transcript, we will not consider a high school transcript GPA as part of your application review.

If you have transferred high schools, please consult with your current high school to understand if a cumulative GPA is calculated including your previous work. Per the information above, if a 6-semester cumulative GPA is not included on your transcript, we will not consider a high school transcript GPA as part of your application review.

We’re here for you

Have more questions? We’re happy to help. Reach out to your personal admission counselor or contact us at [email protected] or 812-855-0661 .

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Applying to IU Bloomington

Find deadlines and resources for applying to IU’s largest campus in Bloomington, where you’ll find countless ways to make lifelong connections, pursue your passions, and work toward your goals.

Is IU Bloomington the right fit for you?

IU Bloomington is the heart of the Indiana University family, with our largest campus, our broadest range of degrees and majors, and our most quintessential college experience. Beyond IU Bloomington’s storybook campus and lively, Big Ten college atmosphere is a family-like community, with countless ways to find your place and ample resources and support for any challenge or goal.

IU Bloomington’s unmatched number of academic programs and learning opportunities make it possible to carve out your own unique path to a meaningful career, while genuinely caring and involved faculty and an extensive variety of welcoming student clubs and organizations make it easy to find your place in the larger Hoosier family.

And not to mention: More than half of IU Bloomington students earning a bachelor’s degree graduate without student debt.

More to consider

• 61% of 2022–23 bachelor’s degree recipients at IU Bloomington graduated without student debt.
• Students admitted to IU Bloomington have an average high school GPA of 3.98 (out of 4.0).
• 41% of 2023 freshmen went to high school outside Indiana, and 5% are from outside the U.S.
• All statistics are current as of 2023.

I feel like IU really does a good job of making sure you’re on the track to success by providing different tools, but there’s also enough leeway to have a personal life and to do all the things that you want to do and explore.

Simran Bhandarkar IU Bloomington student

How to apply to IU Bloomington

High school students can apply to IU Bloomington in one of two ways:

• The Apply IU application  
• The Common App (high school students only)

While all these application types are accepted, you should only submit one application. The materials needed and the review process are the same for all applications.

The early action deadline (non-binding) for fall applications is November 1.

The regular admission deadline for fall applications is February 1.

Get a jump start on your essay

All IU Bloomington applicants are required to submit an essay. If you apply using the Common Application, you can use any of the essay prompts provided in the application. If you apply using the Apply IU application, you will need to provide a 200- to 400-word essay using the following prompt:

Describe your academic and career plans and any special interests (e.g., undergraduate research, academic interests, leadership opportunities, etc.) that you are eager to pursue as an undergraduate at Indiana University. If you encountered any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in completing your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them.

Start your application

• Apply IU application
• Common App (high school students only)

Qualifying for direct admission

If you’ve indicated a major on your application, you may be offered direct admission to the school or college through which the major is offered. The eligibility requirements differ between schools and colleges.

Learn more about direct admission at IU Bloomington

If you’ve already applied

You’ll hear directly from IU Bloomington about whether or not you’ve been accepted. Here’s when you can expect to receive your decision:

• Early action (non-binding) fall applications: January 15
• Regular admission fall applications: March 15

Consideration for direct admission will be conducted at the point of the initial review for admission to the university. Eligible students will receive notification in their university admission decision. Academic programs that require additional steps or offer a review request/petition process will have unique processes and timelines for direct admission consideration. Students offered direct admission through these processes would receive a separate communication from the school/program.

If needed, you can make changes to your submitted application .

Complete your steps in the IU Portal

After you apply, you’ll get an email inviting you to the IU Portal. There you can check your application status, review your Checklist for any items you still need to submit, and see your next steps.

Other deadlines to watch

For first-year applicants:

• Spring semester admission: November 1
• Summer session admission: March 1

You’ll receive a decision in 4–8 weeks.

IU Bloomington Admissions resources and support

Find where to learn more about different IU Bloomington opportunities and application types.

IU Bloomington admission counselors

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Military and Veteran applicants

Learn how to apply

IU Bloomington cost and finances

Learn about paying for college

Graduate applicants

Visit the University Graduate School

IU Bloomington scholarships

Visit the Office of Scholarships

Second degree or non-degree applicants

Transfer applicants.

Learn how to transfer

IU Bloomington Transfer Guide

Get the info you need to transfer

IU Bloomington Admissions viewbook

Download our guide to IU Bloomington

International applicants

Visit the Office of International Services

I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. I don’t need to do something that is prescribed to me, and now I am able to customize my world. It was such a relief to discover that IU offers [the Individualized Major Program] and, to me, it’s a testament that I picked the right school.

JP Pritchard IU Bloomington student

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Prospective Freshmen: Fall 2024

Apply for admission and scholarships.

The IU Indianapolis Honors College is comprised of students from a wide variety of academic disciplines. We're a close-knit community of scholars that offers a robust four-year academic and scholarship experience. All incoming freshmen who apply to the Honors College will be considered for both admission and four-year scholarship opportunities, and students may apply for one or more of our four competitive scholarship programs.

To be eligible to apply for admission and scholarships, you must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of a 3.75 or higher.

Admission expectations

Admission to the IU Indianapolis Honors College is competitive. Successful applicants will have a strong academic record as evident on their high school transcript , with mostly A and B grades in academic coursework. The Admission and Scholarship Review Committee find that choosing challenging courses in high school demonstrates a greater likelihood for success in honors coursework.

Though a strong transcript is essential for selection, we do conduct a holistic review using supplemental materials. The scholarship resume should not only list activities but also provide the time commitment involved and the position held by the applicant, the scholarship essays should demonstrate an interest in joining our Honors College community and a dedication to the challenging curriculum, and the sample of academic work  should indicate an understanding of the level of difficulty of college-level assignments. Each of these components of the application provide the review committee the information necessary to make an admission decision.

IU Indianapolis Honors College scholarships

All students selected for admission to the IU Indianapolis Honors College will receive one of the scholarships below.  Please note that students admitted to the Honors College will be awarded an Honors Scholarship, which replaces the admission-based Jaguar Excellence Award.

IU Indianapolis Chancellor's Scholars Program

Indiana residents, nonresidents, and international students may apply.

The IU Indianapolis  Chancellor's Scholars Program  is designed for highly motivated, well-rounded incoming freshmen who have excelled in high school and are committed to academic excellence.

Midwest Student Exchange Program and Student Excellence Award  recipients are eligible to receive $8,000 annually for four years.

Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarships

While most honors scholars will be receiving the Chancellor’s Scholarship, some will receive the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.

These scholarships require additional application materials and have a strict application deadline of November 15. Prospective students chosen as finalists for one of these scholarships will participate in an interview in January, which will determine final award selection.

Eligible students may apply for one or more of these scholarships, but may only receive one of our four Honors College scholarships. If a student is selected to receive the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater scholarship, it will replace the Chancellor’s Scholarship.

Bepko Scholars and Fellows Program

Indiana residents and international students* may apply.

The   Bepko Scholars and Fellows Program   is designed for students who demonstrate integrity, dedication, leadership, and a commitment to service.

Students selected for this scholarship program receive undergraduate tuition, fees, a $2,500 study abroad stipend, and books for four years of study. Bepko Scholars also receive two years of on-campus housing and are required to live in the Honors Residential-Based Learning Community (RBLC) during their freshman year.

Bepko Scholars who attend IU Indianapolis for graduate or professional study receive $5,000 per year for four years and are named Bepko Fellows.

* One international student will be selected for the Bepko Scholarship. For more information on undergraduate admission and scholarship opportunities for international students, please visit the IU Indianapolis International Affairs website .

Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholars Program

Indiana residents may apply.

The  Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholarship  is designed for outstanding Indiana high school seniors with extensive leadership experience.

Students selected for this scholarship receive $12,000 per year for four years of study, a $2,500 study abroad stipend, a $1,500 housing stipend during their freshman year for on-campus housing, and a $1,200 one-time award for supplemental educational expenses (e.g., laptop, books, equipment).

Plater International Scholars Program

Indiana residents and   international* students may apply.

The   Plater International Scholars Program   is designed for exceptional incoming freshmen with an interest in international affairs and cross-cultural experiences.

Students selected for this scholarship receive $12,000 per year for four years of study, a $2,500 study abroad stipend, and a $2,500 housing stipend for their freshman year.

* One international student will be selected for the Plater International Scholarship. For more information on undergraduate admission and scholarship opportunities for international students, please visit the IU Indianapolis International Affairs website .

Applying to the IU Indianapolis Honors College

Before you apply to the IU Indianapolis Honors College, you must apply and be admitted to IU Indianapolis. Incoming freshmen interested in applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships must apply to IU Indianapolis before November 1.

All students interested in admission to the IU Indianapolis Honors College are encouraged to apply to IU Indianapolis as early in the senior year as possible. Once admitted to IU Indianapolis, students will be able to apply for admission to the Honors College and our scholarships. The Honors College admission and scholarship application for incoming freshmen may be accessed through the IU scholarship application.

The deadline to submit all application materials is November 15 for the Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarships and February 15 for the Chancellor’s Scholarship.

IU Indianapolis Honors College admission timeline

• November 1: Deadline to apply to IU Indianapolis if you're planning on applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.
• November 15: Deadline to apply to the IU Indianapolis Honors College if you're applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships. Please note that if you plan to apply for any of these scholarships, you must apply for admission and the Chancellor’s Scholarship at this time as well.
• Mid-December: Admission, scholarship, and interview decisions for students who applied for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.
• January: Interviews take place for the Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarship finalists.
• Mid-February: Decision notifications for the Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarship finalists go out.
• February 15: Deadline to apply to the IU Indianapolis Honors College if interested only in the Chancellor’s Scholarship.
• Mid-March: Final decision notifications for students who applied only for the Chancellor’s Scholarship go out.
• May 1: Decision deadline for the IU Indianapolis Honors College.

Application checklist for admission and the Chancellor's Scholarship

General application of iu scholarship application.

You can view more details about the general application here .

Transcripts

Since you’ve already applied and submitted your high school transcript to IU Indianapolis, we'll work with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to obtain it, as well as any other transcripts you may have sent to them, i.e. college/university coursework.

Scholarship resume

In order for our selection committee to get to know you more personally, please make sure you have completed the IU Indianapolis General Application sections listed below as thoroughly as possible. You are welcome to go back into the General Application and revise any of the sections below as long as you do so before the application deadline. Within the Volunteer and Community Service Experience, Leadership Experience and Extra-Curricular Activity Experience sections, you will see an option titled, If Other Type Selected Please Describe , we ask that you use that space to expand upon your experiences by including the italicized below.

• Volunteer and Community Service Experience ( add dates and description of service experiences )
• Leadership Experience ( add dates and more information regarding positions held )
• Extra-Curricular Activity Experience ( add dates and more information regarding activities )
• Honors and Awards
• Work Experience

Sample of academic work

All applicants must provide a sample of academic work. Our review committee is looking for evidence of your potential for success in an honors curriculum.

Your submission may be from any discipline, regardless of your intended major, as long as it is your original, individual academic work. A research paper from an AP English course would be an example of an appropriate choice, though we anticipate many students will wish to submit an academic artifact that is not a traditional writing sample. Examples may include, but are not limited to, a science project or lab report; an electronic portfolio; a class, forensics, or science fair presentation; and a capstone, research, or seminar project.

Applicants are encouraged to select an artifact that best represents their academic ability. If the submission includes a grade, the review committee will not factor that grade into their decision. For that reason, we recommend that you select a sample of your work that has been edited and revised over time. Examples of unacceptable submissions would be a quiz, test, or group project; we want to see something that is your individual work that took some time and effort outside of a single class period to produce.

You'll also submit a paragraph explaining why your chosen artifact is a strong example of your academic ability and potential for success in the IU Indianapolis Honors College. In conducting our review of your application, this paragraph is crucial to help us understand the learning represented in your academic artifact. In this paragraph, be sure to reflect on the artifact and the learning process you went through to create it—what did you accomplish in your chosen artifact and what did you learn about the subject, yourself, your educational growth, and your potential for success as an Honors College student?

Finally you will be asked to provide a name and email address of a teacher or other academic professional who can verify that the artifact is your original work.

School counselor reference

When applying for admission to the Honors College, you'll be required to submit one reference form from your school counselor.* We'll ask you to provide their name and email address, and we'll contact them with the required form. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so we can receive their response by the application deadline.

*If you are a homeschooled student and do not have a traditional school counselor, an appropriate substitute would be the coordinator of your home school program. Please note that we cannot accept recommendations from a family member.

Please respond to the following prompt, which will be used for selection for both admission to the Honors College and the Chancellor’s Scholarship. You must type or copy and paste your essay directly into the online application.

Reflecting on your experience as a highly motivated student, in a 400–600 word essay, choose one example from your high school coursework and/or activities and explain how it demonstrates why you are a strong candidate for the IU Indianapolis Honors College. In addition, aside from the financial resources, discuss what appeals to you about our Honors College community.

Application checklist for Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarships

Honors college admission/chancellor's scholarship application.

You can find additional information about Honors College admission and the Chancellor's Scholarship application here .

You must first submit your Chancellor’s Scholarship application before applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.

Bepko Scholarship

You can view more information about the Bepko Scholarship above .

For Indiana residents and international students only

Essay prompt

Write an essay, from 800 to 1,000 words, that describes your experiences in community service and volunteerism, specifically address your role(s) and lessons learned. What social issues did you become aware of as a result of your service experiences, and what effect, if any, did this have on your worldview? Discuss one social issue that you’d like to continue your involvement with in college and why this issue is important to you.

In addition to the resume submitted as part of the general application, students applying for the Bepko Scholarship must submit a scholarship resume detailing experiences relevant to service. We understand that the general application scholarship resume will likely have all of these experiences listed; however, we're interested in seeing scholarship candidates highlight their most relevant experiences on this additional resume submission.

Letter of recommendation

Students applying for the Bepko Scholarship will be asked to submit a reference form specific to the scholarship itself. Your recommender must be someone other than the school counselor who will be providing your reference for admission to the Honors College and cannot be a family member. We strongly suggest that you share the details of the Bepko Scholarship with your recommender. You will be asked to provide the recommender’s name, affiliation, and email address. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so that we can receive their response by 5 p.m. on November 15.

Presidential Scholarship

You can view more information about the Presidential Scholarship above .

For Indiana residents only

Write an essay, from 800 to 1,000 words, that discusses a successful leadership experience you've had during high school. Describe the skills that make you a successful leader and how you developed them. How do you plan to get involved and use these skills to help you accomplish your personal and professional goals at IU Indianapolis and the IU Indianapolis Honors College?

In addition to the resume submitted as part of the general application, students applying for the Presidential Scholarship must submit a scholarship resume detailing experiences relevant to leadership. We understand that the general application scholarship resume will likely have all of these experiences listed; however, we're interested in seeing scholarship candidates highlight their most relevant experiences on this additional resume submission.

Students applying for the Presidential Scholarship will be asked to submit a reference form specific to the scholarship itself. This recommender must be someone other than the school counselor who will be providing your reference for admission to the Honors College and cannot be a family member. We strongly suggest that you share the details of the Presidential Scholarship with your recommender. You will be asked to provide the recommender’s name, affiliation, and email address. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so that we can receive their response by 5 p.m. on November 15.

Plater Scholarship

You can view more information about the Plater Scholarship above .

Write an essay, from 800 to 1,000 words, that discusses the importance of globalization and cross-cultural competency. What have you done to improve your global awareness and understanding of different cultures? Have you taken any initiatives to promote these values in your community? As a Plater International Scholar at IU Indianapolis and the IU Indianapolis Honors College, what international experiences would you like to pursue and why?

In addition to the resume submitted as part of the general application, students applying for the Plater Scholarship must submit a scholarship resume detailing experiences relevant to international and cross-cultural involvement. We understand that the general application scholarship resume will likely have all of these experiences listed; however, we're interested in seeing scholarship candidates highlight their most relevant experiences on this additional resume submission.

Students applying for the Plater Scholarship will be asked to submit a reference form specific to the scholarship itself. This recommender must be someone other than the school counselor who will be providing your reference for admission to the Honors College and cannot be a family member. We strongly suggest that you share the details of the Plater Scholarship with your recommender. You will be asked to provide the recommender’s name, affiliation, and email address. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so that we can receive their response by 5 p.m. on November 15.

What will you do next?

Apply to IU Indianapolis    Apply to Honors College  

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