We’re excited that you’re interested in attending IU Bloomington and are here to help you throughout the application and admissions process.
International applicants should visit the Office of International Services for information about applying.
Check out the IU Admissions Viewbook and learn more about our majors, inspiring academic opportunities, and the IU family.
There are two application options to choose from, but you should submit only one application for admission to IU Bloomington.
Use the Apply IU Application to apply to IU Bloomington—and apply to more than one Indiana University campus.
Use the Common Application to apply to any of over 900 schools.
To make things as easy as possible, we’ve broken the application process into step-by-step instructions. Watch our video to learn the steps to apply to IU.
Before you begin the application process, learn what you need to do to get ready to apply.
The Indiana University Bloomington early action (non-binding) deadline is November 1. This is also the deadline for highest admission and scholarship consideration. Your complete application for admission, including official transcript, essay, and SAT and/or ACT test scores (if applicable*) must be submitted electronically by November 1 or postmarked on or before November 1 to be considered for the early action (non-binding) deadline. The regular decision deadline is February 1.
*IU is test-optional. To learn more, please visit go.iu.edu/test-optional.
Admission to IU is selective, and we consider factors that emphasize academic performance and preparation, such as the level and rigor of your coursework, the individual grades and cumulative GPA you have earned through these courses, your SAT and/or ACT scores (if applicable), and the additional insights offered through your application essay.
Review the information in this section to understand IU’s admission standards. You can also view the class profile to see stats on our most recent freshman class.
High school graduation
You must earn a diploma from an accredited high school (or must have completed the Indiana High School Equivalency Diploma) to be eligible for admission consideration. Students who are homeschooled or attend an alternative school should submit credentials that demonstrate equivalent levels of achievement and ability.
Academic preparation
Applicants should complete at least 34 credits of college-preparatory courses, including:
If your high school does not offer the courses needed to meet one or more of the course requirements noted above, alternative college-preparatory courses may be substituted for those that are not available. Contact your IU admission counselor to discuss course substitutions.
When available and appropriate, we encourage students to enroll in a challenging curriculum that includes dual credit, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and/or Advance College Project (ACP) courses.
Grades in academic classes
Your cumulative GPA, as well as the grades you have earned in the 34 courses required for admission, will be an important part of the application review process. If your school computes a weighted GPA and includes this GPA on your transcript, we will consider it as part of our review for both the admission and scholarship processes.
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.
Standardized test scores
IU's test-optional admissions policy allows you to choose whether to have your SAT and/or ACT test scores considered as part of your application review—letting you decide how best to tell your academic story. Research indicates that for most students, high school GPA paired with test scores provides the best prediction of academic success at Indiana University. However, for some students a standardized test score may not show all that they are capable of or tell the full story of their potential.
While you will decide whether your scores will be considered, resources and guidance are available through our office or your personal admission counselor.
We superscore, which means that if you choose to have test scores considered as part of your application review, we'll consider your best test scores. For the SAT, we’ll consider the highest Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. For the ACT, we’ll combine the highest scores for each subtest from different exams for a new ACT Composite.
Other decision-making factors
As part of our holistic review process, we may consider supplemental information—when provided—such as leadership experience, extracurricular activities, community service, work experience, and counselor or teacher recommendations. Please note, however, that letters of recommendation are not required. If you do choose to submit them, we will accept one counselor recommendation and one teacher recommendation.
Self-reported race or ethnicity information will not be made available to individuals responsible for reviewing admission applications and/or making admission decisions.
Before you apply, make sure you spend some time exploring our different schools and 200+ majors.
When you fill out your application, you’ll be asked to choose an intended major.
If you don’t know what you want to major in, that’s okay! IU students who have not yet chosen a major are considered exploratory students. Indiana University promotes academic exploration and encourages students to spend time discovering the path that’s right for them. Exploratory students are supported by Advising & Major Exploration Services, where they receive expert advising to help them find their ideal major and fulfill the general requirements needed to certify into a degree-granting school or college.
There are a few ways you could start your academic journey at IU, including direct admission. Direct admission at IU refers to admission to specific academic programs anad degree-granting schools. Learn more about direct admission and other ways to start at IU.
No matter which path you take when you start at IU, you will have academic and career advising at every step of your journey to help you reach your goals.
Merit scholarships
IU academic scholarships are awarded based on the academic information you provide through your application for admission. The assessment of a student’s academic performance is based on a number of factors, including high school GPA, grades received in coursework required by the Office of Admissions, and rigor and performance in advanced courses (AP, IB, Honors, etc.).
For highest scholarship consideration, you must submit a complete application for admission, including official transcript, IU-specific essay, and self-reported or official test scores (if applicable) by November 1.
Additional scholarships
You can also look for additional scholarship opportunities within your community and at your high school.
IU awards AP and college credit that can help you get a head start on your degree program.
If you took a college class while you were in high school, you might be able to transfer that credit to IU Bloomington.
To be considered for credit at IU, the course you took in high school must be from a regionally accredited institution and must correspond to a course in our curriculum—in content and credit value. You must earn a grade of C or better in the course.
If you are admitted to IU, we will evaluate your transcript(s) and supply you with a detailed Credit Transfer Report showing how previous college coursework will transfer. You can access your Credit Transfer Report via One.IU. Please be aware that it may take four to six weeks to process and evaluate the transcript once it arrives in our office.
If you’re interested in the Jacobs School of Music, you may apply using Apply IU or the Common Application. After submitting one of these applications, you must also complete the Jacobs School of Music supplemental application and submit an additional fee.
Please Note: The deadline to submit the Jacobs School of Music supplemental application is December 1.