Freshman Applicants

Watch our video to see how to apply

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.

When you apply

Find out what to do right before—and right after—you apply.

Even though there are two options to choose from, you should submit only one application for admission to IU Bloomington.

You will need to submit the following materials to apply for admission:

  • The application. Freshman applicants may apply using one of the application platforms listed below.
    • Apply IU Application
    • Common Application
  • A brief essay. 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 will need to submit one of the essay prompts. If you are applying through Apply IU, you will need to submit the IU-specific essay.
    • IU-specific essay: In 200–400 words, you’ll be asked to 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. 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. Find more information about completing your essay on our FAQ page.
  • The $65 application fee. The application fee is non-refundable. If you experience any payment issues, please contact us at ADMSBUS@indiana.edu or 812-855-0661.
  • Your high school transcript and full senior year schedule (not just fall courses), which must come directly from your high school or may be uploaded and submitted as part of your application.
  • SAT and/or ACT scores (if applicable). Admission to IU is test-optional. If you took the ACT and/or SAT and would like to have your scores considered, you may share either official or self-reported scores during the application process. If you are offered admission and have self-reported test scores in your application, you must have your official test scores sent from the testing agencies before you can enroll at IU. Your offer of admission and any awarded scholarships that referenced your self-reported scores are contingent on us receiving your official test scores before enrollment. Additionally, the scores we receive from the official testing agencies must match or be higher than the scores you self-reported during the application process.

Make sure you allow pop-ups and enable third-party cookies to ensure that your application and fee payment will be submitted correctly. If you experience any payment issues, please contact us at ADMSBUS@indiana.edu or 812-855-0661.

Make sure you read the information on this page and our FAQ page before you get started.

When you submit your application, you must pay a $65 nonrefundable application fee.

We accept multiple different fee waiver forms. Please see the different options below. The application fee, or fee waiver request, must be submitted when completing 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.

We will not process your application or make an admission decision until we receive a completed fee waiver or the non-refundable $65 application fee.

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.

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.

If you choose to have your test scores considered, you may share either official or self-reported scores. If you choose to self-report your scores, you can do so on your application. You may also self-report additional scores after submitting your application. If you are offered admission and have self-reported test scores in your application, you must have your official test scores sent from the testing agencies before you can enroll at IU. Your offer of admission and any awarded scholarships that referenced your self-reported scores are contingent on us receiving your official test scores before enrollment. Additionally, the scores we receive from the official testing agencies must match or be higher than the scores you self-reported during the application process.

When you have the testing agencies send your official scores, use the codes listed below for Indiana University Bloomington.

  • Our SAT code is 1324.
  • Our ACT code is 1210.

To complete your application for admission, we require an official high school transcript and a full senior year schedule (not just fall courses). The transcript and full senior year schedule may be sent directly from your high school, or uploaded by your counselor as part of your application if you are applying with the Common Application. If your school sends transcripts electronically and the transcript vendor requires an email address for delivery, please use IUBLRecv@indiana.edu. You can also have your transcript mailed to the following address:

Office of Admissions
Indiana University Bloomington
940 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405

Your offer of admission is contingent upon the successful completion of the academic coursework outlined in your transcript and/or admission application. We expect you to maintain your high level of academic performance. Please note that if you are admitted and choose IU, we will require a copy of your high school transcript with final grades and graduation date as soon as it is available.

Transcripts for college courses taken in high school

If you are enrolled in any college courses in high school, you’ll need to send those transcripts as well. You may be able to earn college credit to IU Bloomington. College transcripts may be mailed to the address above or sent electronically to IUBLRecv@indiana.edu.

Learn more about transferring credits

If you applied by the November 1 early action (non-binding) deadline, you can expect a response by January 15. If you applied by the February 1 regular decision deadline, you will receive a response by March 15.

After you apply

To check your application status, you will need to create an IU computing account. Read below for instructions and to learn more about what you can do after you apply.

About two weeks after we receive your application, you should receive an email containing your university ID number.

Use your university ID number to create your IU computing account, which you need to check the status of your application.

Please note: The computing account is different than the account you created to apply.

Steps to create your IU computing account:

  1. Open Create My First IU Account in One.IU.
  2. Read and agree to the Guidelines for Appropriate Usage.
  3. Enroll in the Passphrase Self-Service Reset System. If you forget your passphrase, this tool will let you reset it yourself without having to visit a UITS Support Center location in person.
  4. Save or record your account information in a secure place. You will need this information each time you log in to your IU computing account.
  5. It may take up to 24 hours before you can log in to some services.

What to do if you have forgotten your ID or other information:

Please note that if you have previously been enrolled in or participated in a program at any IU campus and were given a 10-digit university ID number and username, you will use the same university ID number and username to access (or set up) your IU computing account.

Now that you’ve created your IU computing account, you’ll be able to check the status of your application and view your To Do List in One.IU.

Your To Do List will tell you when our office has received each of your application materials. Please be aware that after your items are received, it may take up to four weeks for them to be updated in your To Do List. Please be patient and check back frequently.

If you receive an email from us asking you to complete your application but you just sent the missing materials, assume that the email was sent before we received your materials or that they have not been processed yet.

To check the status of your application

  1. Go to Application Status in One.IU and click “Start.”
  2. Log in using your IU username and passphrase to see the status of your application.

To find your To Do List

  1. Go to To Do List in One.IU and click “Start.”
  2. Log in using your IU username and passphrase to see your To Do List.

If you have any outstanding items listed, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Please send all outstanding To Do List items to our office or contact us if you have questions.

If you chose at the point of application to have your SAT and/or ACT test scores considered as part of your application review, you can self-report your scores by completing the form below.

PLEASE NOTE: Self-reporting your scores will not change your selection regarding whether or not you want to have your test scores considered as a part of your application review. If you would like to update your test-optional selection, please review the instructions under "Change your test-optional selection."

Self-report your scores

If you want to update your selection of whether or not to have test scores included in your application review, please complete the form below.

PLEASE NOTE: Only complete this form if you have already submitted your application and need to change your test-optional selection. If you don't want to change the test-optional selection you made on your application, do not complete this form. If you opt to have your test scores considered and have not yet submitted test scores, you will also need to self-report or send your official scores.

Change your test-optional selection

To learn how to make changes to your application, visit the Make a Change to Your Application page. Please note that if you change your intended major, your application for admission will be reviewed again, even if you already received a decision.

Contact us with any questions

If you’d like to cancel your application after you’ve applied, send a message using our contact form. Select "Application" as the topic, then choose "Cancellation" in the drop down menu and put your cancellation request in the comment box.

Cancel your application

Hoosier Link is a guaranteed transfer admission program in cooperative partnership between Indiana University Bloomington and Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington.

The program allows a select group of Indiana residents who are high school graduates (and who have never attended a college institution full time) the opportunity to gain transfer admission to IU Bloomington upon reaching specific academic benchmarks.

Learn more about the Hoosier Link program

Admitted students

If you’re admitted to IU Bloomington, you’ll need to reserve your space by indicating your intent to enroll by May 1 May 15.

Reserve your space

Campus safety and security reports

Indiana University’s annual security reports, which contain policy statements as well as crime and fire statistics for Indiana University campuses, are available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu.