The 12 schools at IU offer two ways to be admitted into a program: direct admission or standard admission. The major you are interested in, the school's requirements for direct admission, and space availability will inform how you might start your academic journey at IU. Each path is designed to provide the best academic experience and support for students.
Ways you might be admitted
If you are admitted to IU Bloomington and indicated a major on your application that is within one of the schools below, you will be directly admitted to the school/College to begin your studies in your major program of interest at the start of your freshman year and have an academic advisor in the school.
- The College of Arts and Sciences
- Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture, + Design
- Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies
- Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
- The Media School
- School of Education
- School of Public Health
- School of Social Work
Note: BFA programs within the College of Arts and Sciences require an audition/interview for direct admission consideration.
If you are admitted to IU Bloomington and indicated a major on your application that is within the Jacobs School of Music, you will be considered for direct admission. An audition/interview is required to be consider for direct admission. There is not a standard admission path for music majors. Learn more about the direct admission standards at the Jacobs School.
If you are admitted to IU Bloomington and indicated a major on your application that is within the schools listed below, you may be eligible for direct admission or may follow a standard admission process, based on space availability and academic readiness. Please carefully review the details regarding these pathways for your school of interest using the links below, as additional deadlines and application processes may apply.
Students offered direct admission to these schools will have an academic advisor in the school.
Students on the standard admission path to the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs will have an academic advisor in the school.
Students on the standard admission path to the Kelley School of Business or School of Nursing will be advised by Advising and Major Exploration Services (AMES). The expert advisors at AMES will work with you to pursue the requirements for your intended academic program to help you successfully transition into your school. You'll have access to the same courses and prerequisites as students who receive direct admission.
Start as exploratory
There's no rush to decide on a major! At IU, you'll have time and support to help you discover your interests and set your academic and career goals. If you did not select a major or chose exploratory on your application, you'll start as an exploratory student. In your first year at IU, you'll work with the experts in AMES to explore your options, take prerequisites, then follow a standard admission path into your school of interest.