The IU experience goes beyond getting a great education. When you become a Hoosier, you’ll join a spirited community of students from all over the world. And you’ll discover all the ways you can learn, grow, and get the tools and experiences you need to succeed.
So start exploring—and see why you belong at IU.
Whether it’s comedy or consulting, modeling or martial arts, service or skiing, you have a campus and city full of ways to do what you love. You’ll also build your resume, grow as a leader, engage in meaningful work, and meet others who share your interests.
Get involved
IU will push you to live outside of your comfort zone. You aren't just chasing your dream here, you're experiencing it every day.
Drew Seddelmeyer
Be part of traditions that are over 200 years in the making. Touch the hand of the Herman B Wells statue for good luck. Attend the Little 500 bicycle races. Dip your feet in Showalter Fountain. Wear the candy-striped pants. These are the traditions that make you a Hoosier for life.
Learn our traditions
Athletics and school spirit are huge here. From candy-striped pants to the best timeout in college basketball to knowing what to do when someone chants “Hoo-Hoo-Hoo” (you yell “Hoosiers!”), you’ll pick up on these traditions. Check out the video below to get a glimpse of some of them.
Description of the video:
[ video: “THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS Presents FISTS and BLADES: An instructional digital recording. Recording #0314, Office of Admissions Educational Filmations” ]
[ video: Close up shot of the Sample Gates, two limestone arches with two pillars. Campus buildings and a clock tower are behind the pillars. ]
Narrator: Welcome to the campus of historic Indiana University.
[ video: Trees frame the shot and between them is a limestone building with a large clock tower in the center. ]
Narrator: It’s beautiful tree line setting
[ video: Trees surround a fountain with a statue of a woman in the center. Surrounding the woman are fish statues, water spurting from their mouths. ]
Narrator: And state of the art educational facilities
[ video: Close-up of a pencil sharpener in a classroom. Close-up shot of small filing cabinets. ]
Narrator: Are home to the proud and spirited members
[ video: A group of students wearing IU jerseys stand cheering and smiling at the camera. Behind them is a football stadium. ]
Narrator: Of the Hoosier Nation. Each year, hundreds of age old traditions
[ video: Close-up of students in the stands at a game. The students hold inflatable sticks in their hands. ]
Narrator: Are passed down from one generation to the next
[ video: Close-up of scoreboard. ]
Narrator: Including the vaunted
[ video: Student talks into megaphone. Students in IU shirts cheer behind him. ]
Narrator: Fists and Blades. Signal to everyone that you are a
[ video: Series of shots of students lifting arms above his or her head and bringing arms to a ninety-degree angle at shoulders, performing the Fists and Blades cheer. ]
Narrator: True Hoosier. But
[ video: Cheerleaders raise pompoms at game. ]
Narrator: The Office of Admissions asks, do you know how to properly perform the Fists and Blades?
[ video: Text, “DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THE FISTS AND BLADES?” ]
Narrator: Not quite!
[ video: Two young men raise arms up and down. ]
Narrator: May need a little more practice.
[ video: Four young women raise arms up and down. ]
Narrator: Mom might need a few pointers.
[ video: A student and two women hold arms up in the air. ]
Narrator: Nope. I don’t think so.
[ video: Two young women move their arms back and forth and look at each other. ]
Narrator: I don’t know what she’s doing.
[ video: Three young women in front of a fountain move arms back and forth in front of their faces and laugh. A young woman walks off screen and young man waves for her to come back. ]
Narrator: Cindy is a member of the Indiana University cheerleading team. Let Cindy show you the dos and don’ts of the Fists and Blades.
[ video: Drawing of a IU cheerleader holds pompoms at her sides and smiles. ]
Narrator: Arms straight up high, fists clenched.
[ video: Cheerleader raises pompoms above her head, arms straight. Pompoms disappear and the cheerleader’s hands are in fists. ]
Narrator: Then, arms at a sharp ninety-degree angle, blades sharp.
[ video: Cheerleader drops arms to her shoulders. Pompoms disappear and the cheerleader’s fingers are straight. ]
Narrator: Remember, a proud Hoosier never has to hide his face.
[ video: Cheerleader brings arms together in front of her face. ]
Narrator: Remember, no jazz hands.
[ video: Cheerleader raises arms and splays fingers. ]
Narrator: That’s the ticket. I think I see a Hoosier.
[ video: Pompoms reappear in cheerleader’s hands she performs the Fists and Blades. ]
Narrator: Remember be proud and shout loud. Go Hoosiers!
[ video: “admissions.indiana.edu” ]
Join a community dedicated to the arts where you’ll have more than 1,500 performances to choose from each year. From ballets to operas, Broadway shows to cinema productions, IU offers students the chance to experience award-winning performances.
Explore the arts
First-year students live on campus for a good reason: you’ll be closer to classes and campus events, get more involved in student organizations, and make friendships that will last long after your first year. You’ll have plenty of housing options too—with four neighborhoods and more than 20 learning communities, you’ll definitely find your perfect fit.
Find your place
Bloomington offers students the comfort of a small town with all the culture and excitement of a larger city. Whether you want to sample international cuisine, hike miles of trails, or attend thrilling concerts, Bloomington has so much to do and see.
Explore Bloomington#15most amazing college campus, 2019
See the rankings