Choose IU

Attend Choose IU and experience life at Indiana University

Congratulations! Your achievements have earned your admission to Indiana University. Now come learn about all that IU has to offer at Choose IU, a supervised overnight program for underrepresented minority students that begins with Red Carpet Day on April 17. During this event, you and your guest(s) will explore IU’s academic opportunities, cultural resources, and student organizations, as well as learn more about IU's richly diverse community.

All meals and overnight accommodations will be provided for students. Students are restricted to two guests. This event will include programming for parents and legal guardians on April 17, however lodging will NOT be provided for parents, legal guardians, or any additional family and friends. For questions regarding lodging, please email iuadmit6@indiana.edu.

Reservations are required and space is limited, so RSVP now for Choose IU, and we’ll take care of your registration for the April 17 Red Carpet Day.

RSVP now

If you are a parent/guardian of an invited student, please RSVP with your student’s name and information. For assistance registering your student, please contact us at 812-855-0661.

Here is a tentative schedule for the event. You’ll receive a more detailed schedule at check-in.

Day One

8 a.m.—Red Carpet Day and Choose IU check-in
12:30 p.m.—Choose IU Luncheon at the Neal Marshall Black Cultural Center
2 p.m.—Optional academic sessions
3:30 p.m.—Optional tours and information session
4:30–6 p.m.—Choose IU evening check-in at Forest Residence Hall
6–11 p.m.—Choose IU social options
11:30 p.m.—Lights out

Day Two

8:30 a.m.—Breakfast
9 a.m.—Choose IU interactive workshops and activities
12 p.m.—Student dismissal and check-out

When driving to campus, please allow extra time to manage unexpected delays or detours. For more information regarding state and local construction, please review the following sites:

Average driving times

Champaign, IL—200 miles/3 hours
Chicago, IL—235 miles/4 hours
Cincinnati, OH—134 miles/2.5 hours
Columbus, OH—223 miles/4 hours
Evansville, IN—120 miles/2 hours
Fort Wayne, IN—169 miles/3.5 hours
Gary, IN—199 miles/3.5 hours
Indianapolis, IN—50 miles/1.5 hours
Louisville, KY—98 miles/2 hours
South Bend, IN—198 miles/3.5 hours
St. Louis, MO—220 miles/4 hours
Terre Haute, IN—57 miles/1.5 hours

Check-in location

Indiana Memorial Union
900 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405

Check-in for Red Carpet Day (the first part of Choose IU) will be held at the Whittenberger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union, located at 900 E. Seventh Street. At check-in, you will have an opportunity to talk with current students and staff and enjoy a light continental breakfast before the program begins. Please plan to arrive on campus no later than 8:30 a.m. to allow time to park, walk, check in, and enjoy breakfast.

Please note that Bloomington, Indiana is in the Eastern Time Zone. Please adjust your travel time accordingly.

Free campus parking option

We recommend parking in a visitor spot in the Henderson Parking Garage, located at 310 S. Fess Avenue. When checking in for the event, you will be provided with a parking permit to be used at the automated kiosk to exit the garage at no charge. It will take approximately 15 minutes to walk to the Indiana Memorial Union from the Henderson Parking Garage. Please plan to arrive on campus no later than 8:30 a.m. to allow time to park, walk, check in, and enjoy breakfast. We recommend leaving your overnight belongings in your car until later in the day. There will be time to bring them to the residence hall, say goodbye to your parents/guests, and get ready for the evening portion of the program.

Walking directions to Indiana Memorial Union from the Henderson Parking Garage

Exit the Henderson Parking Garage and head north on Indiana Avenue to Kirkwood Avenue. At the intersection of Indiana and Kirkwood, turn right and proceed on the sidewalk through the Sample Gates. The Indiana Memorial Union will be the fourth building on your left, northeast of Maxwell Hall. You can also map your walking route in advance by using the interactive campus map or printable map.

Pay parking options

There are two pay lots located at the Indiana Memorial Union. Please visit the IMU website for more information, including rates and availability. PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to park in either of the Indiana Memorial Union pay parking lots, the Office of Admissions will not be able to reimburse your parking fees.

If you need overnight accommodations for a parent or family member, please call Visit Bloomington, the area’s visitor center, at 1-800-800-0037 or visit their website, which links to local hotel/motel information. Guests are responsible for hotel costs. Reservations at the Indiana Memorial Union Biddle Hotel are available by calling 1-800-209-8145 or by visiting their website.

You will be staying in a residence hall lounge with IU students. Therefore, you should bring the following:

Sleeping bag
Comforter
Pillow
Towels
Shower shoes
Toiletries
Overnight bag or backpack
Clothes appropriate for the season
Spending money (optional)
Umbrella (optional)

Reminders

Please keep in mind the following for your visit:

  • Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing since you will be walking and visiting various places on campus.
  • As a common courtesy, please listen quietly during presentations and be sure to remove any hats when inside buildings.
  • Smoking is not allowed on the IU Bloomington campus.
  • We recommend that students leave expensive personal belongings that cannot be carried with them at all times at home. IU will not be responsible for the loss of or damage to any such items.

Please be advised that photographs will be taken at this event. Your participation in this event authorizes Indiana University Bloomington to photograph you and use your image in social media, on the web, and/or in marketing materials.