do you have to write an essay for iupui

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Freshman Students

Follow these steps to apply to indiana university indianapolis as an international freshman.

You should apply for freshman status if you have never attended a college or university. You must earn a diploma from an accredited high school before you enroll at IU Indianapolis.

Make sure to check our admission standards and deadlines before you start the application process.

Request Information Frequently Asked Questions

Application Process

Step 1: submit the online application.

IU Indianapolis accepts one of two online applications for freshman students:

Apply IU Common Application Submit only one application for admission to IU Indianapolis. You must submit the nonrefundable $65 application fee to complete your application.

Helpful Tips

• The Common App will require you to complete an essay.
• You are not required to have an SAT or ACT score to submit either application.  

If you have any questions or issues, please feel free to email us at [email protected] .

Step 2: Submit Your Supporting Documents in Slate

 You will submit your supporting documents electronically through Slate , our online portal for international students. Within five business days of submitting the online application, you will receive an email from  [email protected]  with instructions. 

• Frequently Asked Questions about Slate»
• Required supporting documents »
• Deadlines for submitting supporting documents »

You can also log into Slate to see your next steps and see which documents have been reviewed and accepted. Our international admissions team will contact you if there are any questions about your documents.

Step 3: Receive a Decision

After you submit all supporting documents and we have determined that you are eligible for admission to IU Indianapolis, we will notify you by email. You will be able to access the letter about your admission status in Slate .

Also, be sure to check your email on a regular basis. We will email you if we need any additional documentation or if we have any other instructions for you. The waiting period until you hear if you have been admitted is usually two to four weeks.

Learn more about what happens after you apply , including how to check your admission status.

Step 4: Submit Financial Documentation for Visa Purposes

If you will need a student visa in order to enroll at IU Indianapolis, you must submit financial documentation verifying your ability to pay your tuition and living expenses for up to one year. To learn more about this, please download and read: Financial Information for International Students

In order to complete this step, you must fill out both, the“Submit Financial Support Agreement” and “Submit Financial Documentation” e-forms in Atlas, our online portal for admitted international students. 

We cannot issue you a visa document until you have completed this step.

Step 5: Submit Your SEVIS Transfer form (English Language or U.S. High School Only)

You will need to transfer your SEVIS record to IU Indianapolis if you are currently on a student visa (F1) and are studying at a U.S. institution.

Log onto Atlas and follow instructions for filling out and submitting the SEVIS Transfer Request Form.

Step 6: Submit your enrollment deposit

IU Indianapolis requires all fall international freshmen to officially accept their offer of admission by paying a nonrefundable $100 enrollment deposit .

Once your deposit is received, it will be marked as such on your student record. This will allow you to register for student orientation (which takes place virtually during the summer). Your deposit will be applied to your first tuition bill.

You can pay your deposit online . Pay your deposit within three weeks of admission. As a reminder, your deposit is not refundable if you decide to attend somewhere other than IU Indianapolis.

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IUPUI Requirements for Admission

What are IUPUI's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into IUPUI and build a strong application.

School location: Indianapolis, IN

This school is also known as: Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Admissions Rate: 82.9%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at IUPUI is 82.9% . For every 100 applicants, 83 are admitted.

This means the school is lightly selective . The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet IUPUI's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

IUPUI GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.52

The average GPA at IUPUI is 3.52 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.52, IUPUI requires you to be around average in your high school class. You'll need a mix of A's and B's, and very few C's. If you have a lower GPA, you can compensate with harder courses like AP or IB classes. This will help boost your weighted GPA and show your ability to take college classes.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

IUPUI hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to IUPUI will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

IUPUI SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1161

The average SAT score composite at IUPUI is a 1161 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes IUPUI Competitive for SAT test scores.

IUPUI SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1060, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1240. In other words, a 1060 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1240 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

IUPUI has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, IUPUI will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and IUPUI forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1060, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

IUPUI ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, IUPUI likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 25

The average ACT score at IUPUI is 25. This score makes IUPUI Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 21, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 27.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 21 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to IUPUI, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 21.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

IUPUI considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average . Aim for a 1060 SAT or a 21 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of IUPUI here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $65
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes Portfolio for art program recommended for freshmen

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office May 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language
• Social Studies 3
• Electives 7

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes May 15 September 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 420 Indianapolis, IN 46202
• Phone: (317) 274-5555 x5555
• Fax: (317) 278-1862
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in IUPUI, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to IUPUI.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than IUPUI. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for IUPUI, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for IUPUI, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If IUPUI is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis | IUPUI

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Want to see your chances of admission at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis | IUPUI?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis | IUPUI’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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Types of Freshman Admission and Qualifications

IUPUI offers beginning freshmen enrollment as degree-seeking or visiting students. Visiting student status is for only the Summer II term in June after graduation from high school.

If you wish to enter an undergraduate certificate, associates, or bachelor’s degree program, apply as a degree-seeking student (even if you are unsure of which degree program). As a beginning freshman, you must not have enrolled in any college, business, or vocational school after high school graduation.

For a beginning student, we will examine your high school record including courses completed; grades earned, and standardized test results. The trend in your grades and the difficulty of your courses are also important.

• Graduated from high school or will graduate before enrolling.
• The best preparation for college studies is the completion of a strong college-prep curriculum. If you are a current Indiana high school student, you are expected to complete Core 40 and are strongly encouraged to earn the Academic Honors Diploma.

If you are not in an Indiana high school, you should complete the following core of classes to be considered for admission: 

• 4 years of college-prep English
• 3-4 years of mathematics, including second-year algebra (We highly recommend 4 years.)
• 3 years of social sciences
• 3 years of laboratory science
• 4 years of some combination of foreign language, computer science or additional mathematics, laboratory sciences, social sciences, or English courses. Some IUPUI schools require additional courses.
• You must provide the results of your SAT or ACT, including the Writing Section of the test (scores must be received at IUPUI by May 1). If your class has graduated and a fall semester has passed since you graduated, you do not need to take the SAT or ACT. (However, if you did take the test, we would like to see the results, especially for scholarship consideration.) The results of the writing section assist you and your academic advisor with placement into a writing course. Though test results are considered during the admission review, we do not deny students strictly based on their test results. The SAT or ACT is most important when considering you for dual admission to your intended major and scholarship consideration.
• Though no grade point average guarantees admission to IUPUI, we generally expect to see students with a "B" average when reviewing applications. The trend in your grades and the difficulty of your courses are also very important, and we review favorably those students who have improved their grades in their junior and senior years. The two most important factors will be the courses you attempted and the grades you earned.
• Adult students over the age of 21 should note that SAT or ACT scores are not required and, although a high school transcript is the primary criteria for admission, the Admissions Committee also considers such things as military experience after leaving high school.

If you have significant deficiencies in either academic preparation or performance, IUPUI will defer your acceptance until you complete designated courses at Ivy Tech Community College or another regionally accredited two-year or four-year college. A deferral contract outlining the courses to complete will be sent to you.

Students enrolling at IUPUI who have not attended college after earning a GED are considered beginning freshmen students. The following are the admission requirements:

• Earned the GED.
• If you are under 19 years of age, you must provide the results of an ACT or SAT test.

Depending on your GED score, you will either be granted admission or deferred to complete coursework at Ivy Tech Community College or another regionally accredited two-year or four-year institution.  Visit http://enroll.iupui.edu/admissions/apply/  for the most up-to-date score requirements.

Students graduating from high school may enroll at IUPUI as a visiting student for the June summer session. As a student applying under this status, you must do the following:

• Verify with the Admissions Office of the institution you will attend in the fall that they will accept the course credits.
• Submit an IUPUI application as a visiting student.
• Submit a copy of your high school transcript and test scores.
• Submit a copy of your letter of acceptance.
• Submit the application fee.
• You are not eligible for financial aid as a visiting student, according to federal regulations.
• If admitted, you must complete IUPUI placement tests in reading, writing, and mathematics. These must be done before you can register for classes.
• You may apply only for the June semester and you are encouraged to do this no later than the beginning of May.

Last Updated: February, 2014.

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Prospective Freshmen: Fall 2024

Apply for admission and scholarships.

The IU Indianapolis Honors College is comprised of students from a wide variety of academic disciplines. We're a close-knit community of scholars that offers a robust four-year academic and scholarship experience. All incoming freshmen who apply to the Honors College will be considered for both admission and four-year scholarship opportunities, and students may apply for one or more of our four competitive scholarship programs.

To be eligible to apply for admission and scholarships, you must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of a 3.75 or higher.

Admission expectations

Admission to the IU Indianapolis Honors College is competitive. Successful applicants will have a strong academic record as evident on their high school transcript , with mostly A and B grades in academic coursework. The Admission and Scholarship Review Committee find that choosing challenging courses in high school demonstrates a greater likelihood for success in honors coursework.

Though a strong transcript is essential for selection, we do conduct a holistic review using supplemental materials. The scholarship resume should not only list activities but also provide the time commitment involved and the position held by the applicant, the scholarship essays should demonstrate an interest in joining our Honors College community and a dedication to the challenging curriculum, and the sample of academic work  should indicate an understanding of the level of difficulty of college-level assignments. Each of these components of the application provide the review committee the information necessary to make an admission decision.

IU Indianapolis Honors College scholarships

All students selected for admission to the IU Indianapolis Honors College will receive one of the scholarships below.  Please note that students admitted to the Honors College will be awarded an Honors Scholarship, which replaces the admission-based Jaguar Excellence Award.

IU Indianapolis Chancellor's Scholars Program

Indiana residents, nonresidents, and international students may apply.

The IU Indianapolis  Chancellor's Scholars Program  is designed for highly motivated, well-rounded incoming freshmen who have excelled in high school and are committed to academic excellence.

Midwest Student Exchange Program and Student Excellence Award  recipients are eligible to receive $8,000 annually for four years.

Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarships

While most honors scholars will be receiving the Chancellor’s Scholarship, some will receive the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.

These scholarships require additional application materials and have a strict application deadline of November 15. Prospective students chosen as finalists for one of these scholarships will participate in an interview in January, which will determine final award selection.

Eligible students may apply for one or more of these scholarships, but may only receive one of our four Honors College scholarships. If a student is selected to receive the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater scholarship, it will replace the Chancellor’s Scholarship.

Bepko Scholars and Fellows Program

Indiana residents and international students* may apply.

The   Bepko Scholars and Fellows Program   is designed for students who demonstrate integrity, dedication, leadership, and a commitment to service.

Students selected for this scholarship program receive undergraduate tuition, fees, a $2,500 study abroad stipend, and books for four years of study. Bepko Scholars also receive two years of on-campus housing and are required to live in the Honors Residential-Based Learning Community (RBLC) during their freshman year.

Bepko Scholars who attend IU Indianapolis for graduate or professional study receive $5,000 per year for four years and are named Bepko Fellows.

* One international student will be selected for the Bepko Scholarship. For more information on undergraduate admission and scholarship opportunities for international students, please visit the IU Indianapolis International Affairs website .

Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholars Program

Indiana residents may apply.

The  Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholarship  is designed for outstanding Indiana high school seniors with extensive leadership experience.

Students selected for this scholarship receive $12,000 per year for four years of study, a $2,500 study abroad stipend, a $1,500 housing stipend during their freshman year for on-campus housing, and a $1,200 one-time award for supplemental educational expenses (e.g., laptop, books, equipment).

Plater International Scholars Program

Indiana residents and   international* students may apply.

The   Plater International Scholars Program   is designed for exceptional incoming freshmen with an interest in international affairs and cross-cultural experiences.

Students selected for this scholarship receive $12,000 per year for four years of study, a $2,500 study abroad stipend, and a $2,500 housing stipend for their freshman year.

* One international student will be selected for the Plater International Scholarship. For more information on undergraduate admission and scholarship opportunities for international students, please visit the IU Indianapolis International Affairs website .

Applying to the IU Indianapolis Honors College

Before you apply to the IU Indianapolis Honors College, you must apply and be admitted to IU Indianapolis. Incoming freshmen interested in applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships must apply to IU Indianapolis before November 1.

All students interested in admission to the IU Indianapolis Honors College are encouraged to apply to IU Indianapolis as early in the senior year as possible. Once admitted to IU Indianapolis, students will be able to apply for admission to the Honors College and our scholarships. The Honors College admission and scholarship application for incoming freshmen may be accessed through the IU scholarship application.

The deadline to submit all application materials is November 15 for the Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarships and February 15 for the Chancellor’s Scholarship.

IU Indianapolis Honors College admission timeline

• November 1: Deadline to apply to IU Indianapolis if you're planning on applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.
• November 15: Deadline to apply to the IU Indianapolis Honors College if you're applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships. Please note that if you plan to apply for any of these scholarships, you must apply for admission and the Chancellor’s Scholarship at this time as well.
• Mid-December: Admission, scholarship, and interview decisions for students who applied for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.
• January: Interviews take place for the Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarship finalists.
• Mid-February: Decision notifications for the Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarship finalists go out.
• February 15: Deadline to apply to the IU Indianapolis Honors College if interested only in the Chancellor’s Scholarship.
• Mid-March: Final decision notifications for students who applied only for the Chancellor’s Scholarship go out.
• May 1: Decision deadline for the IU Indianapolis Honors College.

Application checklist for admission and the Chancellor's Scholarship

General application of iu scholarship application.

You can view more details about the general application here .

Transcripts

Since you’ve already applied and submitted your high school transcript to IU Indianapolis, we'll work with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to obtain it, as well as any other transcripts you may have sent to them, i.e. college/university coursework.

Scholarship resume

In order for our selection committee to get to know you more personally, please make sure you have completed the IU Indianapolis General Application sections listed below as thoroughly as possible. You are welcome to go back into the General Application and revise any of the sections below as long as you do so before the application deadline. Within the Volunteer and Community Service Experience, Leadership Experience and Extra-Curricular Activity Experience sections, you will see an option titled, If Other Type Selected Please Describe , we ask that you use that space to expand upon your experiences by including the italicized below.

• Volunteer and Community Service Experience ( add dates and description of service experiences )
• Leadership Experience ( add dates and more information regarding positions held )
• Extra-Curricular Activity Experience ( add dates and more information regarding activities )
• Honors and Awards
• Work Experience

Sample of academic work

All applicants must provide a sample of academic work. Our review committee is looking for evidence of your potential for success in an honors curriculum.

Your submission may be from any discipline, regardless of your intended major, as long as it is your original, individual academic work. A research paper from an AP English course would be an example of an appropriate choice, though we anticipate many students will wish to submit an academic artifact that is not a traditional writing sample. Examples may include, but are not limited to, a science project or lab report; an electronic portfolio; a class, forensics, or science fair presentation; and a capstone, research, or seminar project.

Applicants are encouraged to select an artifact that best represents their academic ability. If the submission includes a grade, the review committee will not factor that grade into their decision. For that reason, we recommend that you select a sample of your work that has been edited and revised over time. Examples of unacceptable submissions would be a quiz, test, or group project; we want to see something that is your individual work that took some time and effort outside of a single class period to produce.

You'll also submit a paragraph explaining why your chosen artifact is a strong example of your academic ability and potential for success in the IU Indianapolis Honors College. In conducting our review of your application, this paragraph is crucial to help us understand the learning represented in your academic artifact. In this paragraph, be sure to reflect on the artifact and the learning process you went through to create it—what did you accomplish in your chosen artifact and what did you learn about the subject, yourself, your educational growth, and your potential for success as an Honors College student?

Finally you will be asked to provide a name and email address of a teacher or other academic professional who can verify that the artifact is your original work.

School counselor reference

When applying for admission to the Honors College, you'll be required to submit one reference form from your school counselor.* We'll ask you to provide their name and email address, and we'll contact them with the required form. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so we can receive their response by the application deadline.

*If you are a homeschooled student and do not have a traditional school counselor, an appropriate substitute would be the coordinator of your home school program. Please note that we cannot accept recommendations from a family member.

Please respond to the following prompt, which will be used for selection for both admission to the Honors College and the Chancellor’s Scholarship. You must type or copy and paste your essay directly into the online application.

Reflecting on your experience as a highly motivated student, in a 400–600 word essay, choose one example from your high school coursework and/or activities and explain how it demonstrates why you are a strong candidate for the IU Indianapolis Honors College. In addition, aside from the financial resources, discuss what appeals to you about our Honors College community.

Application checklist for Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarships

Honors college admission/chancellor's scholarship application.

You can find additional information about Honors College admission and the Chancellor's Scholarship application here .

You must first submit your Chancellor’s Scholarship application before applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.

Bepko Scholarship

You can view more information about the Bepko Scholarship above .

For Indiana residents and international students only

Essay prompt

Write an essay, from 800 to 1,000 words, that describes your experiences in community service and volunteerism, specifically address your role(s) and lessons learned. What social issues did you become aware of as a result of your service experiences, and what effect, if any, did this have on your worldview? Discuss one social issue that you’d like to continue your involvement with in college and why this issue is important to you.

In addition to the resume submitted as part of the general application, students applying for the Bepko Scholarship must submit a scholarship resume detailing experiences relevant to service. We understand that the general application scholarship resume will likely have all of these experiences listed; however, we're interested in seeing scholarship candidates highlight their most relevant experiences on this additional resume submission.

Letter of recommendation

Students applying for the Bepko Scholarship will be asked to submit a reference form specific to the scholarship itself. Your recommender must be someone other than the school counselor who will be providing your reference for admission to the Honors College and cannot be a family member. We strongly suggest that you share the details of the Bepko Scholarship with your recommender. You will be asked to provide the recommender’s name, affiliation, and email address. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so that we can receive their response by 5 p.m. on November 15.

Presidential Scholarship

You can view more information about the Presidential Scholarship above .

For Indiana residents only

Write an essay, from 800 to 1,000 words, that discusses a successful leadership experience you've had during high school. Describe the skills that make you a successful leader and how you developed them. How do you plan to get involved and use these skills to help you accomplish your personal and professional goals at IU Indianapolis and the IU Indianapolis Honors College?

In addition to the resume submitted as part of the general application, students applying for the Presidential Scholarship must submit a scholarship resume detailing experiences relevant to leadership. We understand that the general application scholarship resume will likely have all of these experiences listed; however, we're interested in seeing scholarship candidates highlight their most relevant experiences on this additional resume submission.

Students applying for the Presidential Scholarship will be asked to submit a reference form specific to the scholarship itself. This recommender must be someone other than the school counselor who will be providing your reference for admission to the Honors College and cannot be a family member. We strongly suggest that you share the details of the Presidential Scholarship with your recommender. You will be asked to provide the recommender’s name, affiliation, and email address. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so that we can receive their response by 5 p.m. on November 15.

Plater Scholarship

You can view more information about the Plater Scholarship above .

Write an essay, from 800 to 1,000 words, that discusses the importance of globalization and cross-cultural competency. What have you done to improve your global awareness and understanding of different cultures? Have you taken any initiatives to promote these values in your community? As a Plater International Scholar at IU Indianapolis and the IU Indianapolis Honors College, what international experiences would you like to pursue and why?

In addition to the resume submitted as part of the general application, students applying for the Plater Scholarship must submit a scholarship resume detailing experiences relevant to international and cross-cultural involvement. We understand that the general application scholarship resume will likely have all of these experiences listed; however, we're interested in seeing scholarship candidates highlight their most relevant experiences on this additional resume submission.

Students applying for the Plater Scholarship will be asked to submit a reference form specific to the scholarship itself. This recommender must be someone other than the school counselor who will be providing your reference for admission to the Honors College and cannot be a family member. We strongly suggest that you share the details of the Plater Scholarship with your recommender. You will be asked to provide the recommender’s name, affiliation, and email address. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so that we can receive their response by 5 p.m. on November 15.

What will you do next?

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The application process for future freshmen

We’re excited that you’re interested in attending IU Bloomington and are here to help you throughout the application and admissions process.

Use the following step-by-step instructions to learn what you need to do before you start your application , when you are ready to apply , and after you have submitted your application .

International applicants should visit the Office of International Services for information about applying.

Download our booklet

Check out the IU Admissions Viewbook and learn more about our majors, inspiring academic opportunities, and the IU family.

Ready to become a Hoosier?

There are two application options to choose from, but you should submit only one application for admission to IU Bloomington.

Start your Apply IU Application

Use the Apply IU Application to apply to IU Bloomington—and apply to more than one Indiana University campus.

Start your Common Application

Use the Common Application to apply to any of over 900 schools.

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.

Before you apply

Before you begin the application process, learn what you need to do to get ready to apply.

Know our deadlines

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.

See all deadlines

*IU is test-optional. To learn more, please visit go.iu.edu/test-optional .

Review admission standards

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.

View the class profile

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.

Additional information for homeschooled students

Academic preparation

Applicants should complete at least 34 credits of college-preparatory courses, including:

• 8 credits (semesters) of English , such as literature, grammar, or composition
• 7 credits (semesters) of mathematics , including 4 credits of algebra and 2 credits of geometry (or an equivalent 6 credits of integrated algebra and geometry), and 1 credit of precalculus, trigonometry, statistics, finite, or calculus or an alternative course demonstrating advanced math preparation. *NOTE: Discrete mathematics and quantitative reasoning are not approved alternative courses and will not meet the math requirements outlined above.
• 6 credits (semesters) of social sciences , including 2 credits of U.S. history; 2 credits of world history/civilization/geography; and 2 additional credits in government, economics, sociology, history, or similar topics
• 6 credits (semesters) of sciences , including at least 4 credits of laboratory sciences: biology, chemistry, or physics
• 4 credits (semesters) of world languages
• 3 or more credits (semesters) of additional college-preparatory courses ; additional mathematics credits are recommended for students intending to pursue a science degree and additional world language credits are recommended for all students

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.

Research majors

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.

Learn more about being an exploratory student

Learn about direct admission and entering your school

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.

Learn about scholarships

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 .

Learn more about this scholarship deadline

Additional scholarships

You can also look for additional scholarship opportunities within your community and at your high school.

Get more information about scholarships

Review AP, IB, and other credit guides

IU awards AP and college credit that can help you get a head start on your degree program.

Read more about advanced placement, credit, and exemptions

Calculate any transfer credits

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.

Learn more about our Credit Transfer Service

Find Jacobs School of Music requirements

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.

Learn more about Jacobs School of Music requirements

When you apply

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

Submit your complete application

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:

• Apply IU Application
• Common Application
• 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] or 812-855-0661 .

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

Pay the application fee or request a waiver

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.

Send your test scores (if applicable)

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.

Request to have your high school transcript sent

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 [email protected] . 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 [email protected] .

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

Once you apply, you will be invited to your IU Portal where you can check your application status. Read below for instructions and to learn more about what you can do after you apply.

Check your application status and any needed materials

To check the status of your application, log in to your IU Portal. An email was sent to you once you started your application with login information. Please note: emails with login information will begin in mid-August. 

In the IU Portal, you'll see a Checklist of any items our office still needs to receive. Please be aware that after your items are received, it may take up to four weeks for them to be updated in your Checklist. Please be patient and check back frequently.

To check the status of your application and your Checklist

Go to your IU Portal.

Log in using the username and password you created.

If you have any outstanding items listed on your Checklist, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Please upload your items in the IU Portal or contact us if you have questions.

Create your IU computing account

Your university ID number will be listed in your IU Portal. Use your university ID number to create your IU computing account, which you will use for other important tasks during your admission process, including direct admission review requests. Please note: The computing account is different than your IU Portal account and the account you created to apply.

Steps to create your IU computing account:

• Open Create My First IU Account in One.IU .
• Read and agree to the Guidelines for Appropriate Usage.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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:

• Forgot your 10-digit university ID number? If you are an ACP student, use the Information Recovery Form . All other students should first try the Student Self-Service University Lookup Form . If you still need assistance, please email the Office of Admissions at [email protected] . (In order to help you, we will request additional information.)
• Forgot your username? Contact the UITS Support Center .
• Forgot your passphrase? Reset it here .

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.

Self-report your scores

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."

Change your test-optional selection

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 .

Make other changes to your application

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

Cancel your application

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.

Just for Hoosier Link students

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.

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 [email protected] .

• Contact us / Join the mailing list

FUTURE FRESHMEN

• See admission requirements
• Learn how to apply
• Learn about AP credit
• Check your status
• Correct your application

FUTURE TRANSFERS

• Learn about transfer credit

ADMITTED STUDENTS

• Learn how to enroll
• Declare your intent to enroll
• Set up your computing account
• Explore housing
• Learn about orientation

Indiana University-Bloomington (IU) Supplemental Essay Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to write an Indiana University supplemental essay? CollegeAdvisor.com ’s guide to the Indiana University application essay will show you exactly how to write an engaging Indiana University supplemental essay and maximize your chances of admission. If you need help crafting your IU application essay, create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272 .

Indiana University Application Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• U.S. News considers Indiana University a more selective university.
• The IU acceptance rate is 80.4%.
• Indiana University is ranked #68 in the U.S. News list of National Universities.

Does Indiana University Require Essays?

Yes. In addition to the Personal Statement that you’ll write for the Common App or Coalition App , you’ll also complete one Indiana University supplement essay. Since there’s only one IU essay prompt, you should do everything you can to make sure your essay stands out. 

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay guide .  

What is Indiana University’s Supplemental Essay?

There is only one school-specific IU essay prompt, which is required for all applicants. There are no additional IU supplemental essays for first-year applicants. Your Indiana University essay should be between 200 and 400 words. 

Indiana University application essays can cover a breadth of topics. Above all, the Indiana University application essay aims to help the admissions team get to know you. The IU essay prompt gives you the freedom to write about the topics that best illustrate who you are and how you will use an education from IU. Take advantage of the Indiana University application essay to maximize your admissions odds. 

How do I Write Indiana University’s Supplemental Essay: Question 1

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. Also, if you encountered any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in pursuit of your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them. This essay may be used in scholarship consideration. (400 word maximum)

This IU application essay is a combination of the classic “why college?” and “why major?” prompts. In 400 words, your Indiana University essay should clearly articulate your reasons for applying to Indiana University. It should also show your vision for your time as a Hoosier. 

The IU essay prompt also lets you discuss challenges that have impacted your education. Often, you can integrate these challenges into the narrative of your Indiana University essay since you overcame them in pursuit of your goals. Your IU application essay should focus on connecting your experiences to your future at Indiana University. 

When brainstorming for this IU essay prompt, ask yourself what you want to be when you grow up. Write down your dreams, goals, career interests, academic pursuits, and hobbies. When reading your IU supplemental essay, the admissions team should learn what is important to you and how you would spend your time on their campus.

An effective Why IU supplemental essay will think beyond the IU acceptance rate and Indiana University ranking. When answering this IU essay prompt, don’t just think about IU as a means to an end. Instead, think of this Indiana University application essay as a “why fit” essay. Your college experience is a two-way street; you will both contribute to and benefit from the IU community.

Tell a story

In your Indiana University application essay, try to tell a story. Your college essay shouldn’t read like a five-paragraph essay. To draw your reader in, try opening your IU supplemental essay with an anecdote. How can you immediately put the reader in your shoes? Establish an element of mystery? Dramatize your opening? Select a story that shows growth, curiosity, determination, or another positive trait that you’ll highlight in your Indiana University essay. 

In your IU application essay, make sure you include personal details. Whenever you make a claim about yourself in your Indiana University essay, provide examples to support it—show, don’t tell. If you write that you have an entrepreneurial spirit, back it up with a story from your life. If you include that you have a passion for mentoring others, provide a story from a time you mentored someone. IU does not expect that you will be involved in the same activities in college that you were in high school; still, your IU application essay should show the reader your character and skills. 

Be specific

As well as being personal, your Indiana University application essay should be specific. There are many great options for college, and you could succeed at many different schools. So, why do you want to attend IU? In your IU supplemental essay, strive to answer this question: How will the opportunities at IU make your goals a reality? There are countless majors and minors to choose from at Indiana University.  So, what will your educational path look like?

Do your research on reasons to attend IU. What specific classes, research opportunities, professors, clubs, and organizations will you take advantage of? When answering the IU essay prompt, clearly state how you would make the most of the specific opportunities you discuss. Don’t just name-drop professors. 

Writing a personal and specific Indiana University essay will help you stand out amidst thousands of other Indiana University application essays. Don’t write things in your Indiana University application essay that you could write about any other college. Conversely, avoid writing about topics that many students could also discuss in their Indiana University essays. 

Show don’t tell

Throughout your Indiana University essay, show instead of telling. This will help you convey the most interesting and effective story. When discussing a program that sparked your interest in your major when answering the IU essay prompt, paint the picture and help the reader understand your daily work. If you write about an extracurricular activity in your IU application essay, detail how it felt to accomplish something in that activity. Use vivid descriptions instead of just stating the facts.

When answering the IU essay prompt, make sure to clarify the stakes of your story. As you respond to the IU essay prompt, clarify why your interests matter. Why should the reader admit you? In your IU application essay, show the reader why accepting you would make IU a better place. Use your Indiana University application essay to highlight your potential!

Throughout your Indiana University application essay, use self-reflection to tell an authentic story. Discuss what matters to you and why. What values do you prioritize? Your IU supplement essay should emphasize your defining traits. 

In your Indiana University application essay, you should also avoid cliches. Don’t just name a program or extracurricular because it sounds impressive; authenticity will help your application the most. Also, avoid general statements about the school in your Indiana University essay as well as simple emotional appeals. Don’t just compliment the school—instead, discuss what you will bring to IU in your IU supplemental essay. 

Remember to discuss both your skills and IU’s offerings in your Indiana University application essay. College is a two-way street and “fit” is extremely important. So, use your IU supplemental essay to show how you would fit into the IU community.  

Indiana University Application Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Is your Indiana University supplemental essay both specific and personal?
• When discussing challenges, do you explain how you overcame them?
• Do you tell a cohesive and interesting story in your Indiana University essay?
• Did you proofread your IU application essay for grammar and clarity?

Additional Tips for Writing the Indiana University Application Essay

Be sure to leave yourself time to edit and revise your IU application essay! Indiana University admissions has two deadlines : Early Action on November 1, 2021, and Regular Decision on February 1, 2022. 

Before submitting your application, think about how every aspect of it will be perceived by the IU admissions team. Do you tell them as much as you can about who you are? Make sure that your IU supplemental essay paints a clear picture of your goals, motivations, and future plans. Your IU application essay should be consistent with the rest of your application; it should also add details to your profile that the reader doesn’t glean from the rest of your application. 

What is the Acceptance Rate for IU?

The IU acceptance rate is approximately 80%. However, the IU acceptance rate for the Kelley School of Business as a freshman is around 40%. The median GPA for applicants accepted to IU for the fall 2021 class was 3.91, while the median SAT and ACT scores were 1300 and 29, respectively. Read the full list of admissions requirements here . 

Don’t focus too much on the IU acceptance rate. Instead, spend your energy making your Indiana University application essay the best it can be. Since so many factors impact the IU acceptance rate, focus on the ones within your control. 

Want more tips on how to use the IU acceptance rate (and any other school’s rate) to build your school list? Check out our expert’s guides on acceptance rates and rankings . 

Indiana University Application Essay – Final Thoughts

In your IU essay, be unique and original but also genuine and honest. Instead of trying to predict what the admissions team wants to hear, focus on telling your personal story. Do your research on your future major so you can connect yourself with opportunities at IU. Be clear, concise, and specific in your responses to the Indiana University essay prompt; you only get one chance! There is no cookie-cutter IU student, so highlight what makes you stand out. Good luck!

This guide was written by Caroline Marapese , Notre Dame ’22. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on Indiana University, click here . Want help crafting your IU University supplemental essay? Create your account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Writing Tutorial Services

Personal statements & application letters, personal statements and application letters.

The process of applying for jobs, internships, and graduate/professional programs often requires a personal statement or application letter. This type of writing asks writers to outline their strengths confidently and concisely, which can be challenging.

Though the requirements differ from application to application, the purpose of this type of writing is to represent your goals, experiences and qualifications in the best possible light, and to demonstrate your writing ability. Your personal statement or application letter introduces you to your potential employer or program director, so it is essential that you allow yourself enough time to craft a polished piece of writing.

1) PREPARE YOUR MATERIALS

Before you sit down to write, do some preparation in order to avoid frustration during the actual writing process. Obtain copies of documents such as transcripts, resumes and the application form itself; keeping them in front of you will make your job of writing much easier. Make a list of important information, in particular names and exact titles of former employers and supervisors, titles of jobs you have held, companies you have worked for, dates of appropriate work or volunteer experiences, the duties involved etc. In this way, you will be able to refer to these materials while writing in order to include as much specific detail as possible.

2) WRITE A FIRST DRAFT

After you have collected and reviewed these materials, it is time to start writing. The following is a list of concerns that writers should keep in mind when writing a personal statement/application letter.

Answer the Question: A major problem for all writers can be the issue of actually answering the question being asked. For example, an application might want you to discuss the reason you are applying to a particular program or company. If you spend your entire essay or letter detailing your qualifications with no mention of what attracted you to the company or department, your statement will probably not be successful. To avoid this problem, read the question or assignment carefully both as you prepare and again just prior to writing. Keep the question in front of you as you write, and refer to it often. Consider The "I" Problem: This is a personal statement; using the first person pronoun "I" is acceptable. Writers often feel rather self-conscious about using first person excessively, either because they are modest or because they have learned to avoid first and second person ("you") in any type of formal writing. Yet in this type of writing using first person is essential because it makes your prose more lively. Using third person can result in a vague and overly wordy essay. While starting every sentence with "I" is not advisable, remember that you and your experiences are the subject of the essay. Avoid Unnecessary Duplication: Sometimes a writer has a tendency to repeat information in his or her personal statement that is already included in other parts of the application packet (resume, transcript, application form, etc.). For example, it is not necessary to mention your exact GPA or specific grades and course titles in your personal statement or application letter. It is more efficient and more effective to simply mention academic progress briefly ("I was on the Dean's List"; or "I have taken numerous courses in the field of nutrition") and then move on to discuss appropriate work or volunteer experiences in more detail. Make Your Statement Distinctive: Many writers want to make their personal statements unique or distinctive in some way as a means of distinguishing their application from the many others received by the company or program. One way to do this is to include at least one detailed example or anecdote that is specific to your own experience—perhaps a description of an important family member or personal moment that influenced your decision to pursue a particular career or degree. This strategy makes your statement distinctive and memorable. Keep It Brief: Usually, personal statements are limited to 250–500 words or one typed page, so write concisely while still being detailed. Making sure that each paragraph is tightly focused on a single idea (one paragraph on the strengths of the program, one on your research experience, one on your extracurricular activities, etc.) helps keep the essay from becoming too long. Also, spending a little time working on word choice by utilizing a dictionary and a thesaurus and by including adjectives should result in less repetition and more precise writing.

Personal Statement Format

As mentioned before, the requirements for personal statements differ, but generally a personal statement includes certain information and can follow this format (see following model).

Introduction Many personal statements begin with a catchy opening, often the distinctive personal example mentioned earlier, as a way of gaining the reader’s attention. From there you can connect the example to the actual program/position for which you are applying. Mention the specific name of the program or company, as well as the title of the position or degree you are seeking, in the first paragraph. Detailed Supporting Paragraphs Subsequent paragraphs should address any specific questions from the application, which might deal with the strengths of the program/position, your own qualifications, your compatibility with the program/position, your long-term goals or some combination thereof. Each paragraph should be focused and should have a topic sentence that informs the reader of the paragraph’s emphasis. You need to remember, however, that the examples from your experience must be relevant and should support your argument about your qualifications. Conclusion Tie together the various issues that you have raised in the essay, and reiterate your interest in this specific program or position. You might also mention how this job or degree is a step towards a long-term goal in a closing paragraph. An application letter contains many of the same elements as a personal statement, but it is presented in a business letter format and can sometimes be even shorter and more specific than a personal statement. An application letter may not contain the catchy opening of the personal statement but instead includes detailed information about the program or position and how you found out about it. Your application letter usually refers to your resume at some point. Another difference between a personal statement and an application letter is in the conclusion, which in an application letter asks for an interview.

3) REVISING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT/APPLICATION LETTER

Because this piece of writing is designed to either get you an interview or a place in a graduate school program, it is vital that you allow yourself enough time to revise your piece of writing thoroughly. This revision needs to occur on both the content level (did you address the question? is there enough detail?) and the sentence level (is the writing clear? are the mechanics and punctuation correct?). While tools such as spell-checks and grammar-checks are helpful during revision, they should not be used exclusively; you should read over your draft yourself and/or have others do so.

As a child I often accompanied my father to his small coin shop and spent hours watching him work. When I was older, I sometimes set up displays, waited on customers, and even balanced the books. This experience instilled in me the desire to own and manage my own business someday, yet I understand that the business world today is more complex. This complexity requires more education, and with that in mind, I am applying to the Master's of Business Administration program at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB). In addition to my helping out in my father’s business, I have had numerous other work experiences that further enhance my qualifications for this program. My resume enumerates the various positions I have held at Kerasotes Theaters, Chili's restaurants, and Indiana University's new Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC), and what all of these positions have in common is an emphasis on serving the public effectively. Further, as an assistant manager at the Showplace 11 and a staff coordinator at the SRSC, I have gained valuable expertise in managing employees and creating work schedules. Both of these positions have allowed me to develop my sales and people skills, which are extremely important in an increasingly service-driven marketplace. Not all of my work experience has been as a paid employee. Part of my volunteering experience at Middleway House, the local battered women's shelter, involved extensive work on computers, including word processing, organizing databases and creating spreadsheets. Also, I recently participated in an internship program for academic credit with the Eli Lilly corporation in the personnel division. As a management intern, I was able to watch the workings of a major corporation up close and would like the opportunity to combine my experiences with the theoretical background available in the MBA program at IUB, with its emphasis on computers, marketing and human resources. My successful internship is one element of my overall academic success as an undergraduate here at IUB, yet I have also made time for a variety of extracurricular activities, including working for my sorority and competing in intramural basketball. My positive experiences here have resulted in my desire to stay in Bloomington to continue my academic endeavors; furthermore, continuing my education here would allow me to make important business contacts, with the career goal of opening my own computer consulting firm in the Midwest.

Produced by Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

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Applying to IU Bloomington

Find deadlines and resources for applying to IU’s largest campus in Bloomington, where you’ll find countless ways to make lifelong connections, pursue your passions, and work toward your goals.

Is IU Bloomington the right fit for you?

IU Bloomington is the heart of the Indiana University family, with our largest campus, our broadest range of degrees and majors, and our most quintessential college experience. Beyond IU Bloomington’s storybook campus and lively, Big Ten college atmosphere is a family-like community, with countless ways to find your place and ample resources and support for any challenge or goal.

IU Bloomington’s unmatched number of academic programs and learning opportunities make it possible to carve out your own unique path to a meaningful career, while genuinely caring and involved faculty and an extensive variety of welcoming student clubs and organizations make it easy to find your place in the larger Hoosier family.

And not to mention: More than half of IU Bloomington students earning a bachelor’s degree graduate without student debt.

More to consider

• 61% of 2022–23 bachelor’s degree recipients at IU Bloomington graduated without student debt.
• Students admitted to IU Bloomington have an average high school GPA of 3.98 (out of 4.0).
• 41% of 2023 freshmen went to high school outside Indiana, and 5% are from outside the U.S.
• All statistics are current as of 2023.

I feel like IU really does a good job of making sure you’re on the track to success by providing different tools, but there’s also enough leeway to have a personal life and to do all the things that you want to do and explore.

Simran Bhandarkar IU Bloomington student

How to apply to IU Bloomington

High school students can apply to IU Bloomington in one of two ways:

• The Apply IU application  
• The Common App (high school students only)

While all these application types are accepted, you should only submit one application. The materials needed and the review process are the same for all applications.

The early action deadline (non-binding) for fall applications is November 1.

The regular admission deadline for fall applications is February 1.

Get a jump start on your essay

All IU Bloomington applicants are required to submit an essay. If you apply using the Common Application, you can use any of the essay prompts provided in the application. If you apply using the Apply IU application, you will need to provide a 200- to 400-word essay using the following prompt:

Describe your academic and career plans and any special interests (e.g., 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 completing your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them.

Start your application

• Apply IU application
• Common App (high school students only)

Qualifying for direct admission

If you’ve indicated a major on your application, you may be offered direct admission to the school or college through which the major is offered. The eligibility requirements differ between schools and colleges.

Learn more about direct admission at IU Bloomington

If you’ve already applied

You’ll hear directly from IU Bloomington about whether or not you’ve been accepted. Here’s when you can expect to receive your decision:

• Early action (non-binding) fall applications: January 15
• Regular admission fall applications: March 15

Consideration for direct admission will be conducted at the point of the initial review for admission to the university. Eligible students will receive notification in their university admission decision. Academic programs that require additional steps or offer a review request/petition process will have unique processes and timelines for direct admission consideration. Students offered direct admission through these processes would receive a separate communication from the school/program.

If needed, you can make changes to your submitted application .

Complete your steps in the IU Portal

After you apply, you’ll get an email inviting you to the IU Portal. There you can check your application status, review your Checklist for any items you still need to submit, and see your next steps.

Other deadlines to watch

For first-year applicants:

• Spring semester admission: November 1
• Summer session admission: March 1

You’ll receive a decision in 4–8 weeks.

IU Bloomington Admissions resources and support

Find where to learn more about different IU Bloomington opportunities and application types.

IU Bloomington admission counselors

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Visit the University Graduate School

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Transfer applicants.

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Visit the Office of International Services

I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. I don’t need to do something that is prescribed to me, and now I am able to customize my world. It was such a relief to discover that IU offers [the Individualized Major Program] and, to me, it’s a testament that I picked the right school.

JP Pritchard IU Bloomington student

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Composition Courses

Gain transferrable skills.

In English Composition, you learn how to read critically, summarize, analyze and interpret texts of all kinds. The skills developed in our writing courses are transferable to a wide variety of college courses and career paths.

Fulfill your writing requirement

Most students at IU fulfill the English Composition requirement by enrolling in W131, W170, or W171. While W131, W170, and W171 share goals, there are some differences of emphasis between the three courses:

In W131, the focus is on academic writing in response to various cultural issues and phenomena. Much of the course is organized around strategies of analysis and argument, with readings on various topics serving as material for observation, thinking, and writing.

In W170 and W171, the focus is on sustained inquiry (i.e., reading, writing, and critical thinking) concerning a single problem or topic that lasts throughout the semester. The courses are organized around a broad question or problem and various strategies for analysis, argument, and research are taught when they are relevant for the conduct of the inquiry. The difference between W170 and W171 is that while both are inquiry-driven, W171 incorporates more use of digital technologies and introduces students to digital literacy, digital problem solving, and digital creativity.

Some students may satisfy this requirement through qualifying SAT, ACT, or AP-Composition scores. First-year students who have completed or are exempted from the composition requirement are encouraged to enroll in any of our 200-level W, G, or L courses.

W131 is a course in academic writing that attempts to integrate critical reading, thinking, and writing about phenomena and issues in our culture. Rather than practicing a set of discrete skills or often unrelated modes of discourse, the course aims to build sequentially on students’ ability to read both written and cultural texts closely and critically and to analyze those texts in ways that also engage and problematize students’ own experience, the perspectives of “experts,” and the world they live in.

W131 aims to show students how the use of sources, agreement/disagreement, and personal response can be made to serve independent, purposeful, and well-supported analytical writing.

In summary, the course offers instruction and practice in the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills required in college. Emphasis is on written assignments that require synthesis, analysis, and argument based on sources.

The Composition program offers several sections of W131-Basic Writing (BW) each semester as well. In most important respects, the BW version of W131 is no different from other versions of W131: like other versions, the BW sections provide instruction and practice in the fundamental reading and writing skills required in college, emphasizing written assignments that require synthesis, analysis, and argument based on sources. In other respects, however, the BW version of W131 offers eligible students several advantages. For one, BW sections are considerably smaller than other W131 sections to allow for greater interaction between instructor and student. To this end, all BW sections are taught by experienced instructors who are committed to working closely with students. Eligibility to enroll in the Basic Writing sections of W131 is dependent on the student’s reported ACT English or SAT Verbal scores. Most eligible students have been identified by UDIV advising and have already been authorized, however, students who suspect they should be placed into a Basic Writing section of W131 but are blocked from enrollment should contact their advisor to determine eligibility and submit a request via our online permission form for consent to register. For more information, students may also contact:

Josh Hasler W131-Basic Coordinator [email protected] Department of English Ballantine Hall

Eligibility is based on the following guidelines:

• ACT ENGLISH 1-21 or SAT Evidenced Based Reading and Writing Score of 200-520
• ACT ENGLISH 22 or SAT Evidenced Based Reading and Writing Score of 530-540

Note: The Basic Writing section fulfills the English composition requirement. There is nothing that appears on a student’s transcript to indicate that a BW section was taken rather than some other version of W131.

ENG W131ML is designed for those students whose core educational backgrounds occurred in languages other than English. Like other sections of ENG W131, this course offers rigorous instruction in understanding college-level writing and research as a multivocal process. It bears the same amount of credit, requires the same amount of writing, and places the same emphasis on critical thinking, analytical writing, and synthesis as does ENG W131; but it encourages students to gain lexical knowledge in a particular issue or topic area, equips them to become independent writers of English, and provides them with the opportunity to focus on specific linguistic concerns.

ENG W131ML also offers students a smaller class size and a setting that gives extra attention to the development of critical language awareness, especially as it relates to conventions of academic reading, writing, and inquiry across texts and contexts. For more information, students may contact:

Katherine Silvester Multilingual Writing Coordinator Department of English Ballantine Hall 440 [email protected]

Multilingual Writing STRONGLY ADVISED

• ACT ≤ 21 (optional 22)
• SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing ≤ 520 (optional 540)
• TOEFL ≤ 105
• Completion of SLS-T131, if required

Note: Seats permitting, Multilingual Writing is an excellent option for any student who identifies as multilingual and would like to take the class. For students who are not immediately eligible to enroll, please complete a permission request . Students and their advisors may also contact the Multilingual Coordinator for assistance.

W170 represents an alternative to W131, satisfying the freshman composition requirement but designed to offer more intensive writing and reading instruction around some theme or question. Open to all freshmen, it typically attracts those who are slightly more serious about reading and writing and more comfortable assuming a greater responsibility for their own learning.

As a reading and writing course, W170 has essentially the same goals as W131. Both courses assume that students will write analytical, argumentative, and investigative academic essays based on sources and that they will take their essays through a full cycle of drafting and revising.

W171 represents an alternative to W131, satisfying the freshman composition requirement but designed to offer more intensive writing and reading instruction around a theme or question related to the digital landscape shaping our world. Moreover, the course incorporates more use of digital technologies and introduces students to key concepts of digital literacy, digital problem solving, and digital creativity. Open to all freshmen, it typically attracts those who are slightly more serious about reading and writing and more comfortable assuming a greater responsibility for their own learning. It does not require any tech expertise, just a healthy curiosity for digital tools and questions.

As a reading and writing course, W171 has essentially the same goals as W131. Both courses assume that students will write analytical, argumentative, and investigative academic essays based on sources and that they will take their essays through a full cycle of drafting and revising.

Develop your writing ability

Employers of all kinds value effective communication and critical thinking abilities—skills vital to 21 st century careers. You can develop these skills, and improve your writing, in our upper-level composition classes.

This 1 credit, eight-week course will provide a basic understanding of grammatical terms and principles sufficient to enable students to edit their own prose with confidence. Despite the course title, no prior knowledge of grammar will be assumed or required. No authorization is required for this course. Does not count in the major or minor.

This course is an exploration of creative writing, including craft concepts and the workshopping of students’ own original poetry or fiction. Does not satisfy the English composition requirement. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

This course is designed to help students, in any field, develop writing and research skills which will be useful in the professional world and any future writing project. This course concentrates on the writing of concise, informative prose, and emphasizes the importance of writing with a clearly defined purpose and audience.

Assignments will be based on general principles of communication but will usually take the form of writing done in the world of work: letters, memos, summaries, and abstracts, reports, proposals, etc.

Students will often be able to write on subjects related to their field of study. The course requires constant, careful attention to writing and rewriting, and many classes will be conducted as workshops, with writing exercises and detailed discussion of the work of class members.

PREREQUISITE: COMPLETION OF ENGLISH COMPOSITION REQUIREMENT

Integrates service with learning to develop research and writing skills requisite for most academic and professional activities. Students volunteer at a community service agency, write an assignment for public use by the agency, and perform course work culminating in a research paper on a related social issue.

Workshop-oriented class integrating service learning and digital forms of public and professional writing through online collaborations. Students work in teams addressing real community needs through research and writing that culminates in a portfolio showcasing individually- and team-authored documents.

Offers instruction and practice in writing argumentative essays about complicated and controversial issues. The course focuses on strategies for identifying issues, assessing claims, locating evidence, deciding on a position, and writing papers with clear assertions and convincing arguments.

Principles of editing and publishing literary writing. Kinds of journals, varieties of formats (including print and e-zine), introduction to editing and production processes. Possible focus on genre publishing (fiction, poetry, non-fiction prose), grant writing, Web publishing, etc. May not be repeated for credit.

This course investigates the rhetorical principles that inform the composition and design of effective professional writing.

PREREQUISITE: COMPLETION OF W231 OR INSTRUCTOR’S PERMISSION

Advanced writing course focuses on the interconnected activities of writing and reading, especially the kinds of responding, analyzing, and evaluating that characterize work in many fields in the university. Topics vary from semester to semester.

Major Concentration in Public and Professional Writing

Students interested in majoring in English may choose to pursue a Public and Professional Writing concentration, which emphasizes the critical analysis and production of writing and written discourse in professional, academic, and civic contexts. This concentration provides English majors with a strong core of abilities in reading and writing, as well as an opportunity to build rhetorical knowledge in a variety of modes, sites, and genres of language use.

Read more about this major

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• B.A., Creative Writing Concentration
• B.A., Cultural Studies Concentration
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Indiana University Indianapolis

University writing center, university writing center blog.

• Delayed Writers: What Students Can Do to Get Back into Writing

by Xavier Neier

“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.” — William Faulkner

The final project is due tonight. Two weeks have passed and your untitled “Document1” paper is still blank. Your only options are either to spend the next six hours writing a mangled, unorganized final paper or nervously asking for an extension.

Writing past the rough draft stage is the filter that separates finished papers from the rushed papers that no great writer can “fix” within the next twenty minutes before the deadline. Rough drafts, for new writers, are seen as an optional stage of writing, where it takes a lot of time and mental energy away from what we want to do: write in one sitting and be done with the assignment. Even though some classes will require the class to turn in rough drafts before a final paper is due, students can (and will) make one draft and hasten through required revisions from the professor’s comments. At the end, what is left is a rushed paper, made only to meet the expected criteria to just get through the class. The incentive for college students is to create only one draft with the minimal amount of contact so we can avoid the anxiety of writing.

I have talked with friends and classmates about how their papers have come along during the semester, and the typical response is “I haven’t started yet.” Sometimes that is my response as well. Even as an experienced writer who prefers essays over exams, I can also be a master of procrastination. I thought about why college students delay their papers, often at the rough draft stage. Everyone knows writing in advance is good advice and it’s easier to brainstorm interesting ideas two weeks ahead, but the act of writing with a thought-out plan requires more mental energy. Writing a brief 200-word essay is doable in a short 30-minute session. A final paper requiring a full annotated bibliography with multiple sources to fill a lengthy paper cannot be done in one sitting. To mentally imagine a complete paper with multiple pages and sources formatted correctly (and you’ve just now passed the idea stage!), it is draining, demoralizing, and unmotivating.

Without a plan and a series of drafts, sitting down and brute forcing your way through the writing will be inefficient. At worst, your mental processing energy will focus to worrying about the small details and imagining the best possible paper, without actually writing anything down.

It’s hard to see your progress until either the project is complete, or you are forced to turn in the paper, regardless of its condition. In passing conversation and when reflecting on my own writing projects, writing seems to have carried this dreadful connotation. I think the missing component for writers is the absence of a planned structure with a positive perspective.

A lot of college students view writing as a dreadful experience, and this perspective harms our ability to get our writing done. When people are given a task that will evoke negative emotions, we become efficient at ignoring or stalling that task. We know it’s better to work ahead of long-term tasks, but our brains consistently work against us by only worrying about the short-term consequences. When we experience fear or anxiety of a situation, we tend to create only one solution instead of considering all available options [1] . For most students, it tends to be procrastination and only meeting the minimum requirements.

Even in avoiding writing a paper, students still turn in something, even if just for marking a project “complete.” I have heard claims that some students are capable of writing an average paper right before the deadline; this rush of adrenaline gives them the critical boost to write out the minimum of five hundred words. Power to those people who can write coherent papers under that pressure, but even for the best of writers, turning in average papers after so much anxiety about meeting the deadlines in that short amount of time is not productive or efficient in the long run.

But what if there are ways to make the writing process not only easier and produce better papers, but also makes writers feel positive about their writing experience?

I believe writing is an important skill to learn and grow; it is just a matter of changing our perspectives of the writing process. Common advice shared is often repeated: make time for your project, find a space to work in, write in chunks of timed sessions. These pieces of advice are good, but they don’t address the resistance to writing. I want to share some more detailed advice to overcome this problem of perspective in order to start the drafting stage of writing.

• Write down the reason why you want to get this project done : Be honest if the reason why is to just get the class requirement done but be specific in your intentions for the project. If it is for a business project that important people will see, or if it is a passionate creative writing piece, write it down why it is significant to you. We are more willing to get things done for things that we care about.
• Plan out the stages : Show yourself that there is light at the end of this tunnel by planning out exactly what are all the steps you need to do to get the project done. Labeling the stages and planning in days in advance helps to divide the work into smaller, manageable sessions that will get more progress done without rushing an hour before the assignment is due.
• Ask yourself how much time you want to put into the paper : Will 2 hours of dedicated writing get the project done? 5 hours? How many sessions do you envision needing to get the project done? A common error for students is underestimating how long assignments actually take to get done and not having a timer to track their progress. After I started planning smaller papers to only take 2-4 hours, I have gotten more work done in that session than if I just wrote without thinking about managing my time expectations.

If you believe a discussion board will only take 15 minutes, set a timer to see if that is true. If you believe a senior thesis final paper will need 20 hours put into it, keep track of it on a schedule to watch your progress.

• Think about your writing space: Mark specifically where you expect yourself to work, and only work there. Ideally, this space is where you know you are able to focus on assignments and not use the space for unrelated work. It is also important to think about any potential distractions, such as a noisy environment or if the place is too relaxing to focus on. For me, my writing space has been at the library since that is the location I know as my dedicated work area, and I won’t be distracted by other people.
• Mark time boundaries for your work : In a one-hour session, work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and repeat within the hour. This is similar to the Pomodoro Technique and I recommend reading this article ( https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/pomodoro-technique ) to learn more about this effective, productive technique that has helped me keep track of my sessions and allows me to get a lot of work done.
• Find other writers to review your work: Everyone can use a second set of eyes on their papers, and it’s helpful when you have another person take a look at your work. Typically, I read my own work to catch grammatical errors. However, when I want to know if my ideas are coherent or if my thesis is unclear, I ask for another person to read what I have written. I use feedback from others to see what areas of my work need more clarity and see if my intended message is communicated.

There are two groups of people that I ask for help with my papers: my friends and the University Writing Center here at IUPUI. My friends have been more than happy to read over my work and give me feedback, ranging from quick grammar edits to questions on what I was trying to say in a specific section. However, my favorite group of writers who are always ready to help are the consultants at the University Writing Center! I recommend getting familiar with our services here ( https://liberalarts.indianapolis.iu.edu/programs/uwc/ ) and meet with writers who help writers with their work. Whether its brainstorming ideas, reading quickly to see if the verb tenses match, or if the citations are correct, the writing center is an excellent service to use as a writer.

• Reward yourself with rest : Schedule meaningful breaks and days off from writing the paper. During the writing process, you should create some scheduled time to step away from your work. Allow some time to pass to get a fresh perspective on your work.

Everyone is capable of writing; it is just a matter of intentional planning and acting like a writer. We need to change our perspective of writing as a tool for communicating our own thoughts and ideas, rather than an academic chore to rush through. I hope students will take this set of advice and see how it can drastically improve their writing. I encourage all writers to see writing as a meaning-making process, a process meant to showcase our thoughts and ideas to their fullest potential. If we can do that with less stress for our next set of papers, I consider that a success.

[1] https://jamesclear.com/positive-thinking

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How to Write the Indiana University Bloomington Essay 2023-2024

Located in Bloomington, Indiana, Indiana University Bloomington — often known as IU — is a large public research university with a reputation of being known as a “ Public Ivy .” Offering a more affordable, yet intensive education, IU is a popular choice among applicants who are looking for a rigorous environment. The school is consistently ranked in the top 100 national universities.

With programs such as the Kelley School of Business, the School of Education, and the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, IU provides students with a wide array of academic opportunity. Beyond coursework, however, the university also boasts an active social life, with a decent portion of its student body participating in Greek life.

IU’s supplemental essay is an important part of the college application process. There is no need to worry — CollegeVine has prepared the following guide to help you tackle this essay.

Indiana University Bloomington Supplemental Essay Prompt

Describe your academic and career plans and any special interests (e.g., 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 completing your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them. (200-400 words).

This prompt is essentially a “ Why This Major ?” and “ Why This College? ” essay combined. Readers are looking to understand which of IU’s programs and opportunities you will take advantage of to further your career. First, discuss your academic and career interests and goals; second, explain how Indiana University specifically would help you reach these aspirations.

The first part of this essay should ideally answer the question: What do you want to be when you grow up? This part of the essay should present a cohesive picture of your passion in a specific academic field. Start off with a personal anecdote that showcases your interest in a single course of study or future career.

Keep this introduction concise, yet vivid, grasping the reader’s attention. For example, you could begin with a description of performing the oboe in a dark, packed auditorium on a bright stage at the state symphony, or the immense pride and relief you feel after distributing the school newspaper you and your staff worked on for countless hours.

Next, detail your accomplishments and experience in this field — remember to show more than tell. Provide evidence of your interest through your actions during a research project or an extracurricular activity. For example, instead of saying “I like both science and art,” illustrate the year you spent researching the brain’s ability to store memories through Dali’s paintings, and how this caused you to view the process of recollection as more of an art rather than a hard science, leading to your desire to study both neuroscience and art history. Not only does this show your interest in both fields, it also implies you are curious and innovative.

This paragraph is also a chance to portray your ability to grow and conquer challenges in your given field. So, rather than writing “I won state for Mock Trial,” describe the struggles you overcame and the growth you experienced in your role as president of your school’s mock trial team. By weaving narration throughout the paragraph, you will be able to portray a more authentic and unique story.

Lastly, connect your aspirations to IU. Specificity is key here. Avoid being vague and general with sweeping statements like “Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business is perfect for me” or “As a student at IU, I could study abroad.” Vague statements demonstrate a lack of interest and lack of effort. Research and learn about the qualities and programs that make Indiana University unique and special to your needs. What are unique programs or extracurriculars at Indiana University, and what will they teach you? What is a quality of IU that is important to you? Avoid generic responses that could apply to any other university.

If you want to be an investment banker through Kelley, describe the focused skillset you will gain from the school’s investment banking workshop, or the network you will create from the small classes and tight-knit community of the Kelley Business Honors Program. An aspiring global correspondent could describe the IU’s worldly approach towards learning and interning in London through the Media School’s “Summer in London” program.

Your primary goal is to connect your accomplishments and aspirations with the opportunities that await you at IU; however, avoid listing every possible activity you could participate in and stay focused.

• Start with a personal, vivid anecdote conveying your interest in a single field.
• Share a narrative of you overcoming an obstacle in this field; provide evidence of your experience in this interest.
• Describe the essence or quality of a program or activity at IU that would help you grow in this area.

Where to Get Your IU Essay Edited

Do you want feedback on your IU essay? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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If you are not a current student at IU Indianapolis, you must first apply to be admitted to IU Indianapolis before applying to Kelley. Note that an essay is required for both the IU Indianapolis and Kelley applications.

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Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give you a head start

1. Keep it real. It’s normal to want to make a good impression on the school of your choice, but it’s also important to show who you really are. So just be yourself! Compelling stories might not be perfectly linear or have a happy ending, and that’s OK. It’s best to be authentic instead of telling schools what you think they want to hear.

2. Be reflective . Think about how you’ve changed during high school. How have you grown and improved? What makes you feel ready for college, and how do you hope to contribute to the campus community and society at large?

3. Look to the future. Consider your reasons for attending college. What do you hope to gain from your education? What about college excites you the most, and what would you like to do after you graduate? Answering these questions will not only give colleges insight into the kind of student you’ll be, but it will also give you the personal insight you’ll need to choose the school that’s right for you.

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As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit  colorado.edu/your-right-know .

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