does indiana university bloomington have supplemental essays 2023

Indiana University Bloomington 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Guide

Early Action: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Feb 1

Indiana University Bloomington 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: 1 essay of 200-400 words.

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

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. (200-400 words) This essay may be used in scholarship consideration.

This supplemental essay prompt packs a punch. It’s a why essay combined with an optional additional info essay. Read it carefully and be sure to include each part they’re requesting, if applicable. Start by writing about your area of study and why you chose it. What sort of career is possible after you graduate? Are there offerings at IU Bloomington that will prepare you for your dream job? Get familiar with the IU Bloomington website to make sure admissions knows you’ve done your homework. 

The second part of this prompt is an additional info essay — and it’s only necessary if you’ve experienced extenuating circumstances that need to be explained (prolonged absences, a drop in GPA, etc.). Remember, it’s not how you fell down, but how you got up that’s important, so don’t be afraid to talk about what happened and what you learned from the experience.

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Learn about our application deadlines and when you can expect to hear from us

Tell us who you are, and we’ll tell you the admission deadlines you need to know. We encourage all students to apply as early as possible.

I’m a freshman applicant.

At Indiana University Bloomington, we have an early action deadline (non-binding) of November 1 and a regular decision deadline of February 1 .

What do “early action” and “non-binding” mean?

If you apply by the early action deadline, you will find out sooner if you’ve been accepted. “Non-binding” means that even if you’re accepted, you’re not required to choose to attend IU Bloomington.

When should I apply?

For highest admission and scholarship consideration, apply by the early action (non-binding) November 1 deadline.

You must submit a complete application for admission including official transcript, essay, and SAT and/or ACT scores (if applicable*) by November 1 to be considered for the early action (non-binding) deadline.;

If you meet the November 1 deadline, you may submit updated SAT and/or ACT scores until January 15 for additional scholarship consideration.

After February 1, applications will only be accepted on a space-available basis.

*Admission to IU is test-optional. To find out if this is the right path for you, learn more about our  test-optional admissions policy .

When will I know if I’ve been accepted to IU Bloomington?

• If you submit a complete application by November 1, you may get a response on or before December 15. Decision will continue to be made, and all early action applicants will receive a decision on or before January 15. 
• If you submit a complete application by February 1, you’ll receive a response on or before March 15.
• If you submit a completed application after February 1, your application will be considered on a space-available, case-by-case basis.

When is my enrollment deposit due?

To reserve your seat in the class, you must declare your intent to enroll and pay your $100 enrollment deposit by May 1. Please note that the deposit is nonrefundable and will be credited toward your first-semester tuition expenses.

What if I’m applying to start in the spring or summer?

Freshmen applying for the spring or summer terms should apply by the deadlines noted in the transfer applicant section on this page.

I’m a transfer applicant.

Transfer applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadlines listed here. After each deadline passes, applications will only be accepted on a space-available basis.

• If you’re applying for the fall semester, apply by June 1.
• If you’re applying for the spring semester, apply by November 1.
• If you’re applying for a summer session, apply by March 1.

You must submit your complete application (including all supporting documents) by the deadline listed. We’ll let you know if you’ve been accepted four to eight weeks after we receive all your application materials.

I’m a transfer applicant from another IU campus.

• If you’re applying for the fall semester, you must apply by June 1.
• If you’re applying for the spring semester, you must apply by November 1.
• If you’re applying for a summer session, you must apply by March 1.

You must submit your complete application (including all supporting documents) by the deadline listed. We’ll let you know if you’ve been accepted four to eight weeks after we receive all your application documents.

I’m an adult applicant.

You’ll need to know what application guidelines to follow before determining which deadlines apply to you.

If you are using the same application guidelines as an incoming freshman

Please refer to our deadlines for freshman applicants on this page.

If you know you are using the same application guidelines as a transfer student

Please refer to our deadlines for transfer applicants on this page.

I’m an active military/veteran applicant.

Are you an international student.

If you are an international student, you’ll find your deadlines at the Office of International Services .

Are you applying for graduate school?

If you are a graduate studies applicant, you’ll find your deadlines at the University Graduate School .

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Are you another type of applicant? We’re here for you, too.

Whatever your background, whatever you want to accomplish at IU, and however you want to do it, we’re eager to help you join the IU family.

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INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON

Ready to apply to IU? You’re in the right place.

Whether you’re applying to college for the first time, transferring from another school, or going back to college, we can help you through the process. Here’s how it works.

How to apply to IU

Organize your info.

Before you start, you may want to make a list of all your senior-year classes and high school extracurricular activities so you’re ready to enter those in your application. Also consider whether you want to include your SAT and/or ACT test scores in your application. Test scores aren’t required to apply to IU, and admission decisions are always based on a range of factors, including your GPA, your high school courses, your extracurricular activities, your test scores (if you include them), and other achievements.

Interested in financial aid?

Your very first step is to fill out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA may be available for you to complete as early as October 1 each year. This form is used to determine which federal grants and loans you qualify for to reduce your tuition and help you pay for college. Deadlines vary by campus, but the earlier you complete this form, the better!

To learn about other financial support options at IU, visit our Scholarships and Awards page .

Pick your campus(es)

You can apply to any IU campus using the Apply IU app. You can apply to as many campuses as you like. You’ll apply to one campus at a time, but you can resubmit the same application to each campus, plus any materials specific to that campus’s application. If required, you’ll pay one application fee based on where you apply.

If you only plan to apply to IU Bloomington, IU Indianapolis, and/or IU Northwest, you can choose to apply through the Common App .

If you want to earn your IU degree completely online, visit IU Online .

If you are applying for a graduate or professional program, visit that program’s website to find application instructions.

Applying from outside the U.S.?

You’ll pay an application fee for each campus you apply to.

Create your online application

Once you know what campuses you want to apply to, start your application. Remember that each campus accepts one or more of the following application types:

Review the table at the bottom of this page to find out which application types your campus(es) will accept.

Applying for a graduate or professional program?

Head straight to the Admissions website for the campus or program you’re interested in.

Start the application

Follow the on-screen guidance to complete your application. With Apply IU, you can save your application at any time (without submitting it) and finish it later.

Applying to IU Bloomington?

An essay is required as part of your application. If you are applying through the Common Application, you can choose from any of the essay prompts in the application. If you are applying through Apply IU, you’ll be asked to write a 200- to 400-word essay on a prompt you’ll see in the application, and you can upload the document directly to your application (look for “Essay Question” in the Additional Information section).

Tell us what majors or programs you’re interested in

You’ll be required to choose a major* you’re interested in at each campus (or a degree program** if you’re applying to IU Online). This just helps us to do a better job of guiding you based on your goals and interests. You can always change your major later.

*A major is a general area of focus for your undergraduate studies. **A degree program is a specific course of study for earning a certain degree.

Not sure what you want to major in?

That’s totally okay—lots of incoming students start college without declaring a major! Just look for the Undecided or Exploratory option, or choose a General Studies option. Your choice won’t affect your campus admission decision, and you’ll be able to choose a different major later if you change your mind.

Check your deadlines

If you’re applying to multiple campuses, they may have different application deadlines. You’ll want to submit your completed Apply IU application by the earliest deadline (see the application requirements table on this page for a handy list).

When can you expect to hear something?

You’ll hear directly from the campuses you applied to about decisions and next steps, but each IU campus has a slightly different schedule for reviewing and responding to applications. Head to the Admissions section of each campus’s website to find more info.

Application requirements by campus

Along with official transcripts, here’s what each individual IU campus requires. Remember that IU is test-optional, which means ACT and SAT scores are not required to apply.

NOTE: U.S. applicants will, if required, pay only one application fee for all campuses equal to the highest fee on the list of campuses they apply to. International students will pay a $65 application fee per campus. All fees are per term, so if you apply to IU again for another term, you’ll need to pay the application fee again.

While some campuses accept multiple application types, you only need to submit one.

For incoming first-year applications: If you want to apply to multiple campuses, you should complete the Apply IU application by the earliest deadline of the campuses you select.

*To be considered for IU Academic Scholarships, you must submit a complete application by the early action deadline, November 1. The early action deadline is non-binding, meaning that even if you’re accepted, you’re not required to enroll at IU Bloomington.

**If the campus you’re applying to has a Priority Admission deadline, this is the deadline to submit your application for scholarships and financial aid. If you miss this deadline, you may still be eligible for some scholarships or financial aid, but you’ll need to contact the Admissions office on that campus to confirm.

What’s next?

Learn more about paying for college, visiting IU campuses, or choosing a major.

Read about cost and financial aid

Find info on lowering your tuition and covering college costs.

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Find out about virtual and in-person campus visits.

Get tips for transfer applications

Learn more about applying as a transfer student.

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