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How to become a Direct Admit at the Kelley School of Business
When you begin at IU Bloomington as a Kelley Direct Admit, you can immediately determine your academic and career path. From the day you arrive on campus, you will start working with Kelley academic and career advisors.
Direct admission is only offered to first-year students who are entering in the fall semester. Students who matriculate in the spring semester, transfer students, and students not intending to major in a Kelley business degree are not eligible for direct admission.
How to apply for direct admission
Direct admission is automatic if you meet the criteria. If you don't, it's OK! There's another path to direct admission. It's called a review request.
Question 1 of 4
Have you completed your application to IU Bloomington by November 1?
Incoming Direct Admit class profile
Pursue a world-class business education with students who come to Kelley from throughout the United States and more than 40 different countries. Our current incoming Direct Admit class includes 2,043 students.
Kelley direct admission and review request FAQ
What if i have a 3.79 cumulative gpa and meet or exceed the test score requirement.
IU does not round up GPAs. You must submit a review request for Kelley direct admission.
What if I have a 4.0 cumulative GPA but lower than 30 ACT or 1370 SAT?
You must submit a review request for Kelley direct admission.
What if I have attended multiple high schools?
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.
What if I applied test-optional to IUB?
About test-optional admissions
What if my application to IUB was after the November 1 deadline?
What if i applied to iub as exploratory or a major not listed as one of the kelley undergraduate business majors and want kelley direct admission.
If you meet all requirements for direct admission, you will need to change your major to become a Direct Admit. You can make changes to your submitted application by visiting Step 3 on the IU Office of Admissions website. This change may take 7 to 10 business days to process. Only once your major changes and Kelley verifies you have met all requirements will you be offered direct admission. If you do not meet all direct admission requirements, you must submit a review request for Kelley direct admission after your major changes.
For Common App applicants, "Business Exploratory BSB" is a Kelley major and enables you to explore all of our majors. "Exploratory" is not a Kelley major.
Do I need to wait until I am admitted to IU to submit a review request?
No. You can submit a review request as soon as your IU username and passphrase is active. In most cases you can submit a request within a week of applying to IUB. Don’t delay—the final deadline to submit a review request is February 1, 2024.
Will my application be reviewed if I don’t meet the auto criteria and don’t submit a review request?
No. The Kelley School doesn't know you're interested in direct admission unless you submit a review request. You must take the steps to make the request.
I think I meet the Direct Admit GPA and test score standards, but I am not sure. What should I do?
If you aren’t 100% sure you meet the direct admission criteria we recommend you submit a review request . The review request application doesn't take long to complete. If your GPA and test scores end up meeting the automatic direct admission criteria, your review request is saved in our system. If they do not meet the auto criteria, then you already have a review request submitted and nothing else to worry about.
A question on the review request matches an essay I wrote for IU Admissions or Common App. Can I use the same one?
Yes. The Kelley School of Business does not view any portion of your IU application or Common App. The review request will include your GPA, test score, transcripts, and answers to the questions on the request. Your response should be limited to 250 words.
Can I submit letters of recommendation, a portfolio, or resume for my review request?
No. The review will include your GPA, test score, transcripts, and answers to the questions on the request form.
What can I include in the Additional Comments section on the review request?
You may include any information you feel the committee needs to know when reviewing your request for direct admission. Examples could include an injury or life event that affected your academic performance or mental well-being. The Additional Comments sections is not for an additional short answer topic or continuation of the short answer.
What is the word limit for the review request question?
Please limit your responses to 250 words.
How do I apply for Kelley scholarships?
Any student who is directly admitted to Kelley through the automatic process is considered for Kelley-specific scholarships. These awards are sponsored by private donors who set the selection criteria. Eligibility requirements may include academic merit, financial need, major of study, etc. Due to the highly competitive nature of scholarships for Kelley first year students, preference is given to Direct Admits who automatically meet the criteria.
Most Kelley scholarship donors choose to support current undergraduate business majors (sophomores, juniors, and seniors). A relatively small number support incoming first year students and many of those accounts are renewable. This means that we are typically able to make only two to three dozen new general first year student awards each year. If you qualify, you will be invited to apply for eligible scholarships.
Explore scholarships
I was offered direct admission to the Kelley School at IU Indianapolis. Can I transfer that to Kelley School of Business at IU Bloomington?
No. Kelley School of Business at Indianapolis and the Kelley School of Business at IU Bloomington offer separate undergraduate programs within the Kelley School with different majors, admissions requirements, and policies. To earn direct admission to Kelley in Bloomington, you must meet the automatic direct admission criteria or submit a review request.
When will I meet with an advisor and plan my courses?
Direct admit students will work with Kelley advisors at New Student Orientation . Our advisors do not meet with incoming first year students before summer orientation.
I have already been admitted to IU and directly admitted to Kelley. What do I do now?
Congratulations! You can submit your intent to enroll and become an official Hoosier and Kelley. You’ll also find next steps to guide you through your first semester.
Submit intent to enroll
I have paid my enrollment deposit. How do I let Kelley know I am committing?
We are excited that you have completed IU Bloomington’s intent to enroll and paid your enrollment deposit. There is no separate deposit for the Kelley School of Business—you’re good to go. We look forward to seeing you in the fall!
What if I am not directly admitted and my review request is not approved for my first year?
You can still earn a degree from Kelley through standard admission. You will take one year of Kelley I-Core prerequisites—the exact same courses you take as a direct admit—and make degree progress.
Standard admission requirements
Contact [email protected] or 812-855-4474. Please allow three to five business days for a response.
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