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Direct Admit Program

*NOTE: The application period for students entering IU as freshmen in fall 2008 is now CLOSED.

Every fall the College of Arts and Sciences offers direct admission to a group of 200 academically prepared freshmen who demonstrate a commitment to their particular major.  The College’s Direct Admit Program is open to only incoming freshmen in the fall semester.  The Direct Admit Program is highly selective; we do not offer places in the program to every student who meets our minimum criteria.  Minimum criteria for eligibility are:

  • Only students who have already been accepted to Indiana University may apply for the Direct Admit Program. In order to access the online Direct Admit Program application form, you will need your IU student ID number from your IU acceptance letter.
  • The online application form is live through February 1 every year.
  • Standardized test score required minimums:
    • If you submit the ACT, you must have a composite score of 29 or higher
    • If you submit the SAT, you must have a Math/Critical Reading combined SAT score of 1270 (neither score below 500) AND an essay score minimum of 500
  • In-state students must be in their high school’s Academic Honors track with a minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0
  • Out-of-state students must have a similarly rigorous high school preparation and a minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0
  • Strong preference is given to applicants who have two years of foreign language study between 10th and 12th grades
  • If you receive and submit a completed Selective Scholarship Application, you do not also need to complete the online application for the Direct Admit Program

The online application will ask you for a personal statement.  The selection committee looks for students who have a demonstrated interest in majoring in an area of the College that accepts DAP students.  Some degree programs in the College do not accept Direct Admit freshmen.  These include: Individualized Major Program; Interior Design; the BFA program in Studio Art.  Only students who pass the audition for the BFA in Musical Theatre are given direct admission that that major.

Please be aware that meeting these standards does not guarantee that you will be offered direct admission. The College looks at a variety of factors when determining whether to offer a student direct admission, and the criteria can vary depending on your chosen area of study. Not every major in the College is open to Direct Admit students, and some majors have restrictions on eligibility (see Frequently Asked Questions). Degree-seeking students who are transferring to IU in Bloomington from another four-year or two-year college, or from another IU campus, are not eligible for the Direct Admit Program.  Transfer students must meet regular College of Arts and Sciences certification requirements in order to transfer directly into the College; transfer students who do not qualify for certification will begin their studies at IUB through the University Division.