The IU School of Nursing accepts a limited number of direct admit students each year at our three campuses—Bloomington, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis. Admission to the program is highly competitive and designed for students who demonstrate a commitment to nursing as their profession. Students who are admitted through direct admission will have immediate access to School of Nursing academic advisors, who will help you plan your program of study.
Students who are not selected for direct admission will begin their college career as pre-nursing majors and will apply to the BSN program after completing all pre-nursing coursework.
Criteria for IU School of Nursing direct admission
To be considered for direct admission to the School of Nursing you must meet the following requirements:
Apply for admission to Indiana University (Bloomington, Fort Wayne, or Indianapolis) by November 1
Declare nursing/pre-nursing as your major
Once admitted to IU, eligible students will be invited to submit the direct admission supplemental application (timelines vary by campus). The invitation is based on high school academic performance and experiential engagement as provided at time of application.
Please note, meeting all requirements does not guarantee direct admission to the program. The majority of nursing students will still be admitted traditionally. If you are not offered admission through the direct pathway, you will apply for the traditional pathway.
Students who are offered direct admission to the School of Nursing have guaranteed placement in the program beginning their third semester if they maintain eligibility. To maintain eligibility a student must:
Complete all School of Nursing prerequisites with a grade of C or higher
Maintain a prerequisite GPA of 3.5 or higher
Students who fall below a GPA of 3.5 in the first semester will be required to participate in a student success support program. Students who fall below a GPA of 3.0 will forfeit their direct admission seat but would still be eligible to apply through the traditional pathway.
Important direct admission dates
August 1: Indiana University common application opens
November 1: Deadline to submit application for admission to Indiana University and be eligible to receive the supplemental direct admission application
February 15: Deadline to submit School of Nursing supplemental application
March 15: Direct admit applicants will be informed of an admission decision
May 1: Deadline for students to confirm acceptance of their direct admission offer from the IU School of Nursing
Timelines may vary by campus
Required direct supplemental application
Students who want to be considered for direct admission to the IU School of Nursing are encouraged to participate in experiences that demonstrate a commitment to healthcare, service, leadership, and personal growth.
Applicants should be prepared to accurately describe and consistently report time associated with experiences that may include:
Hands-on healthcare experiences
Health sciences coursework and related educational programs
Community service and volunteer activities
Service through organizations, such as Scouts, faith-based groups, honor societies, and similar programs
Mentoring, tutoring, or youth development activities
Leadership roles in school, work, athletics, clubs, or community organizations
These experiences help provide a broader understanding of each applicant's preparation for the nursing profession and their engagement with their school and community.
Frequently asked questions about direct admission
To be considered for direct admission to multiple School of Nursing locations, you must apply for university admission at each location. If you choose to apply to multiple IU schools (Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis), you are encouraged to submit your application via Apply IU. Students will be considered for direct admission to the School of Nursing at each university location where they are accepted.
The examples below are intended to provide guidance and reference points when considering experiences for the direct supplemental application. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list, and applicants may draw from other relevant experiences that demonstrate their qualifications and preparation.
Category
Key Recommendation
Level 3
Prioritize CNA, EMT, Lifeguard, and Athletic Trainer opportunities for maximum points
Level 2
Pursue hospital, clinic, PT/OT, and nursing home volunteer opportunities
Level 1
Complete CPR/BLS, join HOSA-Future Health Professionals, complete health sciences coursework, and shadowing
Volunteer Service
Focus on recurring healthcare-related service activities
Leadership
Seek team captain, club officer, peer mentor, tutor, or shift lead roles
Students who apply for direct admission to the School of Nursing will be considered for admission in Bloomington, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis IF they have submitted a general application to each of those campuses. If a student submits a general application to just one campus, they will not be eligible to apply for direct admission at another campus.
At this time, all direct admit applicants must have a reported high school GPA.
International applicants are eligible to apply for direct admission.
Students who are eligible for direct admission have many scholarship opportunities through Indiana University. By submitting the general application to begin your direct admit consideration, you will be in the pipeline for IU scholarship funding resources that do not require additional action.
Specific scholarships for direct admit students have not been established at this time.
Yes. College credits earned in high school can be used for eligibility and degree completion. Dual credit courses will have a grade and do not have limits related to Nursing eligibility. All credits earned can apply to both degree completion and graduation. For any questions related to transfer credits, please contact iunurse@iu.edu.
Yes. Students who are not selected for direct admission will enter the university as pre-nursing students and will apply for admission to the School of Nursing during the spring semester of their freshman year in college after completing all pre-nursing coursework.
At this time, direct admission applications are only accepted for fall consideration.
