The IU School of Nursing accepts a limited number of direct admit students each year at its 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.
Direct admit essay requirements
Students who want to be considered for direct admission to the IU School of Nursing must submit two essay questions along with their university application.
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 as your major
Earned a cumulative GPA of 3.8
Submit two required essay questions
Please note that the direct admit applicant pool is competitive and the number of seats is limited. 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
September 1: IU School of Nursing direct admission application opens
November 1: Deadline to submit application for admission to Indiana University
December 15: Deadline to submit School of Nursing required essays
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
Frequently asked questions about direct admission to the IU School of Nursing
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.
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.
GPA details are calculated to align with a 4.0 scale for decision consideration. No additional action is needed on the part of the applicant.
At this time, all direct admit applicants must have a reported high school GPA.
International applicants who have a 3.8 equivalent GPA are eligible to apply for direct admission.
Students who are eligible for direct admission (3.8 or higher high school GPA) 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. 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.
Yes.
Required direct admission essay questions
Students who want to be considered for direct admission to the IU School of Nursing must submit two essay questions along with their university application.
How will you leverage your personal experience, background, and perspective to provide compassionate care to patients from diverse backgrounds? (300 words or less)
Describe how your personal strengths, experiences, and/or abilities will contribute to your success in nursing school and the nursing profession? (300 words or less)
