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Entering the College

Most students admitted to Indiana University Bloomington first enter University Division and later certify to the College upon meeting our Entrance Requirements but there are several other pathways to become a student in the College, described below, including our Direct Admission program.

Points of entry

Each year, the College of Arts and Sciences recognizes the achievements of a small number of outstanding incoming freshmen by extending to these future scholars invitations of direct admission. Students honored with this distinction are among the most talented and accomplished undergraduates pursuing studies in the arts, humanities, languages, mathematics, sciences, and social sciences.

Direct Admission allows these highly motivated, intellectually curious, and dedicated individuals the opportunity to declare their major immediately and begin their studies as College of Arts and Sciences students at the very start of their freshman year. Early entrance to the College provides them access to academic advisors, faculty, and departmental resources within their chosen field(s) of study. Direct Admission students embody a record of achievement, enthusiasm for learning, and scholarly potential, suggesting they will benefit from a focused start to their studies. 

Competitive candidates will be students admitted to IU who have indicated a major in the Arts and Sciences on the IU Freshman Application for Admission and who are qualified based on a combination of minimum SAT or ACT score and GPA or class rank. 

Select incoming freshmen who have received invitations of Direct Admission may be eligible to apply for merit-based scholarships within the College. Students must complete a Selective Scholarship Application (SSA) in order to be considered.

For more information, visit the Direct Admission to the College website.

When students in the University Division have satisfied the College's Entrance Requirements, they will be certified to the College in the major indicated as the primary major. To declare or change a major prior to certification, students in University Division should see their University Division advisor or go to the University Division Records Office, Maxwell Hall 028. Students are encouraged, early on in their time in University Division, to make an appointment with the academic advisor of any departments that offer majors that students think they may want to pursue.

Students with an interest in pursuing a B.F.A. degree must meet program admission standards before declaring their majors.

Certification takes place three times a year, usually around the third week of each semester (Summer, Fall, and Spring). Students should ensure their records reflect their intended major well in advance of the certification period each semester.

Students pursuing a degree through one of the Indiana University Bloomington professional schools—such as the Kelley School of Business, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, or Jacobs School of Music—as well as those who are currently in the Students in Transition program may request a school change to a College of Arts and Sciences degree program by meeting with the College of Arts and Sciences academic advisor in College degree program they intend to pursue.

Students must meet the College's Entrance Requirements in order for a school change request to be intitiated and approved. 

Students interested in the pursuing a second bachelor's degree in the College of Arts in Sciences, should meet with the academic advisor for the degree program in which they are interested.

Students currently pursuing a degree at another Indiana University campus will need to apply for admission to the Bloomington campus through the Office of Admissions. Admitted students who meet the College's Entrance requirements will immediately enter the College. Those who have not met the Entrance Requirements will enter University Division where they will remain until they meet the Entrance Requirements.

Students currently pursuing a degree at another college or university will need to apply for admission to the Indiana University through the Office of Admissions. Admitted students who meet the College's Entrance requirements will immediately enter the College. Those who have not met the Entrance Requirements will enter University Division where they will remain until they meet the requirements.

College Entrance Requirements

With the exception of those individuals who are admitted to the College directly through the Direct Admission Program, students who wish to enter into the College must have:

  • Completed 26 credit hours of coursework that can count toward a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences;
  • A College GPA of 2.000 or higher1;
  • A GPA of 2.000 or higher in the intended major2;
  • Satisfied the CASE Foundations: English Composition requirement.

1 This requirement is waived for students who transfer from another college or university and have not yet established an IU GPA. 
2 This requirement is waived for students who transfer from another college or university and have not yet established an IU GPA. It is also waived for students who otherwise meet the Entrance Requirements but have not yet completed GPA coursework in the major.