iu scholarship essay example

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Indiana University Bloomington Essay 2023-2024

Located in Bloomington, Indiana, Indiana University Bloomington — often known as IU — is a large public research university with a reputation of being known as a “ Public Ivy .” Offering a more affordable, yet intensive education, IU is a popular choice among applicants who are looking for a rigorous environment. The school is consistently ranked in the top 100 national universities.

With programs such as the Kelley School of Business, the School of Education, and the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, IU provides students with a wide array of academic opportunity. Beyond coursework, however, the university also boasts an active social life, with a decent portion of its student body participating in Greek life.

IU’s supplemental essay is an important part of the college application process. There is no need to worry — CollegeVine has prepared the following guide to help you tackle this essay.

Indiana University Bloomington Application Essay Prompt

Describe your academic and career plans and any special interests (e.g., undergraduate research, academic interests, leadership opportunities, etc.) that you are eager to pursue as an undergraduate at indiana university. if you encountered any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in completing your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them. (200-400 words).

This prompt is essentially a “ Why This Major ?” and “ Why This College? ” essay combined. Readers are looking to understand which of IU’s programs and opportunities you will take advantage of to further your career. First, discuss your academic and career interests and goals; second, explain how Indiana University specifically would help you reach these aspirations.

The first part of this essay should ideally answer the question: What do you want to be when you grow up? This part of the essay should present a cohesive picture of your passion in a specific academic field. Start off with a personal anecdote that showcases your interest in a single course of study or future career.

Keep this introduction concise, yet vivid, grasping the reader’s attention. For example, you could begin with a description of performing the oboe in a dark, packed auditorium on a bright stage at the state symphony, or the immense pride and relief you feel after distributing the school newspaper you and your staff worked on for countless hours.

Next, detail your accomplishments and experience in this field — remember to show more than tell. Provide evidence of your interest through your actions during a research project or an extracurricular activity. For example, instead of saying “I like both science and art,” illustrate the year you spent researching the brain’s ability to store memories through Dali’s paintings, and how this caused you to view the process of recollection as more of an art rather than a hard science, leading to your desire to study both neuroscience and art history. Not only does this show your interest in both fields, it also implies you are curious and innovative.

This paragraph is also a chance to portray your ability to grow and conquer challenges in your given field. So, rather than writing “I won state for Mock Trial,” describe the struggles you overcame and the growth you experienced in your role as president of your school’s mock trial team. By weaving narration throughout the paragraph, you will be able to portray a more authentic and unique story.

Lastly, connect your aspirations to IU. Specificity is key here. Avoid being vague and general with sweeping statements like “Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business is perfect for me” or “As a student at IU, I could study abroad.” Vague statements demonstrate a lack of interest and lack of effort. Research and learn about the qualities and programs that make Indiana University unique and special to your needs. What are unique programs or extracurriculars at Indiana University, and what will they teach you? What is a quality of IU that is important to you? Avoid generic responses that could apply to any other university.

If you want to be an investment banker through Kelley, describe the focused skillset you will gain from the school’s investment banking workshop, or the network you will create from the small classes and tight-knit community of the Kelley Business Honors Program. An aspiring global correspondent could describe the IU’s worldly approach towards learning and interning in London through the Media School’s “Summer in London” program.

Your primary goal is to connect your accomplishments and aspirations with the opportunities that await you at IU; however, avoid listing every possible activity you could participate in and stay focused.

• Start with a personal, vivid anecdote conveying your interest in a single field.
• Share a narrative of you overcoming an obstacle in this field; provide evidence of your experience in this interest.
• Describe the essence or quality of a program or activity at IU that would help you grow in this area.

Where to Get Your IU Essay Edited

Do you want feedback on your IU essay? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

• What is a Career Community?
• Community Health & Human Services
• Health & Life Sciences
• Healthcare & Wellness
• Sports, Events, Tourism, & Recreation
• Meet with a Career Coach
• Appointments
• School of Public Health Career Courses
• Career Kickstart
• Application Materials
• Career Planning
• Diversity Resources
• Graduate School
• International & Global
• Internships & Experiences
• Interviews & Offers
• Networking & Professionalism
• Video Resources
• All Resources
• News & Articles
• Student Experiences
• Organizations
• Featured Classes
• Internships
• Recruit with SPH
• Employer Resources

The Art of Reflection: The Stand Out Scholarship Essay

• Share This: Share The Art of Reflection: The Stand Out Scholarship Essay on Facebook Share The Art of Reflection: The Stand Out Scholarship Essay on LinkedIn Share The Art of Reflection: The Stand Out Scholarship Essay on X

It’s about what you learned, not what you did.

You may have a rap sheet of accomplishments, activities, jobs, and hard skills, but that is not the purpose of an essay. If the foundation or organization providing the scholarship wants a list of experiences, they will ask for a resume or a Curriculum Vitae (CV).

This essay is also not merely a list of actions you took to attain those goals, complete your job, or build your resume. It is a reflection of how those actions have impacted your life and prepared you for the future.

If the purpose of the essay is to receive a scholarship for something specific (e.g. a study abroad opportunity), you should start with that goal and work from there. However, if the purpose of the essay is to showcase you and your potential, then I recommend choosing 1-3 activities or achievements from your resume to highlight throughout the essay.

Once your goal or your activities are chosen, create a concept map . As shown in the picture below, come up with themes that surround each goal or activity. Arrows and connecting lines between concepts are encouraged, as they will assist you in crafting a fluid and cohesive paper.

Image 1: Goal-driven concept map

My goal was to attain a scholarship for a speech-language therapy study abroad experience in Mexico through my undergraduate institution’s Communication Disorders department. I was not planning to become a speech-language pathologist (SLP), but I found ways to connect the importance of the experience to my areas of study–health science and communication disorders–and future goals of working with populations with hearing loss.

Questions to help populate your goal-driven concept map include:

• How does the goal relate to your current job or area of study?
• What will you do if you achieve your goal?
• How will this goal help you grow?
• How do the concepts on the page connect to each other?

Questions to help populate your activity or achievement-based concept map include:

• What did you do?
• What was important?
• Who was involved
• How did that activity influence your future?
• How do the concepts on the page connect to each other

A concept map does not act as an outline, but rather sparks ideas, draws connections, and narrows the focus for when you are ready to write! Once complete, you should have a better sense of direction.

As stated earlier, this essay is not a dry list of achievements, but a well crafted example of the person you are and the person you want to become. This essay is an opportunity–an opportunity to demonstrate your character, your intellect, your thought processes, and your “why”.

Character includes work ethic, empathy, integrity, and resilience among a long list of soft skills. When you describe instead of tell about an achievement that required teamwork, time-consuming tasks, or challenging situations; often these skills naturally appear.

Intellect means more than book smart. If you have a 4.0, great, put in on the resume and don’t mention it here. However, when describing an achievement, don’t be afraid to toot your own horn by featuring your ability to learn, make decisions, or analyze complex concepts.

Thought processes are demonstrated as you make connections between your past engagements and your future goals. Refer back to your concept map to remind you of those connections. You may ask yourself, “how has this activity impacted my life?” or “How will this study abroad experience help me be a better health education specialist?”

Your WHY ! This might be the most important. This is your chance to answer, “so what?”. So what about your past achievements make you worthy to receive this scholarship? Why should I fund your trip to Mexico instead of another student’s? These are the questions the scholarship panel will be asking. Make this the climax of your essay, because this–if all other requirements are met–is the deciding factor in your success. This was my why:

I want to make a difference in the world, and I want to advocate for minorities, specifically those with disabilities or mental health concerns. By working with children who have developmental disabilities from orphanages and day cares in Mexico, I get to connect my passions through a multi-cultural immersion. I will work one on one with the kids, give health education lessons to the caretakers, improve my Spanish, experience 3 rd world institutions, and learn from the [University] professors all of which will guide me toward the right career.

Reflection takes careful consideration of language and strong self-awareness. Welcome the opportunity to think critically!

I am specifically writing about scholarship essays, but these strategies can apply to cover letters and even recommendation letters. You are one of a kind. If you make the essay personal it WILL stand out.

These are the strategies I have personally found to increase my success with scholarship applications. However, there is no “magic bullet”. Each organization, foundation, university, or employer is looking for something a little different. Therefore, if you are in need of additional tips or specific feedback, please visit the career services office in the bottom floor of SPH and/or make an appointment with a career advisor.

Good luck!!!

I TRI for Longevity, so one day WE can change the World!

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Indianapolis Indiana University Indianapolis IU Indianapolis

• Academic Schools
• Graduate Programs by School
• Undergraduate Areas of Interest
• Accelerated Bachelor's and Master's Degree Options
• The Honors College
• B/MD Pathway to Medicine Program
• Student Demographics
• Student Clubs and Organizations
• Campus Traditions and Signature Events
• Housing Options
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Life in Indianapolis
• Undergraduate Cost of Attendance
• Participating Graduate Programs
• Graduate Cost of Attendance
• Undergraduate Financial Aid
• Graduate Financial Aid
• Scholarship Opportunities
• Academic School Scholarships

How to Apply for Scholarships

• External Scholarship Resources
• Daily Campus Tours
• Monthly Graduate Student Tours
• Group Visits
• Regional Admitted Student Reception
• Things to Do and Places to Stay
• Directions to Campus
• Test-optional admission
• Direct admission requirements for incoming freshmen
• Transfer Students
• IU Indianapolis Graduate and Professional Programs
• Testing for Graduate School Admission
• US Military Personnel & Veterans
• Returning IU Indianapolis Students
• Second Bachelor Degree Students
• Undergraduate Non-Degree or Visiting Student Admission
• Graduate Non-degree admission
• English Requirements for Undergraduate
• English Requirements for Graduate
• Dates and Deadlines
• Transfer & Exam Credit
• Save your spot
• Transfer and Second-degree Students
• Graduate Students
• Graduate Financial Information
• EAP Placement Test
• Undergraduate Financial Information
• Non-degree & Visiting Students
• Update or Cancel Your Admission
• Orientation
• Request Information
• Cost & Financial Aid
• Scholarships

We'll match you with scholarships

Indiana University's scholarship system is designed to present you with opportunities that can lead you to more award dollars. You'll even be able to apply for multiple scholarships at once. We'll show you some recommendations, and then it's up to you to submit the required materials for the selection committee to make a decision. 

You can apply for scholarships for the next fall term by using the IU Scholarship Application beginning on  September 1st.

How to apply for IU Indianapolis scholarships

Description of the video:

00:00:00 -->00:00:04

IU Indianapolis scholarship 101 with Eric title screen.

00:00:04 -->00:00:11

Eric Starts off with an introduction

“Hi my name is Eric I'm a health science major here  at IU Indy and I'm from Columbus Indiana.”

00:00:11 -->00:00:18

“A fun fact about me is that I like to play Pickleball  I am not any good but I still do enjoy the sport”

00:00:18 -->00:00:21

Eric moves on from introduction into how to access to the IU scholarship portal

“and today I'll will be running you through the IU scholarship portal” 

00:00:21 -->00:00:28

“so first off to apply for any of our scholarships here at IU Indy you are going to have to be an admitted student”

00:00:28 -->00:00:32

“and you also need to set up your one.iu.edu account”

00:00:32 -->00:00:38

Google home page was shown.

“once  you have all that stuff set up then you need to go into any web browser and type in one.iu.edu”

00:00:38 →00:00:43

One.IU homepage was shown.

“once  you're there and once you have signed in you are going to type into the search bar scholarships”

00:00:43 -->00:00:49

IU Scholarship Tile shown

“once you see the IU scholarships logo you can select it and this will prompt you to log in with your CAS credentials”

00:00:49 -->00:00:55

Scholarship Homepage was shown

“once you've signed in this will pop up with the page of the first  section of the General application”

00:00:55 -->00:01:10

Scholarship Homepage continued to be shown

“The first part of the General application is going to be a slight introduction basically confirming what year you're applying for and just making  sure that you know that if you don't want to submit it right now you can always press save  and you can always return to it and continue it later”

00:01:10 -->00:01:14

General Application was shown.

“so the first section of the application  is going to be asking questions about the FAFSA”

00:01:14 -->00:01:19

“which campus you're going to be on your expected  graduation date and your intended enrollment”

00:01:19 -->00:01:32

Screenshot of specific scholarship application question show.

“With intended enrollment if you want to be considered  a full-time student this is going to be need this is going to need to be 12 credit hours or more  per semester or eight credits credit hours um if you are thinking about your graduate program” 

00:01:32 -->00:01:39

“ to be considered a halftime student you are going to need to do six credit hours or more  when it comes to your undergraduate and four for your graduate”

00:01:39 -->00:01:57

“so I will say the next couple  sections of the General application are going to be fairly repetitive in how you answer but  this is also going to be there to help um see what scholarships are eligible to you based on  your past experience and to kind of help you um start thinking about what things you you would  want to apply for”

00:01:57 -->00:02:00

Specific part of the application is shown

“this first section is going to be about volunteer and community commity service”

00:02:00 -->00:02:09

Specific part of application is still shown

“um if you worked at a food bank in high school or you volunteered at an animal shelter or anything  like that this would be a great section to add that stuff in”

00:02:09 -->00:02:18

“ you're going to need to select the  type of community service or volunteer service that you've done the years that you were involved and then if you have more than one you can always add another.”

00:02:18 -->00:02:20

Leadership Experience section of application shown.

“this next part is going to be about leadership”

00:02:20 -->00:02:34

“ If you were a coach in high school or if you had a job where you were a manager or if you were um the president of like the Student Society or anything like that is going to be a great place to put that stuff in. ” 

00:02:34 -->00:02:38

Eric scrolls down to the Extracurricular Activity Experience section.

“So this next part is going to be about extracurricular activities and your experience.”

00:02:38 -->00:02:44

“With that so if you played a sport in high school, or if you were part of band,  or theater this would be a great spot for that.”

00:02:44 -->00:02:50

Eric scrolls down to the Affiliations section.

“This next section is going to be about  affiliations if you were a part of a club or a organization in high school or any other campus.”

00:02:50 -->00:02:58

“You can actually add that stuff in here and this does include if you were a spouse or a dependent of the person who was a part of an organization.”

 00:02:58 -->00:03:08

Eric scrolls down to the Honors and Awards section.

“The next part is going to be about honors and rewards. If you received any grants or rewards from high school or you were in a competition  and you won, this would be a great place to put that stuff.”

 00:03:08 -->00:03:12

Eric scrolls down to the Work Experience section.

“In this last section that's going to be fairly repetitive is going to be about your work experience.”

00:03:12 -->00:03:23

“If you had a job in high school  or if you had a job on a different campus or if you were a tutor or anything like that this would  be a great place to put that in.” 

00:03:23 -->00:03:29

“One um key fact that you should add into this as well is if you are planning to work during school.”

00:03:29 -->00:03:31

Eric scrolls down to the Scholarship Essay section.

“The next part of the General application is going to be the scholarship essay.” 

00:03:31 -->00:03:44

“Um a couple things to include and to keep in mind is that it should be no more than a thousand words and it should also include your high school or college involvement, your field of  study and your career goals.”

00:03:44 -->00:03:49

“Then you should detail any hardships or circumstances that receiving a scholarship will help you out.  ”

00:03:49 -->00:04:00

Eric scrolls down to the Supplemental Questions section.

“So the last part is going to be some supplemental questions basically asking if your parents were alumni here, or your military status, if you want to study abroad, your gender identity etc.”

 00:04:00 -->00:04:09

Eric clicks the Finish and Submit button.

“So the last thing that you need to do is sign and submit. If you don't want to submit it at the moment, that's perfectly fine. You just need to press save and then you can always continue it later. ”

00:04:09 -->00:04:18

Eric, currently in the My Applications tab scrolls to the very top of the tab then proceeds to click on the Opportunities tab that is to the right of the My Applications tab.

“You have just finished the journal application. What do you do from here if you actually scroll back to the top of that page you're going to see a little drop down box that says opportunities.”

00:04:18 -->00:04:21

“If you press that and select all, then it will bring you up to the scholarship page.” 

00:04:21 -->00:04:40

“There are over 35 different pages of different scholarships that you can actually apply for and it kind of will be a little bit overwhelming whenever you're just like coming through it, but to narrow down your search a little bit you can always go to the search bar and type in a specific scholarship or you can press the filter button and this will help  you narrow down your search. ”

00:04:40 -->00:04:50

“So when it comes to my personal experience with scholarships I do have a scholarship called the Jags Excellence award which is a scholarship based on high school academics or my past experience.” 

00:04:50 -->00:04:57

“This is a great scholarship um but I will say that is kind of where that ends and that's actually one of my biggest regrets from college is that I didn't put in the  effort to actually go out and um find different scholarships that I was actually eligible for.”

00:05:06 -->00:05:13

“So if you want a tip of advice just go do the General Application and then uh look for as many scholarships as you can just because this is a great way to pay for college without having to pay  back later and lastly if you do have any questions about anything feel free to contact us and we  can always answer those questions for you thank you.”

The first step to being considered for any of these programs is to submit an   application for admission to IU Indianapolis . Once you have applied for admission, you'll be eligible to create your   IU computing account . You can then apply for scholarship opportunities using our general application:

• Access   the scholarship task on One.IU .
• Click on the  scholarships  task and log in using your IU computing account. If you have not yet created your IU computing account, you can   learn more on the IU Knowledge Base . Creating this account requires you to input your 10-digit University ID. If you do not know your University ID, you can look it up using the   Self-Service University ID Lookup , or email   [email protected] . 
• If you are new to the Indiana University Scholarship System, be sure to complete the   General Application   to see a list of recommended scholarship opportunities.
• Once you submit the General Application, you can also search for scholarships by clicking on   Ours  under   Opportunities   in the gray navigation bar along the top and searching with the keyword   IU Indianapolis  or the specific name of a scholarship.

Additional resources

Indiana university indianapolis.

• Request information
• Have a question? AskIU
• About Email at IU
• People Directory
• Non-discrimination Notice
• IT Services
• Knowledge Base

Indiana University-Bloomington (IU) Supplemental Essay Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to write an Indiana University supplemental essay? CollegeAdvisor.com ’s guide to the Indiana University application essay will show you exactly how to write an engaging Indiana University supplemental essay and maximize your chances of admission. If you need help crafting your IU application essay, create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272 .

Indiana University Application Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• U.S. News considers Indiana University a more selective university.
• The IU acceptance rate is 80.4%.
• Indiana University is ranked #68 in the U.S. News list of National Universities.

Does Indiana University Require Essays?

Yes. In addition to the Personal Statement that you’ll write for the Common App or Coalition App , you’ll also complete one Indiana University supplement essay. Since there’s only one IU essay prompt, you should do everything you can to make sure your essay stands out. 

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay guide .  

What is Indiana University’s Supplemental Essay?

There is only one school-specific IU essay prompt, which is required for all applicants. There are no additional IU supplemental essays for first-year applicants. Your Indiana University essay should be between 200 and 400 words. 

Indiana University application essays can cover a breadth of topics. Above all, the Indiana University application essay aims to help the admissions team get to know you. The IU essay prompt gives you the freedom to write about the topics that best illustrate who you are and how you will use an education from IU. Take advantage of the Indiana University application essay to maximize your admissions odds. 

How do I Write Indiana University’s Supplemental Essay: Question 1

Describe your academic and career plans and any special interest (for example, undergraduate research, academic interests, leadership opportunities, etc.) that you are eager to pursue as an undergraduate at Indiana University. Also, if you encountered any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in pursuit of your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them. This essay may be used in scholarship consideration. (400 word maximum)

This IU application essay is a combination of the classic “why college?” and “why major?” prompts. In 400 words, your Indiana University essay should clearly articulate your reasons for applying to Indiana University. It should also show your vision for your time as a Hoosier. 

The IU essay prompt also lets you discuss challenges that have impacted your education. Often, you can integrate these challenges into the narrative of your Indiana University essay since you overcame them in pursuit of your goals. Your IU application essay should focus on connecting your experiences to your future at Indiana University. 

When brainstorming for this IU essay prompt, ask yourself what you want to be when you grow up. Write down your dreams, goals, career interests, academic pursuits, and hobbies. When reading your IU supplemental essay, the admissions team should learn what is important to you and how you would spend your time on their campus.

An effective Why IU supplemental essay will think beyond the IU acceptance rate and Indiana University ranking. When answering this IU essay prompt, don’t just think about IU as a means to an end. Instead, think of this Indiana University application essay as a “why fit” essay. Your college experience is a two-way street; you will both contribute to and benefit from the IU community.

Tell a story

In your Indiana University application essay, try to tell a story. Your college essay shouldn’t read like a five-paragraph essay. To draw your reader in, try opening your IU supplemental essay with an anecdote. How can you immediately put the reader in your shoes? Establish an element of mystery? Dramatize your opening? Select a story that shows growth, curiosity, determination, or another positive trait that you’ll highlight in your Indiana University essay. 

In your IU application essay, make sure you include personal details. Whenever you make a claim about yourself in your Indiana University essay, provide examples to support it—show, don’t tell. If you write that you have an entrepreneurial spirit, back it up with a story from your life. If you include that you have a passion for mentoring others, provide a story from a time you mentored someone. IU does not expect that you will be involved in the same activities in college that you were in high school; still, your IU application essay should show the reader your character and skills. 

Be specific

As well as being personal, your Indiana University application essay should be specific. There are many great options for college, and you could succeed at many different schools. So, why do you want to attend IU? In your IU supplemental essay, strive to answer this question: How will the opportunities at IU make your goals a reality? There are countless majors and minors to choose from at Indiana University.  So, what will your educational path look like?

Do your research on reasons to attend IU. What specific classes, research opportunities, professors, clubs, and organizations will you take advantage of? When answering the IU essay prompt, clearly state how you would make the most of the specific opportunities you discuss. Don’t just name-drop professors. 

Writing a personal and specific Indiana University essay will help you stand out amidst thousands of other Indiana University application essays. Don’t write things in your Indiana University application essay that you could write about any other college. Conversely, avoid writing about topics that many students could also discuss in their Indiana University essays. 

Show don’t tell

Throughout your Indiana University essay, show instead of telling. This will help you convey the most interesting and effective story. When discussing a program that sparked your interest in your major when answering the IU essay prompt, paint the picture and help the reader understand your daily work. If you write about an extracurricular activity in your IU application essay, detail how it felt to accomplish something in that activity. Use vivid descriptions instead of just stating the facts.

When answering the IU essay prompt, make sure to clarify the stakes of your story. As you respond to the IU essay prompt, clarify why your interests matter. Why should the reader admit you? In your IU application essay, show the reader why accepting you would make IU a better place. Use your Indiana University application essay to highlight your potential!

Throughout your Indiana University application essay, use self-reflection to tell an authentic story. Discuss what matters to you and why. What values do you prioritize? Your IU supplement essay should emphasize your defining traits. 

In your Indiana University application essay, you should also avoid cliches. Don’t just name a program or extracurricular because it sounds impressive; authenticity will help your application the most. Also, avoid general statements about the school in your Indiana University essay as well as simple emotional appeals. Don’t just compliment the school—instead, discuss what you will bring to IU in your IU supplemental essay. 

Remember to discuss both your skills and IU’s offerings in your Indiana University application essay. College is a two-way street and “fit” is extremely important. So, use your IU supplemental essay to show how you would fit into the IU community.  

Indiana University Application Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Is your Indiana University supplemental essay both specific and personal?
• When discussing challenges, do you explain how you overcame them?
• Do you tell a cohesive and interesting story in your Indiana University essay?
• Did you proofread your IU application essay for grammar and clarity?

Additional Tips for Writing the Indiana University Application Essay

Be sure to leave yourself time to edit and revise your IU application essay! Indiana University admissions has two deadlines : Early Action on November 1, 2021, and Regular Decision on February 1, 2022. 

Before submitting your application, think about how every aspect of it will be perceived by the IU admissions team. Do you tell them as much as you can about who you are? Make sure that your IU supplemental essay paints a clear picture of your goals, motivations, and future plans. Your IU application essay should be consistent with the rest of your application; it should also add details to your profile that the reader doesn’t glean from the rest of your application. 

What is the Acceptance Rate for IU?

The IU acceptance rate is approximately 80%. However, the IU acceptance rate for the Kelley School of Business as a freshman is around 40%. The median GPA for applicants accepted to IU for the fall 2021 class was 3.91, while the median SAT and ACT scores were 1300 and 29, respectively. Read the full list of admissions requirements here . 

Don’t focus too much on the IU acceptance rate. Instead, spend your energy making your Indiana University application essay the best it can be. Since so many factors impact the IU acceptance rate, focus on the ones within your control. 

Want more tips on how to use the IU acceptance rate (and any other school’s rate) to build your school list? Check out our expert’s guides on acceptance rates and rankings . 

Indiana University Application Essay – Final Thoughts

In your IU essay, be unique and original but also genuine and honest. Instead of trying to predict what the admissions team wants to hear, focus on telling your personal story. Do your research on your future major so you can connect yourself with opportunities at IU. Be clear, concise, and specific in your responses to the Indiana University essay prompt; you only get one chance! There is no cookie-cutter IU student, so highlight what makes you stand out. Good luck!

This guide was written by Caroline Marapese , Notre Dame ’22. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on Indiana University, click here . Want help crafting your IU University supplemental essay? Create your account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

Personalized and effective college advising for high school students.

• Advisor Application
• Popular Colleges
• Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice
• Student Login
• California Privacy Notice
• Terms and Conditions
• Your Privacy Choices

By using the College Advisor site and/or working with College Advisor, you agree to our updated Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy , including an arbitration clause that covers any disputes relating to our policies and your use of our products and services.

IU Bloomington SSA General Application Essay

Is the optional general essay (anything we should know) needed to receive scholarship money. There is SSA application and 2 required essays, but I was wondering if the optional general essay was “required” as well.

I was wondering the same

POPULAR STATES

Search sat scores, search act scores, search gpa’s, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay informed with the latest from the CC community, delivered to you, for free.

CONNECT WITH US

© 2023 College Confidential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington IU Bloomington

• Undergraduate
• Repay Your Loans
• Apply for Financial Aid
• Direct Deposit
• Other Refunds
• Accept Your Loans
• Cancel or Reduce Your Loans
• How to Keep Your Grants & Loans
• How Transferring Schools Affects Your Grants & Loans
• Taking Classes at Another IU Campus
• Senior Citizen Fee Remission
• Information for Donors
• Federal Grants
• Grants for Indiana Residents
• Federal Direct Loans
• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
• Private Loans
• Overseas Study
• Aid for International Students
• Checking or Savings Account
• Credit or Debit Card
• Foreign Currency
• Automated Payment Service
• Payment Plan
• Third-Party Sponsors
• Title IV Authorization
• Apply Your Financial Aid & Scholarships
• Problems with Payment
• Late Payments
• Past Due Accounts
• Dispute a Charge
• Tax Information
• School & Department Abbreviations
• Prerequisites & Components
• Academic Advising
• When to Register
• Late Drop/Add
• Waitlist a Class
• Registering Late
• Holds & Problems with Registering
• Transferring
• Account Refunds
• Military Withdrawal
• Financial Implications
• Refund Withdrawal Dates
• Multiple Withdrawals
• Full-Time Student Status
• Textbooks & Course Materials
• Audit a Class
• Grade Distribution
• Grade Distribution Information
• Calculate Your GPA
• Grade Changes & Retaking Classes
• Incompletes
• Pass/Fail Option
• Failure to Attend
• Early Evaluations
• Enrollment Verification & Attendance
• Student Engagement Roster
• Final Exams
• Grading System
• Fresh Start through Academic Renewal
• Official Calendar
• Tentative Nine-Year Calendar
• Nonstandard Session Dates
• Change Your Name
• Residency or Citizenship
• Social Security Number
• Order a Duplicate Diploma
• Order an Apostille
• Give Access to Your Information
• Graduation Notification
• Immunizations
• Your Rights & Privacy
• Your University ID
• Secure Contact Form

Student Central

Question? Ask Student Central:

• Paying for College
• Funding Opportunities

Scholarships

Looking for scholarships.

A scholarship is a form of financial aid you don’t have to repay. Student Central doesn’t administer scholarships or select scholarship recipients. Go to the Office of Scholarships to learn about scholarships that are available to you.

In accordance with Title IV rules, we include the scholarships you receive when we calculate how much need-based aid you’re eligible for. As long as we’ve received your scholarship funds by the deadline , any adjustments to your financial aid will be made before your bill is due.

By the way, we don’t recommend using paid scholarship search sites. You can learn about common scholarship scams at the Better Business Bureau , the Federal Trade Commission , or FinAid .

Are you a scholarship donor?

Find out what you need to do to make sure your student receives their scholarship funds.

Complete the General Scholarship Application to be considered for eligible IU scholarships. Search for IU Scholarships in One.IU to start the application.

What to know if you have an external scholarship

You may be coming to IU Bloomington with a scholarship from a civic or service organization, a private foundation, the military, or a church, just to name a few. If so, there are a few things you need to know.

Make sure your donor has the information they need.

If your donor requires you to, make sure to fill out an Authorization for Release of Student Information form.

Find out when your scholarship funds will be processed.

If you are expecting an external scholarship, advise your donor to send the check as soon as possible. Your scholarship will not be reflected on your account until we receive the scholarship check. Your donor may also want to review helpful information on when to submit funds .

Note that our busiest times are mid-July through early October and late December through January.

Find out what happens if you withdraw from IU.

If you withdraw from IU Bloomington before your scholarship funds are applied to your account, we’ll use the documentation your donor submitted to do one of two things:

• Return the funds to your donor
• Apply the funds to the most recent semester in which you were enrolled

You can mail checks directly to the Office of the Bursar. Make checks payable to Indiana University and mail with a completed   External Scholarship Donor Form   to:

If your scholarship check hasn’t arrived by your bill due date, contact us as soon as possible to discuss payment options.

Resources and social media channels

• Required Disclosures

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Indiana University IU

• Bloomington

IU Scholarships

All current and newly admitted Indiana University students are encouraged to login to IU Scholarships on or after September 1 st to complete the IU General Application. Refer to your campus Financial Aid or Scholarship Office for application deadlines.

After completing your IU General Application, check for recommended scholarship opportunities within IU Scholarships by clicking “Opportunities” and then “Recommended.” Also refer to your IU email on Fridays for notifications of new scholarship opportunities as they become available/open.

Curious about current scholarship opportunities available? Check the “Ours” tab under “Opportunities” within IU Scholarships or click Our Opportunities .  

To access IU Scholarships via One.iu.edu , search “scholarships,” click on the tile and hit “start.”

The IU General Application is not inclusive of all scholarship opportunities available. Please contact your Financial Aid or Scholarship Office for more information. 

Go directly to the IU Scholarships web page

Answers to common questions

The information below is designed to help you answer common questions about completing scholarship applications, updating applications, uploading document, requesting reference letters, notification of scholarship awards, and more. If you need additional assistance or information about your specific scholarship, please contact your campus Financial Aid or Scholarship Office any time.

How do I apply for IU Scholarships?

Before you begin applying for opportunities in IU Scholarships , and if you are new to Indiana University, you should create your IU computing account . If you are a continuing student, be sure to complete the General Application in https://one.iu.edu/launch-task/iu/scholarships. More detailed instructions are located in this article .

What if I started my application and I'm not ready to submit it?

When filling out an application within IU Scholarships , you have the option to save an application and come back to it later to make additional edits and/or submit the application. This functionality works differently depending on which application you're using and what questions you've answered. See this article for more information.

What if I need to make an update to my scholarship application?

We get it! Sometimes things change. As long as the scholarship opportunity is still open (meaning the deadline to apply has not passed), you can make any edits you need to. See this article for more information.

How do I upload a document to my scholarship opportunity application?

Some scholarships require additional information such as resumes, W2s, transcripts, and more. If an additional document is required, the specific scholarship opportunity will provide instructions on what document(s) is/are needed. Before you upload a file, be sure to remove any critical data such as a Social Security Number (SSN) and bank account numbers. For more about how to securely redact your data, see  Properly redact information at IU . For more information about how to upload a document, see Uploading Documents to Your Scholarship in IU Scholarships .

What file types are allowed to be uploaded in IU Scholarships?

Many file types are permitted for upload into IU Scholarships, however, you should review the scholarship opportunity application instructions for the specific file type desired. Additionally, you should be mindful of how you name and save your document for upload. For more information, please see the “Import” box in Uploading Documents to Your Scholarship in IU Scholarships .

How do I obtain recommendation letters for my scholarship opportunity application?

Some scholarships ask for letters of recommendation. IU Scholarships doesn't have an option to upload letters. Instead, recommenders receive an email message prompting a recommendation submission through the IU Scholarships system. Be sure to ask your references for recommendations before providing their email addresses in the system. For more information on obtaining recommendation letters, please see About Recommendation Letters .

How will I know if I received a scholarship award?

In most cases, recipients of scholarship awards are notified via IU email. If the scholarship award is through IU Scholarships, you can also view the award in IU Scholarships via the “My Applications” tab.

What is the scholarship deadline?

While the IU General Application opens every year on September 1 st and we encourage you to complete and submit it early, not every IU campus/department has open scholarship opportunities available that early. To learn when scholarships opportunities will open and close at your campus, contact your campus Financial Aid or Scholarship Office directly.

• Chat with a consultant

Upload documents to your scholarship in IU Scholarships

On this page:

Before you begin

Upload a document, upload an image, select a previously uploaded file, view an uploaded file, upload files.

Some scholarships require additional information such as resumes, essays, and transcripts. IU Scholarships has many places where you can upload files. For IU transcripts, follow the instructions listed in the scholarship.

Before uploading your files:

• Be sure to remove any critical data such as Social Security number (SSN) and bank account numbers. For more about how to securely redact your data, see Properly redact information at IU .
• Save the file in a PC-compatible format. Most review committees will not have access to programs that open files created on a Mac (such as .pages , .stix , .cwk , .pic , and so on).
• Make sure the file is not password protected or encrypted. Password protection and encryption will prevent scholarship committees from downloading your file for review.

For details about permissible file types and file name specifications, see What are the specifications for file uploads? from Blackbaud. Keep in mind:

• Google files are not accepted.
• File sizes must be under 10 MB, or they will be rejected. Note that large files will take longer to upload.
• File names may contain lower- and upper-case letters, numbers, hyphens (-), underscores (_), and spaces. No special characters are allowed.
• A file name can only contain one period (.), including all file extensions. A file name like filename.csv.zip isn't allowed because it has two periods.
• The document file name should be as short as possible, 35 characters or less. The suggested naming convention is firstname_lastname_resume . If your file name is too long, it may cause errors when reviewers go to download and view it.

After you upload a file, check it to make sure that it is not corrupt. To do so, download the file from within IU Scholarships on any PC and view its contents.

• Go to IU Scholarships .
• Find the scholarship that requires the uploaded documents and click Finish .
• Scroll to the "Work" document question.
• Click Add a New File .
• Click the Choose File button that appears. Find and select the desired file, and then click Open . The name of your file will appear beside Choose File .
• Save and Keep Editing
• Finish and Continue
• Update General Application

• If the application has not been started and you come across one requiring a file upload, follow the directions outlined above.

Uploading images or other files works the same way as above . Images must be in either .jpg or .png format.

• Select Add a New Image .
• Click the Choose File button that appears. Find and select the desired file, and then click Open . You'll now see the name of your file beside Choose File .
• In the pop-up that shows the image, select the area you would like displayed as the image, and click Confirm . You should now see the name of the file beside the Choose File button.

Once the image is uploaded, a thumbnail version displays next to the question.

Every file you upload to IU Scholarships is securely stored for reuse. You can select the files again from a drop-down menu that starts appearing under every file upload question. For example, if you upload an essay on leadership and then apply to another scholarship that requires the same type of essay, you don't have to upload the same file again; you can simply select it from the drop-down menu.

If you submitted a file for an upload question and you would like to view the file formatting when you open it, you should be able to click a link to do so.

• Within the specific application you want to review, find the file upload section.

Depending on the file type and your computer settings, the file will either:

• Open in a new window,
• Immediately download to your computer, or
• Prompt you to save before opening the file.

This is document aqex in the Knowledge Base. Last modified on 2023-07-31 12:36:08 .

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington IU Bloomington

• Our Approach
• Faculty & Staff
• The Nomadic Studio
• Accreditation
• Learning and Teaching Culture Policy
• Admissions & Aid
• Living in Columbus
• Professional Preparation
• Learning Spaces
• Pencils Down podcast
• Special Events
• Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program

• News & Events
• IAF recognizes five M. Arch students

Five M. Arch students receive IAF scholarships

By:   Yaël Ksander

Friday, March 29, 2024

Five students in the J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program at Indiana University's Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design were among nine statewide to be distinguished with scholarship awards from the Indiana Architectural Foundation (IAF) March 25. M. Arch students Jonathan Hill, Samantha Nardine, Anthony Reiss, Carolina Zapata Bustamante, and Will Ziegert were recognized at Monday’s awards banquet in Indianapolis. The 2023-24 IAF scholarship awards conveyed a total of $21, 500 to the nine recipients.

The merit-based awards recognize Indiana residents who have completed two years of an undergraduate degree, or are a graduate student, attending a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)-accredited or NAAB-candidate professional architecture degree program. Awardees must have 3.0 GPA or above and are selected based on the merits of their academic and professional record, a sample of submitted design work, and an essay.

Nardine, a second-year student in the M. Arch program, “feel[s] honored to receive this award.” She intends to apply the scholarship funds toward the LEED Green Associate exam, which measures knowledge and skills necessary to promote and implement green building practices. Nardine found her place at the intersection of design and sustainability as an undergraduate at IU Bloomington, where she majored in Interior Design at the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design (B.S. ’22) and minored in environmental and sustainability studies at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.  

I believe that sustainability is an ethical responsibility all architects and designers have as we help shape the built environment and impact the natural one,” said Nardine. “I’m interested in exploring how they can work in harmony.

A strong connection with the natural world characterizes both designs second-year M. Arch student Will Ziegert submitted for his award-winning application. A community center design leverages proximity to Columbus’ recreational trail system and a design generated through engagement with ABC Stewart Montessori School stakeholders nods to Japanese architecture in incorporating natural light and sightlines to a forest.

Ziegert’s current research includes residential housing diversity and human wellness education as it pertains to sports, recreation, and healthcare design in public architecture. Over the last year, Ziegert has engaged with the Columbus community in identifying and working to restore its “missing middle” housing.

New perspectives: architecture student examines “middle housing” options for Columbus

Local residents contribute to housing study discussion

Ziegert received his undergraduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Miami University with concentrations in urban development and marketing. As an undergraduate, Ziegert also spent time in Maastricht, Netherlands, where he researched and obtained a certificate in development economics.

About the Indiana Architectural Foundation

According to the organization’s website , The Indiana Architectural Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization, founded in 1973 with the core mission of supporting architectural education, enhancing public awareness of architecture, and preserving Indiana’s architectural legacy. For the past 45 years the IAF has awarded scholarships to deserving students, published books on Indiana architecture for both professional and amateur readers, and provided grant funding to a diverse array of projects that align with our core mission.

For more information please contact

Yaël Ksander Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design (812) 855-5512 [email protected]

J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program social media channels

• Eskenazi School Intranet
• College of Arts & Sciences
• Master of Architecture

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington IU Bloomington

• Message from the Dean
• The HHC Experience
• What We Offer
• Staff Directory
• Edward L. Hutton
• Wells Scholars Program
• Cox Research Scholars
• Parent Resources
• Prospective Freshmen
• Current & Transfer Students
• Membership Requirements
• School & Departmental Honors
• Honors Notation Gateway
• Honors Seminars
• Advising Syllabus
• Engaged Learning Opportunities
• Burnett/Masters Junior Scholars
• HHC Scholarship
• Ford Endowed Scholarships
• Internship Grant
• Research Grant
• Creative Activity
• Teaching Internship
• Research Partnership
• HHC Thesis Award
• IMP Capstone Award
• BFA Capstone Award
• HHC Travel Grant
• Alternative Break
• Financial Emergency Fund
• Funding Board
• Event Planning Timeline
• Student Organization Accounts
• Honors Residential Communities
• Extracurricular Programming
• Alumni & Donors
• Hutton International Experiences Program

Hutton Honors College

Hutton honors seminars, stories of the self: themes in memoir and autobiography.

Eric Metzler Kelley School of Business

Course Description

Humans tell stories about themselves and their experiences to connect with others, share values, build relationships, and create kinship and friendship bonds. We all have stories to tell, but what makes stories compelling enough that others (i.e., strangers) would want to hear them or purchase them as books to read or listen to? What is the purpose – beyond entertainment – of stories of the self? How do memoirists shape their stories to advance a perspective or set of values? How important is authenticity: Does it matter that the events in the narrative really happened exactly as narrated? Does it matter if events are exaggerated or even made up?

In this seminar, we will read and discuss autobiographical texts that not only relate compelling stories, but also provoke questions such as those articulated above. We will also sample some key autobiographical texts in the Western tradition in order to give context to the more contemporary memoirs or autobiographies we study. Finally, students will complete a final project of their choosing, which may take several forms, including, but not limited to, a comparative analysis of two memoirs, an in depth study of one memoir and its contexts, or an essay where students create a short memoir of their own based on a flashpoint event in their lives.

Catalog Information: HON-H 232  MEANINGFUL WRITING

About Instructor Eric Metzler

Gened program details.

GenEd Information: Approved for the Arts & Humanities requirement of the IU Bloomington General Education program .

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington IU Bloomington

• Dates to Know
• Managing Your Costs
• Departmental Scholarships
• First-Year Scholarships
• Transfer Student Scholarships
• Nontraditional Student Scholarships
• Non-IU Scholarships
• IU Scholarships for Current Students
• Scholarship Renewal
• Summer IU Academic Scholarships
• Continuing Your Education
• Hoosier Scholar Ambassadors
• Hoosier Scholar Experience & Events
• Mentor Collective

Office of Scholarships

Find scholarships and get support for your educational goals.

We’re here to connect you with scholarship opportunities that can help fund your college experience—and lead to life-changing moments. Get started and explore funding options just for you.

Find Scholarships

Explore funding options and learn how to be considered for the most scholarships at IU and in your community.

Hoosier Scholar Community

Connect and see what's happening with other Hoosier Scholars through unique opportunities and exciting events all year long.

How to use your scholarship

Find out what to do after you’ve earned a scholarship—and how to keep it.

Important dates

Don’t miss a thing.

Expert guidance

We're here to help. Check out our FAQs page for answers to common questions and reach out to us at any time for help.

Manage costs

Review important words to know and check out ideas for navigating costs throughout your college journey.

All students will be considered for scholarships—including merit-based scholarships—regardless of whether or not they submit test scores.

Scholarships Test-Optional FAQ

"There are no words to express my gratitude to IU for creating an environment where I feel challenged, supported, and informed. Because of the scholarships I’ve received, I have been able to approach my education without losing sight of my passions and interests."

Jayana H. Class of 2024, School of Public Health

Still have questions? Please contact us to engage with a counselor.

Office of Scholarships social media channels

Published: 2024-03-27

Navigating Controversy and Hot Topics in Required Diversity Courses

Student-teacher alliance buffers against the impact of moderate math anxiety on course performance among college students, community college psychology students’ cooperative learning experiences----a qualitative analysis by year in college, dialogue with students as a valuable tool in teacher inquiry for professional development a narrative of a novice science teacher educator learning about student interaction in biology classrooms, case studies, deconstructing a geology field trip to reconstruct around a pedagogical framework: a case study on the integration of cognitive learning theories and learning progressions., reflective essay, the limits of white privilege pedagogy: a reflective essay on using privilege walks in the college classroom.