Kelley Direct: How to apply

Prepare a strong Kelley School of Business graduate school application

Our admissions team is eager to learn about the experiences, education, and perspectives that shape you. We look forward to getting to know your goals and helping you achieve success at Kelley.

Spring 2027 priority deadline

November1

Kelley School of Business student giving a presentation in a classroom.

Application checklist

Your resume is all you need to begin your Kelley application. You’ll be asked to upload it when you complete the Kelley Graduate Application Form, which is completely free and takes five minutes to complete.

The following application components make up your complete Kelley graduate admissions application:

Phase 1

Kelley Graduate Application Form

Phase 2

If invited to Phase 2, you will be granted access to the Kelley Application Portal. The portal contains a list of required items, which may include:

Admissions interview
GMAT/GRE test scores (if required)
English proficiency test scores (if required)
Scholarship application
Personal statement or essay(s)
Recommendation(s)
Unofficial transcripts are collected during the application process, but official transcripts will be required before enrollment. Check with your program regarding official transcript submission deadlines.
Indiana University Graduate School Compliance Form
Pay the university application fee ($75)

Ready to take the first step?

Start your application. Phase 1 takes 5 minutes.

Kelley Application Portal

The Kelley Application Portal is your central hub for the next steps in the admissions process. Through the portal, you'll be able to:

Submit all required documents
Upload essays
Request or submit recommendations
Schedule your interview

You can also return to the portal at any time to check the status of your application and stay up to date on where you are in the admissions process.

Portal access

Access to the portal will be granted upon completion of Phase 1 and after your materials have been reviewed by the admissions team. If you are invited to move forward in the process, you’ll receive an email with access to the Kelley Application Portal. Be sure to save this email, as it will include important information you’ll need to access the portal.

If invited to Phase 2, you may submit your Phase 2 requirements via the Kelley Application Portal in any order. Your full application will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee once all documentation is received and your interview is complete. Our admissions team will track your status and provide reminders for outstanding items.

How can we help?

Ask questions, set up a phone call, or arrange a visit.

We’re eager to answer your questions and provide more information about our degrees.

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Tell us about yourself to learn more about becoming a Kelley.

“I chose Kelley Direct because of its flexibility and the strong endorsements from colleagues who had great experiences. The program’s reputation and rankings spoke for themselves. I also appreciated the clear and transparent expectations, which gave me confidence in my ability to balance the program with my career.”

Omar Padilla, MBA/MS in Business Analytics CandidateSenior Program Manager with Strategy and Payments; AMERICAS-ASIA, Microsoft