When you begin at IU Bloomington as a Kelley direct admit, you can immediately start shaping your academic and career path. From the day you arrive on campus, you’ll start working with Kelley academic and career advisors who will help guide your course planning, internship preparation, and long-term goals.
Direct admission at the Kelley School of Business
How to be considered for Kelley direct admission for fall 2026
Students seeking direct admission to the Kelley School of Business must complete the following steps:
- Indicate a Kelley business major on your IU Bloomington application (Common Application or Apply IU).
- Complete the Kelley Prospect Inventory (KPI) through the IU Admissions Portal.
There are no criteria for automatic direct admission for fall 2026. All students who submit the KPI will undergo a comprehensive academic review by the Kelley Admissions Committee. This review will consider factors such as high school performance, rigor of high school coursework, academic achievements, and potential for success at the Kelley School.
How to apply for direct admission to the Kelley School of Business
Join Alex Bruce, senior director of undergraduate admissions at Kelley, as he walks you through each step of the direct admission process—from applying to IU and completing the Kelley Prospect Inventory to what happens next.
Description of the video:
WEBVTT
1 00:00:00.175 --> 00:00:01.925 We're thrilled you're considering Kelley
2 00:00:02.025 --> 00:00:03.285 and Indiana University.
3 00:00:03.705 --> 00:00:06.005 Here's how to apply for direct admissions.
4 00:00:06.225 --> 00:00:08.925 Our review looks beyond GPA and test scores.
5 00:00:09.385 --> 00:00:11.925 We will consider your coursework and potential.
6 00:00:12.275 --> 00:00:14.645 Step one: Apply to IU by November 1st
7 00:00:14.645 --> 00:00:16.765 through the Common App or Apply IU
8 00:00:17.105 --> 00:00:18.925 and be sure to select a Kelley business major.
9 00:00:19.475 --> 00:00:22.125 Step two: After applying, check your email
10 00:00:22.145 --> 00:00:23.725 for the IU admissions portal link
11 00:00:23.905 --> 00:00:25.805 and complete the Kelley Prospect Inventory,
12 00:00:26.025 --> 00:00:28.165 or KPI, a short questionnaire
13 00:00:28.165 --> 00:00:29.525 that helps us learn more about you.
14 00:00:29.865 --> 00:00:31.205 To qualify for early action,
15 00:00:31.265 --> 00:00:33.245 finish your KPI by November 15th.
16 00:00:33.865 --> 00:00:35.805 If you meet early action deadlines,
17 00:00:35.945 --> 00:00:38.765 you'll receive an admission notification by January 15th.
18 00:00:39.265 --> 00:00:41.725 If you're not offered direct admission, don't worry. 19 00:00:41.945 --> 00:00:43.205 You still have great options.
20 00:00:43.465 --> 00:00:45.525 You can start at IU as a pre-business student
21 00:00:45.625 --> 00:00:48.125 and apply to Kelley later through standard admission
22 00:00:48.465 --> 00:00:50.165 or pursue another IU major
23 00:00:50.225 --> 00:00:52.125 and add a Kelley Minor or certificate. 24 00:00:52.605 --> 00:00:56.245 Remember, we're here to help. Email bschool@iu.edu anytime.
Key dates and admission timeline
November 1: IU Admission Early Action Deadline
November 15: Kelley Direct Admission Priority Deadline
Students who apply to Indiana University Bloomington by the early action deadline of November 1 and submit their KPI by November 15 will receive a response from IU Office of Admission regarding admission status with IU by January 15.
If admitted to IU, students will also receive a direct admission decision from Kelley—categorized as admitted, waitlisted, or pre-business. Students placed on the Kelley direct admission waitlist can expect a final decision no later than April 17.
February 1: IU Regular Decision Deadline
February 15: Kelley Direct Admission Regular Deadline
Students who complete their KPI by this date will learn about their Kelley direct admission status by April 17.
Direct admission offers will be made on a rolling basis from January 15 through April 17. Because Kelley is a limited-capacity program, offers will be extended based on academic merit and the availability of space in the incoming direct admit class.
Important notes
- The KPI is a questionnaire designed to help the Kelley Admission Committee get to know you beyond your transcript. Your responses will provide insight into your leadership style, business interests, personal aspirations, and how you approach problem-solving—qualities that are central to success in business and in our academic community. There are 20 multiple-choice questions. There are no right or wrong answers—just choose the response that feels most like you. This is an opportunity to reflect on your goals and personality in a way that complements the rest of your application. You should anticipate being able to complete the KPI within 20 minutes.
- Only first-year, fall semester students are eligible for direct admission. Students entering IU in the summer, spring, transfer students, and those who do not indicate a Kelley business major on their IU application are not eligible for direct admission consideration.
- Letters of recommendation or support are not used in the evaluation process. Students admitted to Indiana University as pre-business can apply to the Kelley School through standard admission. Learn more about that process here.
Kelley leaders discuss new direct admit process for fall 2026
Read how the shift is designed to enable applicants to show the full picture of their readiness for Kelley.
Frequently asked questions
Kelley direct admission allows incoming first-year students who meet academic requirements to be admitted directly into the Kelley School of Business when they start at IU Bloomington. Direct admits benefit from immediate access to Kelley academic and career advisors, priority registration for business courses, and an early start on career preparation.
Only first-year, fall semester students who indicate a Kelley business major on their IU application and submit the Kelley Prospect Inventory (KPI) are eligible for direct admission consideration. Students entering IU in the summer or spring, transfer students, or those who do not indicate a Kelley major are not eligible.
To be considered for direct admission:
- Submit your IU application by the November 1 early action deadline.
- Indicate a Kelley business major on your application.
- Complete the Kelley Prospect Inventory (KPI) through your IU Portal by February 15, with priority given to those who complete it by November 15.
You can access and complete the Kelley Prospect Inventory (KPI) through your IU Portal after submitting your IU application.
No. For fall 2026, there are no automatic criteria for direct admission. All students who complete the KPI will be reviewed holistically by the Kelley Admissions Committee, considering high school performance, rigor of high school coursework, academic achievements, and potential for success at Kelley.
Students who complete the KPI between November 16 and February 15 will still be reviewed for direct admission, with decisions made by April 17. However, space in the incoming class is limited, so applying early may increase your chances.
- Students who apply to Indiana University Bloomington by the Early Action deadline of November 1 and submit their KPI by November 15 will receive a response from IU Office of Admission regarding admission status with IU by January 15.
- If admitted to IU, students will also receive a Kelley direct admission decision—categorized as admitted, waitlisted, or pre-business. Students placed on the Kelley direct admission waitlist can expect a final decision no later than April 17.
Applicants who are not offered direct admission to Kelley can still be admitted to IU as a pre-business student or to their second-choice major. Pre-business students will have the opportunity to apply to Kelley through standard admission after meeting certain academic requirements. Students admitted to their second-choice major will have the opportunity to pursue a minor or certificate from Kelley.
No. Letters of recommendation or support are not considered in the direct admission review process.
No. In order for a student to be considered for direct admission to Kelley they must be admitted to IU with a Kelley business major. Learn more about how first- and second-choice majors are used in admission by the IU Office of Admission.