Direct admission to Kelley grants students immediate access to academic and career advising, priority registration for courses, and early engagement with internships, leadership programs, and career planning.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Indiana University Kelley School of Business announced today a significant change to its direct admission process, creating a broader and more student-centered pathway for high-achieving students to begin their academic journey at one of the nation’s premier business schools.
Beginning with students entering in fall 2026, all applicants will be considered for direct admission through a comprehensive academic review that places a greater emphasis on the rigor of high school coursework—particularly in quantitative subjects—and overall potential for success in Kelley’s challenging academic environment.
Bridget Stomberg
“This shift reflects Kelley’s values of fairness and academic excellence,” said Bridget Stomberg, associate dean for undergraduate education. “We are proud to move toward an admissions model that considers the full picture of a student’s academic journey and allows us to welcome a class of future business leaders who reflect the broad range of talent and promise we see in our applicant pool.”
A Holistic Process with a Personal Touch
The new direct admissions process allows students to move beyond traditional metrics and share their academic and professional interests directly with the Kelley Admission Committee.
Pat Hopkins
“We’ve redesigned the direct admission process to better understand each student’s individual academic journey,” said Pat Hopkins, dean of the Kelley School of Business and James R. Hodge Chair of Excellence. “The new admission approach gives students a chance to show us who they are, what they’ve achieved academically, and why they’re interested in business—something a GPA or test score alone can’t capture.”
To be considered for Direct Admission, students must:
- Indicate a Kelley business major on their IU Bloomington application
- Complete the Kelley Prospect Inquiry (KPI) through their IU Admission Portal
All students who complete the KPI will undergo a comprehensive review by the Kelley Admission Committee. This review will evaluate high school performance, the rigor of coursework (especially in math and quantitative subjects), academic accomplishments, and other indicators of potential success at Kelley. Letters of recommendation are not used in the evaluation process.
“We’ve always valued academic excellence, but this new process recognizes that excellence can be demonstrated in many different ways,” said Laurie Colglazier, assistant dean for the Kelley Undergraduate Program. “This allows students to bring forward the full picture of their readiness for business school—through their coursework, their curiosity, and their long-term goals.”
Supporting Students from Day One
Direct admission to Kelley grants students immediate access to world-class academic and career advising, priority registration for business courses, and early engagement with internships, leadership programs, and career planning.
Students who are not offered direct admission have the opportunity to join the Kelley School through standard admission after completing at least one academic year at IU and meeting specific course and GPA requirements.
To learn more about the Kelley Direct Admission process or to access the KPI, students can log into their IU Admission Portal or visit kelley.iu.edu/undergraduate.