Program Description
Indiana University’s Graduate School in Bloomington is committed to attracting outstanding graduate students by providing opportunities to explore the university’s academic and research environment. The Getting You into Indiana University (GU2IU) program is specifically designed for prospective Ph.D. and master’s students who are still considering whether graduate school is the right path for them. This no-cost visit to campus allows participants to engage with faculty and current graduate students, learn about ongoing research, and experience the strength of IU’s graduate programs firsthand.
The University Graduate School will host the next Getting You into Indiana University (GU2IU) from Monday, October 20th through Wednesday, October 22nd.
Participants will learn more about IU’s Ph.D. and master's programs, research opportunities, and funding options. Additionally, participants will meet with faculty, staff, and current graduate students, attend sessions on preparing competitive applications for graduate admission, how to thrive as a graduate student, and additional IU resources. All participants will receive an application fee waiver for graduate programs in The Graduate School.
Prospective Graduate Participant Benefits
- Interact with world-class faculty in your interested discipline and research interest
- Network with current graduate students and other prospective students
- Engage administrators on strategies for submitting a competitive application and how to secure funding
- Be exposed to research opportunities
Application Deadline
Student applications are due by September 1st, 2025.
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Be considering enrollment in a graduate program in 2026.
- Demonstrate a strong academic record, with a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
- Show a clear research trajectory and commitment to advanced study, preferably through prior research experience, scholarly presentations, or research-intensive coursework.
- Submit a statement outlining their research interests and how pursuing graduate study at Indiana University Bloomington aligns with their academic and professional goals.
- This program is open to all potential students. Scholars who had to confront and surmount significant barriers to pursue higher education are strongly encouraged to apply. Such barriers may include:
- Coming from a low-income background.
- Residing in remote or rural areas.
- Being the first in their family to attend college.
- Living with a disability.
- Following a non-traditional academic trajectory (such as taking a break from formal education due to insurmountable challenges).
- Balancing significant caregiving responsibilities.
Selection Criteria
Prospective graduate students must possess a strong academic profile for the program they are interested in visiting. The strongest applicants for graduate study will have a clear sense of how and why each specific program is a good fit for their intended work. We suggest looking carefully at our degree programs and faculty and indicating which you are most interested in. To that end, the application limits you to be able to pick ONE PhD or master’s program of interest.
Application Timeline
- September 1: Student applications due
- September 2-3: UGS screens applications
- September 4-12: Departmental review
- September 15: UGS sends offer to selected participants
- September 19: Confirm participants
- October 3: Deadline for departments to submit personalized schedule(s) to UGS
- October 13: Airplane tickets are purchased & itineraries sent
- October 20-22, 2025: GU2IU event
Application Checklist
To be considered in our selection process, interested students must submit all application materials electronically by September 1st, 2025.
- GU2IU Program Application (Click HERE)
- Statement of Interest (500 words or less directed towards your graduate program of interest that indicates your research and/or professional interest and why you want to pursue these interests at Indiana University)
- Unofficial copy of transcript (.pdf format)
- Current CV/resume (.pdf or Word.doc format)
***We anticipate very high demand for this program. Not being admitted to GU2IU does not determine your future admission to any particpular IU Graduate Program.***
For any additional questions regarding this program please contact Katie Trzepacz at katrze@iu.edu.
Additional Information about GU2IU