Prospective Freshmen: Fall 2026

Admission expectations

Admission to the IU Indianapolis Honors College is competitive. Successful applicants will have a strong academic record as evident on their high school transcript, with mostly A and B grades in academic coursework. The Admission and Scholarship Review Committee find that choosing challenging courses in high school demonstrates a greater likelihood for success in honors coursework.

Though a strong transcript is essential for selection, we do conduct a holistic review using supplemental materials. The scholarship resume should not only list activities but also provide the time commitment involved and the position held by the applicant, the scholarship essays should demonstrate an interest in joining our Honors College community and a dedication to the challenging curriculum, and the sample of academic work should indicate an understanding of the level of difficulty of college-level assignments. Each of these components of the application provide the review committee the information necessary to make an admission decision.

Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarships

While most honors scholars will be receiving the Chancellor’s Scholarship, some will receive the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.

These scholarships require additional application materials and have a strict application deadline of November 15. Prospective students chosen as finalists for one of these scholarships will participate in an interview in January, which will determine final award selection.

Eligible students may apply for one or more of these scholarships, but may only receive one of our four Honors College scholarships. If a student is selected to receive the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater scholarship, it will replace the Chancellor’s Scholarship.

Indiana residents and international students* may apply.

The Bepko Scholars and Fellows Program is designed for students who demonstrate integrity, dedication, leadership, and a commitment to service.

Students selected for this scholarship program receive undergraduate tuition, fees, a $2,500 study abroad stipend, and books for four years of study. Bepko Scholars also receive two years of on-campus housing and are required to live in the Honors Residential-Based Learning Community (RBLC) during their freshman year.

Bepko Scholars who attend IU Indianapolis for graduate or professional study receive $5,000 per year for four years and are named Bepko Fellows.

*One international student will be selected for the Bepko Scholarship. For more information on undergraduate admission and scholarship opportunities for international students, please visit the IU Indianapolis International Affairs website.

Indiana residents may apply.

The Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholarship is designed for outstanding Indiana high school seniors with extensive leadership experience.

Students selected for this scholarship receive $12,000 per year for four years of study, a $2,500 study abroad stipend, a one-time $1,500 housing stipend during their freshman year for living in the first-year Honors Learning Community, and a one-time $1,200 award for supplemental educational expenses (e.g., laptop, books, equipment).

Indiana residents and international* students may apply.

The Plater International Scholars Program is designed for exceptional incoming freshmen with an interest in international affairs and cross-cultural experiences.

Students selected for this scholarship receive $12,000 per year for four years of study, a $2,500 study abroad stipend, and a $2,500 housing stipend for their freshman year.

*One international student will be selected for the Plater International Scholarship. For more information on undergraduate admission and scholarship opportunities for international students, please visit the IU Indianapolis International Affairs website.

Applying to the IU Indianapolis Honors College

Before you apply to the IU Indianapolis Honors College, you must apply and be admitted to IU Indianapolis. Incoming freshmen interested in applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships must apply to IU Indianapolis before November 1.

All students interested in admission to the IU Indianapolis Honors College are encouraged to apply to IU Indianapolis as early in the senior year as possible. Once admitted to IU Indianapolis, students will be able to apply for admission to the Honors College and our scholarships. The Honors College admission and scholarship application for incoming freshmen may be accessed through the IU scholarship application.

The deadline to submit all application materials is November 15 for the Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarships and February 1 for the Chancellor’s Scholarship.

IU Indianapolis Honors College admission timeline

  • November 1: Deadline to apply to IU Indianapolis if you're planning on applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.
  • November 15: Deadline to apply to the IU Indianapolis Honors College if you're applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships. Please note that if you plan to apply for any of these scholarships, you must apply for admission and the Chancellor’s Scholarship at this time as well.
  • Mid-December: Admission, scholarship, and interview decisions for students who applied for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.
  • January: Interviews take place for the Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarship finalists.
  • Mid-February: Decision notifications for the Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarship finalists go out.
  • February 1: Deadline to apply to the IU Indianapolis Honors College if interested only in the Chancellor’s Scholarship.
  • Mid-March: Final decision notifications for students who applied only for the Chancellor’s Scholarship go out.
  • May 1: Decision deadline for the IU Indianapolis Honors College.

Application checklist for Bepko, Presidential, and Plater Scholarships

You can find additional information about Honors College admission and the Chancellor's Scholarship application on the Admissions website.

You must first submit your Chancellor’s Scholarship application before applying for the Bepko, Presidential, or Plater Scholarships.

You can view more information about the Bepko Scholarship above.

For Indiana residents and international students only

Essay prompt

Write an essay, from 800 to 1,000 words, that describes your experiences in community service and volunteerism. Specifically address your role(s) and lessons learned. What social issues did you become aware of as a result of your service experiences, and what effect, if any, did this have on your worldview? Discuss one social issue that you’d like to continue your involvement with in college and why this issue is important to you.

Scholarship resume

Students applying for the Bepko Scholarship must submit a scholarship resume detailing experiences relevant to service. We're interested in seeing scholarship candidates highlight their most relevant experiences on this additional resume submission.

Letter of recommendation

Students applying for the Bepko Scholarship will be asked to submit a reference form specific to the scholarship itself. Your recommender cannot be a family member. We strongly suggest that you share the details of the Bepko Scholarship with your recommender. You will be asked to provide the recommender’s name, affiliation, and email address. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so that we can receive their response by 5 p.m. on November 15.

You can view more information about the Presidential Scholarship above.

For Indiana residents only

Essay prompt

Write an essay, from 800 to 1,000 words, that discusses a successful leadership experience you've had during high school. Describe the skills that make you a successful leader and how you developed them. How do you plan to get involved and use these skills to help you accomplish your personal and professional goals at IU Indianapolis and the IU Indianapolis Honors College?

Scholarship resume

Students applying for the Presidential Scholarship must submit a scholarship resume detailing experiences relevant to leadership. We're interested in seeing scholarship candidates highlight their most relevant experiences on this additional resume submission.

Letter of recommendation

Students applying for the Presidential Scholarship will be asked to submit a reference form specific to the scholarship itself. Your recommender cannot be a family member. We strongly suggest that you share the details of the Presidential Scholarship with your recommender. You will be asked to provide the recommender’s name, affiliation, and email address. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so that we can receive their response by 5 p.m. on November 15.

You can view more information about the Plater Scholarship above.

For Indiana residents and international students only

Essay prompt

Write an essay, from 800 to 1,000 words, that discusses the importance of globalization and cross-cultural competency. What have you done to improve your global awareness and understanding of different cultures? Have you taken any initiatives to promote these values in your community? As a Plater International Scholar at IU Indianapolis and the IU Indianapolis Honors College, what international experiences would you like to pursue and why?

Scholarship resume

Students applying for the Plater Scholarship must submit a scholarship resume detailing experiences relevant to international and cross-cultural involvement. We're interested in seeing scholarship candidates highlight their most relevant experiences on this additional resume submission.

Letter of recommendation

Students applying for the Plater Scholarship will be asked to submit a reference form specific to the scholarship itself. Your recommender cannot be a family member. We strongly suggest that you share the details of the Plater Scholarship with your recommender. You will be asked to provide the recommender’s name, affiliation, and email address. Please make sure that you give them adequate notice so that we can receive their response by 5 p.m. on November 15.

International students: your deadlines may be different. Learn more about the Honors College timeline for international students.

What will you do next?

Apply to IU Indianapolis  Apply to Honors College