Admissions

Undergraduate Students

For admission to IU to pursue an undergraduate degree, please apply through the IU Bloomington Office of Admissions. International students should apply through IU Bloomington International Admissions.

Students interested in Undergraduate Research may be interested in applying to IU's Science, Technology, and Research Scholars Program (IU STARS). This program offers students the opportunity to start laboratory research during their first semester at IU. Several IU faculty from a variety of scientific fields participate in this program.

The College of Arts and Sciences has a Direct Admit program that allows qualified first year students to enter directly into the College where they will immediately be linked to their major department. The advantages of this early connection to the major department is that students can meet with their major advisor(s) from the start and are given early opportunities to develop relationships with the faculty who teach their major courses and the students who share their interests. Contact the College of Arts and Sciences Direct Admit for entrance qualifications. Also the chemistry department has a Direct Admit mentor (see Advising).

Finally, we would like to inform prospective students about the Wells Scholars Program, into which exceptional students can be nominated by their high school.

Graduate Students

Domestic Students

Complete the online application.
A 300-500 word Statement of Purpose regarding your current goals, plans for your professional career, and reasons for selecting a field of study.
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your ability to do scholarly work. Select three persons who are familiar with your academic abilities and potential and ask each to complete one of the recommendation forms. (We suggest that you follow up with your letter writers approximately two weeks after you ask them to write. Admission decisions are often delayed solely due to missing reference letters.)
A list stating your teaching, research, and/or industrial experiences; a publications list, if available; and any college or professional honors and awards. You may attach a resume if you like. Be sure to include your name on any attachments.
One copy of the official transcript(s) of all previous college and university work, documenting each course taken and all degrees awarded. (Applicants must submit an official transcript from each college and university attended. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. Transcripts should be mailed directly by a registrar to the program to which the application is being sent or given to the applicant by the registrar in a sealed and signed envelope and then submitted to the graduate program by the applicant along with the other application materials.)
Graduation from a recognized four-year college, university, or institute of technology.
Minimum GPA of 3.0
The general and subject sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
$50 application fee. You will pay this fee at the time you submit your online application.

Complete the online application, then send all supporting materials to:

Graduate Office
Department of Chemistry
Chemistry Building Room C121
Indiana University
800 E Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405-7102
Phone: (812) 855-2069; (800) 227-2158 (US only)
Fax: (812) 855-8300

We will process your application only after the online application has been submitted and supporting materials are received.

Social Security Numbers

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and Indiana Code 4-1-8, applicants for admission and enrolled students are advised that the requested disclosure of their Social Security numbers is voluntary. Students who do not provide the University with their Social Security number will be assigned a special nine-digit number. This number or the Social Security number will be used: a) to identify such student records as applications for admission, registration and course enrollment documents, grade reports, transcript requests, certification requests, and permanent academic records; and b) to determine eligibility, certify school attendance, and report student status. A student who wishes to apply for federal or state grants, loans, or other financial aid programs is required to supply a Social Security number. No student's Social Security number will be disclosed to individuals or agencies outside Indiana University except in accordance with the Indiana University Policy on Student Records.

International Students

Complete the online application.
A 300-500 word Statement of Purpose regarding your current goals, plans for your professional career, and reasons for selecting a field of study.
Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report. The general test and chemistry subject test are both required.
Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report. A minimum score of 600 on the paper test, 250 on the computer test, or 100 on the internet based test is required.
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your ability to do scholarly work. If you are transferring from another US institution, two letters must come from the current US institution. One of these letters must come from your research advisor. No exceptions will be made. If you cannot provide the required references, your application will not be considered.
Official and complete academic records from each institution attended. You must send one set of your documents in the original language and one set of the documents translated into English. See pages 5-6 of the International Graduate Application for Admission booklet for more information on the documents required.
A list stating your teaching, research, and/or industrial experiences; a publications list, if available; and any college or professional honors and awards. You may attach a resume if you like. Be sure to include your name on any attachments.
Application fee of US $60.00. You will pay this fee at the time you submit your online application. No fee waivers are granted.
Evidence of financial support, such as a letter from your bank, if you indicate that you can attend without financial support or with only partial support.
Make a photocopy of the academic records, Statement of Purpose, and any other forms you send in. Staple or clip this set of materials together and submit them along with the originals.

Complete the online application, then send all supporting materials to:

We will process your application only after the online application has been submitted and supporting materials are received. International student applications and supporting documents must be received by the Graduate Office no later than December 1. This is due to stringent document processing deadlines.

English Proficiency

All non-native English speakers who wish to be considered for financial aid of any type must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency by earning a score of at least 600 (paper test) or 250 (computer test) on the TOEFL.

To be eligible for a teaching assistantship, it is imperative that international students whose native language is not English demonstrate competency in written and spoken English. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) examination as well as the TOEFL.

Financial Aid

Each year, the Chemistry Department is able to offer financial aid in the form of a tuition remission and monthly stipend to several international students. Students earn their financial aid by serving as either teaching or research assistants. Competition for these packages is extremely fierce and excellent spoken English skills are essential. In a typical year, only a few applicants from a pool of 200-300 international students receive financial aid. If you are admitted to the program, your acceptance letter will describe in detail any financial award the department is able to make.

Office of International Admissions

The Office of International Admissions also provides information on the application process for international graduate students. This advice will assist you greatly in the application process.

Decisions on Admission

Applicants will be notified of the decision of the Admissions Committee as soon as possible. In a typical year, final notifications are sent out by late April.

You may check the status of your application at any time by sending email to the Chemistry Graduate Office at chemgrad@indiana.edu. Before you email, please consider the time necessary for routing application materials.

Ethnic Information Policy

Ethnic information is gathered in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and is requested in reports required by the US Department of Education. However, you are not required to answer questions about ethnic origin, and refusal to answer will not affect admission.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy

Indiana University pledges itself to continue its commitment to the achievement of equal opportunity within the university and throughout American society as a whole. In this regard, Indiana University will recruit, hire, promote, educate, and provide services to persons based upon their individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on arbitrary consideration of such characteristics as age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Indiana University shall take affirmative action, positive and extraordinary, to overcome the discriminatory effects of traditional policies and procedures with regard to the disabled, minorities, women, and Vietnam-era veterans. An Affirmative Action office on each campus monitors the university's policies and assists individuals who have questions or problems related to discrimination. For information on services for disabled persons, contact the Office of Disabled Student Services and Veterans Affairs, Franklin Hall 096, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-2801 (812-855-7578).