Students walk along the Campus River near the Indiana Memorial Union in February 2023. Photo by Chris Meyer, Indiana University

Jackson Schultz’s interest in Indiana University Bloomington started with its strong academic programs, but the more the high school senior from Franklin, Michigan, learned about the university’s opportunities and culture, the clearer his decision became.

“I wanted great academics for whatever I was going to study, but I also wanted a great atmosphere, like sports and social engagement,” said Schultz, who is on a pre-Kelley School of Business track and will begin classes in August. “IU has inclusivity here, and there’s always a spot to land and find my people, my niche.”

Jackson Schultz. Photo providedSchultz’s interest in IU is reflective of more prospective college students submitting applications than ever before. IU Bloomington has received more than 66,800 applications for the 2023-24 application cycle — a record and a 23% increase from the number it received for the 2022-23 application cycle.

The university has received applications from students in all 92 Indiana counties, all 50 states and from six continents. The year-over-year increase demonstrates a continuation of growing interest in IU, which has resulted in a steady increase in applications to the university for recent application cycles:

• 2019-20: 44,178
• 2020-21: 46,623
• 2021-22: 50,159
• 2022-23: 54,345

In addition to IU’s sweeping efforts to enhance the undergraduate student experience by developing new degrees, cultivating experiential learning opportunities and reinforcing advising and career services, the university has led peers in application practices.

“I have much gratitude for the work the team in the Office of Enrollment Management and the entire campus has done to support prospective students on their application and enrollment journeys to IU,” Vice Provost for Enrollment Management David Johnson said. “The efforts to increase transparency in the admissions process and decrease barriers for a student to apply by streamlining processes are noteworthy.”

In 2020, IU was the first Big Ten school to go test-optional for admissions. The university also eliminated the requirement to submit a test score to receive an academic scholarship. As further evidence of the university’s commitment to access, this year IU Bloomington removed an extra IU-specific essay from the Common Application.

IU appealed to Schultz for other reasons, too. He wanted to go to school out of state to have an experience beyond his high school bubble. He loved the campus’s beauty and architecture during a visit in April. Schultz said the ability to create your own major is a great opportunity. And he appreciated the test-optional aspects of the application.

Kaylie Kustron. Photo providedThe university’s many options academically and socially influenced Kaylie Kustron’s decision to study at IU. A sophomore human biology major and first-generation college student from Elkhart, Indiana, Kustron said her initial interest in and subsequent application to IU centered on its strong pre-medical program, including the Health Professions and Prelaw Center, which she thought was a good resource for supporting pre-med students. What clinched the Lilly Scholarship winner’s decision to choose IU over three other schools, though, were its many clubs, organizations and programs.

“It is an exciting time to be a student at Indiana University,” IU Bloomington Provost and Executive Vice President Rahul Shrivastav said. “From top-ranked academic programs and increasingly high-achieving student peers to unique learning experiences and a campus-wide focus on student success through our IUB 2030 strategic plan, IU students have more opportunities than ever. We are thrilled students and families are discovering all that IU has to offer, and we can’t wait to welcome our newest Hoosiers to the IU community.”

The 2023 incoming class brought the highest median grade-point average — at 3.9 — of any class so far, and Shrivastav said it is critical that IU Bloomington support and challenge these academically motivated students.

Across campus, working groups of faculty, staff and students are developing improvements in line with the campus’s strategic plan. They are focused on inclusion and belonging, experiential learning, academic and career advising, curricular innovation, optimized learning spaces, and the first-year experience.

Participating in an intensive first-year seminar prior to the fall semester helped Kustron get acclimated to the campus quickly and get off to a good start, she said. Since then, she has grabbed opportunity with both hands.

With an interest in research — including Alzheimer’s and dementia as part of a career goal of becoming a geriatric physician — Kustron said she was thrilled to take part in the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience as a freshman. As an undergraduate teaching assistant this year, she works with students as they do research in lecturer Megan Murphy’s biology lab.

Kustron also is on the Orientation Team in the Office of First Year Experience Programs, working as a student coordinator this school year after working as an orientation leader last year.

“I feel great about the choice I made,” Kustron said. “I’ve met a lot of people here, made a lot of friends. A lot of opportunities opened up to me and there are a lot of things to do here.”

Kirk Johannesen is a communications consultant in the Office of the Vice President of Communications and Marketing.