2026–27 application cycle · via apply_iu
Indiana University-Bloomington supplemental essays
Every writing prompt on the Indiana University-Bloomington application, with word limits. All of it taken from the application itself. One prompt.
- Prompt 1Required400 words max
Academic & Career Plans
Describe your academic and career plans and any special interest (for example, undergraduate research, academic interests, leadership opportunities, etc.) that you are eager to pursue as an undergraduate at Indiana University. You may also share any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in pursuit of your education and how you overcame them.
How to approach it
This prompt wants the origin story and the proof, not your resume. Pick the moment the interest became yours. Show one or two things you did about it on your own. Let the school see how you think when nobody assigns the work.
Common questions
What do students ask about these essays?
How many essays does Indiana University-Bloomington require?
Indiana University-Bloomington lists 1 writing supplement for the 2026–27 cycle, all required. That’s on top of the main personal statement.
How long are the Indiana University-Bloomington supplemental essays?
Word limits across the listed prompts add up to about 400 words. Budget real time for them. Supplements are where admissions sees your real interest in Indiana University-Bloomington.
Do the Indiana University-Bloomington supplemental essays matter?
Yes, and more so at the hardest schools to get into. Grades and scores put you in the pool. Supplements are one of the few places you control what the reader learns about you. A generic why-us essay is one of the most common mistakes students make.
What Spike does with this
Get help planning Indiana University-Bloomington essays.
Spike helps you tie each prompt to something you’ve actually lived. It helps you outline and revise, and it won’t write the essay for you.
The full counselor launches in November.