Academic success at the college level depends upon a range of factors in addition to academic preparation, including verbal, writing, quantitative, and reasoning abilities; academic motivation, work, persistence; and academic maturity. IU Southeast uses a student's performance in high school course work as a primary indicator of abilities, motivation, persistence, and maturity. IU Southeast has adopted standards for academic preparation to ensure that its degree-seeking undergraduate students have a background that makes it reasonably likely that they will succeed in college-level work.

All persons applying for admission to undergraduate programs must, before they matriculate, graduate from high school, earn a state-issued high school equivalency diploma, or graduate from a home school. Students who are recent graduates from an Indiana high school must have completed the Core 40 requirements. Completion of an Academic Honors Diploma is strongly encouraged for college-bound students.

Students who are recent graduates of high schools outside Indiana, or whose secondary school does not offer the Core 40 diploma, must have completed at least twenty eight (28) credits of college-preparatory courses, advanced placement courses, and/or college courses. (Note: The word "credit" means a one-semester course, such as a one-semester course in high school, a three credit hour college semester course, or a four credit hour college quarter course.)

In the case of high school seniors, admission decisions will be based on completed course work and performance and on anticipated course work still required for graduation. Applicants may choose to have standardized test scores (defined as those from the SAT or ACT) considered in their admission decision. Standardized test scores may be used to elevate an applicant for consideration, but would not otherwise penalize the applicant.

Applicants who are recent graduates from an Indiana high school and who completed Core 40 with at least a C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) average, or who have completed an Academic Honors Diploma will be admitted.

Applicants who are recent graduates of high schools outside Indiana or did not complete the Core 40 diploma (prior to 2011) must have completed at least twenty eight (28) credits of college-preparatory courses, advanced placement courses, and/or college courses. Such applicants who have a C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) average in their course work will be admitted.

Home-schooled students must provide an official transcript with the home school educator's signature. The admission decision will be based on the high school course work that is indicative of likely success at IU Southeast.

Note: For the purposes of this policy, a recent graduate is defined as someone whose high school graduation date is within two years of his or her expected date of matriculation at IU Southeast. Essays, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, community service, and work experience may also be considered as evidence of academic motivation and maturity.

Applicants with a state-issued high school equivalency diploma must present a score that demonstrates "college-ready" standards. Comparable state high school equivalencies will also be evaluated. Applicants who have been out of high school for more than two years, and who do not meet the minimum requirements listed for first-time undergraduate students, may speak individually with an admission counselor to demonstrate intention through such factors such as job responsibilities, military service, and other experience.

The campus may, at its discretion, admit a student through faculty sponsorship.