How to get into DePauw University
How to get into DePauw: Tigers, the Greek-life dominant culture, and the Bonner Scholar service pathway
57.2%
Acceptance rate
$59,070
In-state cost
What makes DePauw University admissions different
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, is a small (around 1,900 students) liberal arts college with an acceptance rate around 57%. Greek life is unusually dominant (around 70% of students join), the music program (DePauw School of Music) is nationally ranked, and the Bonner Scholar Program (national service-focused leadership scholarship) is a distinctive pathway.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App by Early Decision I (November 1), Early Action (December 1), Early Decision II (February 1), or Regular Decision (February 15). ED rounds offer a real admit bump.
- 2.
Submit the DePauw supplement. The 'why DePauw' essay reads better when engaging with specific programs (Honor Scholar Program, Management Fellows, Media Fellows, Science Research Fellows).
- 3.
DePauw is test-optional. Submit SAT/ACT only if they strengthen your application.
- 4.
Apply for the four Fellows programs (Honor Scholar, Management Fellows, Media Fellows, Science Research Fellows) by the December deadline. These are competitive and add real value.
- 5.
Apply for the Bonner Scholar Program if you have a strong service background — separate application, four-year service-leadership scholarship.
- 6.
Music applicants: the DePauw School of Music has its own audition process and separate scholarship pool.
- 7.
File the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the priority date.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Missing the Fellows program deadline. The four competitive Fellows tracks close before regular decision and are the most distinctive academic enrichment at DePauw.
- ✕
Not knowing about the Bonner Scholar Program. Service-oriented applicants leave a meaningful aid pool on the table by missing it.
- ✕
Ignoring Greek life in your decision. DePauw's Greek participation is unusually high — students who don't want Greek-centered social life often feel isolated.
- ✕
Skipping ED when DePauw is your top choice. The binding ED bump is meaningful at small liberal arts colleges.
The specifics for DePauw University
Application deadlines
- Early Decision INovember 1, 2025Binding
- Early ActionDecember 1, 2025Non-binding
- Fellows ProgramsDecember 1, 2025Honor Scholar, Management Fellows, Media Fellows, Science Research Fellows
- Early Decision IIFebruary 1, 2026Binding
- Regular DecisionFebruary 15, 2026
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Four Fellows Programs
Honor Scholar Program, Management Fellows, Media Fellows, and Science Research Fellows — four competitive academic enrichment tracks with their own application by the December deadline.
DePauw School of Music
Nationally ranked music school with separate audition process and dedicated scholarship pool.
Notable scholarships at DePauw University
Bonner Scholar Program
National service-focused leadership scholarship. Separate application; four-year commitment.
What graduates actually do
DePauw is a small liberal arts university in Indiana with disproportionately strong placement into journalism, media, and consulting. The Pulliam School of Journalism and Management Fellows program are nationally distinctive. Alumni include numerous CEOs, journalists, and Indiana political leaders. The university's Greek system and tight alumni network drive outsized career outcomes for a school its size.
Notable alumni
- Dan Quayle — Former U.S. Vice President
- Vernon Jordan — Civil rights leader/attorney
- Bret Baier — Fox News anchor
- Ferid Murad — Nobel Laureate in Medicine
- Barbara Kingsolver — Author
- Percy Lavon Julian — Pioneering chemist
Transfer pathway
DePauw accepts transfers for fall and spring semesters, evaluating credits course-by-course from regionally accredited institutions. There are no formal articulation agreements with specific community colleges. Minimum 2.5 GPA recommended; competitive applicants present 3.0+. Up to 60 credits transfer. Transfer students are eligible for merit scholarships including the Phi Theta Kappa Award. The Management Fellows program accepts transfer applications.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
DePauw is a target for applicants in the 3.5+ GPA range who want a small liberal arts college with strong fellowship programs, dominant Greek life, and a music or media focus. ED1 is the highest-leverage move. The Fellows programs and Bonner Scholar are real differentiators worth pursuing.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.