December 1 is the Early Action Priority Deadline for all programs.

Early Action Priority Applicants are eligible for the following:

• Priority notification for admission and the Presidential Scholarship
  • Rolling between October 15-January 15
• Priority for housing preferences
• Early notification of financial aid package by February 1.

March 1 is the regular decision to submit your application and supporting materials for all programs.

• Applications received after the December 1 Early Action Priority Deadline will be considered until the March 1 Regular Decision, with rolling notification of admission, Presidential Scholarship, and financial aid throughout the spring.
• Applications received after the March 1 Regular Decision will be considered on a space-available basis.

Drake accepts applications after March 1 on a space-available basis. Students will be reviewed on an expedited timeline to ensure they receive an admission and scholarship decision quickly to move forward on their condensed college timeline. 

We send admission decisions through the mail beginning in October. After that date, students with complete files for undergraduate admission typically hear an admission decision on a rolling basis, within 1-2 weeks of applying. 

Complete one of the following:

• Drake University Application
• Common Application, including the Common Application Member Questions specific to Drake University

Choose either method to apply. Both options are given equal consideration for admission. There is no application fee when applying online.

To expedite your admission process & decision, Drake will accept either an unofficial or official transcript.

• Unofficial transcript(s) -  You may send a copy of your high school transcript, or a screenshot of your transcript that you can access online. To self-submit your own transcript, you can log into your Application Status Page and upload it directly from your application checklist. Or, you may also email admission@drake.edu a copy of your transcript and make your full name and birthdate are in your email.   Please note that if you are admitted and decide to enroll at Drake University, we will require that you send us an official, final version of your high school transcript for verification before you can enroll in classes

• Official Transcript(s)- Your official transcript must be submitted by your school. Your school administrator can send an official transcript via direct upload with your application or they can email admission@drake.edu an official document. If you are using the Common Application, Drake will accept transcripts sent through the Common Application process. 

Music

In order to be admitted to the Department of Music, and to be considered for scholarship awards as a Music major, Music minor, or non-major participant, prospective students are required to audition with Drake Music faculty. To learn more about upcoming Department of Music audition dates and audition requirements, visit the Department of Music Audition Information page.

Theatre

In order to be admitted to any of the B.F.A. Theatre Arts degree programs or the Musical Theatre minor, and to be considered for a Departmental Fine Arts scholarship award, prospective students are required to audition/present their portfolio either on campus at the Drake Theatre Audition Day or the National Unified Theatre Auditions. To learn more about upcoming Theatre audition dates and audition requirements, visit the Theatre Arts Off Campus and On Campus Auditions page.

Drake does not require either the SAT or ACT score for admission. However, if you choose to submit scores, Drake will superscore the SAT and/or the ACT.

("Superscore" means that Drake will combine your highest section scores to form a new composite score, even if the section scores are from different test sittings.)

Self-Reported Test Scores:

Drake University accepts self-reported ACT and SAT test scores to meet admission checklist requirements. The scores reported on your application will be used. If admitted, and upon enrollment at Drake, you will be required to submit your official score report for verification.

Submitting official test scores:

There are two ways you can submit an official score to Drake:

1. Request an official copy of your ACT or SAT test scores be sent to the Office of Admission from the appropriate testing agency:

• Drake University ACT school code: 1302
• Drake University SAT school code: 6168

-OR-

2.  Test scores are also accepted when included on your official high school transcript*.

*Home school students: Test scores can be submitted for admission on a home-school transcript but an official test score from the testing agency will be required, upon enrollment at Drake, for verification.

Drake does not require the submission of an essay for admission. However, if we believe additional information is required, your admission counselor may contact to request the submission of an essay to supplement your application. In that case, you may choose any of the essay prompts provided in the Common Application.

Common Application Essay Prompt Options:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Letters of recommendation are not required for admission, but can be submitted on your behalf by a teacher or high school counselor. If you choose to submit a letter to supplement your application, they may be emailed to your admission counselor or admission@drake.edu. Make sure your full name and birthday are included with your submission. 

If we believe additional information is required, your admission counselor may contact you to make arrangements to schedule an admission interview after your application is complete.

Interviews may be conducted in-person or through Zoom. Interviews are typically about 30 minutes in length and will be a discussion of your high school or college (transfer student) experiences and how they have prepared you for Drake.