Priority application deadlines for admission, scholarships, and financial aid consideration are listed below. Applications are accepted after priority dates. Once all required documents are received, complete applications are reviewed and admission notification is made on a rolling basis. For assistance, students are encouraged to contact the Office of Admission to speak with a transfer admission counselor.

• Fall term: July 1 priority review for all complete applications; after July 1, application review continues on an individual and rolling basis.
• Spring term: December 1 priority review for all complete applications; after Dec. 1, applications considered on a case by case basis until the start of classes.
• Summer term: April 15 priority review for all complete applications; after April 15, applications considered on a case by case basis until the start of classes.

There is no application deadline for admission to the PharmD program. Applications must be submitted through Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS).

There is no application deadline for admission to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. Applications must be submitted through OTCAS.

Transfer applicants for all undergraduate programs (except PharmD*, Doctorate of Occupational Therapy**, and Master of Athletic Training***) must complete one of the following:

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

Both options are given equal consideration for admission. There is no application fee when applying online.

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*PharmD applicants for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program are accepted for fall semester only. Transfer students should submit an application through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS).For a complete list of PharmD admission requirements, please visit our PharmD admission page.

**Doctorate of Occupational Therapy applicants for the Occupational Therapy Program (OTD) program are accepted fall semester only. Transfer students should submit an application through the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). For a complete list of OTD admission requirements, please visit our OTD admission page.

***Master of Athletic Training (MAT) is offered for the Fall semester only. Students should use the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS) application. For a complete list of MAT requirements, please visit our MAT admission page.

All transfer applicants must provide an official transcript from any and all colleges attended for all terms, including summer.

For students who have earned fewer than 24 semester hours of college credit at the point of application we will also require a copy of your official final high school transcript or a high school equivalency certificate.

All transcripts must bear the official seal and signature of the official in charge or records and be sent directly to the Drake University Office of Admission by each institution. Transcripts that are faxed, scanned, photocopied, lacking an original seal, or are in the student’s possession are not considered official documents. If you are using the Common Application, Drake will accept transcripts sent through the Common Application process.

Where to send transcripts:

If your school can provide an official electronic transcript, it should be submitted to admission@drake.edu

If your school prefers to mail your transcript, please send to:

Office of Admission
Drake University
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311-4505

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 University does not require transfer students to submit an ACT or SAT score.

Drake does not require the submission of an essay for admission. We review all applications, with or without an essay, with equal attention. 

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.