First-Year Application

Are you a ready to take the step to apply to Drake? There are three ways you can apply, all of which we give equal consideration for admission:

• Submit the Drake University online application (fee waived)
• Mail the Drake University paper Application ($25 U.S. fee)
• Complete the Common Application
  If you plan to apply to the pre-pharmacy program, please note the program's special admission requirements.

If you're mailing your application, please send it, along with your supplementary materials, to the address below. Be sure to label all materials with your full name and date of birth.

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

Deadlines

As you’re going through the Drake admission process, be sure to keep track of due dates to ensure that all required documents are sent by the appropriate deadlines.

Undergraduate Programs (all majors except pre-pharmacy)
March 1 is the priority deadline to submit your application and supporting materials. Applications received after the March 1 priority deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Pre-pharmacy
December 1 is the deadline to apply to the pre-pharmacy program. Applications and all supporting materials must be postmarked by December 1 and reach Drake by December 10.

Transcripts

Drake University will evaluate your academic transcripts during the admission process. Send your official high school transcript for review; if you have taken any college classes for credit, submit your college transcript as well. If you are using the Common Application, Drake will accept transcripts sent through the Common Application process. Faxed transcripts, scanned documents, and transcripts photocopied without an original seal are not considered official records.

ACT or SAT scores

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

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

Personal Essay and Optional Video Statement

We require an essay or personal statement from each applicant. You can use one of the essay prompts provided in the Drake application, or write on a topic of your choice. Please do not submit a paper you wrote for a school assignment. The Admission Committee would rather read something more personal.

In addition to your essay, the Admission Committee gives applicants the opportunity to submit an optional video statement. This is your chance to get creative and let our Admission Committee see what makes you, you. Videos can be uploaded onto YouTube or another easily accessible site, and the URL can be submitted in your application. Remember, the video is optional and does not replace the personal essay.

High School Report and Counselor Recommendation Supplement

All applicants must submit the High School Report & Counselor Recommendation supplement, which is included with the Drake University application for admission. If you are applying through the Common Application, that application’s high school report and counselor recommendation forms meet Drake requirements for this information. You will still, however, be required to complete a Drake University supplement if you apply through the Common Application.

Additional letters of recommendation are not required, but will be considered if you send them.

Admission Decision Notification

Drake University sends admission decisions through the mail:
Applicants for all undergraduate majors (except pre-pharmacy) will be notified of an admission decision on a rolling basis beginning Oct. 15. Notification after Oct. 15 typically takes 4-6 weeks after your file becomes complete.

Applicants to the pre-pharmacy program are notified of an admission decision in mid-January of their senior year.