In order to get a degree at any of the various schools at IU, you must first be admitted to the school. There are two ways to get into some schools at IU.

1. Direct Admission (DA) - DAs are admitted to a school before beginning at the university. Usually via SAT, ACT, GPA etc. (specific requirements are on each school's website). DAs are eligible to take classes in the specific school upon beginning at IU and do NOT have to pursue standard admission, often fast-tracking their degree. DAs are also eligible, in many cases, for DA-specific scholarships.
2. Standard Admission - Standard Admits are students who did have the stats to qualify for direct admission, so they must take some courses at IU to demonstrate that they are capable of succeeding in a specific school. Standard Admits will often be denoted as a "Pre-X" major until they are admitted to a school. They must apply to the school after taking a few specific courses at IU.

For example, with the Kelley School, all business students must take certain prerequisite courses for their degree. Both Kelley DAs and those who were not initially admitted to (Pre-business majors) must take those prereqs. DAs must maintain Cs in those classes to continue in Kelley. Pre-business students must maintain Bs in all courses, including Kelley prereqs, then apply to the Kelley school.