Admissions — Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question below to view more information:

1. Where can I find information about the Visiting Student program?
2. If I submit my application before other candidates, will I be more likely to be admitted?
3. Are there any scholarships at BYU?
4. May I defer enrollment to serve an LDS mission?
5. Is it easier to be admitted for summer term?
6. Is there a quota system at BYU?
7. Is there much diversity at BYU?
8. How many students are admitted to BYU each year?
9. Does BYU offer opportunities to study abroad?
10. Am I more likely to be admitted if a relative has attended BYU?
11. Do you have to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to attend BYU?
12. Is financial aid available?
13. Will applying for financial aid affect my admissibility?
14. Will I be able to find a job on campus?
15. How does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints influence campus life at BYU?
16. Do I have to live in on-campus housing as a new freshman?
17. Do you have special services for students with disabilities?
18. Is a four-point GPA required for admission?
19. Are many applicants denied?
20. Is fall admission harder than winter, spring, or summer?
21. Is seminary graduation required?
22. Is there an advantage to taking more challenging courses?
23. Will taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses help?

1. Where can I find information about the Visiting Student program?
Click here for detailed information about the Summer Visiting Student Program.

2. If I submit my application before other candidates, will I be more likely to be admitted?
No. Each application is evaluated using the same criteria, whether you submit the application early or on the deadline date. However, we encourage all students to submit their applications well before the deadline. Students are notified regarding admission approximately 4–6 weeks after their application is complete, assisting those who apply early in making plans. In the event that materials may be missing (transcripts, etc.), applying early will give you time to submit these items before the deadline.

3. Are there any scholarships at BYU?
Yes. Approximately one-third of all new freshmen earn some type of merit-based award. These awards are provided on the basis of demonstrated excellence in academics, performing arts, or athletics. For complete information regarding the application process for merit-based awards, please contact the Scholarship Office.

4. May I defer enrollment to serve an LDS mission?
Yes. Enrollment may be deferred while you serve a full-time mission by filling out and agreeing with the terms specified in the LDS Missionary and Scholarship Deferment Application.

5. Is it easier to be admitted for summer term?
No. The admission criteria for any given year is the same for all entry dates—summer, fall, winter, and spring.

6. Is there a quota system at BYU?
Admission is not determined by any type of quota, nor are there geographical allocations. Nevertheless, the university does have to work within the realities of its established ceiling of 30,000 full-time day students, graduate and undergraduate. Ecclesiastical endorsements, academic and spiritual preparation, national test scores, essays, volunteer service, leadership, and talent all bear major weight in the admission decision.

7. Is there much diversity at BYU?
BYU's student population represents all 50 United States and more than 110 different countries. Over 12 percent of the student body is an ethnic minority, and almost 6 percent are international students. In addition, 75 percent of students speak a second language fluently and nearly 50 percent have lived outside of the United States. This diversity enhances the BYU experience, exposing students to other ideas, cultures, and ways of thinking.

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8. How many students are admitted to BYU each year?
Approximately 7,000 new freshmen and 3,200 transfer students are admitted each year. Because prospective applicants are well informed about admission criteria, BYU has been able to admit about 70 percent of those who have applied in recent years.

9. Does BYU offer opportunities to study abroad?
Yes. Study Abroad programs are currently offered in the following locations:

• Argentina
• Austria
• Brazil
• China
• England
• France
• Germany
• Ghana
• Italy
• Japan
• Jordan
• Mexico
• Namibia
• New Zealand
• Poland
• Russia
• Senegal
• Spain
• Wales

Please note that this list does not include direct enrollment, internships, field studies, or the Jerusalem Center. For more information, please contact the David M. Kennedy Center at kennedy.byu.edu/isp.

10. Am I more likely to be admitted if a relative has attended BYU?
No. Special consideration is not given to relatives of BYU alumni.

11. Do you have to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to attend BYU?
No. Although BYU's student body is predominantly LDS, students from other faiths attend school here because they are committed to the principles expressed in The Aims of a BYU Education.

12. Is financial aid available?
Definitely. About one-third of all BYU students receive some type of financial aid. Through a combination of grants, loans, and part-time campus employment, students demonstrating financial need may receive assistance. For more information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

13. Will applying for financial aid affect my admissibility?
No. Students are admitted based on their academic performance, service, leadership, special talents, extracurricular involvement, and recommendations.

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14. Will I be able to find a job on campus?
There are usually more jobs available than there are students to fill them. With more than 8,000 student positions available, students may apply for employment in a wide variety of areas: office and clerical work, grounds maintenance, food service, etc. For information regarding the application process, contact the Employment Office.

15. How does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints influence campus life at BYU?
The gospel of Jesus Christ plays a central role in campus life at Brigham Young University. There is a strong spirit of love and friendship here—a love for humanity that extends beyond race, ethnicity, geographic lines, or religious preferences. More than 250 LDS Church congregations meet on campus, and nearly every Tuesday the campus closes and the student body gathers to listen to a devotional speaker. In addition, religion classes are required for graduation and BYU students, staff, and faculty agree to abide by the BYU Honor Code and the BYU Dress and Grooming Standards. Overall, BYU is a great place to learn, live, worship, and grow.

16. Do I have to live in on-campus housing as a new freshman?
We encourage it because we think you will get the most from your BYU experience if you do, but it is not required. Traditionally more than 80 percent of new freshmen live on campus their first year.

17. Do you have special services for students with disabilities?
Yes. The University Accessibility Center assists BYU students with any impairment that limits them in activities such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, learning, or writing. This office collaborates with faculty and staff to ensure successful strategies to accommodate all students. Accessible housing and transportation are also available.

18. Is a 4.0 GPA required for admission?
No, but good grades are important. The average GPA of students admitted to the Fall 2008 Semester was a 3.78. But it's well to remember that the word average means midpoint and that the high school grade point average is only one factor of many considered in the admission decision. Other important considerations include the ACT composite score and other subjective information provided in the application. Entering freshmen have been averaging about 27 on the ACT. We recommend a B+ high school GPA and an ACT score in the mid-20s for serious consideration.

19. Are many applicants denied?
As surprising as it may be to some, the ratio of applicants denied compared with applicants accepted is remarkably low—especially when BYU is compared with other selective, private universities. Many of these institutions typically admit about 10 percent of their applicant pools; BYU, on the other hand, admits about 74 percent of those who apply.

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20. Is fall admission harder than winter, spring, or summer?
At one time it was easier to be admitted during the winter semester or spring and summer terms, but this is no longer the case. The same admission criteria apply year-round. In an effort to admit as many qualified students as possible, and since more applicants want to start fall semester than there are spaces, some will be admitted and must start summer term before fall semester. And, it's worth remembering that there are some financial incentives and other advantages inherent to beginning summer term.

21. Is seminary graduation required for admission?
Students are strongly encouraged to attend LDS seminary, and each year of seminary attendance is given additional weight in the admissions consideration process; however, graduation from seminary has never been a requirement. Early-morning, released time, and home study seminary are all treated equally.

22. Is there an advantage to taking more challenging courses?
Challenging courses will better prepare a student for the ACT examination. The ACT tests the curriculum learned in high school. The more a student challenges himself or herself, research has shown a student will perform better on the ACT. Additionally, challenging courses prepare students for general education requirements at the university, easing the academic transition from high school to college.

23. Will taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses help?
Yes. An AP course taken will receive additional weight in the admission process. In addition, the university will award at least 3 college credits to AP exam scores of a 3, 4, or 5, or IB exam scores of a 5, 6, or 7. Exam scores are not reviewed until after admittance into BYU.

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