essays for byu idaho

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How to Write the Brigham Young University Essays 2023-2024

 BYU has six supplemental essays, which are required for all applicants. This is likely one of the most extensive supplemental essay packages you’re going to have, so make sure you leave yourself ample time to brainstorm for, write, and revise your essays.

While only you know exactly how to draw on your own experiences to build a connection between yourself and BYU, in this post we’re going to break down each prompt for you and provide a general approach that will lead to a strong response. Then, all that’s left for you to do is apply that approach to your own background, personality, and goals for college!

Note that, because BYU is not a Common App school, you’ll have to log on to their school-specific application platform in order to see word/character limits for these prompts. Be sure to do that  before  you start writing, or otherwise you may accidentally write a response that’s way too long or short, and end up having a whole bunch of extra work to do when you thought you were done.

BYU Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt 1: Describe a topic, idea, or experience that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. What have you done to learn more or engage further in the topic, idea or experience? What resources do you use to learn more?

Prompt 2: Have you become aware of significant needs in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked toward meeting those needs.

Prompt 3: Briefly describe a time that your efforts have fallen short, a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved.  What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today?

Prompt 4: We strive to create a rich and varied educational environment through admitting students with a wide range of:

Skills and talents

Life experiences, perspectives, tell us your story. what will you contribute to our university community be specific..

Prompt 5: A BYU education will be spiritually strengthening. BYU students have a unique opportunity to seek learning by study and by faith. Describe the reasons you want to learn in an environment like this.

Prompt 6: Thoughtfully consider the extracurricular activities you have been involved in and select two to write about. Enter your first activity below and the second activity on the following page.

Select an activity you would like to write about:

Please provide a short description of the specific activity: (300 characters)

How long have you participated in this activity?

Why did you choose to participate in this activity? How have you benefited from your participation?

Describe a topic, idea, or experience that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. What have you done to learn more or engage further in the topic, idea or experience? What resources do you use to learn more?

This prompt is designed to gauge your love of learning and genuine interest in scholarship. One of BYU’s Aims is Intellectually Enlarging, meaning the school is looking for people who have a desire to learn and who seek out answers to questions beyond what is required or mandated by school or work. It is an opportunity for admissions officers to learn something about you that isn’t conveyed or fully developed on other parts of your application. 

Potential examples of topics might include:

• A scientific concept that blows your mind
• A type of media you enjoy consuming
• A unique hobby or skill you taught yourself
• A favorite sport you can play for hours 

Your topic can be literally anything—as long as you can write about it with an academic tone. Just avoid overly casual topics or language as these will not illuminate your personality in the most flattering light. For example, an applicant that writes about bingeing Netflix shows has a much weaker essay than one that couches their Netflix addiction as a side effect of their love of screenwriting. 

When determining your topic, make sure to delve deep and choose something that is specific enough to differentiate your essay from others’. For example, instead of writing about a generic academic subject, choose a concept or theory that resonates with you the most. Here is an excerpt of a response that achieves this:

“I can easily remember when I stopped hearing music and truly began listening to it. Mrs. Petersen, our music teacher, was playing a recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for my fourth grade class. I closed my eyes and there I was—in springtime, with birds overhead, and soon enough, winter, braced against a biting wind of sound. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard, and from that moment forth, I dedicated myself to understanding how it worked. 

Studying music theory as I do is like unraveling a rich tapestry woven of pitch, melody, rhythm, and timbre…” 

From here, the student can go in multiple directions with their response. They can explore how their studies of music theory helped them develop as a musician or composer. Or, they can talk about how learning music theory has enabled them to think more analytically about other art forms, like literature.

The next portion of the prompt asks how you have advanced your understanding of the topic on your own and what resources have helped you do so. Avoid mentioning school-mandated resources like classes or required readings; rather, mention ways that you have explored the topic outside of any structured obligation. Have you checked out library books on the subject? Do you dive into Reddit subthreads or fashion YouTube playlists to learn more? Is there an organization or community you founded or joined to help you gain knowledge? Here, it is important to keep up reader engagement by showing, rather than telling, how you sought out additional resources. 

Another key element of your response is a future-facing component. One of BYU’s Aims stresses Lifelong Learning and Service; you should try to incorporate this sentiment in the last couple lines of your response. This will give admissions officers an idea of how you plan to continue exploring this topic in the future, or sharing your love of it with others. Going off of the previous example, a fitting conclusion might go like this: 

“ Studying music theory has allowed me to think differently and listen to the world as I never had before. I intend to study music composition at BYU, and I look forward to learning even more about the inner workings of the world’s musical traditions.”

However you choose to relay your topic, make sure to maintain a narrative-like quality and include specific, descriptive details. The point is to make your essay so unique that no one else could write it. The more well-thought-out and engaging your essay is, the more likely it is to resonate with admissions officers.

Have you become aware of significant needs in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked toward meeting those needs.

This prompt asks you to recount your participation in community service. One of BYU’s Aims is Lifelong Service, so it might help to read their website’s breakdown of what it means to their school before you start writing. 

To brainstorm for this essay, think about times where you’ve addressed needs for others. This could be anything from babysitting your younger siblings while your parents work full-time to making blankets for dogs at your local animal shelter. Try to make your topic something that isn’t necessarily apparent from the rest of your application. If you choose an organization already listed out in your extracurriculars, make sure to focus on a specific instance rather than generalizing your role. Here are two examples of potential responses to this prompt: 

Weak: “As a Girl Scout, I have participated in multiple community service projects in my community. I have baked cookies for the elderly, written letters to soldiers overseas, and helped make blankets for my local animal shelter. I organized and executed these activities because community service is important to me.”

Strong: “At lunch, some kids played soccer. Others texted or played iPhone games. I made blankets. For my Girl Scout Gold Award, I decided to target a community near and dear to my heart: the animal shelter. As a weekly volunteer, I saw how many of the dogs had nothing in their concrete kennels and I vowed to change that. I created a school-wide fundraiser to raise money for supplies and spent my Saturday mornings shopping in our downtown textile district. During our lunch period, a few volunteers and I would make no-sew blankets and toys out of various fabrics.”

The first response states the author’s contributions in a straightforward manner that does not convey exactly what efforts they put into improving their community. The overall general descriptions do little to set them apart from other applicants. Meanwhile, the second essay takes readers through specific actions that the author took towards their goal. It is more vivid and immersive in nature, which allows admissions officers to get a better idea of the student’s personality. The first response tells admissions officers that the student is dedicated, while the second shows them through specific details. 

Briefly describe a time that your efforts have fallen short, a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved. What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today?

Here, admissions officers want to see how you deal with adversity. When choosing a topic, try not to pick something overdone like a poor grade or losing a sports game. Instead, write about something that is unique to you. 

The first thing you need to do is establish the context of the defeat. Talk about the instance and the way it made you feel. Use an active voice and vivid details to give it an anecdote-like quality. 

For example, someone who was training for a half marathon might not have achieved their personal record time despite training daily for 4 months. 

Another student might not have been accepted into a pre-medical program that would have helped them gain field experience and choose a career path. 

Next, think about how you moved past the failure, and what specific steps you took to ameliorate the situation. Show admissions officers how you felt by taking them through your thought process; this added vulnerability will make your essay more personable. 

Writing about frustration, anger, or sadness is valid, but make sure you do so in a way that isn’t overly victimizing or putting down others. It is important to keep your tone professional while conveying these feelings in order to make your essay resonate the most strongly.

After writing your reaction, walk readers through the steps you took to recover from the failure. The prompt asks you multiple questions: how you recovered, resources you used, and how and why you are different. You should touch on all of these but it is okay if within the limited response you don’t elaborate on all of these. Keep these questions in the back of your mind while writing the prompt, but don’t answer them sequentially; rather, phrase your answer like a narrative for the most ideal flow and compelling response. Keep your response forward-facing and focus on what you did to fix the situation instead of dwelling on the failure; this will show your character to admissions officers.

The applicant who was training for a marathon might talk about how they reframed their mentality to revolve around how they felt while running rather than breaking their personal records. They can describe mixing up their training regimen and changing their diet to make running a more pleasurable experience, rather than a competitive one.

An essay about being rejected from a pre-medical program might have made the author question their desire to be a doctor. However, by compiling their own resources and seeking out volunteer experience, they learned that they are willing to put in the work to pursue the field, which has underscored their desire to become a medical professional.

By describing the steps you took to work around the failure in a narrative-like manner, you can create a compelling essay that demonstrates your character to admissions officers. 

We strive to create a rich and varied educational environment through admitting students with a wide range of:

BYU wants to know what sets you apart from other students. This is an opportunity for you to mention something that is not mentioned elsewhere on your application. Think about your various identities and the unique ways they intersect. This topic might seem overly broad, but just think of it as there being no wrong answer. As long as your essay remains academic in tone, you can craft a masterful narrative about anything.

Avoid mentioning clichés or being redundant on your application. For example if you have already discussed your career interest in another essay, make this essay about something completely different. Also, avoid being too general with your topic. For example, instead of mentioning the culture you are a part of in a holistic manner, name a couple specific traditions that you enjoy participating in and elaborate on those.

If you need inspiration or a starting off point, read over the school’s Aims and look at the website with example essays. Doing so may jog your memory or provide you with a better idea of what kind of candidate the school is looking for. A good check to see whether you have selected a good topic is to take a step back and think if anyone else could have written your essay. If the answer is no, you’re in good shape! If the answer is yes, make your topic even more personal and specific.

A BYU education will be spiritually strengthening. BYU students have a unique opportunity to seek learning by study and by faith. Describe the reasons you want to learn in an environment like this.

BYU may have been started by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but you don’t need to be a believer to attend. If you are a member of the church, or even of another religion, this is a great time to affirm what you believe, what your religious tradition means to you, and why you believe this is the best setting in which to learn. If you are not religious, this is a time to reflect what appeals to you about BYU’s values, and the school’s overall learning environment. Here are some questions to help you brainstorm, whether you are a believer or not.

• What does faith or devotion mean to you? What does it look like in everyday life, and how might it contribute to a positive learning environment?
• How might shared values and beliefs make a community stronger? How can you explore your own values and beliefs in the BYU community?
• Even within one community, there can be diversity of beliefs and practices. How do you envision both learning from the BYU community, and contributing to the diversity of belief on campus?

Once you have some ideas for your essay, it’s time to start writing. Remember to check the application for specific word and character limits, as these limits will be crucial in planning your essay. Though you may have many pages’ worth of thoughts on this prompt, college essays require you to state your thoughts as efficiently as possible–you need to be brief, but also thoughtful. Depending on how you want to structure your essay, you can do that in a lot of different ways. 

One very effective way to structure a college essay is by using a single event or story to illustrate your values and character. This is a dynamic way to help admissions officers get to know you without resorting to a laundry list of qualities and information. If you are using an anecdote, or a few anecdotes, to tell BYU about yourself, make sure you are choosing stories that focus on you and demonstrate the qualities you want to share. While you may find other stories from your life more exciting, the point of this particular narrative is that it showcases your personality and what’s important to you.

If you don’t want to use a story to answer this prompt, you may want to describe your potential engagement with BYU by envisioning a future for yourself on campus. This is another great way to show the BYU admissions team who you are, as you are almost doing their job for them, and painting a picture of the ways you hope to contribute to their community. Like the previous approach, this essay structure will be most effective with specific examples. Rather than just saying that your faith inspires you to serve others, talk about how you hope to volunteer with the Adopt a Grandparent group through Brigham Young’s Y-Serve program. 

This is a great time to dig a bit deeper into BYU and flex your knowledge of the university. The whole reason why the BYU admissions committee is reviewing your application is to imagine you on campus–what you’d do, and why they should want you there–and a response that utilizes this approach effectively will directly answer those two questions. Just remember to always connect the things you hope to do on campus to the spiritual focus of this question.

Thoughtfully consider the extracurricular activities you have been involved in and select two to write about. Enter your first activity below and the second activity on the following page.

Please provide a short description of the specific activity: , why did you choose to participate in this activity how have you benefited from your participation .

These next prompts go together and allow you to elaborate on your current extracurricular activities. This is an opportunity for you to expand upon your application and give some of your activities more than a simple description. While your short description and how long you’ve participated in this activity should be relatively straightforward, answering why you chose to participate in it and how you have benefited should take on a more narrative-like quality.

Here is an example of a potential response.:

“Donate Life is a club dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation and transplants. I have participated in this club for four years, first as an active member and then as a board member, and eventually, President. However, my connection to organ donation goes farther back than high school. When I was thirteen, my cousin was able to receive a heart transplant from someone who had recently passed in a car accident. Seeing her recovery inspired me to make this opportunity available for more people. In this club, I hold weekly lunch seminars during which students can learn more about how they can contribute to the movement. We participate in marathons and other nonprofit events to get the word out and to encourage people to sign up to donate their organs. This past summer, we were able to get over 5,000 signatures pledging to sign up for organ donation in the event of the person’s passing. My Donate Life family and my real family experiences have shown me the importance of being an active community member who pushes for positive change and encourages others to do the same.”

Whatever you choose to write about, make sure that your voice shines through and that you list your specific contributions by mentioning the work you did in a tangible manner. 

Where to Get Your Brigham Young University Essays Edited

Writing essays takes a lot of time and focus, and after seeing the same essay time and time again, it can be hard to tell what to change. Going through the editing process with another pair of eyes can help identify areas where your essay could be stronger, as well as areas that you’re already doing well. CollegeVine has created a free Peer Review Essay Tool , where you can get feedback on your essay, and give feedback to other students just like you!

CollegeVine also offers essay review by our team of experienced advisors, who have helped hundreds of students submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you and get the feedback you need to make your application a success!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Application Help

Maybe you’re going to college for the first time, or maybe you’re transferring from another university, either way, you probably have some questions about applying! This page breaks down our application section by section so that you know what to expect and documents you might need as you fill out your application.

Application Breakdown

Begin your application here ! Certain portions of the application can take some time to complete so the sooner you start, the better.

In order to start an application you must have a BYU account. Below is a video that explains how you can discover if you already have an account, and if not, how you can create one.

Make sure you read the instructions in the right-hand column of the application as you go. These instructions update depending on which section of the application you are working on to provide relevant and helpful information.

You may be required to submit an English Proficiency Exam . After filling out the profile section of the application, refer to the status section to see if an English Proficiency Exam is required.

BYU , BYU-Hawaii , BYU-Idaho , BYU-Pathway and Ensign College all require different application materials. Complete the application for each school to which you would like to apply.

We ask you to select your major , but if you're not sure what you want to study just yet, simply select "Open Major (Undecided or exploring students)".

If you're a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and you did not sign in with your church account, you will be required to link your Church account to your application. If you're having trouble with this, view the instructions in the right-hand column of the religion page. By linking your church account, your application will automatically update seminary and institute records. We provide a space for you to comment on your seminary and institute experience, and encourage you to do so if you would like to clarify anything about your experience.

To be considered for admission, you must agree to live by the Honor Code , Related Policies , and will be required to begin the Ecclesiastical Endorsement process. *Don't start the Ecclesiastical Endorsement before the admission application opens. To see when the application opens click here.

To read more about the Ecclesiastical Endorsement click here.

If you have completed any secondary education or received any college credit outside of the United States, that is not U.S. accredited, your work must be evaluated by an approved international credential evaluation agency. View requirements here .

You will be required to identify all U.S. and international colleges through which you have earned credit, including any college credit earned during high school. You may also be required to submit a copy of your official college transcript(s). The application will let you know if one is needed. Please be aware that it can take a couple of weeks for BYU to receive and process your transcript once you have requested it from your school, so please make sure to order your transcripts early. Keep checking your application to see if your college transcripts have been received.

You'll need to self-report your high school transcript on the application. You will be required to provide an official high school transcript if you are admitted, so make sure what you self-report matches what's on your transcript.

• Have a copy of your official transcript on hand when completing this section
• Make sure the information you enter matches your official transcript
• Know how your school lists your grades (semester, trimester, quarter/term, or full year)
• Know your schools grading system (letter grades A-F or 100-point system)
• Indicate courses that are AP, IB, Honors, and concurrent or dual enrollment

Most applicants will not be required to submit a standardized test score to be considered for admission to BYU for spring 2021 through winter 2026. Applicants may choose to submit a test score if they feel it would strengthen their application. If a test score is required or the applicant chooses to include a test score, the score must be included at the time of submission.

We email a recommendation form with specific questions to your recommenders, so you will need to supply the email address for your high school teacher and non-relative recommender (and possibly your seminary teacher) in your application. Let your recommender know that the recommendation form will come from [email protected]. No other forms/letters of recommendation that are sent to us will be accepted.

Freshman applicants may be required to have up to three recommendations submitted on their behalf, depending on individual circumstances:

• Current seminary teacher (if applicable)
• High school teacher (any teacher that taught a class that counted towards the completion of either a math, English, science or social science requirement in your junior or senior year of high school)
• Non-relative of your choosing

Transfer applicants are required to have one recommendation from a non-relative submitted on their behalf.

Keep checking your application to see if your recommendations have been received. For more information about recommendations click here.

The essays are an important part of your application. Please remember that we can only evaluate information you choose to share with us in your application; make sure you read the prompt and answer what's being asked. If there’s something about you we should know, make sure to include it in your essay responses.

• Freshmen applicants are required to submit five essays.
• Transfer applicants are required to submit six essays. 

Become familiar with the Mission and Aims of BYU . Your application, including your essays and activities, should demonstrate your preparation and alignment with the Mission and Aims of BYU.

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, hey, what are the admission requirements for byu-idaho.

Hi everyone! So, I'm starting to look at colleges, and I came across BYU-Idaho. I need some help figuring out what their admission requirements are, like GPA, test scores, etc. Can someone guide me? Thanks a lot!

Hello! BYU-Idaho has a set of admission requirements, but keep in mind that they operate under a holistic admissions process, which means they'll look at more than just your GPA and test scores. Here are some of the main factors they consider when reviewing applications:

1. GPA: While BYU-Idaho does not have an explicitly declared minimum GPA requirement, the average GPA of incoming freshmen typically falls around 3.6. Striving for a solid GPA will certainly help you be a competitive applicant.

2. Test Scores: BYU-Idaho is test-optional, which means you have the choice to submit SAT or ACT scores if you think they represent your academic abilities well. If you decide to submit them, aim for a score around or above the average scores of admitted students, which are 980 for the SAT and 25 for the ACT. Keep in mind, though, that test scores are not the sole determining factor in the admissions process.

3. Seminary Attendance: As a religious institution, BYU-Idaho considers seminary attendance and graduation.Being part of a religiously-affiliated seminary program may help strengthen your application.

4. Essays and Personal Statements: Spend time crafting meaningful essays and personal statements, as they provide a chance for the admissions committee to get to know you better, understand your values, and assess how well you'll fit into BYU-Idaho's environment and community.

5. Extracurricular Activities: Being involved in extracurricular activities helps round out your application and demonstrates your interests and abilities outside of academics. Highlight any leadership roles or significant achievements you've had through these experiences.

6. Recommendations: BYU-Idaho requires an ecclesiastical endorsement from a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bishop or an authorized church leader who knows you well. It's important to ensure the recommendation highlights your character, commitment, and values.

While these elements are crucial to your application, remember that BYU-Idaho looks at the whole picture (your experiences, character, and potential) when making admissions decisions. Good luck with the application process!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Course Description

This course teaches basic writing conventions in crafting effective sentences, paragraphs, and short essays. It is recommended for individuals who do not feel prepared for the required English Foundations writing course, FDENG 101. While this course counts as three elective credits, it does NOT fulfill the University Foundations writing requirement.

Course Objectives

In this course you will learn to:

• Think, speak and write critically about meaningful topics that affect your life.
• Discover truth, beauty, and enjoyment through writing;
• Share your thoughts and writings with fellow classmates, thus creating a real sense of audience (and community) while developing interpersonal skills;
• Analyze examples of effective and ineffective writing in order to emulate what works and avoid what doesn't work;
• Understand how audience and purpose guides style, content, and organization in writing;
• Generate a thesis and organize relevant support using rhetorical strategies appropriate for the context;
• Use principles of free-writing, drafting, revision and editing to achieve polished prose;
• Identify and correct common sentence level errors.

Course Architecture

This course will run in fourteen one-week lessons with an Introductory Lesson at the beginning and a Conclusion Lesson at the end. The BYU-Idaho learning model, including Teach One Another activities, are integral to each lesson. There are three main units of study: Writing Effective Sentences and Paragraphs, Writing the Persuasive Essay, and Writing the Personal Essay. There are consistent due dates and accountability reports due each week. Failure to complete assignments and activities by their due date will significantly affect your final grade.

BYU-I online courses are designed with 3-4 hours of activities weekly for each academic credit received. Therefore, you will need to be able to devote at least 9-12 hours each week to this course in order to do well. If you know you will not be able to devote this much time to the class this semester, please consider taking the course at another time when you can make such a commitment.

Teach One Another is a vital part of the BYU-I learning model, and BYU-I online courses are not exempt. Teaching others what you have learned helps you to understand and remember ideas/concepts/insights much better. Additionally, learning to have your views challenged and improved through the perspective of others is an important way to improve. If you will take advantage of the various opportunities within this course to strengthen your ability to write well and increase your understanding of English, you will find the insights and skills you acquire will be useful long after you have finished the course.

Semester overview

Besides the introductory and concluding weeks, the course consists of three units.

Lessons 2-7 (Writing Effective Sentences and Paragraphs) focuses on writing effective sentences and paragraphs to express yourself clearly and concisely. The writing assignments will allow you to practice the writing and grammar skills highlighted in each lesson and demonstrate your understanding of them.

Lessons 8-10 (Writing the Persuasive Essay) focuses on persuasion, but rather than just taking a stand on an issue, you will propose a solution to the problem you are addressing. The culminating assignment for this unit is a 2-3 page persuasive essay paper. An explanatory essay assignment will help you develop this paper.

Lessons 11-13 (Writing the Personal Essay) shifts the focus to writing about personal experiences and beliefs. The culminating assignment for this unit is a 2-3 page personal narrative essay. To practice for this paper, in Unit 1 you will complete two shorter assignments that focus on personal experience.

Assignment Due Dates:

In order to allow students around the world to use the weekend to study while still honoring the Sabbath Day, the end-of-week assignment deadline has been set to Saturday at 11:00 PM Mountain Time (the time zone for BYU-Idaho). Therefore, unless otherwise noted, due dates in this course have been set for Wednesday and Saturday at 11:00 PM Mountain Time, USA. Please refer to the Calendar or Course Schedule to see the exact due dates/times for each assignment. Please be aware that because this course is available to students all over the world, the exact time that assignments are due are dependent upon your timezone.

Each lesson:

• Will open one week early in order to accommodate students who want to get started early.
• Wednesday (11:00 PM Mountain Time) - Grammar Lesson Videos, Reading Assignments, Weekly Class Discussion, Paragraph and Essay Development Videos and Writing Assignment (rough draft),
• Weekly Reports open on Thursday 11:00 PM (Mountain Time) local time of the lesson in which it is due.

Grammar Lessons

(Due Wednesday and Saturday at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)

• Grammar Lesson: Each week you will be focusing on a grammar skill used for improving your writing.

Note: All of the videos in this course are available in transcript form. Links to the transcripts are provided in the assignment and can also be accessed in the Course "Resources" folder.

• Grammar Exercise: These short quizzes will assess your understanding of the grammar lesson each lesson.

Reading and Discussion

• Reading Assignments: Each week you will be assigned readings that will lead to a Class Discussion where you can talk about your ideas with your classmates.
• Weekly Class Discussion Board: You will use this Discussion Board to discuss the lesson materials, readings and discussion questions. This will help you build community with your online class as well as develop the skill of appreciating and responding to others" point of view. The purpose is to create a deeper understanding of the concepts, so you apply them to your understanding of basic writing.
• Further Reading (Optional): These optional reading(s) are supplemental and complement the course material you are studying. They will be a powerful enhancement to the class lecture and practice activities. They have been provided to help you extend the reach of your understanding in each individual area.

Paragraph and Essay Development Lessons

(Due Wednesday at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)

• View Presentation on Writing Principle: This activity serves to enhance your understanding of writing concepts you will be learning each week.

Writing Assignment

• This assignment will allow you to practice and apply the skills you learn, improve your writing, and sharpen your thinking. As with all good writing, expect to compose more than an initial draft in order to complete this assignment well.

Accountability Reports

(Due Saturday at 11:00 PM Mountain Time)

• Weekly Reports: This short report will allow you to give important feedback about how you are doing in the course and allow you to report the completion of certain assignments.
• Because the report is a summary of what you have done throughout the week, they will not be accessible until later in the week that they are due.

Some lessons have additional assessment activities such as: Mid-term Feedback, Final, or Course Evaluation.

Preparation and Interaction

This course is designed to engage both your mind and your heart. Thus, it is important to prepare both intellectually and spiritually each week. Consistent personal prayer, scripture study, and attention to your covenants will provide a great support to your academic studies. While this is not a religion course, what you study here will help you to grow spiritually. When you are prepared, the Holy Spirit can provide guidance and direction that will make a great difference in your life.

As you interact with others in various assignments, please remember to be kind, considerate, and respectful of differing viewpoints. You can differ in opinions (sometimes the best learning comes when others challenge your thinking) but still be civil and loving. Respect one another"s opinions and avoid using racist, bigoted, homophobic, sexist, or aggressive language in class discussions, writing assignments, or in reporting problems or concerns. Any violation of basic common courtesy --including interaction with peers, the instructor, or others monitoring the course -- will negatively impact your grade.

Course Accountability

Short assignments.

Writing a Love Letter

Overlooked Beauty

"River Tooth"

"This I Believe" Reflection

Opinion and Response

Critical Thinking Essay

Explanatory Outline

First Draft Persuasive Essay: Problem Solution

Personal Essay Outline

First Draft of Personal Essay

Long Assignments

Persuasive Essay: Problem-Solution

Personal Essay

Weekly Report

Plagiarism or other forms of cheating will not be tolerated. From BYU-Idaho"s Academic Honesty policy statement: " Intentional Plagiarism is the deliberate act of representing the words, ideas, or data of another as one"s own without providing proper attribution to the author through quotation, reference, or footnote." To avoid unintentional plagiarism consult with me on the text in question.

Class Policies

Prerequisites, final grade breakdown.

A = 94-100%; A- = 90-93; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76;

C- = 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D = 63-66; D- = 60-62; F = 0-59

Course Questions/Problems/Concerns

This course has a Course Discussion Board in the Course folder on the left hand menu where you are encouraged to post general course questions/problems/concerns, etc. Using this board will inform other class members, the instructor, and others of the issues you find and allow the proper people to correct them for everyone. Please check this board throughout the semester. If you are experiencing the same problem as another student who has already reported it, you can make an additional post so others know the seriousness of the problem. If you know the answer to a question, you are encouraged to post solutions. Helping to solve your classmates' problems is another way to teach one another. Additionally, your instructor is monitoring this board and will inform you of fixes and solutions here.

You should only email your instructor directly if the problem is of a personal nature. OR sometimes your instructor has a reason he/she would like to be informed of problems another way. If this is the case, your instructor will explain the change. Otherwise, please use the questions /problems /concerns board as the preferred way to report any problems.

Late Work Policy

Assignments are due on the day indicated. No late work will be accepted without permission from the instructor. Work that is late hampers your ability to fully participate in the course and will be accepted only at your instructor's discretion. Inform your instructor before the assignment is due. Any late work that is accepted is subject to a penalty as determined by your instructor.

Disability Law

In compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to "reasonable accommodation." It is the student"s responsibility to disclose to the teacher any special need she/he may have as soon as possible as accommodations are not retroactive. "

Disclaimers

The instructor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus at any time during the semester in order to adapt to changing course needs. You will be notified prior to any changes that may take place.

BYU-Idaho Help Guides

• Accepting Your Offer to BYU-Idaho

Updated on Jul 18, 2024

We are glad you've decided to come to BYU-Idaho!

Accepting an Admissions Offer

The Admissions Office will send you an email with an admissions decision. Within the email, you will find a PDF document detailing each step you must take to:

1) Respond to your admissions offer

2) Learn about enrollment options at BYU-Idaho

3) Complete the New Student Checklist

NOTE: Campus students will receive a track assignment. Online students will NOT receive a track assignment. However, the wording and steps below will be the same, regardless of your enrollment status. 

Respond to Your Admission Offer

Step 1: Go to the Response Page Link found in your email. You will need to login using the same credentials you used for applying to the University .

Step 2: Campus students will then be redirected to the following page. Please accept your offer to BYU-Idaho in order to continue.

NOTE: If you are planning on leaving for a mission, please select "Yes, I plan to enroll in classes starting [current semester]". Further steps for mission deferments may be made after you accept your offer.

Step 3: You will then be redirected to this page. Please choose a major; you may change your major later by contacting the Advising Office or follow the steps found in the Grad Planner Help Guides .

Step 4: You will then be directed to this page to create your BYU-Idaho username, password, and secret question. DO NOT lose this information!

NOTE: Your username CANNOT be changed after creation and will be used for your school email. Please create appropriate usernames.

Step 5: If you have any personal information missing, you MUST fill out the information in the next box. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility of financial aid, scholarships and campus employment.

Step 6: You will then be taken to the Review and Submit page, where the information provided thus far will be displayed. If everything looks accurate, click the submit button.

Step 7: The following page will include your I-number, BYU-I username, BYU-Idaho email, Control Email, Major Information and Academic Planning Information. Please record this information as you may need it for future reference as well as verifying your identity as a student.

CONGRATULATIONS! You are officially admitted to Brigham Young University - Idaho! Don't forget to go through the New Student Checklist for information on housing, financial aid, class schedules, advising, etc. Be sure to check out the Current Student Guides for more screenstep tutorials on advising, finances, and more.

Your username and password will become active after 1 hour; after which, you will have access to your BYU-Idaho student account. Your student email will become active within 24 hours.

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Prospective Student Guides

• Accepting Your Track Assignment and Creating Your BYU-I Account
• Applying to BYU-Idaho
• Applying for an Online Degree
• Checking Your Admissions Status
• Creating a Church Account for Non-Members
• Filling out Your Track Questionnaire
• Linking Church and BYU-I Account to Complete BYU-I Application
• Planning Classes as a Prospective Student
• Reapplying to Pathway as a Former Student
• Reopening Application
• Withdrawing Your Application
• Buying a Contract at Centre Square

Other Resources

• Current Student Guides
• Employee Guides

Brigham Young University - Idaho: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Brigham Young University-Idaho

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• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
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Brigham Young University - Idaho is a private university with an acceptance rate of 96%. Founded in 1888, BYU - Idaho is located on a 430-acre campus in Rexburg, a small city in eastern Idaho with easy access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Brigham Young University - Idaho is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The university's curriculum is steeped in its religious identity and all courses and programs work to develop students both academically and spiritually. All students must adhere to a strict honor code, and many BYUI students take two years off from college to participate in missionary work. Students can choose from over 87 bachelor's degree programs, and the university also offers a range of associate degree programs and online programs. Education, health, and business fields are among the most popular.

Considering applying to BYUI? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Brigham Young University - Idaho had an acceptance rate of 96%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 96 students were admitted, making BYUI's admissions process less competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

BYU - Idaho requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 27% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of BYU - Idaho's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to BYUI scored between 510 and 620, while 25% scored below 510 and 25% scored above 620. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 500 and 590, while 25% scored below 500 and 25% scored above 590. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1210 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Brigham Young University - Idaho.

Requirements

BYU - Idaho does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Note that Brigham Young University - Idaho participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Brigham Young University - Idaho requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 76% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of BYUI's admitted students fall within the top 48% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Brigham Young University - Idaho received a composite ACT score between 20 and 26, while 25% scored above 26 and 25% scored below 20.

Brigham Young University - Idaho does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, BYUI superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

In 2019, the average, unweighted high school GPA of Brigham Young University - Idaho's incoming freshman class was 3.52. This information suggests that most successful applicants to BYU - Idaho have primarily high B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Brigham Young University - Idaho. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

In spite of it's high acceptance rate, BYU - Idaho has a selective admissions process. The requirements for Brigham Young University - Idaho are different from most four-year colleges and universities. With its strong affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYUI's admissions guidelines include several church-related elements. Applicants must all be church members in good standing, and they will need an endorsement from their bishop/branch president (or mission president if the applicant is currently doing missionary work). 

In addition to the church-related admission requirements, BYU - Idaho has a  holistic admissions process involving factors beyond grades and test scores. A strong  application essay can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful  extracurricular activities , including clubs, church groups, or work experiences, and a rigorous course schedule , including AP, IB, Honors, and Dual Enrollment classes. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores and grades are outside of Brigham Young University - Idaho's average range.

In the graph above, the green and blue dots represent students who were admitted, while the red dots represent rejected students. You can see that nearly all applicants to BYU-Idaho were admitted, and the school reports an acceptance rate near 100%. This does not mean that the school has low admissions standards or open admissions . Rather, the BYU - Idaho applicant pool is highly self-selecting. The graph shows that the great majority of admitted students had averages of "B" or better, SAT scores of 950 or higher, and ACT scores of 19 or higher.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Brigham Young University - Idaho's Undergraduate Admissions Office .

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Essay Bootcamp for BYU Applicants

5 LIVE sessions

College Admissions Experts

Craft a stellar BYU application with expert guidance from elite college admission consultants; learn to discover and write your unique narrative in a compelling way. Admissions coaching worth $1200 given free to aspiring BYU students - that's something to rise and shout about.

Course Overview

This course includes, live course outline.

meet your instructors

Join the 5,000+ who have gotten into their dream schools with Leland.

Amanda was so incredibly helpful with my son's college application process. Amanda took the time to get to know his unique personality and then helped him navigate through the application process. The feedback and guidance Amanda provided on his essays was amazing. Amanda expertise, patience, encouragement, and guidance made all the difference in the application process. Amanda is amazing!

Writing college admission essays can be an overwhelming task. Lynsey was able to walk me through the steps to make this a successful and positive experience. She was able to support and organize the ideas in my essays that were true to my words but gave me the guidance I needed to make it polished, concise, and interesting to the reader. Lynsey provided helpful feedback, thoughtful questions, and ideas to really bring out the strong points to my essays. Her genuine kindness put me at ease and made me feel like she was invested in my success. I could not have done this without her.

Loved working with Susie. She didn’t waste any time jumping in and efficiently and effectively helping my son edit his essays. She gave directions that helped on all his essays. Susie had a real understanding of all the components needed to fully respond to each of the parts of the essay questions. Everything is about time and she doesn’t waste any! Put be our minds at ease.

Kim helped me rock my transfer application essays to get into BYU! Without her help I might not have gotten in because she helped me get into the right mind space and taught me how to carefully review and edit my opening hooks. I improved in my writing skills because of her advice and suggestions.

Who should sign up for the bootcamp?

Anyone serious about getting into BYU. We do everything we can to get you as prepared as possible to navigate this competitive application process.  

What if I’m not applying this year? 

The earlier you are, the more time you have to prepare. The number one mistake that applicants make is not giving themselves enough time to strengthen their application. This bootcamp is a great way to avoid that and make sure you're starting off on the right foot.

What will I learn?

This bootcamp is designed to fully equip you for applications to BYU. By the end of the five sessions, you will:  - have a clear idea of the best narrative and app strategy for your background and goals. - know who to select for your recommenders and have completed a polished recommender prep doc. - have an outline for your essays and have started drafting them - ... and more!  ‍ The curriculum also includes custom assignments and personalized interactive activities for maximum impact. BYU applications are competitive, but this bootcamp will give you the tools you need to stand out.

Can I also receive 1:1 personal coaching for my BYU application?

How is this bootcamp free for all participants.

The coaching provided in this bootcamp typically costs over $1000, but thanks to the generous donations of corporate sponsors and people like you, we're able to provide this bootcamp completely free to all aspiring BYU students. As you find value in these sessions, we hope you'll consider paying it forward for future applicants. If you have connections to a company that might like to sponsor the Essay Bootcamp for BYU Applicants, please reach out to [email protected] and help us keep the bootcamp free for all participants.

How To Get Into BYU (2024)

Tips and tricks for getting admitted into Brigham Young University, complete with an overview of the application, sample admit essays, GPA requirements, and more.

Posted July 11, 2024

How to Prepare for College Admissions Early with Former AdComs and Stanford Students

Starting wednesday, september 11.

12:00 AM UTC · 60 minutes

Table of Contents

Overview of byu.

Brigham Young University , located in Provo, Utah, is a private university sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Established in 1875, BYU offers a diverse range of academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.

BYU is notable for several things. Most of its students are members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and follow an honor code that includes standards related to dress and grooming, academic honesty, and drugs and alcohol. It is consistently ranked as one of the best-value universities . Likewise, BYU is often ranked among the top universities for foreign language degrees in part because of the LDS church’s heavy emphasis on missionary service.

Can You Go to BYU if You Are Not a Member of the LDS Church?

While it was founded and is supported by The LDS Church, BYU embraces students of all faiths and beliefs. Admission decisions are based on academic merit, personal achievements, and character, rather than religious adherence.

Brigham Young University (BYU) Facts & Figures

• # of International Students: 1,241
• Total # of Graduate Students: 2,842

Demographics + Ethnicity

• Female: 51%
• Single: 58.5%
• Top 3 Nations: Canada, Mexico, South Korea
• Caucasian: 81%
• Hispanic or Latino: 9%
• 2 or More Races: 4.5%
• Pacific Islander: 1%
• American Indian: < 1%
• Transfer Acceptance Rate: 64.8%
• Middle 50% GPA: 3.86-4.00
• Middle 50% ACT: 27-32
• Middle 50% SAT: 1290-1440
• # of Undergraduate Majors: 198
• # of Undergraduate Minors: 113

Undergraduate Tuition (2024-2025)

• Members of the LDS Church: $3,344 per semester
• Non-Members: $6,688 per semester

Undergraduate Cost of Attendance

• On-Campus: $10,396
• Off-Campus: $11,364
• Books and Supplies:$392
• Personal Expenses: $1,984
• Transportation: $2,480
• Loan Fees: $64
• On-Campus: $22,004
• Off-Campus: $22,972
• On-Campus: $28,692
• Off-Campus: $29,660

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Application Prep

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BYU Application Deadlines (2024-2025)

• Applications Open: August 28, 2024
• Priority: November 1, 2024
• Regular Decision: December 16, 2024
• Decisions Released: February 17, 2025

BYU Application Components

Upon submitting your application, only an unofficial high school transcript is required. If admitted, an official transcript must follow.

Class registration relies on the official transcript being received and verified. BYU evaluates GPAs without weighting but considers the rigor of the coursework.

Letters of Recommendation

The BYU application requires three types of letters of recommendation:

• Seminary Recommendation
• High School Teacher Recommendation - Must have taught you a math, English, science, or social science class in your junior or senior year
• Additional Recommendation - Anyone who knows you well and is not a relative. For example, extracurricular supervisors or sports team coaches.

The recommender will receive an email containing a link to a form that they must complete. This form asks recommenders to rate the student on various criteria:

• Demonstrates integrity, and trustworthiness, and fulfills commitments
• Creates a safe environment for classmates to participate and share observations
• Demonstrates problem-solving ability and sound thinking
• Sets and achieves challenging goals

The second part is a section for open-ended responses to specific prompts, such as “What evidence do you see of the applicant challenging themselves academically?”

Please note that BYU only accepts recommendations through this specific form within the application. It is important to communicate this to your recommenders to ensure they do not attempt to submit a separate letter.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

All applicants, regardless of their affiliation with the LDS church, must submit an ecclesiastical endorsement. This endorsement includes agreeing to abide by the BYU Honor Code and the Dress and Grooming Standards and meeting with two religious leaders to verify that you understand the standards and are capable of committing to them.

Standardized Test Scores

BYU is test-optional through winter 2026. However, as it states on the application, "Applicants are encouraged to submit a test score if they feel it is a good representation of their academic abilities."

What does this mean? Well, you should at least try to take the test and aim for the average of the most recently admitted class. In 2024, the middle 50% of ACT scores were 27-32; for the SAT, it was 1290-1440. For the most recent application cycle, 58.4% of applicants chose to submit a test score.

If you have a lower GPA, it's more important that you do well on the test. If you have a high GPA but score low on the test, you probably won't want to submit the score. The ideal situation, of course, is that you have both a high GPA and test score.

ACT vs. SAT

Take the test that is best for you. Many students naturally score higher on one test than the other. We recommend taking a practice test for both — see how you score and how you felt during each. How was the timing and pacing of questions? How did you do on each section?

BYU SAT Requirements & ACT Requirements

As the BYU site states: "Freshmen applicants who have completed sufficient accredited high school work will have the option to apply with or without an ACT or SAT test."

See here for ACT/SAT guidelines for transfer applicants, international applicants, homeschooled applicants, and concurrent enrollment applicants.

For more info, read The ACT vs. SAT: Which to Take and How to Ace Both and The Best Free Resources to Prepare for the ACT and SAT .

BYU Application Essays

BYU Essay Prompts (2024-2025)

The essays are one of the most important aspects of the application. Freshmen applicants are required to write essays on five topics:

• Describe a topic, idea, or experience that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. What have you done to learn more or engage further in the topic, idea, or experience? What resources do you use to learn more? (1500 character limit)
• Have you become aware of significant needs in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked toward meeting those needs. (1500 character limit)
• Briefly describe a time that your efforts have fallen short, a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved. What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today? (1500 character limit)
• Skills and talents
• Life experiences
• Perspectives
• Cultures Tell us your story. What will you contribute to our university community? Be specific. (1500 character limit)
• A BYU education will be spiritually strengthening. BYU students have a unique opportunity to seek learning by study and by faith. Describe the reasons you want to learn in an environment like this. (1500 character limit)

You will also be asked to write about two additional activities to help the AdCom get to know who are as a person. You'll have 300 characters to describe the activity and then 1500 characters to explain why you chose to participate in it and how you benefitted from it.

BYU Essay Tips

• Weave a cohesive narrative. Your application should show who you are, where you've been, and where you're going.
• Don't exaggerate. You don't need to have solved cancer or won a Nobel prize to get into BYU. While you do need to be involved in activities, it's more important that you own what you have done and can explain the significance of it.
• Show impact. How have you impacted your communities? How has your involvement in clubs, sports teams, etc. made those groups better? The BYU AdCom wants to admit students who will make BYU a better place. By showing that you've done that in your other activities, you'll make a stronger case for why they should let you in.
• Get deep. The key to powerful essays is sufficient self-reflection. Take time to understand why you made the decisions you did throughout high school, what you care about in a collegiate experience, why you actually want to go to BYU (specifically), how you will make the most of your time there, and what you're interested in long-term.

BYU Essay Examples

Example BYU Essays From Admits

Use these example essays from successful BYU applicants to help you write the best possible essays

In addition to the essays, BYU applicants will also need to select two activities to go deeper into (1500 character limit). As BYU states:

"While you have most likely been involved in many different activities, you will have an opportunity to write about two activities that will help us get to know you as an individual. You will be able to describe the activity, how long you have participated in it, and how you have benefited from your participation."

New AI Essay Policy & Tips

Starting with the 2023-2024 application and continuing to this year, BYU has added a new step to the application process. You will be required to agree to an Essays and Activities Commitment and adhere to the following:

• You must not pay anyone to assist you with your application
• You may not use generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT) to write your responses
• The work you submit must be entirely your own
• You may seek feedback from others to ensure clarity and effectiveness in responding to prompts
• You may use tools like Grammarly to aid in the writing process

If you have any questions regarding your essays, BYU offers free help through representatives . Be aware that BYU uses software to analyze all admission essays and responses and may revoke admission offers to any student whose essay is determined to have been generated by AI or plagiarized in any form.

Additionally, BYU offers specific essay advice on their website:

• Understand the principles of AIMS and use them in your application
• Generally, prioritize recent experiences over older ones
• Avoid repetition -your essays should not merely duplicate your resume. Instead, use them to showcase different facets of yourself and your experiences
• Remember that the only way BYU will know things about you is for you to explicitly tell them. The admissions committee cannot read your mind; the picture they’ll see is the one you put right in front of them.
• Your essays must reflect your own words and ideas. While others can assist in reviewing them, the content must be your authentic work.
• Above all, be genuine!

The BYU Aims outline the goals of a BYU education. Importantly, they are also part of the criteria that the Admissions Committee uses to evaluate potential applicants.

On its website, BYU outlines the AIMS:

"BYU seeks to develop students of faith, intellect, and character who have the skills and the desire to continue learning and to serve others throughout their lives. These are the common aims of all education at BYU. Both those who teach in the classroom and those who direct activities outside the classroom are responsible for contributing to this complete educational vision. A BYU education should be:

• Spiritually Strengthening
• Intellectually Enlarging
• Character Building
• Leading to Lifelong Learning and Service"

In your application, it's crucial to weave in the different Aims. BYU wants students who embody these characteristics; by showing that you do so, you are more likely to be admitted. To get started, make a list for each Aim with any activities/extracurriculars, awards, honors, themes, etc. from your life. Then, you can assign each to a different part of the application. See more about the BYU Aims below.

How to Prepare for BYU Admissions as a High Schooler

Preparing for the BYU application starts years before the deadlines. Here are several things to start doing in your underclassman high school years:

• Join clubs and take leadership positions
• Participate in service projects and organizations
• Take AP classes and do well in them (PS: Read What AP Test Scores Do Colleges Accept? )
• Pursue extracurricular activities
• Cultivate good relationships with teachers, school counselors, and church leaders (bishop, stake president, etc.)

What GPA Do You Need to Get Into BYU?

BYU sets high academic standards for admission, with the middle 50% GPA of admitted students ranging from 3.86 to 4.00 — indicating that most students have achieved straight As or nearly so.

This places BYU among the most competitive private religious universities in the nation. As BYU continues to grow in prominence, competition for admission intensifies. While the university takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications, a higher GPA significantly enhances your chances of acceptance.

Aim for an unweighted 4.0 GPA; if you fall short, strive for at least a 3.86. If your GPA is lower, compensate by excelling in the standardized test. Additionally, take AP-level courses to raise your weighted GPA and demonstrate your readiness for college-level academics.

BYU Application Tips

1. paint the picture of a byu student.

On its website, BYU says that there is “no secret formula for admission.” They consider all parts of the applicant holistically and are looking for the AIMS of BYU Education (see above). These principles guide the entire application process, so it's crucial to embody them across all aspects of your application.

• Spiritually Strengthening – They recommend applicants graduate from the LDS seminary and arrive spiritually prepared. The goal of the university is to provide a spiritually uplifting environment in which to gain an education.
• Intellectually Enlarging – Prospective students are advised to pursue challenging coursework in high school and maintain involvement in extracurricular passions. This dual commitment prepares students for academic rigor and personal growth.
• Character Building – Applicants should be just as strong morally as they are mentally; they should have a solid work ethic, be resilient, and be honest.
• Lifelong Learning and Service – One unofficial motto of BYU is, “Enter to learn, go forth to serve.” Service is a major component of the LDS church and the school, and applicants should have a love of and commitment to serving others.

To align with BYU's expectations, highlight your academic readiness, spiritual preparedness (for LDS applicants), diligence, and alignment with BYU's values. BYU seeks students who will uphold its honor code, prioritize academic excellence, and contribute positively to the campus community.

2. Engage Meaningfully in Extracurricular Activities

Don’t pursue activities that you think BYU “wants” to see in its applicants. Instead, find what brings you joy, and develop your talents in those areas, which may include but are not limited to:

BYU doesn’t care about what you spend your time on (to a certain extent), but rather how you spend your time. Are you becoming a better person? Developing new skills? Contributing to the community? Taking on leadership positions?

As stated on its website, BYU encourages applicants to illustrate their impact through specific examples of meaningful community involvement in their application essays. Don’t take this advice lightly.

Read: How to Build the Best Extracurriculars for College

3. Choose Between the ACT and SAT Based on Your Strengths

BYU holds no preference for either the ACT or SAT, so it's important to select the test that aligns best with your skills and strengths. While both exams cover similar content areas, they differ significantly in format and approach.

Although BYU's average GPA is notably high, the average ACT/SAT scores are slightly less competitive. This presents an opportunity for applicants to distinguish themselves through strong standardized test performance. Each year, the average ACT scores of admitted students increase so aim for a higher-than-average score.

We recommend taking practice tests for both the ACT and SAT to determine which one you perform better on. Develop a comprehensive study plan focusing on improving your weaker areas. Avoid last-minute cramming; preparing for standardized tests requires months of consistent practice, studying, and retaking practice tests to enhance your performance.

By strategically selecting and preparing for the ACT or SAT, you can optimize your chances of achieving a competitive score that strengthens your BYU application.

4. Graduate from Seminary

Historically, graduating from seminary was a crucial requirement for LDS applicants seeking admission to BYU, and it continues to hold significant importance. This achievement not only aligns with BYU's core value of "Spiritually Strengthening" but also signifies your readiness for the university's spiritually enriching environment. Additionally, seminary graduation enhances your connection to potential recommenders, who can serve as mentors and advocates in your application process.

5. Invest in Your Essays

The BYU admissions committee has a specific formula that weighs different parts of the application. Supposedly, one of the most important factors, if not the most important , is the essays. A compelling essay has the potential to offset lower test scores or GPA and illuminate aspects of your candidacy that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Craft a cohesive narrative in your essays that remains focused and builds towards a clear point. Ensure your responses directly address the prompt, reflecting consistently on their relevance to your personal experiences. Your essays should be uniquely yours; if someone else could write the same essay, you probably have some editing to do.

6. Develop Leadership Skills – BYU Values Future Leaders

While listing extracurricular activities is essential, elevating yourself to leadership positions within those activities significantly enhances your prospects for admission to BYU.

Holding leadership roles demonstrates a deep commitment to your interests, cultivates effective communication and interpersonal skills, and showcases your potential for high achievement. BYU actively seeks candidates who show initiative and the capacity to lead, making leadership experience a compelling asset in your application.

7. Foster Meaningful Connections with BYU Staff

All colleges aspire to admit students who want to go to their school. By showing genuine interest in the university’s specific programs, the AdCom will see that getting in means more than checking a box. There are many different ways to do this, but here are a few ideas:

• Participate in campus tours
• Attend on-campus events (Examples: BYU Education Week, seminars, weekly forums, sporting events, sports camps, FSY, plays/musicals, etc.)
• Reach out to the BYU admissions counselors; ask for guidance and inquire about trends they’ve seen in the admissions process

By actively participating in these activities, you not only gain a deeper understanding of BYU but also showcase your genuine commitment and enthusiasm, thereby strengthening your candidacy for admission.

8. Bonus Tip: Take Foreign Language Courses

While not a formal recommendation for admissions, the BYU AdCom weighs classes differently based on certain factors. For example, Honors and AP classes are weighted more heavily than base-level classes. Also, BYU is rumored to pay extra attention to foreign language classes. Another unofficial motto of the school is, “The world is our campus” and the curriculum and standards emphasize the importance of a global education. The BYU Study Abroad Programs are very strong, and over 60% of the student body speaks multiple languages.

By enrolling in foreign language courses, you demonstrate your readiness to contribute to this global perspective, potentially enhancing your application to BYU.

Get Into BYU With the Help of an Expert

Navigating the college application process can be intimidating, but with the guidance of experienced coaches and resources, you can approach it with confidence and clarity. Our team offers a variety of undergraduate admissions coaches who specialize in every aspect of the application journey. Below are some of our top undergrad admissions coaches; see all those with BYU experience here .

Here are several other resources to help you navigate through your applications:

• How to Write a College Application Resume
• The Top 40 College Scholarships
• 4 Tips to Elevate Your College Essay
• Top Questions to Ask a College Admissions Officer

BYU Application FAQs

Does BYU require foreign language?

No, Brigham Young University (BYU) does not require a foreign language for admission. However, having completed foreign language courses in high school can enhance your application and demonstrate academic diversity. Some majors might have specific foreign language requirements, so it's always a good idea to check the program details.

What are the BYU admission requirements?

To gain admission to BYU, applicants must submit the following:

• A completed online application form
• Official high school transcripts
• An ecclesiastical endorsement
• Five essays and two additional activities
• Optional ACT or SAT scores
• Three letters of recommendation
• Additionally, BYU considers your high school GPA, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and service experiences.

Is it hard to get into BYU?

BYU has a competitive admissions process. The acceptance rate for 2024 was 68.7%, making it moderately selective. Admissions decisions are based on a holistic review of your academic achievements, test scores (if submitted), essays, recommendations, and extracurricular involvement. Strong applicants typically have high GPAs, impressive essays, and robust service or leadership experiences.

Is BYU test-optional? What are BYU's SAT/ACT requirements?

Yes, BYU has adopted a test-optional policy until winter 2026. Applicants for the upcoming academic years can choose whether to submit their ACT or SAT scores. While test scores are not mandatory, submitting them can still strengthen your application, especially if your scores are above the university's average range:

• SAT: 1290-1440

Submitting scores within or above these ranges can bolster your application, even though it is not required. Always check the latest admissions guidelines for the most current information.

How many credits do you need to get into BYU?

BYU does not specify a minimum number of high school credits required for admission. However, a strong college preparatory curriculum is recommended, including:

• 4 years of English
• 3-4 years of mathematics
• 2-3 years of science
• 2 years of social science

Additional coursework in foreign language, arts, and technical education can be beneficial.

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Struggling with your BYU application essays? Get professional help before the December deadline

By college essay builder | posted - nov. 16, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., (college essay builder).

Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

Does your child have what it takes to get into BYU?

The stakes of getting accepted to BYU are getting higher and higher. It is estimated that over 12,000 students will apply to BYU — Provo this fall. And using last year's acceptance rates , more than 4,000 won't make the cut.

With such a large pool of applicants, the BYU Admissions Committee is often tasked with choosing between highly-qualified applicants who all meet the minimum requirements. And since BYU is not currently requiring standardized test scores, it is even more difficult for applicants to stand out.

With all of these factors, parents want to know:

"Is there anything I can do to improve my child's chances for acceptance to BYU?" The answer to this question is an absolute "yes!"

How the BYU application essays can make or break your child's acceptance

By the time your child begins their BYU application, nearly all of the application criteria (transcripts, activities, awards, etc.) is fixed and can't be influenced or changed — with one notable exception: the essays.

The BYU application essays have become one of the most critical ways your child will be evaluated by the admissions committee. This is because the essays are the best way for the committee to get to know your child on a personal level to determine how well they have demonstrated their preparation and alignment with the Mission and Aims of BYU .

In fact, the BYU essays are the only real controllable factor your child has at this point that can either help or hurt their chances of getting accepted.

The wrong way to write BYU application essays

Just sitting down to "knock out" the essays without understanding what BYU is looking for is a huge mistake. Successful BYU essays require deep introspection, multiple drafts and a good deal of pre-work. Students who don't allow time for these crucial activities end up writing sub-par BYU essays that suffer from one or more of the following issues:

Too generic

It isn't natural for most high-school seniors to be vulnerable and genuine. This often results in superficial essays that don't give enough information about your child for BYU admissions to complete a proper evaluation.

This year, BYU has shortened most of the essays by 500 characters. The lower the character count, the more difficult it is for students to effectively address everything the prompt is asking for. Consequently, students can easily spend too much of their essay telling a story but not allowing enough space for important connections and reflections.

No effective feedback

Most students work on their BYU essays right up to the deadline and don't have the proper time to get feedback and make revisions. If parents do read the essays, they often don't know how to provide the most helpful feedback. This cycle often results in substantial errors in essay structure, content and grammar.

The right way to write BYU application essays: The 3 most important questions

Susie Boyce, founder of College Essay Builder , has been helping students write BYU application essays since 2007. Over the years, she has discovered three fundamental questions that all successful BYU essays must effectively answer. These three questions are:

Do my child's essays show that they value the aims of a BYU education?

Each BYU essay should correlate directly to one or more of the Aims of a BYU Education . It is critical that the stories and examples your child uses in their essays make the connection clear and personal. A close look at the BYU admissions website emphasizes that BYU uses the aims to evaluate all areas of the application — especially the essays.

Do my child's essays help them stand out from thousands of other applicants?

This fall, BYU will receive more than 70,000 essays. Given the sheer volume, how will you ensure your child's essays stand out and are memorable for all the right reasons?

The key to this question is helping your child identify events, people and stories from their life that highlight their genuine and unique experiences. This requires vulnerability; the essays should tell compelling stories showing your child's journey, growth and transformation. These personal stories can become the heart of each essay, connecting the reader to your child in an unforgettable way.

Do my child's essays demonstrate their character, values, testimony and potential as a BYU student?

BYU has provided some direct expectations about what they want to see in your child's essay on their admissions website :

"...make sure you read the prompt and answer what's being asked. If there's something about you we should know, make sure to include it in your essay responses!"

Why does BYU want your child to share so much? Because the essays are the best chance admissions counselors have to understand and evaluate your child's character, values, testimony and potential as a BYU student.

To effectively do this, your child must address each prompt completely and deeply. Take time to identify stories and examples that showcase how they have grown and developed in these four areas and write conclusions that make a powerful connection to what BYU is looking for.

The bottom line

You can do something to improve your child's chances for acceptance to BYU. Helping your child write their best BYU application essays is the most important way you can accomplish this goal.

But you don't have to do this alone. College Essay Builder has created a comprehensive application essay course for BYU that leads your child step-by-step through the process of writing all the BYU application essays. With the help of videos, downloads, templates and examples, your child will be writing their best BYU essays faster and more effectively than any other method.

In this course your child will learn:

• How to personalize the BYU Aims and meaningfully connect them to each essay.
• How to identify and tell compelling personal stories that demonstrate their potential as a successful BYU student.
• How to approach each essay prompt to address BYU's specific expectations.
• How to start each essay to "hook" the reader.
• How to conclude each essay to make a powerful connection.
• How to write clear and concise paragraphs that answer each prompt completely and deeply.
• How to edit and revise their essays utilizing proprietary feedback guides.

The stakes are too high to not do everything you can to help your child get accepted.

And the most controllable thing you can do right now is to help them write their best BYU essays by enrolling them in the "The Complete Guide to Writing the BYU Application Essays" Pro Course today.

And for a limited time, use the coupon code KSL50 to get $50 off the full course price.

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Limited Seats Remain for Wyoming Home Games Against Idaho, BYU

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LARAMIE -- Just parts of five sections of seating remain for Wyoming's home opener against the Idaho Vandals Sept. 7 in Laramie.

Tickets are going fast for the following Saturday, too.

That's when rival BYU will make its first -- and much-anticipated -- visit to War Memorial Stadium since 2009. It could be the Cougars last visit to the high plains, too.

"It's not lost on me as the head coach and going through all the different parts of the state how big of a game that is for the Wyoming fan base," Jay Sawvel said last July, referring to a series that dates all the way back to 1922. "Maybe, in part, because they're not on any future schedule, either. So, I mean, there's a very real chance that there's a generation of Wyoming fans that this would be the last time that they'll ever see BYU in our stadium."

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Wyoming faces youngest coach in the FBS Saturday in Tempe

*  Nerves? What nerves? 'It's just football'

*  Know Wyoming's Foe: Arizona State Sun Devils

*  Wyoming Football: News and Notes Ahead of Arizona State

*  Aaron Bohl is writing his own story at Wyoming

*  How do you prepare for ASU's new-look offense, 30 incoming transfers?

*  Wyoming's unknown pass rusher looking to become household name

*  Get to know all the latest college football rule changes

*  Q&A with Wyoming's new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson

*  Wyoming's new OC very familiar with Arizona State's starting QB

The Cougars hold a 46-30-3 advantage in the all-time series and have won nine straight over the Cowboys, including a 24-21 victory in the 2016 Poinsettia Bowl.

"This is a big deal. It's a big deal to the fans," Sawvel added. "It's an old rivalry. There's a lot of old tradition to that. You know, our responsibility is to play for Wyoming that night."

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Mountain Time on Sept. 14. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

Wyoming and Idaho have met eight previous times, dating back to 1921. That was also the Vandals last win in the series. The Cowboys held on for a 21-16 victory in Laramie in the last meeting back in 2019.

The tilt with Front Range foe Air Force on Sept. 28, along with the first home game against San Diego State since 2016, also have limited tickets available, according to UW's official website.

Wyoming game tickets can be purchased right HERE .

2024 Wyoming Home Football Schedule

Sept. 7 - Idaho - 1:30 p.m. - TruTV - Tickets starting at $30

Sept. 14 - BYU - 7 p.m. - CBS Sports Network - Tickets starting at $65

Sept. 28 - Air Force - 6 p.m. (Homecoming) - CBS Sports Network - Tickets starting at $45

Oct. 12 - San Diego State - 1:30 p.m. - CBS Sports Network - Tickets starting at $30

Oct. 26 - Utah State - 5 p.m. - CBS Sports Network - Tickets starting at $25

Nov. 23 - Boise State - 5 p.m. - CBS Sports Network - Tickets starting at $25

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

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Fall 2024 Devotional and Forum Schedule

Every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., students, faculty, and employees gather in the BYU-Idaho Center to hear Christ-centered messages at the university’s weekly devotional. Speakers are selected from university employees, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and friends of BYU-Idaho. In addition, each semester one college hosts a guest speaker for a university forum hour.

The public is welcome to attend devotional on campus. Devotionals are also broadcast live on www.byui.edu/devotionals , BYU-Idaho Speeches and BYU-Idaho Radio .

Fall 2024 DEVOTIONAL AND FORUM SCHEDULE

• 17 – President Alvin F. Meredith III and Sister Jennifer Meredith , President of BYU-Idaho and wife

• 21 –   Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf , Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Saturday Devotional)

• 1 – Danny Ricks , BYU-Idaho Religious Education Faculty Member

• 8 – Jennie Pardoe , BYU-Idaho Theatre and Dance Faculty Member

• 15 – Gabriel W. Reid , Second Counselor, Sunday School General Presidency

• 17 – FORUM – Michelle Amos , NASA Electronics Design Engineer

• 22 – Kevin J Worthen , Former President of Brigham Young University

• 29 – Michelle D. Craig , Former First Counselor, Young Women General Presidency

• 3 – Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults – Elder David A. Bednar , Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

• 5 – Tom Waldron , BYU-Idaho Engineering Technology Faculty Member

• 12 – Elder Hans T. Boom , General Authority Seventy

• 19 – Janalee Meeker, BYU-Idaho Student Honor Administrator

• 26 – Richard Whiting , BYU-Idaho Sociology and Social Work Faculty Member

• 3 – Ryan Buttars, BYU-Idaho Auxiliary Services Managing Director

• 10 – Marc Stewart, BYU-Idaho Budget Officer

• 19 – Fall Commencement – Elder Clark G. Gilbert , General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of the Church Educational System