Admissions

The greatest hurdle... For many people the greatest hurdle of all is just getting the chance to attend BYU or that is what they think... before I dig too far into this, lets get some perspective.

I have started this entry and now realize there is so much to say about it! So the perspective. I have talked with several people who explain to me that BYU is such a big deal. This is especially the case in smaller LDS areas. It is a big deal. BYU is a fabulous school. There are those who will tell you and even broadcast they had a bad experience at BYU. Not everyone has some kind of miraculous experience but if a student really participates in campus, follows rules, has a good attitude, and is open to learning -- it is more than just college. BYU is an experience that can enrich your life. Don't worry though, you don't have to take my word for it... read what this guy said about it http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=2973.

BYU is hard. People rarely think of the high expectation that BYU has for its students after they get admitted. Academically it is more competitive that any high school someone may have attended. With hundreds of valedictorians and other students that completed their associates degree during their senior year of high school... anyone who felt smart quickly realizes you are average or just dumb. BYU's freshman applicants are encouraged to have above a 27 ACT and 3.7 GPA in addition to being a seminary graduate, completing 150+ services hours, getting rave reviews from your bishop, and writing a killer essay (these are all part of the application--if you haven't applied you can on BeSmart.com). The bar is high--prepare for it.

Ok, I also know what you are thinking... there is that bratty kid down the street that you know only had a 3.2 GPA. Did he kill the ACT and get a 33. That makes up for it. BYU goes through a crazy process and takes everything into consideration. They say it is a holistic review--and it is. They go through everything! (So be sure to check your grammar and spelling on your essay... it would be embarrassing to be explaining how awesome you did on your AP english test if you forgot to capitalize a proper noun :))

So what you don't get in to BYU. What is the deal? Kidding. You should still want to go. It is super easy to apply again. And it also won't cost you anything. BYU has a one-time application fee policy. You can apply over and over if you have been denied... but you better change something on your application... they already saw you only got a 23 on the ACT--and it didn't matter that you explained in the essay you didn't sleep the night before cause your friend didn't accept your facebook friend request. Ok--sorry for being so facetious. I'll try to stop.

You are denied. Like I said. Reapply! For the time being you can get some other experience under your belt and even save a bunch of $$ if you are smart about it. The other CES schools rock. Go to one of them for a year. BYU-I is fantastic! (Other than being is Rexburg from what I hear--but that is a rumor too. Tons of people love it.) Also, no one seems to know about LDSBC. If you don't know about LDSBC, you have got to check it out! http://www.ldsbc.edu/ There website doesn't really have a lot on it but it is a great place to start. Get a transfer degree and go to BYU when you are done.

This is another time you have to check your perspective... about 12,000+ students apply to BYU as new freshman and BYU can only admit so many students. It fills up fast! Prepare by getting good grades, taking the ACT more than once (people's scores generally improve by 1 or 2 points when they retake it), and apply early. BYU offers a priority deadline that will boost your application if you turn in you application before December 1 (you'll still wait until February to hear back though). Perspective... just because you didn't make it into BYU the world is going to end... even though you and your parents will think that for a week or two--but make a plan B. BYU looked over you application. All the decision BYU makes should be considered final (that is what they say). I have heard of exceptions... but read this carefully... it is for BIG stuff. The kid who was blinded in a car accident in school, the kid who's dad was diagnosed with cancer and has been in the hospital for the past year... first of all, students should say something about this in the essay! However, the kids who just didn't try during sophomore year, or were on the football team, or were doing other great stuff other than keeping their grades up... can prove it by getting good grades at another college and transferring.

Transferring. BYU accepts tons of transfer students every year. Students who stayed home and saved some cash, students from BYU-I, students from UVU, students from everywhere come. Keep in mind you'll need a 3.6 GPA. Also, if you get 30+ college credits before you apply, BYU doesn't even look at those old high school grades. It might not be a bad idea to make sure any credits you take at another school will transfer... look online http://saas.byu.edu/admissionsServices/transferEvaluation/ or email them transfer@byu.edu.

Another way to attend BYU is through the BYU Salt Lake Center http://ce.byu.edu/sl/, the Visiting Student Program http://saas.byu.edu/admissionsServices/admissions/visiting.php?prospective, or the Evening School http://ce.byu.edu/ev/. All these are options but do have different enrollment restrictions and eligibility requirements.

Anyways, it is kinda obvious I am new to this... I have rambled on an don't know if any of this will help you. Please met me know--leave a comment. Maybe in some future updates I'll include some more specifics and talk about what to do if you do get your wish granted and are admitted to BYU. Like I started out with, if you do get the opportunity... there are high expectations for you, so please make it a great experience.