Are you thinking about enrolling at BYU Acceptance Rate? If yes then you are at the right place. We have curated a blog, especially for you. In this article, we will be discussing the Brigham Young University acceptance rate, application process, GPA requirements, SAT requirements, ACT scores, admission process, selection criteria, and more. So let’s get started.
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Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University started as a private college in 1875. It is located on 557 acres in the city. It attracts about 8,402 freshman applicants each year. The academic calendar is divided into semesters.
The university is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so students receive a religious and moral education. There are around 300 student groups on campus. The BYU Cougars compete in the West Coast Conference as a Division I team, with over 140 NFL draft picks. This greatly contributed to the football team’s success.
Students can participate in intramural sports, with about 40% of them joining in. Living on campus in Provo, Utah, is recommended for first-year students. But, it is not mandatory. All students must follow a strict code of conduct. This includes rules about relationships and appearance.
BYU is close to hiking and biking trails in the Wasatch Mountains. The Missionary Training Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also located in Provo. This center helps prepare members for 18 months of service abroad.
BYU is known for its language programs. It offers classes in 62 different languages. Around 65% of students are bilingual or multilingual. Also, there are BYU campuses outside of Provo.
What is BYU Acceptance Rate?
Getting into BYU can be a bit tough because it has a 69.7% acceptance rate. However, if you meet the admission requirements, you have a good chance of getting in. Last year, out of 12,061 applicants, 8,402 students were accepted.
Year | Acceptance Rate |
2023 | 69.7% |
2022 | 69% |
2021 | 59% |
2020 | 67.5% |
2019 | 68.5% |
BYU typically looks for students with an “A-” grade point average in high school. Academically, BYU admits students with high admission test scores, often from the top 21% of their class.
The majority of new first-year students at BYU graduated in the top quarter of their high school class. This indicates that admission to the school is highly competitive, and many students aim to attend BYU. Students interested in attending BYU are curious about what factors impact the university’s acceptance rate.
While academic performance plays an important role, it’s also important to consider financial aid availability. One way that students can receive financial assistance is by applying for scholarships through the BYU Scholarship Application. This application provides various scholarship opportunities tailored to students’ achievements and aspirations.
Admission Requirements
Brigham Young University’s admission process has several steps. First, they screen candidates based on their GPA, SAT, and ACT scores. If you pass this stage, you will be invited for an interview.
During the interview, they will ask you about your hobbies, interests, and why you want to pursue your chosen degree. Recent data shows that most students who are invited for an interview end up getting selected.
GPA Requirements
BYU’s average GPA is 3.86. This makes it a very selective school. If you are aiming to apply there, it is wise to aim for a GPA of 4.00 or higher.
Schools with this GPA range often try to become more selective, so increasing your GPA can improve your chances of acceptance.
SAT Requirements
BYU usually accepts students who rank in the top 24 percent of SAT test-takers, with composite scores as low as 1200. But remember, admission can be tough with scores around 1090.
The average SAT score for incoming freshmen is 1310. It is the highest in the state. Around 28 percent of applicants submit SAT scores.
For SAT scores, you should aim for at least 600 in reading and writing, and 590 in math for a good chance at admission. Your composite score should ideally be between 1190 and 1420.
ACT Requirements
To be considered for admission to BYU, you should aim for an ACT composite score of at least 26. Most students who get into BYU have ACT scores between 26 and 32.
So, try to score around 28 to increase your chances. Please make sure to send your ACT results to the university, as around 90 percent of applicants do so.
How to Apply at BYU?
When applying to BYU, you can use the university’s online application system. Along with your application, you will need to submit several documents and fulfill certain requirements. These include:
- High school transcript
- Essays
- Ecclesiastical endorsement
- Seminary recommendation
- High school teacher recommendation
You will also need to agree to the honor code. Also, you have the option to submit your SAT/ACT scores, but they are not required.
How Can You Fulfill BYU Admission Requirements?
- You should try to follow Jesus Christ’s teachings and the standards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- You should engage in seminary and religious classes to deepen your faith.
- You must choose challenging courses like AP or IB programs. You should also consider options for earning college credits while in high school. Your grades and credits will be important for your college application.
- If you are taking standardized tests like the SAT or ACT, you should aim for your best score.
- You should get involved in extracurricular activities that interest you and showcase your talents, whether it’s music, art, sports, or community service.
- When writing your application essays, include specific examples of how you have contributed positively to your community.
What does BYU Look for in its Students?
BYU is closely tied to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Religious affiliation plays a significant role in admissions. While it is not mandatory to be a church member, most students are.
Those who are not members pay double the tuition fees. The school has a strict honor code covering various aspects of behavior. It includes staying away from certain activities like premarital sex, using profanity, and substance abuse.
Hostel rooms are separated by gender. There are rules about dress and grooming. For example, men can’t have beards, and women are limited to one ear piercing.
Same-sex relationships are against the honor code. This might pose challenges for LGBTQ students.
How does BYU Review its Applications?
Brigham Young University looks at various factors when reviewing applications. They consider things like the difficulty of your courses, your grades, test scores, essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talents, character, and religious affiliation. These are all very important.
Being the first in your family to attend college is also important to them. They also think about your interest in the university, but it is not the main focus.
Things like your class rank, whether you had an interview, if you have family who went to BYU before, where you live, and your race or ethnicity don’t play a big role in their decision.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting into BYU
1. GPA scores
To get into BYU, you should aim for a GPA of at least 3.86 and take challenging classes. Your GPA is crucial for BYU admissions. The average GPA for incoming students is 3.86.
If your GPA falls short, your application might not get serious consideration. You can improve your chances by increasing your GPA early in high school or by focusing on higher test scores if you are a junior or senior.
Besides grades, the difficulty of your classes matters a lot to BYU. They want to see that you have taken challenging courses. It should be ideally between five and eight AP classes. Simply having good grades is not enough. You need to earn them in tough classes to impress the faculty at BYU.
2. SAT and ACT scores
For BYU admissions, your standardized test scores matter a lot. The middle 50% of accepted students in the Class of 2025 had SAT scores between 1210 and 1400, or ACT scores between 26 and 32.
Although BYU is test-optional until winter 2024, it is recommended to take the SAT or ACT if you can do it safely. Students who submit test scores tend to have higher acceptance rates.
Even though BYU does not combine your best scores from multiple tests, it is a good idea to take the exam two or three times to improve your chances. Most students see improvements with multiple attempts, so don’t hesitate to retake the test if needed.
3. Extracurricular Activities
At Brigham Young University, what you do outside of class matters for your application. Your extracurricular activities, talents, character, volunteer work, and job experience are all crucial to the faculty members at BYU.
You should have one or two strong extracurriculars or a standout interest. This can make a big difference. The more impressive your activities, the better your chances of standing out.
BYU values church-related activities a lot, so being involved in church events and programs can boost your application. They also care about service. So, if you show a genuine interest in helping others, it will help you get enrolled.
4. Write Compelling Essays
When applying to BYU, you will need to write essays that change every year. Your essay should be in your words and show how you will fit in at BYU. It should also highlight how the school will benefit from having you.
Please make sure your essay talks about your readiness in four key areas: spiritual growth, academic development, building character, and a commitment to lifelong service and learning.
5. Recommendations
As part of your BYU application, you will need to get a few recommendations. You will need a religious recommendation from your clergy, one from your seminary teacher, and another from a high school teacher, preferably in math, science, or English from your junior or senior year.
You can also get a recommendation from someone who is not a family member. If you are not a Latter-day Saint, your religious recommendation can come from your religious leader. BYU will send your recommenders a form to fill out.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it hard to get accepted to BYU?
BYU accepts about two-thirds of its applicants. About half of the students who got in had SAT scores ranging from 1280 to 1468, or ACT scores between 26 and 32.
2. Why is BYU so hard to get into?
BYU is getting more competitive. It is one of the toughest religious schools academically. When applying, know that having a higher GPA can increase your chances. You should aim for a perfect 4.0, but if you don’t reach it, you should aim for at least 3.86 to improve your chances of acceptance.
3. Does BYU have strict rules?
You should follow these guidelines during your time at BYU:
– Stay away from alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, marijuana, and any other drugs
– Attend Church services regularly
– Show respect to others
– Avoid using rude or offensive language
– Obey the law and follow the campus rules, including the Dress and Grooming standards set by CES.
4. What happens if I don’t get into BYU?
If you want to apply again, you can do so for the next semester or term. You should update your application with new essays, activities, and recommendations. Also, include any new educational history information, like your final high school grades.
Conclusion
Getting into BYU is not about following a secret formula. Your application gets looked at from every angle. So, make sure to share all about yourself.
It is your chance to shine, so put in the effort to tell your story authentically. Be honest with yourself and the faculty at BYU throughout the admission and application process.
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