College Application FAQs

The questions below refer to general application issues. Specific answers and details may differ between the Church Educational System (CES) schools, as each is independently managed. Please contact each school separately for detailed answers about your questions.

When are the application deadlines?

Deadlines vary by school and by what type of applicant you are (freshman, transfer, and so forth). Click the links below to view that school's deadlines.

When do I receive an admission decision?

BYU admission decisions are sent out on the dates listed at the Application Deadlines web page. The other three CES schools announce admission decisions four to six weeks after they are received.

Is it easier to get in at a certain time of year?

No, admission is not easier during any particular application period. The admission criteria are the same for every semester or term.

When is the best time to apply?

You should apply for a semester or term that you can physically attend unless you are planning to defer attending for a Church mission (see the next question). Please view the academic calendar for the appropriate school to see when each semester or term begins.

If I am planning to serve a Church mission before I start college, when should I apply?

We recommend you apply to CES schools during your senior year of high school and before you serve your mission. If you are admitted to a CES school, you can complete an online missionary deferment. For scholarship deferment, check each school’s policy. 

Am I more likely to get in if I submit my application early?

Each application is evaluated using the same criteria, regardless of when it is submitted. However, applying early will give you time to gather all required application materials before the deadline, and allow time to deal with any issues.

What happens if my application is late?

If your application is incomplete (unfinished) by the application deadline, it will be withdrawn and not considered—there are no extended deadlines. BYU–H and BYU–I may consider late applications on a space-available basis.

Does my admission to or denial from one CES school impact my application to other CES schools?

No. Each CES school makes admission decisions independently. You will receive a separate admission decision from each school that you applied to.

Are there quotas for particular ethnic, geographic, or religious categories? Am I more or less likely to be admitted based on any of these attributes?

BYU–H has a specific role to serve the Pacific Basin. However, there are no pre-determined quotas or allocations at any CES school.

How does housing selection work with the admission application?

Please contact the housing office of each school for specific housing information.

  • BYU: BYU On-Campus Housing (note: on-campus housing is offered [if available] to admitted students in the order they submit their admission application)
  • BYU–H: Housing (note: priority for on-campus housing is given to new incoming international students and new incoming U.S. domestic students ages 19 and under)
  • BYU–I: Housing and Student Living Office
  • Ensign College: Housing Policy

How can I tell when all parts of my application have been received?

Your status page will help you to keep track of which parts of your application are complete or incomplete. Please note that you will not be able to submit your application until all required materials show as “complete” on your status page.

Is seminary attendance and/or graduation a requirement in order to be considered for admission?

Most students attending CES schools are seminary graduates. Although seminary is not required for admission and scholarship consideration, it is strongly recommended.

How much is the application fee? How do I pay the application fee?

The application fee is a non-refundable, one-time-only fee. The cost is $35 for each CES school. There is a button on the status page that will allow you to pay the application fee.

Are ACT or SAT scores preferred? If more than one exam is submitted, which one will be used in the admission review?

Both ACT and SAT scores are accepted. The highest submitted composite test score will be used for admission purposes.

Note: Ensign College does not require an ACT or SAT score; however, it is recommended.

Is there a way to appeal my decision or to have it re-evaluated?

Admission decisions are considered final for BYU and BYU–I. BYU–H and Ensign College have an appeal process.

How do I apply for scholarships?

Each CES school has its own scholarship application process.

Can I be admitted if I haven’t decided on a major?

When you apply, you will be asked to select your intended major. This is not a binding selection, and you may select a different major at a later date. The policies for declaring a major vary by school. The links below provide information about each school's majors.

Can I transfer between CES schools or into a CES school from a non-CES school?

To begin at a CES school after you have begun at any other school (including another CES school), you must apply to your destination school as a transfer student. The following links provide information each school’s transfer criteria.

What do international applicants need to know about applying to a CES school?

The following links provide information about applying as an international student.

Can I complete a degree online?

For online certificate or degree eligibility, please visit the BYU–I Online Learning page or BYU-Pathway Worldwide Certificates and Degrees page.