BYU International Admission Guide
“Learning is more powerful and truths are better understood when they are shared with others in an effort to help them improve.
… True learning is not a selfish endeavor. True learning is most powerfully experienced and most deeply ingrained when it is used to improve the lives of others.”
Pres. Kevin J. Worthen
“Learning is more powerful and truths are better understood when they are shared with others in an effort to help them improve.
… True learning is not a selfish endeavor. True learning is most powerfully experienced and most deeply ingrained when it is used to improve the lives of others.”
Pres. Kevin J. Worthen
Inspirational Fieldwork
COVID-19 brought much of the world to a screeching halt in the spring of 2020, but it didn’t slow down Brandon Lopez at all. A junior at BYU at the time Brandon had been focusing on HIV virology research, but the global pandemic offered new opportunities for coronavirus research, which Brandon jumped at. Under the watchful mentoring of Dr. Brad Berges (Professor of Microbiology) he has studied whether non-alcoholic hand sanitizers are effective against the virus, and even helped with research for outside companies – all as an undergraduate student.
“I’d remake that decision in a heartbeat if I had to go back,”
Brandon Loepz
Microbiology, 2022
Born in Peru, Brandon’s family immigrated to the United States when he was young. He always knew he wanted to study science, but he didn’t like physics, so it came down to biology or chemistry. He took AP Biology in high school & loved it. When studying the Book of Mormon one day, he read, “by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” (1 Nephi 16:29) Brandon considers that scripture his heavenly help, and he decided on microbiology. Is he glad he made that decision? “I’d remake that decision in a heartbeat if I had to go back,” he says.
Brandon continues his research, sings in University Chorale choir, and will complete his bachelor’s degree in Microbiology in 2022. After that he’ll stay at BYU for a master’s degree, then go somewhere else for his PhD. One day he hopes to be a college professor, much like Dr. Berges, helping students and continuing his research.
“Brandon is working on a project to better understand how subtle genetic changes in HIV can impact how the virus kills human immune cells, which has important implications for AIDS development. He just loves working in the lab; there’s nothing else he’d rather be doing.”
Dr. Brad Berges
Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Biolo
Adia Cardona always knew she wanted to play the violin, and that only having one hand was not going to stop her. Adia is ten years old, has a prosthetic hand, and she also enjoys playing the piano. But the violin was difficult because it was hard to guide the bow with her prosthetic hand. She had an idea to help guide her bow across the strings and showed a rough sketch to her violin teacher, Madilyn Olsen. Madilyn contacted BYU’s College of Engineering and Joshua Vanderpool, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, was the perfect student to help Adia with her idea. Following her rough sketch Joshua was able to 3D print a device to attach to Adia’s violin. She can attach and remove the simple antenna-like device herself, and it has helped her guide the bow over her violin strings with amazing results.
“My job was give her a tool and get out of the way so that she could accomplish whatever she wants.”
Joshua Vanderpool
Mechanical Engineering, 2022
Joshua is president of the BYU 2ft Prosthetics Club which helps develop low-cost prosthetic devices for amputees in need. He has won several on campus innovation competitions and will graduate in 2023 with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After graduation he will attend graduate school in biomedical engineering.
“The moment I met her I could tell she was very determined. My job was give her a tool and get out of the way so that she could accomplish whatever she wants.”
Joshua Vanderpool
Senior, Mechanical Engineering
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has only had missionaries in Macedonia since 2012. Lila Rice Norton was one of those missionaries assigned to Macedonia in the Adriatic South Mission, and she had no idea at the time what her mission experience would lead to. None of the Missionary Training Centers teach Macedonian so she studied Bulgarian instead, then learned Macedonian in the field. There was no Macedonian translation of the Book of Mormon, further complicating missionary work. Shortly after her missionary service the Church reached out and asked her to assist with the translation of the Book of Mormon into Macedonian. With five people on her team, she currently leads the Ecclesiastical Review Committee which is responsible for the final edit of the Book of Mormon translation, all while continuing her undergraduate education at BYU.
“I think it means a lot to [Macedonians] that we’re actually trying to translate it into their language...”
Lila Rice Norton
English, Minor: Translation and Localization, 2022
Lila is a senior majoring in English with a minor in translation and localization. She will graduate in 2022, go on to graduate school, and she would like to continue with Macedonian translation in the future.
“I think it means a lot to [Macedonians] that we’re actually trying to translate it into their language, because oftentimes they feel forgotten. It means a lot that we’re at least trying to connect to them and their language.”
Lila Rice Norton
What impact can you really have as a new college freshman? As a new freshman six years ago, Amanda Lytle joined the BYU BE Together Research Mentorship Program. The program offers new students the opportunity to gain out-of-classroom engineering experience by conducting laboratory research alongside a mentoring faculty member. Amanda jumped in the deep end and has never looked back.
“Amanda didn’t wait to learn relevant material in her classes before she forged into unfamiliar territory…”
Jacob Sheffield
After that first year at BYU Amanda served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guatemala. Upon her return she again jumped in, this time joining the Compliant Mechanisms Research Group (CMR), which allowed her to work with other students and faculty to create compliant mechanism theories and applications that make a difference in the real world. Along the way she designed and developed aspects of LaparoVision, a tiny windshield wiper for laparoscope camera lenses. LaparoVision uses origami engineering with spring energy and allows surgeons to keep the laparoscope in the patient during surgery without having to remove it to clean the lens.
Amanda will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering next year and plans to continue with engineering research and possibly graduate school in the future.
“Amanda didn’t wait to learn relevant material in her classes before she forged into unfamiliar territory gaining new knowledge and skills to make herself valuable to the progress of LaparoVision.”
Jacob Sheffield
Research Assistant, Mechanical Engineering
COVID-19 brought much of the world to a screeching halt in the spring of 2020, but it didn’t slow down Brandon Lopez at all. A junior at BYU at the time Brandon had been focusing on HIV virology research, but the global pandemic offered new opportunities for coronavirus research, which Brandon jumped at. Under the watchful mentoring of Dr. Brad Berges (Professor of Microbiology) he has studied whether non-alcoholic hand sanitizers are effective against the virus, and even helped with research for outside companies – all as an undergraduate student.
“I’d remake that decision in a heartbeat if I had to go back,”
Brandon Loepz
Microbiology, 2022
Born in Peru, Brandon’s family immigrated to the United States when he was young. He always knew he wanted to study science, but he didn’t like physics, so it came down to biology or chemistry. He took AP Biology in high school & loved it. When studying the Book of Mormon one day, he read, “by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” (1 Nephi 16:29) Brandon considers that scripture his heavenly help, and he decided on microbiology. Is he glad he made that decision? “I’d remake that decision in a heartbeat if I had to go back,” he says.
Brandon continues his research, sings in University Chorale choir, and will complete his bachelor’s degree in Microbiology in 2022. After that he’ll stay at BYU for a master’s degree, then go somewhere else for his PhD. One day he hopes to be a college professor, much like Dr. Berges, helping students and continuing his research.
“Brandon is working on a project to better understand how subtle genetic changes in HIV can impact how the virus kills human immune cells, which has important implications for AIDS development. He just loves working in the lab; there’s nothing else he’d rather be doing.”
Dr. Brad Berges
Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Biolo
Adia Cardona always knew she wanted to play the violin, and that only having one hand was not going to stop her. Adia is ten years old, has a prosthetic hand, and she also enjoys playing the piano. But the violin was difficult because it was hard to guide the bow with her prosthetic hand. She had an idea to help guide her bow across the strings and showed a rough sketch to her violin teacher, Madilyn Olsen. Madilyn contacted BYU’s College of Engineering and Joshua Vanderpool, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, was the perfect student to help Adia with her idea. Following her rough sketch Joshua was able to 3D print a device to attach to Adia’s violin. She can attach and remove the simple antenna-like device herself, and it has helped her guide the bow over her violin strings with amazing results.
“My job was give her a tool and get out of the way so that she could accomplish whatever she wants.”
Joshua Vanderpool
Mechanical Engineering, 2022
Joshua is president of the BYU 2ft Prosthetics Club which helps develop low-cost prosthetic devices for amputees in need. He has won several on campus innovation competitions and will graduate in 2023 with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After graduation he will attend graduate school in biomedical engineering.
“The moment I met her I could tell she was very determined. My job was give her a tool and get out of the way so that she could accomplish whatever she wants.”
Joshua Vanderpool
Senior, Mechanical Engineering
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has only had missionaries in Macedonia since 2012. Lila Rice Norton was one of those missionaries assigned to Macedonia in the Adriatic South Mission, and she had no idea at the time what her mission experience would lead to. None of the Missionary Training Centers teach Macedonian so she studied Bulgarian instead, then learned Macedonian in the field. There was no Macedonian translation of the Book of Mormon, further complicating missionary work. Shortly after her missionary service the Church reached out and asked her to assist with the translation of the Book of Mormon into Macedonian. With five people on her team, she currently leads the Ecclesiastical Review Committee which is responsible for the final edit of the Book of Mormon translation, all while continuing her undergraduate education at BYU.
“I think it means a lot to [Macedonians] that we’re actually trying to translate it into their language...”
Lila Rice Norton
English, Minor: Translation and Localization, 2022
Lila is a senior majoring in English with a minor in translation and localization. She will graduate in 2022, go on to graduate school, and she would like to continue with Macedonian translation in the future.
“I think it means a lot to [Macedonians] that we’re actually trying to translate it into their language, because oftentimes they feel forgotten. It means a lot that we’re at least trying to connect to them and their language.”
Lila Rice Norton
What impact can you really have as a new college freshman? As a new freshman six years ago, Amanda Lytle joined the BYU BE Together Research Mentorship Program. The program offers new students the opportunity to gain out-of-classroom engineering experience by conducting laboratory research alongside a mentoring faculty member. Amanda jumped in the deep end and has never looked back.
“Amanda didn’t wait to learn relevant material in her classes before she forged into unfamiliar territory…”
Jacob Sheffield
After that first year at BYU Amanda served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guatemala. Upon her return she again jumped in, this time joining the Compliant Mechanisms Research Group (CMR), which allowed her to work with other students and faculty to create compliant mechanism theories and applications that make a difference in the real world. Along the way she designed and developed aspects of LaparoVision, a tiny windshield wiper for laparoscope camera lenses. LaparoVision uses origami engineering with spring energy and allows surgeons to keep the laparoscope in the patient during surgery without having to remove it to clean the lens.
Amanda will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering next year and plans to continue with engineering research and possibly graduate school in the future.
“Amanda didn’t wait to learn relevant material in her classes before she forged into unfamiliar territory gaining new knowledge and skills to make herself valuable to the progress of LaparoVision.”
Jacob Sheffield
Research Assistant, Mechanical Engineering
Fun
Facts
& Rankings
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.•
“Continue your education, wherever you are, whatever your interest and opportunity may be. Determine how you can best serve your family and society and prepare well. … Regardless of your personal choice of career, your education is the key.” —
President Russell M. Nelson
Spiritually Strengthening
Spiritually Strengthening
Intellectually
Enlarging
Character
Building
Leading to Lifelong Learning and Service
What we l
k for
you !
Admission Review
Whether you are applying as a freshman or a transfer student, there is no secret formula for admission to BYU. We define “freshman” as one who has not completed any college/university work following high school graduation or secondary education completion. We define “transfer” as an applicant who attended college or university after completion of high school or secondary education. A full account of your academic history will be required, regardless of transferability or desired program of study.
TEST SCORES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English Proficiency Requirements
TOEFL iBT
– Reading: 20
– Writing: 20
– Speaking: 20
– Listening: 20
– Use of English —
– Overall: 80
IELTS (Academic)
– Reading: 6.0
– Writing: 6.0
– Speaking: 6.5
– Listening: 60
– Use of English —
– Overall: 6.5
PTE
– Reading: 49
– Writing: 49
– Speaking: 49
– Listening: 49
– Use of English —
– Overall: 53
Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficient
– Reading: 172
– Writing: 172
– Speaking: 180
– Listening: 172
– Use of English 180
– Overall: 180
Learn more at about English Proficiency at: englishprof.byu.edu
Strengthening› Intellectually
Enlarging› Character
Building› Lifelong Learning
and Service
“The founding charge of BYU is to teach every subject with the Spirit.” BYU provides a world-class education within a spiritual environment. To help you feel comfortable here, we recommend attending, participating in, and graduating from LDS seminary. We also recommend that you regularly participate in church meetings, programs, and activities. If you are spiritually prepared, BYU will provide you with the opportunity to strengthen your testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ while studying for your degree.
“Members of the BYU community rigorously study academic subjects in the light of divine truth.” To be prepared academically, we recommend you take challenging, college preparatory classes during high school. We also encourage you to pursue your passions inside and outside of the classroom. Your academic preparation will allow you to learn from BYU’s faculty and even work alongside them in their research and fieldwork.
“BYU has always cared as much about strong moral character as about great mental capability.” A person of character should have a strong work ethic and be able to demonstrate resilience and honesty. You should be respectful of others despite differences, honor commitments, and have integrity in all you do. The BYU community will support you as you continue to strengthen your character and pursue a life consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Students “enter to learn” at BYU and then “go forth to serve.” Our graduates use what they learn to make the world a better place. We look for students that already have a love of learning and a sincere desire to serve others. Cultivate your love of service through sustained exposure to meaningful service opportunities. BYU offers learning and service opportunities through various clubs and organizations that will help you continue your commitment to lifelong learning and service.
Aims of a BYU Education
aims.byu.eduTo better understand these principles:
What we look forAdmission Statistics
admissionstats.byu.eduAP/IB Credit:
apib.byu.eduPreparation Recommendations
– Live the standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
– Attend and graduate from Latter-day Saint seminary. After high school, attend Latter-day Saint Institute of Religion classes if not attending a CES school.
– Participate in meaningful service opportunities.
– Get involved in extracurricular activities— develop your specific talents.
– Be genuine in your application.
– Plan to provide specific examples of how you have contributed in meaningful ways as you write your application essays.
– If your native language is not English a current English Proficiency Exam score will be required. See the table to for accepted tests and minimum requirements, or online at englishprof.byu.edu.
Tips for Success
Your preparation is an important component to success in higher education. The following tips can help your application go more smoothly.
BYU will be test-optional (ACT/SAT) for admission consideration through the winter 2024 application. This means an ACT or SAT result may not be required for admission consideration. For more details see testoptional.byu.edu.
Plan early – test registrations (English Proficiency, etc.) and credential evaluation can take several weeks or longer. To avoid rush fees, plan to register for these application requirements at least 2-3 months before the application deadline.
You should list your name on the application and register for any tests with your name exactly as it appears on your passport. This will help to ensure scores submitted electronically are properly received. Any variation may cause delay.
An endorsement must be submitted from your ecclesiastical leader on your behalf. If you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) you must be interviewed by either your own ecclesiastical leader or an Latter-day Saint bishop as well as the University Chaplain.
If you have attended any U.S. high schools, or U.S. accredited high schools, you will need to self-report this work on the application. An official transcript will be required only if you are admitted. Failure to provide accurate information on any portion of the application may result in rescinded admission.
Only apply for the semester or term you wish to start. Unless deferring for a mission, you must attend the term/semester you are admitted.
Admission to one semester or term is not easier than another.
If you have completed a bachelor’s degree you are not eligible for a second bachelor’s degree from BYU, but are welcome to apply to BYU graduate programs.
It is unlikely that BYU will admit transfer applicants that have 90 credits or more—even if that credit will not transfer.
Evaluate International Work
—
All secondary education and college work (not U.S. accredited) done outside the United States must be evaluated by an international credential evaluations agency at the applicant’s expense. Please visit inteval.byu.edu to see from which agencies we accept evaluations.
DIRECTORY
-
Admissions
801-422-4104
ymessage.byu.edu
admissions.byu.edu
Campus Tours
801-422-1280
campustours@byu.edu
tours.byu.edu
Employment, Student
801-422-3561
student_hire@byu.edu
studentjobs.byu.edu
International Student & Scholar Services
801-422-2695
intloff@byu.edu
iss.byu.edu
Multicultural Student Services
801-422-3065
byumulticultural@byu.edu
multicultural.byu.edu
Transfer Advisement
801-422-8522
transfer@byu.edu
transfer.byu.edu
Freshmen Due Dates & Deadlines
Application deadlines are final. In order to submit your application, we must receive ALL application materials—including those submitted by others on your behalf. Any application not submitted by the deadline will not be considered.
Spring 2022
Priority Deadline*
November 1, 2021
Deadline
December 15, 2021
Admission & Scholarship Notification
February 21, 2022
Final Verification Deadline
March 15, 2022
Summer 2022
Fall 2022
Winter 2023
NOTES:
All deadlines are 11:59 PM (Mountain Time). Although our offices will close at 6:00 PM, the application will still be available online through 11:59 PM (Mountain Time).
Because of the level of intellectual, social, and emotional maturity required of university students, BYU does not admit applicants who will be less than 17 years of age by the first day of class.
Due to limited availability of ACT and SAT exam options during the COVID-19 global pandemic, most applicants are not required to submit a standardized test score to be considered for admission to BYU through winter 2024 application deadlines. However, you may choose to submit a test score if you feel it will strengthen your application. For more details see: testoptional.byu.edu.
*Applicants who submit the application by the priority deadline will receive extra consideration in the admission process.
Transfer Application Deadlines
Spring 2022
Summer 2022
Fall 2022
Winter 2023
NOTES:
All deadlines are 11:59 PM (Mountain Time). Although our offices will close at 6:00 PM, the application will still be available online through 11:59 PM (Mountain Time).
Because of the level of intellectual, social, and emotional maturity required of university students, BYU does not admit applicants who will be less than 17 years of age by the first day of class.
Due to limited availability of ACT and SAT exam options during the COVID-19 global pandemic, most applicants are not required to submit a standardized test score to be considered for admission to BYU through winter 2024 application deadlines. However, you may choose to submit a test score if you feel it will strengthen your application. For more details see: testoptional.byu.edu.
*FOR TRANSFER: To be considered for eligible scholarships, transfer applicants must apply and complete the BYU scholarship application by this deadline.
**FOR TRANSFER: Transfer applicants who apply by the December 15, 2021 deadline will receive their admission decision by this date.
Application Deadlines
View deadline calendarTest Optional
testoptional.byu.eduAdmission Application
apply.byu.eduPaying for BYU
42% of enrolled new freshmen receive a scholarship
Cost of Attendance 2021-22*
| Latter-day Saint Tuition | $6,120 |
| Non-Latter-day Saint Tuition | $12,240 |
| Room & Board | $8,048 |
| Books & Supplies | $912 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,456 |
| Transportation | $2,560 |
| Loan Fees | $60 |
| Latter-day Saint Total | $20,156 |
| Non-Latter-day Saint Total | $26,276 |
*Based on two semesters.
All costs, except for tuition, are estimates.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Federal financial aid is not available to international students. Applicants must submit the BYU scholarship application (see URL below) by the scholarship deadline.
Financial Requirements
—
BYU International Student and Scholar Services will oversee that the following 3 requirements are met and remove the registration holds. The deadline for these three requirements is the same as the financial verification deadline. International students who are admitted to BYU will need to complete the following requirements before receiving the Form I-20 and having registration holds removed:
- Financial Verification
International students must provide verification that they are able to meet the Cost of Attendance for one year. You must complete an Affidavit of Support accompanied with the most recent copy of the bank statement for each sponsor.
- International Student Deposit
An International Student Deposit of $4,000 USD will be required. The deposit will be held in an interest-earning escrow account with the intent to be released to the student during their final semester before graduation. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
- I-20 Transfer Request Form (if applicable)
International students who are currently studying in the United States will be required to transfer their SEVIS record to BYU.
Work
—
Students studying on an F-1 Visa are generally permitted to work on campus. Their work is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session (can be up to 40 during official school breaks). Subject to availability and department policy.
186
Majors
to help prepare you for your future
NOTES:
These majors are correct at time of publishing
*Limited-enrollment programs (department approval required)
This majors list was last updated June 22, 2021
Major Details
majors.byu.eduGet to know the Majors
majorsnippets.byu.eduCompliance
Brigham Young University (BYU), is affiliated with and supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is part of the Church Educational System (CES). BYU exists to provide an education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In compliance with applicable state and federal nondiscrimination laws (e.g., Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504), BYU does not unlawfully discriminate against applicants for admission based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. Applicants who meet the requirements for admission and agree to abide by the Church Educational System Honor Code are accepted for enrollment based upon their qualifications and available space. To maintain an educational atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a lawful admission preference is given to members of the Church in good standing.
Questions or complaints about unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex (including sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct) may be referred to the Title IX coordinator at 1085 WSC, 801-422-8692, or t9coordinator@byu.edu. Questions or complaints about unlawful discrimination on any other basis listed above may be referred to the equal opportunity manager at D-282 ASB, 801-422-5895, eo_manager@byu.edu. Individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations by contacting the University Accessibility Center at 2170 WSC, 801-422-2767, uacfrontdesk@byu.edu.