What are my chances of getting accepted to BYU? And what can I do if I'm denied?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brigham Young University
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<p>I recentely submitted my application to BYU (in time for the priority deadline), and I really want to go there, as it will be my only opportunity to go there together with my brother before I leave for my mission and he graduates, so any advice from anyone who is at all familiar with BYU admissions would be highly appreciated! My application is as follows (kinda long, so you can just skip to the bottom for a summary and my numbers if you want):</p>

<p>Extracurriculars</p>

<p>ART (1/5)
-Participated in an art contest, camp or public display</p>

<p>ATHLETICS (1/5)
-Participated in one or more high school sports</p>

<p>CHURCH LEADERSHIP AND AWARDS (4/5)
-Served in a class/quorum presidency
-Served on a stake/district committee
-Served in a seminary leadership position
-Earned/will earn Duty to God or Young Women’s Recognition Award</p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE/SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARDS (3/7)
-Received an award for community service
-Earned Eagle Scout/Girl Scout Gold Award
-Actively involved in school or community clubs and organizations</p>

<p>HOURS PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNITY OR SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES
-200 (with options 50, 100, 150, and 200)</p>

<p>MATH/SCIENCE (1/5)
-Participated in an official math/science/computer science camp or contest</p>

<p>PERFORMING ARTS (3/5)
-Performed in musical groups, dance troupes, plays, concerts, etc.
-Received formal performance instruction for 4 or more years
-Performed as lead or featured soloist in five or more major ensemble performance events</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE (1/4)
-Employed while attending high school or during summer</p>

<p>SPEECH (1/5)
-Participated in a formal speech/debate camp or contest</p>

<p>WRITING (0/0)</p>

<p>OTHER (IF NEEDED) - 100 CHARACTER LIMIT EACH. (3/3)
Other 1: Private piano, drum, and trumpet lessons.
Other 2: Private martial arts instruction and cross-country training.
Other 3: Designed the chosen cover for my high school yearbook.</p>

<p>HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
AP Classes completed or currently enrolled in:

  • Art - Studio: Drawing (Full)</p>

<p>If you are currently attending high school, please enter the classes you have taken or will take in 12th grade (including any AP or IB classes you listed above.)
1 - Advanced Composition
2 - Algebra 2/Trigonometry
3 - Chemistry
4 - Spanish 5-6<br>
5 - Jazz Ensemble
6 - Studio Art<br>
7 - Civics/US Govt<br>
8 - Economics </p>

<p>Essays</p>

<li>What sets you apart from other applicants, based on unique educational or life experiences, personal or family circumstances, obstacles overcome and/or achievements? (200 words or less)</li>
</ol>

<p>I was the victim of bullies in middle school. Being dogpiled and beaten by people who I thought were my friends was a very hurtful experience. That feeling of helplessness carried over into my life at school and at home. My grades plummeted, and eventually my parents decided to send me to a seven-week desert survival program. It was the hardest seven weeks of my life. I had several life-threatening experiences, from facing a rattlesnake, to almost falling off a cliff, to getting trapped in a five-mile-long flooded canyon, soaked in cold water, with night fast approaching. I learned that I could take control of my life and the hard situations I was facing. Since then my grades have steadily improved, from a 1.57 GPA my first semester of high school to 3.67 this last semester. I am attending a private school and enjoying success in all aspects of my life. The dramatic change in my high school record demonstrates that I know how to overcome difficult situations. I know that I have what it takes to succeed, and I eagerly look forward to applying it to my college education.</p>

<li>Describe why you want to attend an institution within the LDS Church Educational System and what value you will add to that institution. (200 words or less)</li>
</ol>

<p>Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area familiarized me with the views of people who do not share my values. The liberal moral values that surrounded me taught me to not only tolerate other views, but to cooperate and seek common ground. I found opportunities to share kindness and truth even when faced with persuasive or belligerent people. I have learned the right and the wrong ways to go about my goals—whether they are to perform well with my upcoming jazz solo or to succeed in classes in anticipation of my future plans to attend business school. With my mission rapidly approaching, I would love the new experience of an LDS environment where I can associate with those who share my standards. Church schools provide the best setting in which to prepare for my mission, graduate studies, and a future career. My classmates who openly challenged my beliefs made me realize how fortunate I am to have firmly established faith and morals. I learned how to work with people who think differently than I do, and look forward to what I will learn as I work with people in a church university setting.</p>

<p>My overall GPA is a 3.0, from a 1.57 freshman, then 2.5, then 3.1, then 3.67 this last semester. I got a 27 on the ACT, and an 1880 (out of 2400) on the SAT.</p>

<p>I applied with this to BYU provo as my 1st choice, BYU Idaho as my 2nd, and then also BYU hawaii as my 3rd and LDSBC as my 4th. The application also mentions that I have parents / siblings that attended BYU provo, and that my parents graduated with high degrees from their colleges. So there you have it.
What do you think overall based off all this about my chance of getting in, or at least being put into the “hold” category? Because, without the damage my freshman year did, I would have around a 3.7 gpa and be much more likely to get in - do they recognize that? How much will they account for improvement, change, and who I am now?
But if I was to be put in the hold category, what would happen and what could I do to improve my chances of getting accepted, if anything?
And, lastly, what could I do if I get denied? Is there anyway to appeal to them and set up a probationary acceptance (like something where I have to keep my gpa above 3.5 or something to stay in), or to attend as a visiting student beforehand and then transfer?</p>

<p>If I can’t get into BYU this year, I will definitely transfer from whatever college I attend for my sophomore year (when I return from my mission) - but in the meantime I would’ve basically missed my last opportunity to be with my brother before we separate off into our adult lives! So I really want to avoid that!</p>

<p>Thanks so much in advance to anyone everyone even if you didn’t read through all that ^ (and i wouldn’t blame you ;))</p>

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<p>I can tell you about the kids who are usually accepted from our local high school to BYU (provo). ACT 27-28 at least, GPA at least 3.8 (weighted). We had one kid who was deferred, who had a GPA (weighted) in the lower 3s...like you, he had a rocky start to high school. He was later accepted after his first semester senior year gades came in--he did really well.</p>

<p>We had another kid who was rejected, but later got in. The marching band needed a trombone, so he was asked to send an audition tape. </p>

<p>Your best bet would be to hope you get deferred instead of outright rejected, knock the cover off the ball with your senior grades, and hope you get in later. If not, you may think about going to school in Provo at Utah Valley State College, if going to college in Provo is important to you next year. We know a lot of people who go there who did not get into BYU but were not ready to go to Idaho.</p>

3

<p>CHURCH LEADERSHIP AND AWARDS (4/5)
-Served in a class/quorum presidency
-Served on a stake/district committee
-Served in a seminary leadership position
-Earned/will earn Duty to God or Young Women's Recognition Award</p>

<p>Honestly, is this part of the application?
I'd find it odd if this has a high value, due to the fact that those callings aren't really something you can work super hard to get, of course you can be rightous and good, but it's not really anyone's choice. It's a calling. Hmmmmm...</p>

4

<p>I`m gonna hit it to ya straight on what my opinion is... coming from a person who applied to BYU as a high school senior and was later rejected:

-You have worst grades than I did in high school. (I had a 3.6 overall GPA) -You DO have better activity stats and ACT (Mine was 16...ouch!) It's... I'd say...40%-50% chances here. Usually they accept people in the top 10% of their class. I was in the 50s. haha. So I think you need some strong recomendations, good essay, and divine intervention to get you an acceptance letter.

BUT there IS hope if you get rejected....Apply as a transfer student, of course! They don't check your ACT or SAT scores!!! Get EXCELLENT college grades (minimum transfer GPA is 3.3, you are competitive if you are above 3.6, the higher the better though), get an associates degree from any college, get good reccomendations, and ... see if that works...

This is actually what I`m doing now. I have a 3.85 college GPA after two years of college and getting my associates. Seriously, I was far more motivated this time around. A second rejection would be really disapointing but maybe it's just not the school for me if that happens. So don't sweat it. Good luck to ya man.</p>

5

<p>Ok let me try this again since I was skiming through and didn't notice you posted an essay. </p>

<p>-Priority deadline is deffinately a BOOST
-You have worst grades than I did in high school. (I had a 3.6 overall GPA)
-You DO have better activity stats and ACT (Mine was 16...ouch!)
-You have a GOOD essay that explains a trial you overcame and later explains your grades. I like that. Usually they accept people in the top 10% of their class. I was in the 50s. haha. So I think this along with strong recomendations, and divine intervention will get you an acceptance letter. I`m thinking you're on the borderline here, so anything is definately possible. </p>

<p>Note: Average BYU ACT is 26-27, Average BYU GPA 3.8 (exceptions exist! and I know them)</p>

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<p>We just finish a BYU night at our stake with our daughter. Provo will be tough. Idaho you will have a better chance. Better than 50/50. LDSBC no problem. You should get into one of them.</p>

7

<p>One of my profs this last semester is in the Admissions commitiee and so when I visted him durring his office hours he had a chart of GPA vs ACT. He actualy explained the whole thing to me. if a person landed in the top 1/3 of the cart he was automaticly in regardless of the other stuff on his app except the ecc recomendation. the middle 1/3 was further reviewed and thats when the extracurriculars and essays were taken into consideration. the bottom 1/3 were automaticly rejected.
so with a 3.0 and 27 GPA you seem to be in the top 1/3 if i remeber correctly... just know that a certain guy got in with a 2.7 GPA, but of course a 32 ACT helped. those numbers came into the top 1/3 so bump up the GPA and bump down the ACT and it should even out. so relax... and i cant belive you posted your app on a public forum... yeah you are stressing about it too much. oh and i met this guy who got in with a 2.2 GPA, he must have writen one heck of an essay</p>

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<p>Ok, so I just got accepted into BYU hawaii (oh, and LDSBC, but that doesn't really matter). I've heard that BYU Hawaii is, actually, harder to get into than BYU Provo, so does this mean I'm likely to get into Provo? (excited :D).</p>

<p>As for you people who think it's silly that they ask religious-based questions in their application, I ask you this - do you realize that this is a religious school, ie, it's created by and for a specific religion (to which I belong)? So of course its not silly that they choose to ask that! I wouldn't be applying to this church school if I didn't like the idea of them imposing their values on me. And it's not like I don't have backup options that I wouldn't be perfectly happy with.</p>

<p>As for the last comment, you have a good point - I was a bit overeager, but are there any liability issues with posting your application in public I should be concerned about? Maybe I should remove my post :-/ ...</p>

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<p>ha! if you got in to hawaii then you better keep this in mind... we have been slushing tru snow the past few days here at Provo... the people at the Hawaii campus? hm i wonder what the climate is like over there this time of year. seriously the wind chill up here was -12 last weekend according to the weather channel. chances are you will have to pick between the two and well... one is crowded and cold but gets all the attention while the other is in the tropics with fewer students but not a big school. but congrats man!</p>

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<p>Has anyone experienced BYU Provo.? What are the pro’s and cons of the school. I have a 3.8 GPA, volunteer and extracurricular, and am a hard worker. I currently attend BYU-I. I have been accepted into BYU Provo but have not decided where to go if I want to transfer. BYU-Idaho i am sure will be a wonderful school since the Harvard Dean of Business is added some of his experiences to the university.</p>

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<p>I’ve been to a year of college at a junior college and I don’t know what accumulative GPA I need to have to transfer to BYU. I have good extra curricular activities and i want to know if it’s worth applying.</p>

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<p>The major factor that drew me to BYU was the environment, given I am a strongly active LDS. It is easier to maintain your standards if those around you hold the same standards as you do. There is much more to it than that, but that was factor #1 for me. It is a great school for academics as well, and much more.</p>

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<p>Congrats on your acceptance to BYU byubound! I like that you already accounted for a mission in your class of 2016! :)</p>

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<p>^Thanks. BYU has always been my #1 choice :)</p>

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<p>I just got back from my first visit to BYU and I loved it. I met with one of the admissions officers and they didn’t seem as positive as I had hoped. They mentioned the weighted formula they use, saying GPA & SAT/ACT are divided by Seminary, Bishops ref, Volunteering, Leadership, and sports, music, etc.</p>

<p>Does anyone have the actual formula they could share please?</p>

<p>BTW, my unweighted GPA is 3.86 and I took the SAT in 8th grade and I scored 1290. I will be a Junior and will take it again. I am no athlete, or musician, or club leader, but I have volunteered 52 hours so far and will have great recommendations. Clubs are Art & Science and am on the Science Bowl team. My one big talent outside of school is art. I’d have to say my church standards and leadership will be highly rated.</p>

<p>How do you think I stand?</p>

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<p>Your extra-curriculars are fine. I assume you have seminary as well. And if you have everything else it seems great. They know that not everyone is an athlete. And art can basically replace being a musician in your formula.</p>

<p>Yeah you’ll want your SAT a little higher, but to be dead honest I think 1290 you’re in. If you were 1290 in 8th grade you should be above 1400 now. Don’t sweat it.</p>

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<p>I am applying to BYUH, it’s my dream school! I am really worried because my senior year I did not have enough time to attend seminary and dropped the class, I also had awful attendance records to seminary the years before. </p>

<p>I have a 3.47 unweighted GPA and a 22 on the ACT. I carried a 4.0 my junior and senior years, and a 3.8 sophomore, but suffered from stupid freshman syndrome and had a 2.3 my first year. I participated in a ton of extra curriculars in high school, main ones being cheerleading and debate/speech. My cheereading team took 1st at state the two years I served on Varsity. My debate team took first all three years I participated and I personally took 1st at state in my debate event and my speech event. I have awesome refferences but I am so worried that I just won’t make the bar! Does anyone have any experiences of applying to BYUH that would give me any info on where I stand?</p>

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<p>Seminary is critical. There are so many applicants for all the BYU campuses and they are really looking for dedicated members. Your ec’s and grades look great, though, so that might save you. One thing to remember, they only have a few spots opening up every year - the campus is small - so the actual acceptance rate is not very high. Also, they tend to look for applicants from the pacific rim (polynesia, asia). BTW, have you visited the school? Lots of people from the mainland “think” they want to be there but don’t realize how small it is and how far from Honolulu it is. When they get there they get “island fever” and leave after a semester or so… Good luck with your application.</p>

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<p>@ secreus
Here’s my 2 cents.
Your statement on Top 100 colleges having the “highest” employment rate is… really subjective, just to point out. The highest in what categories? 101st to 200th and 201th onwards? Isn’t that pretty much a common sense usually, if I am to take your assumption that rank is correlated with the employment rate? Then shouldn’t UC - Berkeley or UT have even “better” employment rate? Since they are actually Top 50 (Top 25 for the UC)?
BYU is arguably the greatest school in the region, no doubt, but it is also a fact that it repeatedly fails to be even in Top 50 and that none of the colleges in the region has great ranking reputation either, yet that doesn’t mean one should bash BYU or put BYU up on the ranks of Ivy leagues, because it isn’t. I know some BYU fans will bash me for my comment just because I don’t attend BYU (hypocricy fallacy if one does) and I attend a Top 20, so don’t say along the line of “you couldn’t even get into BYU so why are you ■■■■■■■■ through”.
@ takedown
I’m sorry to bust your bubble, but what Fiyero said is indeed correct. In an argument, do you say “believe in faith. you don’t need to rely on evidence” I’m all up for religion, but hiding behind the faith and labeling everyone who does not share your view as being unfaithful and lost is not really being open either (aren’t all teachings in the major faiths in the world along the line of “do to others what you want them to do to you”?). And science is constantly changing due to new knowledge and technology yes, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t believe in science either. Not sure why you would be typing in your own computer, when a new version of hardware/ software would be coming out soon.</p>

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<p>Applied to BYU-Provo & BYU- Idaho!! I’m so nervous!!! Anyone else out there stressing out?!? I did priority deadline let me know if you get any emails or anything? My status just says “met priority deadline” and I check it everyday! Does your say that too!!! Keep me updated to any changes… I read you don’t hear until February 19th if you applied priority otherwise you hear the 29th… ahhhh college is stressing me outtt!!!</p>