General Admission Questions
If you cannot find the answers you are looking for in the below frequently asked questions, please contact the school that the question applies to. We will do our best to help you out.
What is required to be considered for admissions?
What are the required classes I should take in high school to prepare me for admission to a CES school?
Do I need to wait to apply until I receive my first semester senior grades? When is the best time to apply?
If I submit my application before other candidates, will I be more likely to be admitted?
Is fall admission harder than winter, spring, or summer?
How will I know when all parts of my application have been received?
How much is the application fee? How do I pay the application fee?
If I am a high school student and have taken many college courses, should I apply as a new freshman or as a transfer student?
What does the Admissions Committee look at when making the admissions decision?
What is the criterion for a home schooled student?
Do students have to complete four years of seminary in order to be considered for admission?
Who should sign part 4 of the application if I do not currently have a seminary teacher?
Can I fax my high school transcript? What items can I fax as opposed to mailing them in?
Do you consider AP courses in the application process?
When is the last ACT test I can take?
Is there a minimum ACT/SAT score?
What are the average ACT scores at each of the church schools?
Are high school students who have more than 30 college credits still required to take the ACT/SAT?
Do I need to take the ACT, or can I submit a SAT score? If I send more than one test score, which one will you use?
What do I do if I have already applied and then receive a higher ACT score than the one previously submitted?
How important is the essay to the application?
Do I need to have admission materials in by the deadline or postmarked by the deadline?
What happens if my application is late?
When will I hear back about an admission decision?
Does my school preference affect my admission decision?
What percentage of freshman applicants does each Church school accept?
Does a deny decision from one CES institution mean that I am denied from other CES institutions?
If I am not admitted to the school of my choice, will my application fee be refunded?
Is there a way to appeal my decision or to have it reevaluated?
How do I apply for scholarships?
How do I apply for housing?
Can I defer the first semester I’m admitted?
Can I apply with a paper application?
Do church schools use a quota system to admit students from certain geographic regions?
Am I more likely to be admitted if a relative has attended a Church school?
Besides scholarships, what other assistance might be available through CES?
Answers:
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What is required to be considered for admissions?
U.S. new freshman and transfer students with fewer than 30 semester/45 quarter hours applying to any CES school must complete and submit the following:
- Part 1: Student Information
- Part 2: School Selection/Scholarships
- Part 3: Confidential Report
- Part 4: Seminary/Institute Evaluation
- Part 5: High School Information including an Official Transcript
- Part 6: Extracurricular Activities
- Part 7: Student Essay & Other Information
- A $30 nonrefundable application fee per school
- American College Test (ACT) scores or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores (not required at LDSBC, except for home schooled applicants)
- Official transcripts from each college or university you are attending or have attended
U.S. transfer students applying with 30 semester/45 quarter hours or more of college or university credit completed after high school graduation must complete and submit the following:
- Part 1: Student Information
- Part 2: School Selection/Scholarships
- Part 3: Confidential Report
- Part 4: Seminary/Institute Evaluation
- Part 7: Student Essay & Other Information
- A $30 nonrefundable application fee per school
- Official transcripts from each college or university that you are attending or have attended
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What are the required classes I should take in high school to prepare me for admission to a CES school?
High school students should enroll in college preparatory classes as freshmen and continue to take them through their senior year. To be most prepared for the ACT and SAT exams and for college-level work, it is recommended that high school class schedules include the following:
- Four or more years of mathematics
- Four or more years of English or literature
- Two to three years of laboratory science
- Two years of history or government
- Two or more years of foreign language
Research shows that students who follow these recommendations consistently earn higher ACT and SAT scores. Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses will also help prepare students for the ACT and SAT and for university-level work. Additionally, choose elective classes that will help you develop your talents and appreciation for the arts and those that will teach useful skills like basic computer operations and word processing.
Please consider the following recommendation to be competitive for admission consideration as a new freshman to CES schools:
- Be living in harmony with the CES Honor Code and the CES Dress and Grooming Standards.
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Do I need to wait to apply until I receive my first semester senior grades? When is the best time to apply?
You do not need to wait to apply until you receive your first semester senior grades. The best time to apply is during the October of your senior year in high school.
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If I submit my application before other candidates, will I be more likely to be admitted?
Each application is evaluated using the same criteria, whether you submit the application early or on the deadline date. However, we encourage all students to submit their applications well before the deadline. Students are notified regarding admission approximately four to six weeks after their application is complete, which will assist those who apply early in making plans. In the event that materials may be missing (transcripts, etc.), applying early will give you time to submit these items before the deadline.
Additionally, those students who complete their application by the priority deadline will receive extra consideration in the admissions process.
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Is fall admission harder than winter, spring, or summer?
The admission criteria remain the same year-round. Some will be admitted to other semesters or terms so that as many qualified students as possible can be admitted. Because more applicants want to start fall semester than there are spaces, other semesters or terms will be available to admit qualified applicants.
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How will I know when all parts of my application have been received?
You may check to see which application parts have been received by going to the BeSmart home page and clicking the link for "Application Status." You will be required to log in to see your application status.
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How much is the application fee? How do I pay the application fee?
The nonrefundable, one-time application fee is $30 per CES institution. You may pay your fees by going to the BeSmart home page, clicking on "Admissions Information," then by clicking on the “Online Application” link.
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If I am a high school student and have taken many college courses, should I apply as a new freshman or as a transfer student?
You should apply as a new freshman with college credit.
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What does the Admissions Committee look at when making the admissions decision?
The admissions criterion is different for each Church school. However, ecclesiastical endorsements, academic and spiritual preparation, national test scores, essays, volunteer service, leadership, and talent all bear major weight in the admissions decision. We recommend that you visit each institution’s home page for its specific admission factors.
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What is the criterion for a home schooled student?
Please contact the individual Church school to learn of the specific admission requirements for home schooled students.
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Do students have to complete four years of seminary in order to be considered for admission?
Most students attending Church schools are seminary graduates. Although seminary is not required for admission and scholarship consideration, it is strongly recommended.
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Who should sign part 4 of the application if I do not currently have a seminary teacher?
Your last seminary teacher or your current bishop may fill out the Part 4. They should explain why your current seminary teacher is not able to complete the form.
If neither of these is an option, then you can write out a self report and label it as such, explaining in the self report what progress you have made and why you could not have your previous seminary teacher or bishop fill out this part of the application.
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Can I fax my high school transcript? What items can I fax as opposed to mailing them in?
You may fax your high school transcripts to (801) 422-0005. You can fax all parts of the application except for college transcripts. College transcripts need to be official and delivered to us in a sealed envelope.
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Do you consider AP courses in the application process?
AP and IB courses are given extra consideration in the admissions process.
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When is the last ACT test I can take?
The last ACT test score that we accept for spring, summer, or fall admission should be taken in December. (Please note that LDSBC does not require an ACT/SAT score. However, it is recommended.)
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Is there a minimum ACT/SAT score?
There is no minimum ACT/SAT score for admission.
(Please note that LDSBC does not require an ACT/SAT score. However, it is recommended.)
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What are the average ACT scores at each of the church schools?
The average ACT scores of each of the church schools are the following:
- BYU: 27.8
- BYU–H: 25.6
- BYU–I: 24.0
- LDSBC: 21.0
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Are high school students who have more than 30 college credits still required to take the ACT/SAT?
High school students whose graduating class has not graduated yet are required to take the ACT/SAT, regardless of how many college credits they have. High school students who have graduated but have not yet enrolled in college will also need to take the ACT/SAT. (Please note that LDSBC does not require an ACT/SAT score. However, it is recommended.)
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Do I need to take the ACT, or can I submit a SAT score? If I send more than one test score, which one will you use?
We will accept both ACT and/or SAT scores. We will use the highest of all composite test scores for admission purposes.
(Please note that LDSBC does not require an ACT/SAT score. However, it is recommended.) -
What do I do if I have already applied and then receive a higher ACT score than the one previously submitted?
You should send in your new ACT score if we will receive it before the deadline of the semester or term that you are applying for. Your admission application will automatically be updated and reevaluated.
(Please note that LDSBC does not require an ACT/SAT score. However, it is recommended.) -
How important is the essay to the application?
The essay is read carefully and is a pertinent part of the application.
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Do I need to have admission materials in by the deadline or postmarked by the deadline?
All parts of the application must be received by the deadline. If it is postmarked by the deadline and received after the due date, the application will be late.
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What happens if my application is late?
Submit all parts of the application as soon after the deadline as possible. We will do the best that we can to accommodate you in the semester you have applied for. Most likely, you will be admitted to the next available semester.
(Please note that LDSBC will accept all applications until the first day of the semester or term.) -
When will I hear back about an admission decision?
Once your application is complete, it usually takes about 4–6 weeks to receive an admissions decision letter. However, BYU–Idaho keeps all applications until the deadline before making admissions decisions.
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Does my school preference affect my admission decision?
No. Each school makes its own decision without regard to the other schools.
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What percentage of freshman applicants does each Church school accept?
It depends on the number of applicants each semester. Normally, you can expect the following:
- LDSBC: over 95%
- BYU–I: over 95%
- BYU: around 70%
- BYU–H: under 40%
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Does a deny decision from one CES institution mean that I am denied from other CES institutions?
Each CES institution makes admission decisions independently. You will receive official written notification from each school that you applied to. Each school makes its own decision without regard to the other schools.
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If I am not admitted to the school of my choice, will my application fee be refunded?
The application fee is nonrefundable.
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Is there a way to appeal my decision or to have it reevaluated?
Appeals are rarely granted. It is important to remember that only members of the Admissions Committee are in a position to view each application as a whole and in comparison with the entire applicant pool. Much time and energy was devoted to the comprehensive review of your application. Admission decisions should be considered final.
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How do I apply for scholarships?
By submitting the CES application for admissions, you will be considered for basic scholarships. Please refer to each school’s Web site to apply for more comprehensive scholarships.
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How do I apply for housing?
Each school has a different process for registering for housing. Please contact the housing office of each school for their specific housing information.
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Can I defer the first semester I’m admitted?
First semester deferments are reserved for missionaries leaving during the semester they were admitted. Continuing Student Deferments are not applicable to first semester students. Thus, the only students who are able to defer the first semester they are admitted are students leaving on missions during that time.
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Can I apply with a paper application?
You may apply with a paper application, but we encourage you to apply online. Applying online is faster and more cost effective for us. If you are having problems applying online, you can call (801) 422-2507 for help or to request a paper application.
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Do church schools use a quota system to admit students from certain geographic regions?
Admission is not determined by any type of quota, nor are there geographical allocations. The church schools work within the realities of their established ceilings of full-time day students, both graduate and undergraduate.
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Am I more likely to be admitted if a relative has attended a Church school?
Special consideration is not given to relatives of Church school alumni.
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Besides scholarships, what other assistance might be available through CES?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strongly believes in education, and its commitment translates into a generous subsidy of the actual cost of tuition for all students attending the CES institutions. Still, a college education is an expensive investment that represents a significant challenge for many students and their families. Thousands of students, including freshmen, work part time on and off campus to meet some of the costs of attendance, which include tuition, room and board, health insurance, books, fees, and personal expenses.
Incidentally, research suggests that students' grades generally are not adversely affected by part-time employment. In addition to offering scholarships and part-time employment, the CES institutions participate in some federal financial aid programs.
To explore these funding sources and to develop cost-saving strategies, please contact an accredited financial counselor in the Financial Aid Office at (801) 422-4104.
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