byu application essay questions 2020

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10 Great Essay Writing Tips

Knowing how to write a college essay is a useful skill for anyone who plans to go to college. Most colleges and universities ask you to submit a writing sample with your application. As a student, you’ll also write essays in your courses. Impress your professors with your knowledge and skill by using these great essay writing tips.

Prepare to Answer the Question

Most college essays ask you to answer a question or synthesize information you learned in class. Review notes you have from lectures, read the recommended texts and make sure you understand the topic. You should refer to these sources in your essay.

Plan Your Essay

Many students see planning as a waste of time, but it actually saves you time. Take a few minutes to think about the topic and what you want to say about it. You can write an outline, draw a chart or use a graphic organizer to arrange your ideas. This gives you a chance to spot problems in your ideas before you spend time writing out the paragraphs.

Choose a Writing Method That Feels Comfortable

You might have to type your essay before turning it in, but that doesn’t mean you have to write it that way. Some people find it easy to write out their ideas by hand. Others prefer typing in a word processor where they can erase and rewrite as needed. Find the one that works best for you and stick with it.

View It as a Conversation

Writing is a form of communication, so think of your essay as a conversation between you and the reader. Think about your response to the source material and the topic. Decide what you want to tell the reader about the topic. Then, stay focused on your response as you write.

Provide the Context in the Introduction

If you look at an example of an essay introduction, you’ll see that the best essays give the reader a context. Think of how you introduce two people to each other. You share the details you think they will find most interesting. Do this in your essay by stating what it’s about and then telling readers what the issue is.

Explain What Needs to be Explained

Sometimes you have to explain concepts or define words to help the reader understand your viewpoint. You also have to explain the reasoning behind your ideas. For example, it’s not enough to write that your greatest achievement is running an ultra marathon. You might need to define ultra marathon and explain why finishing the race is such an accomplishment.

Answer All the Questions

After you finish writing the first draft of your essay, make sure you’ve answered all the questions you were supposed to answer. For example, essays in compare and contrast format should show the similarities and differences between ideas, objects or events. If you’re writing about a significant achievement, describe what you did and how it affected you.

Stay Focused as You Write

Writing requires concentration. Find a place where you have few distractions and give yourself time to write without interruptions. Don’t wait until the night before the essay is due to start working on it.

Read the Essay Aloud to Proofread

When you finish writing your essay, read it aloud. You can do this by yourself or ask someone to listen to you read it. You’ll notice places where the ideas don’t make sense, and your listener can give you feedback about your ideas.

Avoid Filling the Page with Words

A great essay does more than follow an essay layout. It has something to say. Sometimes students panic and write everything they know about a topic or summarize everything in the source material. Your job as a writer is to show why this information is important.

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Essays and Activities

The essay prompts change regularly from year to year. You will find your essay prompts in the application at the time you apply. Read them carefully, and use your best writing skills to respond. All application essays are read as a part of BYU’s holistic admission review process. Tell us about the experiences and characteristics that are important to you as an individual.

Here are a few tips as you prepare to write your essays:

• Review the  Aims of a BYU Education.  To better understand these principles, feel free to read some collected  talks about the aims . 
• Recent experiences are preferred as they better represent who you are today. 
• Avoid repetition. 
• The only way for us to know things about you is for you to tell us about them. 
• Although it is acceptable to have others review your essays prior to submission, the words and ideas must be your own. 
• Be genuine! 

Current freshman essay prompts:

• Describe a topic, idea, or experience that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. What have you done to learn more or engage further in the topic, idea or experience? What resources do you use to learn more? 
• Have you become aware of significant needs in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked toward meeting those needs. 
• Briefly describe a time that your efforts have fallen short, a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved. What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today? 

We strive to create a rich and varied educational environment through admitting students with a wide range of: 

• Goals 
• Interests 
• Skills and talents 
• Life experiences 
• Perspectives 
• Cultures 

Tell us your story. What will you contribute to our university community? Be specific.

• A BYU education will be spiritually strengthening. BYU students have a unique opportunity to seek learning by study and by faith. Describe the reasons you want to learn in an environment like this.

In addition to the essays above, transfer applicants are also asked to write one additional essay.

• Why are you applying to transfer from your current institution? How has your initial college experience prepared you for the academic rigor of BYU? Tell us what you have done to challenge yourself academically. Be specific. 

While you have most likely been involved in many different activities, you will have an opportunity to write about two activities that will help us get to know you as an individual. You will be able to describe the activity, how long you have participated in it, and how you have benefited from your participation.

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Brigham Young University | BYU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Brigham Young University Essays 2022-2023

Founded in 1875, Brigham Young University is a private University in Provo, Utah, and is the flagship school of the BYU system. Established with the intention of educating members of the Church of Latter Day Saints and preparing them for success, BYU Provo tends to draw many applicants from religious backgrounds.

In fact, 99% percent of the student population identifies as Mormon, demonstrating the strong influence of religion on this campus. Religion permeates most aspects of BYU life, from academics to day-to-day life; the latter is expected to follow the guidelines listed in BYU’s LDS-inspired Honor Code.

However, despite the influence of religion on this campus, you do not necessarily need to be a member of the LDS church to attend BYU. Potential applicants only need to be endorsed by an ecclesiastical leader in order to be eligible for admission.

With an undergraduate population of 30,745, BYU Provo also has the distinction of being the nation’s largest religious university. Although it attracts students from across the country and beyond, it tends to be particularly attractive to in-state students; approximately one-third of the student population at the university hails from Utah.

In addition to cultivating a rich religious identity, the school also stresses other Aims of a BYU Education . Before applying and writing supplemental essays, students should read these thoroughly to get a better idea of what the school is looking for. If you wish for anecdotal explanations of these aims, BYU’s enrollment services have a page dedicated to helpful speeches and articles that can serve as inspiration during your application process. 

If you’re considering applying to “The Y” and want to know how to effectively answer the supplemental essays, read on to learn how to make your application stand out from the pile. Want to know your chances at BYU? Calculate your chances for free right now.

BYU Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt 1: Describe a topic, idea, or experience that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. What have you done to learn more or engage further in the topic, idea or experience? What resources do you use to learn more? (2000 characters)

Prompt 2: Have you become aware of significant needs in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked toward meeting those needs. (2000 characters)

Prompt 3: Briefly describe a time that your efforts have fallen short, a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved. (500 characters)

Prompt 4: What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today? (2000 characters)

Prompt 5: We strive to create a rich and varied educational environment through admitting students with a wide range of:

Skills and talents

Life experiences, perspectives, tell us your story. what will you contribute to our university community be specific. (2000 characters).

Prompt 6: Thoughtfully consider the extracurricular activities you have been involved in and select two to write about. Enter your first activity below and the second activity on the following page.

Select an activity you would like to write about:

Please provide a short description of the specific activity: (300 characters), how long have you participated in this activity, why did you choose to participate in this activity how have you benefited from your participation (1500 characters), describe a topic, idea, or experience that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. what have you done to learn more or engage further in the topic, idea or experience what resources do you use to learn more (2000 characters).

This essay prompt is designed to gauge your love of learning and genuine interest in scholarship. One of BYU’s Aims is Intellectually Enlarging, meaning the school is looking for people who have a desire to learn and who seek out answers to questions beyond what is required or mandated by school or work. It is an opportunity for admissions officers to learn something about you that isn’t conveyed or fully developed on other parts of your application. 

Potential examples of topics might include:

• A scientific concept that blows your mind
• A type of media you enjoy consuming
• A unique hobby or skill you taught yourself
• A favorite sport you can play for hours 

Your topic can be literally anything—as long as you can write about it with an academic tone. Just avoid overly casual topics or language as these will not illuminate your personality in the most flattering light. For example, an applicant that writes about bingeing Netflix shows has a much weaker essay than one that couches their Netflix addiction as a side effect of their love of screenwriting. 

When determining your topic, make sure to delve deep and choose something that is specific enough to differentiate your essay from others’. For example, instead of writing about a generic academic subject, choose a concept or theory that resonates with you the most. Here is an excerpt of a response that achieves this:

“I can easily remember when I stopped hearing music and truly began listening to it. Mrs. Petersen, our music teacher, was playing a recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for my fourth grade class. I closed my eyes and there I was—in springtime, with birds overhead, and soon enough, winter, braced against a biting wind of sound. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard, and from that moment forth, I dedicated myself to understanding how it worked. 

Studying music theory as I do is like unraveling a rich tapestry woven of pitch, melody, rhythm, and timbre…” 

From here, the student can go in multiple directions with their response. They can explore how their studies of music theory helped them develop as a musician or composer. Or, they can talk about how learning music theory has enabled them to think more analytically about other art forms, like literature.

The next portion of the prompt asks how you have advanced your understanding of the topic on your own and what resources have helped you do so. Avoid mentioning school-mandated resources like classes or required readings; rather, mention ways that you have explored the topic outside of any structured obligation. Have you checked out library books on the subject? Do you dive into Reddit subthreads or fashion YouTube playlists to learn more? Is there an organization or community you founded or joined to help you gain knowledge? Here, it is important to keep up reader engagement by showing, rather than telling, how you sought out additional resources. 

Another key element of your response is a future-facing component. One of BYU’s Aims stresses Lifelong Learning and Service; you should try to incorporate this sentiment in the last couple lines of your response. This will give admissions officers an idea of how you plan to continue exploring this topic in the future, or sharing your love of it with others. Going off of the previous example, a fitting conclusion might go like this: 

“ Studying music theory has allowed me to think differently and listen to the world as I never had before. I intend to study music composition at BYU, and I look forward to learning even more about the inner workings of the world’s musical traditions.”

However you choose to relay your topic, make sure to maintain a narrative-like quality and include specific, descriptive details. The point is to make your essay so unique that no one else could write it. The more well-thought-out and engaging your essay is, the more likely it is to resonate with admissions officers.

Have you become aware of significant needs in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked toward meeting those needs. (2000 characters)

This prompt asks you to recount your participation in community service. One of BYU’s Aims is Lifelong Service, so it might help to read their website’s breakdown of what it means to their school before you start writing. 

To brainstorm for this essay, think about times where you’ve addressed needs for others. This could be anything from babysitting your younger siblings while your parents work full-time to making blankets for dogs at your local animal shelter. Try to make your topic something that isn’t necessarily apparent from the rest of your application. If you choose an organization already listed out in your extracurriculars, make sure to focus on a specific instance rather than generalizing your role. Here are two examples of potential responses to this prompt: 

Weak: “As a Girl Scout, I have participated in multiple community service projects in my community. I have baked cookies for the elderly, written letters to soldiers overseas, and helped make blankets for my local animal shelter. I organized and executed these activities because community service is important to me.”

Strong: “At lunch, some kids played soccer. Others texted or played iPhone games. I made blankets. For my Girl Scout Gold Award, I decided to target a community near and dear to my heart: the animal shelter. As a weekly volunteer, I saw how many of the dogs had nothing in their concrete kennels and I vowed to change that. I created a school-wide fundraiser to raise money for supplies and spent my Saturday mornings shopping in our downtown textile district. During our lunch period, a few volunteers and I would make no-sew blankets and toys out of various fabrics.”

The first response states the author’s contributions in a straightforward manner that does not convey exactly what efforts they put into improving their community. The overall general descriptions do little to set them apart from other applicants. Meanwhile, the second essay takes readers through specific actions that the author took towards their goal. It is more vivid and immersive in nature, which allows admissions officers to get a better idea of the student’s personality. The first response tells admissions officers that the student is dedicated, while the second shows them through specific details. 

Prompts 3 and 4

Briefly describe a time that your efforts have fallen short, a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved. (500 characters), what steps did you take to recover from this defeat what resources did you use how and why are you different today (2000 characters).

These next two prompts go together; here, admissions officers want to see how you deal with adversity. When choosing a topic, try not to pick something overdone like a poor grade or losing a sports game. Instead, write about something that is unique to you. 

For the first prompt, you need to establish the context of the defeat. Talk about the instance and the way it made you feel. Use an active voice and vivid details to give it an anecdote-like quality. 

For example, someone who was training for a half marathon might not have achieved their personal record time despite training daily for 4 months. 

Another student might not have been accepted into a pre-medical program that would have helped them gain field experience and choose a career path. 

The next prompt will contain the majority of your response. Think about how you moved past the failure, and what specific steps you took to ameliorate the situation. Show admissions officers how you felt by taking them through your thought process; this added vulnerability will make your essay more personable. 

Writing about frustration, anger, or sadness is valid, but make sure you do so in a way that isn’t overly victimizing or putting down others. It is important to keep your tone professional while conveying these feelings in order to make your essay resonate the most strongly.

After writing your reaction, walk readers through the steps you took to recover from the failure. The prompt asks you multiple questions: how you recovered, resources you used, and how and why you are different. You should touch on all of these but it is okay if within the limited response you don’t elaborate on all of these. Keep these questions in the back of your mind while writing the prompt, but don’t answer them sequentially; rather, phrase your answer like a narrative for the most ideal flow and compelling response. Keep your response forward-facing and focus on what you did to fix the situation instead of dwelling on the failure; this will show your character to admissions officers.

The applicant who was training for a marathon might talk about how they reframed their mentality to revolve around how they felt while running rather than breaking their personal records. They can describe mixing up their training regimen and changing their diet to make running a more pleasurable experience, rather than a competitive one.

An essay about being rejected from a pre-medical program might have made the author question their desire to be a doctor. However, by compiling their own resources and seeking out volunteer experience, they learned that they are willing to put in the work to pursue the field, which has underscored their desire to become a medical professional.

By describing the steps you took to work around the failure in a narrative-like manner, you can create a compelling essay that demonstrates your character to admissions officers. 

We strive to create a rich and varied educational environment through admitting students with a wide range of:

BYU wants to know what sets you apart from other students. This is an opportunity for you to mention something that is not mentioned elsewhere on your application. Think about your various identities and the unique ways they intersect. This topic might seem overly broad, but just think of it as there being no wrong answer. As long as your essay remains academic in tone, you can craft a masterful narrative about anything.

Avoid mentioning clichés or being redundant on your application. For example if you have already discussed your career interest in another essay, make this essay about something completely different. Also, avoid being too general with your topic. For example, instead of mentioning the culture you are a part of in a holistic manner, name a couple specific traditions that you enjoy participating in and elaborate on those.

If you need inspiration or a starting off point, read over the school’s Aims and look at the website with example essays. Doing so may jog your memory or provide you with a better idea of what kind of candidate the school is looking for. A good check to see whether you have selected a good topic is to take a step back and think if anyone else could have written your essay. If the answer is no, you’re in good shape! If the answer is yes, make your topic even more personal and specific.

Thoughtfully consider the extracurricular activities you have been involved in and select two to write about. Enter your first activity below and the second activity on the following page.

These next prompts go together and allow you to elaborate on your current extracurricular activities. This is an opportunity for you to expand upon your application and give some of your activities more than a simple description. While your short description and how long you’ve participated in this activity should be relatively straightforward, answering why you chose to participate in it and how you have benefited should take on a more narrative-like quality.

Here is an example of a potential response.:

“Donate Life is a club dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation and transplants. I have participated in this club for four years, first as an active member and then as a board member, and eventually, President. However, my connection to organ donation goes farther back than high school. When I was thirteen, my cousin was able to receive a heart transplant from someone who had recently passed in a car accident. Seeing her recovery inspired me to make this opportunity available for more people. In this club, I hold weekly lunch seminars during which students can learn more about how they can contribute to the movement. We participate in marathons and other nonprofit events to get the word out and to encourage people to sign up to donate their organs. This past summer, we were able to get over 5,000 signatures pledging to sign up for organ donation in the event of the person’s passing. My Donate Life family and my real family experiences have shown me the importance of being an active community member who pushes for positive change and encourages others to do the same.”

Whatever you choose to write about, make sure that your voice shines through and that you list your specific contributions by mentioning the work you did in a tangible manner. 

Where to Get Your BYU Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your BYU essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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How To Get Into BYU (2023-2024)

Tips and tricks for getting admitted into Brigham Young University, complete with an overview of the application, sample admit essays, GPA requirements, and more.

Posted August 29, 2023

How to Support Your Child in the Ivy Admissions Process

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Overview of BYU

Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah that is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was founded in 1875 and offers a wide variety of academic programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral.

BYU is known for several things. Most of its students are members of the LDS church and follow an honor code that includes standards related to dress and grooming, academic honesty, and drugs and alcohol. It is consistently ranked as the best college in the nation for being worth the cost. Also, in part because of the LDS church’s heavy emphasis on missionary service, BYU is often ranked among the top universities for foreign language degrees.

Join us for a free online event on How to Get Into BYU

On August 30, 2023 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET, join us for a free event on How to Get Into BYU where we bring three professional college admissions coaches and BYU experts (including former Admissions Committee members) to provide insider tips and strategies and answer all your most pressing questions on the BYU application process. Spots are limited, save your seat and register today .

BYU Facts & Figures (2023)

Total # of Undergraduate Students: 31,389

Total # of Graduate Students: 3,001

Demographics + Ethnicity

• % Female: 51%
• # of International Students: 1,241
• Married: 23%
• Top 3 Nations Represented: Canada, Mexico, South Korea
• Caucasian: 81%
• Hispanic or Latino: 8%
• 2 or More Races: 4.5%
• Pacific Islander: 1%
• American Indian: < 1%
• Middle 50% GPA: 3.86-4.00
• Middle 50% ACT: 27-32
• Middle 50% SAT: 1290-1440
• # of Undergraduate Majors: 195
• # of Undergraduate Minors: 112
• Acceptance Rate (Freshman Applicants): 69.7%
• Members of the LDS Church: $6,304/year (2 semesters)
• Non-Members: $12,608/year

Estimated Costs

• Room and Board: $8,560
• Books/Educational Supplies: $960
• Personal Expenses: $2,592
• Transportation: $2,704
• Loan Fees: $60
• Non-LDS Estimate Per Year: $27,484

Application Overview

Deadlines (fall 2024).

Applications Open: August 30, 2023

Priority : November 1, 2023

Regular Decision : December 15, 2023

Decisions Released : February 19, 2024

Application Parts

Upon submission of the application, only the unofficial high school transcript is required. If the applicant is admitted, they will then be required to submit an official one. Class registration will be unavailable until it has been received and verified.

BYU uses an unweighted GPA, but still takes into account the difficulty level of courses.

Letters of Recommendation

The different types of recommendations include a Seminary Recommendation, High School Teacher Recommendation, and another Recommendation. The recommender will be sent an email with a link to a form that they will need to complete. The form asks the recommenders to rate the student based on a variety of factors like:

• Demonstrates integrity, trustworthy, and fulfills commitments
• Makes it safe for fellow students to participate in class and share observations
• Problem-solving ability and sound thinking
• Sets and achieves challenging goals

The second part is a brief section for open-ended responses to provided prompts, such as “What evidence do you see of the applicant challenging themselves academically?” BYU doesn’t accept recommendations outside of the specific form in the application. Make sure that your recommenders understand that so they don’t try to submit a separate letter.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

All applicants, whether they are members of the LDS church or not, are required to submit an ecclesiastical endorsement. This includes agreeing to abide by the BYU Honor Code and the Dress and Grooming Standards , and meeting with two religious leaders in order to verify that you understand the standards and are capable of committing to them

The essays are one of the most important aspects of the application. Freshmen applicants are required to write essays on five topics which are as follows:

• Describe a topic, idea, or experience that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. What have you done to learn more or engage further in the topic, idea or experience? What resources do you use to learn more? (1500 characters)
• Have you become aware of significant needs in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked toward meeting those needs. (1500 characters)
• (Two-Part Essay) Briefly describe a time that your efforts have fallen short, a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved. (500 characters) + What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today? (1500 characters)
• We strive to create a rich and varied educational environment through admitting students with a wide range of: goals, interests, skills and talents, life experiences, perspectives, and cultures. Tell us your story. What will you contribute to our university community? Be specific. (1500 characters)
• A BYU education will be spiritually strengthening. BYU students have a unique opportunity to seek learning by study and by faith. Describe how you would explain to a friend or family member the reasons you want to learn in an environment like this. (1500 characters)

You will also be asked to write about two additional activities in order to help the AdCom get to know who are as a person. You'll have 300 characters to describe the activity and then 1500 characters to explain why you chose to participate in it and how you benefitted from it.

On its site, BYU offers some advice specifically for essays. First, understand the principles of AIMS and use them in your application. Second, generally, more recent experiences are preferred over older-dated ones. Third, avoid repetition. For example, none of your essays should be a rehashing of your resume. Use them instead as an opportunity to show even more of yourself and your experiences. Fourth, remember that the only way BYU will know things about you is for you to explicitly tell them. The admissions committee cannot read your mind; the picture they’ll see is the one you put right in front of them. Fifth, the words and ideas of your essays must be your own work. You can have people help you and review them, but they must be your own. Lastly, be genuine.

What GPA Do You Need to Get Into BYU?

The middle 50% GPA of admitted students is 3.86-4.00, meaning that most students have straight As or are close to straight As. As far as admission statistics go, this means BYU is extremely competitive in this area. As one of the most academically rigorous private religious universities in the country, BYU is only becoming more competitive. Though BYU reviews applications through a holistic lens, having a higher GPA will increase your chances of admission. Aim for a 4.0, and if you fall short try and get to a minimum of 3.86. If you have a lower GPA, compensate by doing better on the SAT/ACT. Also, taking AP-level classes will raise your weighted GPA and show preparedness for college-level courses.

Sample Essays from Admits

To receive free essays from past successful BYU applicants, put in your email below and we'll send them directly to your inbox.

BYU Application Tips

1. paint the picture of a byu student.

On its website, BYU says that there is “no secret formula for admission.” They consider all parts of the applicant holistically and are looking for the AIMS of BYU Education. The entire application revolves around these AIMS so make sure that the characteristics that accompany them can be clearly seen in every part of your application.

• Spiritually Strengthening – They recommend applicants graduate from LDS seminary and are spiritually prepared before coming to BYU. The goal of the school is to provide a spiritually uplifting environment in which to gain an education.
• Intellectually Enlarging – BYU tells its applicants to take academically rigorous courses in high school in order to prepare. Also, stay involved in passions inside and outside of school.
• Character Building – Applicants should be just as strong morally as they are mentally; they should have a solid work ethic, be resilient, and be honest.
• Lifelong Learning and Service – One unofficial motto of BYU is, “Enter to learn, go forth to serve.” Service is a major component of the LDS church and the school, and applicants should have a love of and commitment to serving others.

For a selection of talks on the BYU AIMS, see here .

From this, it’s easy to see what BYU is looking for. In your essays and other parts of the application, show BYU that you are a good fit for the school by weaving in these traits. Demonstrate that you are academically ready, have a strong religious foundation (for LDS applicants), are a hard worker, and will commit to the tenets of the school. BYU is looking for students that will be a good “fit,” meaning they will commit to the honor code, take school seriously, and be spiritually uplifted. Present the candidate that the school wants to see, while also remaining true to yourself.

Preparing for the BYU application starts years before the deadlines. Here are several things to start doing in your underclassman high school years:

• Join clubs and take leadership positions
• Participate in service projects and organizations
• Take AP classes and do well in them (PS: Read What AP Test Scores Do Colleges Accept? )
• Pursue extracurricular activities
• Cultivate good relationships with teachers, school counselors, and church leaders (bishop, stake president, etc.)

2. Participate in extracurriculars that you are actually interested in, and develop your talents in them

Don’t pursue activities that you think BYU “wants” to see in its applicants. Instead, find what brings you joy, and develop your talents in those areas, which may include but are not limited to:

BYU doesn’t care about what you spend your time on (to a certain extent), but rather how you spend your time. Are you becoming a better person? Developing new skills? Contributing to the community? Taking on leadership positions? On its website, BYU says, “Plan to provide specific examples of how you have contributed to your community in meaningful ways as you write your application essays.” Don’t take this advice lightly.

3. Take either the ACT or SAT, but choose the one that is best suited to your skillset

BYU holds no preference for either the ACT or SAT; so, take time to decide which one is best for you. The two exams are testing similar overall areas, but include some fairly drastic differences. Furthermore, while the average GPA is very high, the average ACT/SAT scores are slightly less competitive. In other words, this is an area where applicants can really differentiate themselves. Every year, the average ACT of admits increases so aim for a higher-than-average score.

We recommend taking both an ACT and SAT practice test and looking at which one you did better on. Then, create a study plan that focuses on improving your areas of weakness. Don’t study and take it last-minute. Preparing for standardized tests is a months-long process of practicing tests, studying, taking the tests, re-taking the tests, etc. Don’t cut it short.

For more info, read The ACT vs. SAT: Which to Take and How to Ace Both and The Best 50 Free Resources to Prepare for the ACT and SAT .

4. Graduate from seminary

Historically, LDS applicants pretty much had to have graduated from seminary in order to be considered for admission, and it remains an important factor. Not only does it show the BYU AIMS tenet of “Spiritually Strengthening,” but it also demonstrates to the school that you are spiritually prepared for the environment of BYU. Also, seminary teachers are potential recommenders, and can also play the role of mentor and advocate.

5. Don’t skimp on the essays

The BYU admissions committee has a specific formula that weighs different parts of the application. Supposedly, one of the most important factors, if not the most important , is the essays. A phenomenal essay can compensate for low test scores or GPA and highlight other areas of your candidacy that may otherwise have been overlooked.

Make the story you tell in your essays a cohesive one. It should remain on-topic and build up to a point. Answer the question. As you write your responses, reflect consistently on whether you're directly addressing the prompt. Also, your essays should be specific to you. If someone else could have written the exact same essay, you probably have some editing to do.

6. Cultivate leadership positions–BYU wants to develop “future leaders”

Having extracurricular activities on your resume is important; however, having those activities and showing that you’ve risen to leadership positions within them raises your chances of admission. Also, taking a leadership role demonstrates investment in the activity, communication and personal interaction skills, as well as high-achieving potential.

7. Develop relationships with the school and admissions office

All colleges aspire to admit students that actually want to go to their school. By showing genuine interest in the university’s specific programs, the AdCom will see that getting in means more than checking a box. There are many different ways to do this, but here are a few ideas:

• Take campus tours
• Attend on-campus events (BYU Education Week, seminars, weekly forums, sporting events, sports camps, FSY, plays/musicals, etc.)
• Reach out to the BYU admissions counselors; ask for guidance and inquire about trends they’ve seen in the admissions process

8. Bonus: Take foreign language courses

While not a formal recommendation for admissions, the BYU AdCom weighs classes differently based on certain factors. For example, Honors and AP classes are weighted more heavily than base-level classes. Also, BYU is rumored to pay extra attention to foreign language classes. Another unofficial motto of the school is, “The world is our campus” and the curriculum and standards emphasize the importance of a global education. The BYU Study Abroad Programs are very strong, and over 60% of the student body speaks multiple languages. Taking foreign language classes shows the school that you are capable of contributing to this global perspective.

Where Can I Start?

We hope you found these tips helpful. Applying to college can be a daunting endeavor, but the right coaches and resources can bring confidence, clarity, and expertise to the process. We have many different undergrad coaches that can help you with any part of the application process. Below are some of our top undergrad admissions coaches; see all of those with BYU experience here .

Also, here are several other resources to help you navigate through your applications:

• How to Write a College Application Resume

The Top 40 College Scholarships

• How to Build the Best Extracurriculars for College
• 4 Tips to Elevate Your College Essay

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How to help your child get into BYU: The application essays can make or break their acceptance

By college essay builder | posted - sept. 28, 2022 at 3:00 p.m., (college essay builder).

Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes

Does your child have what it takes to get into BYU?

The stakes of getting accepted to BYU are getting higher and higher. It is estimated that over 12,000 students will apply to BYU — Provo this fall. And using last year's acceptance rates , more than 4,000 won't make the cut.

With such a large pool of applicants, the BYU Admissions Committee is often tasked with choosing between highly-qualified applicants who all meet the minimum requirements. And since BYU is not currently requiring standardized test scores, it is even more difficult for applicants to stand out.

With all of these factors, parents want to know:

"Is there anything I can do to improve my child's chances for acceptance to BYU?" The answer to this question is an absolute "yes!"

How the BYU application essays can make or break your child's acceptance

By the time your child begins their BYU application, nearly all of the application criteria (transcripts, activities, awards, etc.) is fixed and can't be influenced or changed — with one notable exception: the essays.

The BYU application essays have become one of the most critical ways your child will be evaluated by the admissions committee. This is because the essays are the best way for the committee to get to know your child on a personal level to determine how well they have demonstrated their preparation and alignment with the Mission and Aims of BYU .

In fact, the BYU essays are the only real controllable factor your child has at this point that can either help or hurt their chances of getting accepted.

The wrong way to write BYU application essays

Just sitting down to "knock out" the essays without understanding what BYU is looking for is a huge mistake. Successful BYU essays require deep introspection, multiple drafts and a good deal of pre-work. Students who don't allow time for these crucial activities end up writing sub-par BYU essays that suffer from one or more of the following issues:

Too generic

It isn't natural for most high-school seniors to be vulnerable and genuine. This often results in superficial essays that don't give enough information about your child for BYU admissions to complete a proper evaluation.

This year, BYU has shortened most of the essays by 500 characters. The lower the character count, the more difficult it is for students to effectively address everything the prompt is asking for. Consequently, students can easily spend too much of their essay telling a story but not allowing enough space for important connections and reflections.

No effective feedback

Most students work on their BYU essays right up to the deadline and don't have the proper time to get feedback and make revisions. If parents do read the essays, they often don't know how to provide the most helpful feedback. This cycle often results in substantial errors in essay structure, content and grammar.

The right way to write BYU application essays: The 3 most important questions

Susie Boyce, founder of College Essay Builder , has been helping students write BYU application essays since 2007. Over the years, she has discovered three fundamental questions that all successful BYU essays must effectively answer. These three questions are:

Do my child's essays show that they value the aims of a BYU education?

Each BYU essay should correlate directly to one or more of the Aims of a BYU Education . It is critical that the stories and examples your child uses in their essays make the connection clear and personal. A close look at the BYU admissions website emphasizes that BYU uses the aims to evaluate all areas of the application — especially the essays.

Do my child's essays help them stand out from thousands of other applicants?

This fall, BYU will receive more than 70,000 essays. Given the sheer volume, how will you ensure your child's essays stand out and are memorable for all the right reasons?

The key to this question is helping your child identify events, people and stories from their life that highlight their genuine and unique experiences. This requires vulnerability; the essays should tell compelling stories showing your child's journey, growth and transformation. These personal stories can become the heart of each essay, connecting the reader to your child in an unforgettable way.

Do my child's essays demonstrate their character, values, testimony and potential as a BYU student?

BYU has provided some direct expectations about what they want to see in your child's essay on their admissions website :

"...make sure you read the prompt and answer what's being asked. If there's something about you we should know, make sure to include it in your essay responses!"

Why does BYU want your child to share so much? Because the essays are the best chance admissions counselors have to understand and evaluate your child's character, values, testimony and potential as a BYU student.

To effectively do this, your child must address each prompt completely and deeply. Take time to identify stories and examples that showcase how they have grown and developed in these four areas and write conclusions that make a powerful connection to what BYU is looking for.

The bottom line

You can do something to improve your child's chances for acceptance to BYU. Helping your child write their best BYU application essays is the most important way you can accomplish this goal.

But you don't have to do this alone. College Essay Builder has created a comprehensive application essay course for BYU that leads your child step-by-step through the process of writing all the BYU application essays. With the help of videos, downloads, templates and examples, your child will be writing their best BYU essays faster and more effectively than any other method.

In this course your child will learn:

• How to personalize the BYU Aims and meaningfully connect them to each essay.
• How to identify and tell compelling personal stories that demonstrate their potential as a successful BYU student.
• How to approach each essay prompt to address BYU's specific expectations.
• How to start each essay to "hook" the reader.
• How to conclude each essay to make a powerful connection.
• How to write clear and concise paragraphs that answer each prompt completely and deeply.
• How to edit and revise their essays utilizing proprietary feedback guides.

The stakes are too high to not do everything you can to help your child get accepted.

And the most controllable thing you can do right now to increase your child's chances of acceptance to BYU is to help them write their best BYU essays by enrolling them in the full essay course for BYU today.

And for a limited time, use the coupon code KSL50 to get $50 off the full course price.

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Personal MBA Coach’s Guide To Writing Winning MBA Application Essays

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As class of 2023 MBA hopefuls put pencil to paper (so to speak) on their MBA application essays, I would like to help candidates get back to the basics with an MBA Application Essay Writing 101. Below, Personal MBA Coach would like to share our tips for how to approach the essay writing process, plus five key guiding principles to consider.

How to Approach the Essay Writing Process

Personal MBA Coach advises our candidates to follow a 5-step process as they develop their application essays, leaving adequate time for each stage.

Step 1. Brainstorm

Brainstorm each question one at a time. For those applying early decision, start with ED essays first. Otherwise, begin with the easiest essay as your writing will improve throughout the process. As you develop potential topics, consider relevant strengths, hobbies, passions, and experiences.

Step 2. Outline

Before you begin to develop prose, outline the key points you hope to cover. Pay special attention to flow and length here. (Hint: a 250-word outline is too long for a 500-word essay.)

Step 3. Draft

Once you have a solid outline, begin to put together your first draft. At this stage, it is ok if your writing is not perfect. Most first drafts should and will be a bit longer than the final product. For your early versions, be sure that your points flow well and are easy to follow. Do not worry about grammar, spelling, and other minor errors.

Step 4. Edit Again & Again

This is the longest part of the essay writing process. Edit your essays as many times as it takes to get them right. Finalize general content and flow, then begin to focus on fine-tuning your writing. If your essay is not working, do not be afraid to start over. You may need to repeat steps 1-3 multiple times.

Step 5. Proofread

Always ask someone unfamiliar with your work (and ideally your industry) to read over your essays. You will need a fresh set of eyes to catch all mistakes. Personal MBA Coach uses proofreaders for each MBA application for this reason.

Now that you have the overall writing process down, let’s look at some key tips to keep in mind as you develop your essays.

Personal MBA Coach’s Essay Writing Guiding Principles

1) answer the question asked.

It is surprising how often candidates write beautiful essays but do not answer the question. Instead of writing what you think admissions committee members want to hear, answer the question. While thinking a bit outside of the box and considering the why behind an essay prompt is advised, first and foremost you must answer the question.

2) Write authentically

Do not write what you think admissions committee members want to read. There is no one perfect candidate profile. Instead, your uniqueness will be one of your greatest selling points. Your essays should paint a clear picture of who you are, what motivates you, and what you are passionate about. Do not feel compelled to show how you fit the mold that seemingly makes up the “ideal” candidate. If you have no desire to run a non-profit, that is ok. If you are not motivated by improving the environment, do not pretend you are. Readers will see right through this and you could end up doing more harm than good.

3) Be succinct and avoid repetition

Keep in mind that the essays are just one part of the application. In addition to submitting an MBA resume (unsure how to write an MBA resume? Check out these tips ), most schools will have you fill out a detailed application. This means admissions committee members will read about everything you have accomplished, all the roles you have held, and the awards you have won. There is no need to try to fit this all into your essays. So instead of squeezing in as much as you can, focus on sharing a few key highlights and adding the details as well as your voice. This is your chance to explain your choices, show your accomplishments, and share your passions. The fewer things you try to cover in your essays, the more you will be able to achieve this objective.

4) Keep your language approachable

The terms you regularly discuss at the office may be foreign to others, including admissions committee members. When in doubt, do not assume the reader is familiar with everything about your job. Focus on language that is more general and easier to use to compare you to other applicants. Admissions committee members do not need or want all of the technical details anyway.

5) Limit flowery prose

Similarly, we often read complex flowery prose. You are not submitting your essays for a Pulitzer prize or applying to become a professional writer. Instead, you are telling your story. While of course, you want your essays to be well written and free from grammatical mistakes and typos, you also want them to be relatable and easy to follow. Everyone from your grandmother to a professor of microfinance should be able to understand your essays. They should also convey why you are someone others would want to study with, learn from, and eventually be inspired by. That type of person is human and down to earth. Your essays should show this.

Scott Edinburgh is a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan BS graduate and founded Personal MBA Coach 15 years ago with the goal of providing customized one-on-one support. Scott also serves on the Board of Directors for AIGAC, the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants, and is invited to speak at MBA Admissions events globally. Our clients have been accepted to all top schools globally with a 96% success rate. They received $6.5M+ in scholarships last cycle.

Comments or questions about this article? Email us.

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Your application essays can make or break your acceptance to byu.

Good enough essays are NOT good enough. Write your BEST essays today.

With our unique essay tutoring courses, you'll be generating compelling essay content on your first day. And within the first week, you'll have all the core ideas, stories and content you need to write next level application essays for BYU.

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BYU Application Essay - Courses Overview

Want to help your child get accepted into byu.

Read how the application essays can make or break their acceptance.

The stakes of getting accepted to BYU are getting higher and higher. It is estimated that over 12,000 students will apply to BYU — Provo this fall. And using the  last year's  acceptance rates, almost 4,000 won’t make the cut.

"Is there anything a parent can do to improve their child's chances for acceptance?"

When your child begins their application to BYU, nearly all of the criteria is fixed and can’t be influenced or changed — except one: the essays.

At this point, the essays are the only controllable factor your child has to hurt or help their chances. 

The wrong way to write application essays.

Just sitting down to “knock out” the essays without understanding what BYU is looking for is a huge mistake. Successful essays require deep introspection, multiple drafts and a good deal of pre-work. Students who don’t allow time for these crucial activities end up writing sub-par essays that suffer from being too generic, too wordy or full of structural errors. 

The right way to write application essays.

Susie Boyce, founder of College Essay Builder, has been helping students write application essays for BYU since 2007. She has discovered  three fundamental questions  that  all  successful essays must effectively address:

1) Do my child’s essays show that they value the Aims of a BYU education?

Each essay should correlate directly to one or more of the  Aims of a BYU Education .  It is critical that the stories and examples your child uses in their essays make the connection clear and personal.  A close look at the BYU admissions website emphasizes that BYU uses the Aims to evaluate all areas of the application — especially the essays.

2) Do my child’s essays help them stand out from thousands of other applicants?

This fall, BYU will receive over 70,000 essays.  How will you ensure your child’s essays stand out and are memorable for all the right reasons?

The key to this question is helping your child identify events, people and stories from their life that highlight their genuine and unique experiences. This requires vulnerability; the essays should tell compelling stories showing your child’s journey, growth and transformation. These personal stories can become the heart of each essay, connecting the reader to your child in an unforgettable way. 

3) Do my child’s essays demonstrate their character, values, testimony and potential as a BYU student?

From BYU Admissions:  

“...make sure you read the prompt and answer what's being asked. If there’s something about you we should know, make sure to include it in your essay responses!

Why does BYU want your child to share so much?  Because the essays are the best chance admissions counselors have to understand and evaluate your child’s  character, values, testimony  and  potential  as a BYU student.

To effectively do this, your child must address each prompt completely and deeply. Take time to identify stories and examples that showcase how they have grown and developed in these four areas and write conclusions that make a powerful connection to what BYU is looking for.

The Bottom Line

You CAN do something to improve your child’s chances for acceptance to BYU.

Helping your child write their  best  application essays is the most important way you can accomplish this goal.

But you don’t have to do this alone.

College Essay Builder has created a  comprehensive application essay course  that leads your child step-by-step through the process of writing all the BYU application essays. With the help of videos, downloads, templates and examples, your child will be writing their  best BYU essays  faster and more effectively than any other method.

The stakes are too high not to do EVERYTHING you can to help your child get accepted.

And the MOST controllable thing you can do right now is help them write their BEST BYU essays by enrolling them in the  "The Complete Guide to Writing the BYU Application Essays" Pro Course today.

BYU Course Plan Comparison

Learn about our PRO BASIC COURSE

Learn more about our PRO PLUS COURSE

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BYU Essay Professional Review Packages

Professional review of 3 BYU Essays

Susie provides a professional review of any three BYU essays. The review includes mark-up revision suggestions for content, clarity, conciseness, and spelling/grammar.

Professional review of 7 BYU Essays

Susie provides a professional review of all seven BYU essays. The review includes mark-up revision suggestions for content, clarity, conciseness, and spelling/grammar.

Schedule a FREE 15 minute consult with Susie

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“In every application, it seems the most important section is the written portion, which often feels overwhelmingly subjective. But after Susie's coaching and my acceptance to BYU and Oxford's study abroad program, it is clear that she has found exactly what admissions committees are looking for. Our efficient sessions included brainstorming, reworking and fine tuning material, and understanding the writing process at a foundational level. Susie has a gift for letting the student lead the writing process while still being a masterful guide. After meeting with her, I feel more confident, and more independent in my writing. I would recommend her without reservation.”

“To promote Susie’s effectiveness in application essay review, I’ll point out that I got into all of the programs that Susie helped me with. To prove the authenticity of my feelings about Susie’s assistance, here’s the actual text that I sent her afterwards: Thanks so much for your help! I was hesitant at first to open it up to someone else (you of course know how vulnerable it can make someone feel to do that), but you were seriously so awesome and supportive and your ideas were really, really great. The essay is so, so much better because of you. Thanks! ”

“While completing my college admission application, I was struggling with the essay portion. Susie was a lifesaver in this department! Not only did she make it fun, she also helped me organize my thoughts and convey them in a way that was clear and concise; I was just trying to use filler words to meet a number count! Susie helped me rework my stories using helpful tips incorporated with my own experiences to make the essays more applicable and meaningful.”

“Susie was a tremendous help with my BYU essays. She helped me come up with ideas and phrase them in a way that accurately supported my ideas. Susie was very positive and supportive throughout the editing process and had excellent suggestions for changes. The essays were the extra strength that I needed to get into BYU.”

“Susie was a big help getting me into BYU. I had heard from everyone that the essays were the most important part of getting accepted and wanted to do a great job on them. Before I started working with Susie, I had ideas but wasn't sure what to write about. Susie gave me great advice and helped me brainstorm much better topics than what I originally had. After I wrote the essays, Susie gave me professional editing help so that the essays expressed my ideas how I wanted them to. Overall, I can guarantee that the help Susie gave me really increased my odds of getting into BYU.”

“Susie was so great with our son. She gave excellent advice and editing, but still let him do the work. Best of all, Susie helped catapult him into being accepted to BYU - his dream school! I would highly recommend Susie to anyone who is considering her.”

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Susie Boyce

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The content, images, or other materials contained in this website and online courses are the works of College Essay Builder™. They do not represent BYU and are NOT BYU sponsored.  Participation in any education offered by College Essay Builder does not guarantee acceptance to BYU.

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Think of a person you want to develop a more positive relationship with. Then, write:  FIVE things you admire about that person, ONE thing that makes is difficult to have a positive relationship with that person, and THREE things you can do now to improve your relationship. When will you do them?  

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Write about a memorable vacation / gathering / event from the summer of 2022. Besides the good memories, discuss at least one thing (interaction, event) that was challenging. How do you feel about it? What, if anything, will you do differently as a result?

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Posted Story here

#depth #carefully held space #inspired #kickstart

The workshop I attended was much more than I expected. Three things stood out:

1: It taught me how to put thoughts down and organize them. 2: It provided a structure and safe accountability for me to continue to work on my story. 3: Most importantly it provided an atmosphere that was encouraging and therapeutic for both writing and support from the people I became friends with as we shared part of ourselves.

I will attend once again. My story may not have been written otherwise, and if it had been, it would not have been as vulnerable because of the people and connections that were made during the process.

Thank you Susie!

“Thank you, Susie! Everything about the experience was a delight!”

#delightful

Fall 2020 College and Resume Services

See below for workshop information and registration details.

Resume Writing Service

• One Page B&W Resume and Cover Letter
• $75/hour ADD-ON SERVICES:
• *Additional page(s), *Color/Graphics, *Cover letters
• Message Susie for More Info
• College Application Essays
• 2 hour minimum

– June, HS Senior

To promote Susie’s effectiveness in application essay review, I’ll point out that I got into all of the programs that Susie helped me with. To prove the authenticity of my feelings about Susie’s assistance, here’s the actual text that I sent her afterwards:

“Thanks so much for your help! I was hesitant at first to open it up to someone else (you of course know how vulnerable it can make someone feel to do that), but you were seriously so awesome and supportive and your ideas were really, really great. The essay is so, so much better because of you. Thanks!”

– Cameron, MBA candidate

“i was a writer before i could write.”.

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COMING THIS SUMMER: POETRY WRITING CLASS FOR TEENS WRITING CLASS FOR KIDS COMING THIS FALL: COLLEGE ESSAY APPLICATIONS

New workshop info will be posted this thursday, may 21st, 2020., for questions, please email susie by clicking here..

“Very encouraging and motivational.”

“You're great!”

“You have a gift for writing and teaching!”

“Just wanted to THANK YOU so much for the online writing class.  It was just what I needed to give me the extra push to try to make writing a daily habit. I really liked your worksheets and the suggestions. They helped me with many things I hadn't thought of. If you do other classes, let me know.”

“All of the info given was very helpful in honing in on good writing tools. I also loved getting to know others through the sharing of their stories.”