On this part of the application, students provide basic contact information like name, address, phone, email, and other demographic information like marital status, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and so forth.  Part 1 can be submitted online at www.besmart.com.

The Part 2 School Selection portion of the application is where students will indicate the schools to which they’re applying, and also their application type.  Application type will determine what other portions of the application must be submitted.  Part 2 can be submitted on www.besmart.com. 

For more information on application types, please visit our Applying Students link, or click here.

Endorsements from church leaders are an important part of admission to BYU-Idaho. As interviews can sometimes take time to schedule, applicants are encouraged to start this process early.

Endorsements Required: The only recommendations BYU-Idaho will review are those submitted by ecclesiastical leaders*, seminary or Institute of Religion instructors, and high school counselors.  Additional letters of recommendation will not be considered.  As coordinating interviews and transmission of forms that require multiple signatures can be time-consuming, applicants should make these parts of the application an early priority in the application process.

Students are not admissible if they are currently on civil or ecclesiastical probation (informal or formal), or if they are disfellowshipped or excommunicated from the LDS Church. 

*Applicants who are not members of the LDS Church may have their Part 3 Ecclesiastical Endorsement filled out by a bishop of the LDS Church or by their own presiding ecclesiastical authority.  Students transferring from BYU, BYU-Hawaii, or LDS Business College need only have their bishop endorse Part 3 of the application.  Missionaries currently serving need only have their mission president endorse Part 3.  All other applicants must be endorsed by both their bishop and stake president.  

Print Part 3: Bishop/Stake President Endorsement: click here (pdf)

Seminary attendance is an important factor for BYU-Idaho applicants.  While seminary graduation isn’t mandatory for admission, failure to graduate does create a significant obstacle to admission.  Students with concerns about their attendance or seminary graduation are encouraged to consult their seminary teacher about makeup work and/or to enroll in Institute of Religion classes.  
Institute students must have their Institute instructor fill out the endorsement form. Students attending other colleges are encouraged to participate in Institute classes. More information on LDS Institute is available at www.lds.org/institutes.

Print Part 4: Seminary/Institute Endorsement: click here (pdf)

 

Graduating high school seniors need to print Part 5 High School Information, provide a listing of their senior year courses, and have their high school counselor verify that they will meet graduation requirements.  Along with this portion of the application, applicants with less than thirty college credits complete by the application deadline will need to submit a high school transcript and an ACT or SAT score.

Recommended Courses:  While BYU-Idaho does not have any specific curriculum requirements for new applicants, the following background is strongly recommended as a solid preparation for college study:

• 4 years of math
• 4 years of English
• 2-3 years of sciences
• 2 years of history/government
• 2 or more years of foreign language

ACT/SAT information:  BYU-Idaho requires all new freshmen and applicants with less than 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits to submit an ACT or SAT* score.  For best results, applicants are encouraged to test at least twice, with optimal times being the spring of your junior year in high school and the fall of your senior year.  All scores must be received by the application deadline.  Keep in mind when selecting a test date that BYU-Idaho usually receives the scores 3-4 weeks after the test is taken.  Check www.sat.org or www.act.org for more information.

*BYU-Idaho does not require the writing portion of the SAT.
For more information on BYU-Idaho’s academic requirements and deadlines, please visit the Academic Stats and Deadlines sections of this page, respectively.

BYU-Idaho is very interested in students who desire to further develop themselves as leaders.  The following are examples of experiences and activities that we believe will help students flourish at BYU-Idaho:

• Art contests
• Athletic events
• Church service
• Community service
• School leadership
• Performing arts
• Work experience
• Speech/writing contests
• Other awards

Extracurricular activities are reported on Part 6 of the CES Application, found at www.besmart.com.

The essay portion of the application provides a key opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know the applicant.  Students are encouraged to not only talk about experiences they’ve had, but also explain how those experiences have shaped their lives and who they’ve become as a result.   

The current essay question is:
“What sets you apart from other applicants, based on unique educational or life experiences, personal or family circumstances, obstacles overcome and/or achievements?” (300 words or less)
  The student essay is found on Part 7 of the CES Application on www.besmart.com.

BYU-Idaho has a dynamic international student culture, with over 60 foreign countries represented in our student body. Federal law requires that international applicants complete some additional materials along with the regular admissions application. The ‘International Students’ section of this site contains information that will help international students know their application type, relevant timelines, sponsorship information, legal documentation needs, and more.

Print Part 8: International Student Information: click here.