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 .
- 1. What is required to be considered for admissions?
- 2. What are the required classes I should take in high school to prepare me for admission to a CES school?
- 3. When is the best time to apply?
- 4. Do I need to wait to apply until I receive my first semester senior grades?
- 5. Will my chances of being admitted increase if I submit my application before other candidates?
- 6. Is fall admission harder than winter, spring, or summer?
- 7. How will I know when all parts of my application have been received?
- 8. How much is the application fee? How do I pay the application fee?
- 9. What does the Admissions Committee look at when making the admissions decision?
- 10. What is the criterion for a home-schooled student?
- 11. Do students have to complete four years of seminary in order to be considered for admission?
- 12. Who should fill out part 4 of the application if I do not currently have a seminary teacher?
- 13. Can I fax my high school transcript? What items can I fax as opposed to mailing them in?
- 14. Do you consider AP courses in the application process?
- 15. When is the last ACT test I can take?
- 16. Is there a minimum ACT/SAT score?
- 17. If I am planning to go on a mission before I start college should I apply before I go, and if so, will my admission be held for me?
- 18. Are high school students who have more than 24 college credits still required to take the ACT/SAT?
- 19. 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?
- 20. What do I do if I have already applied, and then receive a higher ACT score than the one previously submitted?
- 21. How important are the essays to the application?
- 22. Do I need to have admission materials in by the deadline or postmarked by the deadline?
- 23. What happens if my application is late?
- 24. When will I hear back about an admission decision?
- 25. Does my school preference affect my admission decision?
- 26. Does a deny decision from one CES institution mean that I am denied from other CES institutions?
- 27. If I am not admitted to the school of my choice, will my application fee be refunded?
- 28. Is there a way to appeal my decision or to have it reevaluated?
- 29. How do I apply for scholarships?
- 30. How do I apply for housing?
- 31. Can I defer the first semester I'm admitted?
- 32. Can I apply with a paper application, rather than online?
- 33. Do church schools use a quota system to admit students from certain geographic regions?
- 34. Am I more likely to be admitted if a relative has attended a Church school?
- 35. Besides scholarships, what other financial assistance might be available through CES?
1. What is required to be considered for admissions?
U.S. new freshman and transfer students with fewer than 24 semester or 36 graded quarter hours applying to any CES school must complete and submit the following:
- Part 1: Student Information
- Part 2: School Selection/Scholarships
- Part 3: Ecclesiastical Endorsement
- 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 $35 nonrefundable application fee per school applied to
- 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 24 semester or 36 graded 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: Ecclesiastical Endorsement
- Part 4: Seminary/Institute Evaluation
- Part 7: Student Essay & Other Information
- A $35 nonrefundable application fee per school applied to
- Official transcripts from each college or university that you are attending or have attended
2. 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 freshman and continue to take them through their senior year. Although we do not have specific high school course requirements, it is recommended that a student's class schedule include the following:
Recommended High School Classes:
- 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, students should choose elective classes that will help them develop their talents and appreciation for the arts, and those that will teach useful skills like basic computer operations and word processing.
In addition, 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.
3. When is the best time to apply?
The best time to apply is during October of your senior year in high school.
4. Do I need to wait to apply until I receive my first semester senior grades?
You do not need to wait to apply until you receive your first semester senior grades.
5. Will my chances of being admitted increase if I submit my application before other candidates?
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. In the event that materials may be missing (transcripts, etc.), applying early will give you time to submit these items before the deadline.
Additionally, students who complete their application by the priority deadline will receive extra consideration in the admissions process.
6. Is fall admission harder than winter, spring, or summer?
The admission criteria remain the same year round. Some students 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 available, other semesters or terms are available to admit qualified applicants.
7. 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 Be Smart home page and clicking the link for "Application & Admissions" and then by clicking on the "Application Status" link. You will then be required to log in to see your application status.
8. How much is the application fee? How do I pay the application fee?
The nonrefundable, one-time application fee is $35 per CES institution applied to. You may pay your fees by going to the Be Smart home page, clicking on "Application & Admissions" and then by clicking on the "Apply Online" link.
9. 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 CES institution's home page for its specific admission factors.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Who should fill out part 4 of the application if I do not currently have a seminary teacher?
If you attended seminary and have not yet graduated from high school, you must print the instruction sheet and give it to your seminary teacher.
If you did not attend seminary, or you have already graduated from high school, you will have the option to fill out a self report.
13. Can I fax my high school transcript? What items can I fax as opposed to mailing them in?
No part of the application may be faxed. Paper forms must be submitted by mail or in person. If mailed, each part of the application must be postmarked by the deadline. College transcripts need to be official and delivered to us in a sealed envelope at the following address:
CES Admissions Office Address
Mailing address
A-41 ASB Provo,
UT 84602
Hand deliver transcripts
D-155 ASB Provo,
UT 84602
14. Do you consider AP courses in the application process?
AP and IB courses are given extra consideration in the admissions process.
15. 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.)
16. Is there a minimum ACT/SAT score?
Each CES school is different in regards to minimum ACT/SAT scores. Please check with the school you are applying to for more detail.
(Please note that LDSBC does not require an ACT/SAT score. However, it is recommended.)
17. If I am planning to go on a mission before I start college should I apply before I go, and if so, will my admission be held for me?
All qualified applicants are invited to apply for admission to one or more of the CES institutions of higher education. Authorized enrollment can be postponed for LDS missionary service upon completion of all deferment procedures defined by the admitting institution.
18. Are high school students who have more than 24 college credits still required to take the ACT/SAT?
High school students whose graduating class has not yet graduated are required to take the ACT/SAT, regardless of how many college credits they have obtained. 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.)
19. 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.)
20. 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.)
21. How important are the essays to the application?
The essays are read carefully and are a pertinent part of the application.
22. Do I need to have admission materials in by the deadline or postmarked by the deadline?
All parts of the application must be postmarked by the deadline.
23. 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.
(Please note that LDSBC will accept all applications until the first day of the semester or term.)
24. When will I hear back about an admission decision?
Once your application is complete:
BYU will email you no later than 4 weeks after your final application deadline. New freshman applying for summer and fall will receive an admission decision no later than February 28.
BYU-Idaho will email you within six weeks from when you complete your application.
BYU-Hawaii will email you within four weeks after the application deadline for domestic students, and as soon as possible for international students.
LDS Business College will email you within four weeks from when you complete your application.
25. Does my school preference affect my admission decision?
The order in which you rank the school(s) to which you apply MAY BE a consideration in the acceptance process and may affect your chances for admission.
26. 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 an e-mail notification from each school that you applied to. Each school makes its own decision without regard to the other schools.
27. If I am not admitted to the school of my choice, will my application fee be refunded?
The $35 application fee is nonrefundable.
28. 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.
29. How do I apply for scholarships?
The scholarship application process varies between each school. For the best up to date information on how to apply for scholarships within the school of your choice, please refer to each school’s financial aid link:
30. 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.
31. Can I defer the first semester I'm admitted?
First semester deferments are reserved for missionaries leaving during the semester they were admitted. The only students who are able to defer the first semester they are admitted are students leaving on missions during that time.
32. Can I apply with a paper application, rather than online?
We no longer publish paper applications. The entire application can be filled out online. If you are unable to fill out the online application, please call our admissions office at (801) 422-2507 for further instructions.
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. Besides scholarships, what other financial 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 freshman, 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 of the school you are applying for.