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Applying - International Applicants

  • What to expect when applying to Graduate Studies

    FEES

    • A $50 application fee is required upon applying.

    DEADLINES

    • Plan on the appropriate preparation time.

      • Some elements of the graduate application take time to complete. An application can rarely be completed in one day.

        • For example, when a NetID is created, the verification process can take up to two business days.
    • Know the application deadline for the program you want to apply to. Program deadlines vary, and applicants may not submit their applications after the deadline.

    REQUIREMENTS

    • Application requirements are different for each graduate program. Learn the application requirements for your graduate program by referencing the admission requirements on the program(s) website.

    • Meet the University’s Minimum Requirements

    • International students have slightly different application procedures. Some elements change, and additional information is required from the applicant.
      • The English proficiency test is required. Please review the link for our accepted exams and the minimum scores needed.
      • Applicants applying to Computer Science, Geological Sciences, MBA, MPA, Music, Nursing, Physics & Astronomy, Sociology, Spanish & Portuguese, or Statistics programs who have foreign transcripts are required to complete an official foreign credential evaluation using one of our preferred foreign credential evaluation vendors BEFORE they can be considered for admission.
        • Applicants outside the programs listed above will be required to complete a foreign credential evaluation if recommended for admission (see "After You've Submitted" for an explanation of a Conditional Admit).
      • For additional international requirements, click here.

    To review BYU admissions policies, click here.

  • Please skip this step if you already have a BYU ID (NetID).

    All applicants must have a BYU NetID. This unique identifier will be associated with your application and student record. If there is an error when creating a NetID, you will receive an email explaining what needs to be fixed. Please fix these errors as soon as possible to avoid delays.

    **Creating multiple accounts or NetIDs will cause complications and delays in processing your application. All NetIDs need to be verified with the application. The verification process will be delayed if information, e.g., first, middle, and last name, does not match the NetID and application. If NetID and application material match, the verification process should take 1-2 business days.

  • All students who attend Brigham Young University must voluntarily agree to abide by the CES Honor Code.

  • All Applicants wanting to attend Brigham Young University MUST complete and maintain a valid ecclesiastical endorsement.

  • Application Status Portal

    • The application status portal displays any items that remain missing or deficient after the application is submitted, such as letters of recommendation or ecclesiastical endorsement. Missing or deficient items are marked with a red "X."
      • These issues must be resolved before the applicant can be admitted to the university.
      • Applicants can click on any review items and be redirected to the relevant application section to resolve the issue/s.
    • Applicants will receive an email notification when their applications have been updated, e.g., program decisions. To access the update, go to the Status Update section of the page (left-hand side) and click on the "View Update" hyperlink.
    Example of the application status portal:

    Program Decisions

    There are six decision designations applicants can receive. These designations with descriptions are as follows:

    • Admit
      • The applicant has been officially admitted into their designated graduate program(s).
    • Conditional Admit
      • Conditionally admitted applicants are classified as applicants who must satisfy a requirement BEFORE beginning their program of study.
        • This is a recommendation for admission and is not an official admission decision. The conditions to be met will be stated in the "recommended for admissions, but the missing items" letter received in their Slate status portal (View Update).
        • A conditional admit is usually used for an applicant with a foreign degree who needs to complete the foreign credential evaluation.
          • The conditional admit letter provides directions on how to start the evaluation process. The applicant can use two companies, IERF and TEC (formerly SpanTran). Make sure to read through all directions in the letter and also on the evaluation company landing page—hyperlinks are provided in the letter. Ensure you are regularly in contact with the evaluation company, providing the necessary documents and keeping your department updated on where you are in the evaluation process.
    • Provisional Admit
      • Provisionally admitted applicants are admitted with a condition set by their respective graduate program admission committee that addresses a deficiency or concern. This deficiency or concern regarding the applicant must be satisfied BEFORE their program begins if the requirement/s are associated with BYU or DURING their program of study.
        • In the provisional letter, the programs will clearly articulate the conditions and when the applicant needs to be completed with a clear deadline for completion.
    • Deny
      • The applicant has not been admitted into their designated graduate program(s).
    • Waitlist
      • The applicant's status and online letter indicate that the department will likely admit the applicant if space becomes available in the program.
    • Withdrawn
      • The respective program or the applicant has requested that the admission designation be terminated.
  • Have you received an official admit letter through your status portal in Slate? Do you have questions about the next steps? We are here to help!

    Below is information to help you through the visa and documentation process.

    Help Getting Your Student Visa

    • Admitted applicants who require a student visa in order to attend BYU will receive email instructions from our International Student and Scholars Office (ISSS) instructing them how to submit the following information to procure their student visa, AFTER they are officially admitted.
    • Applicants who are only recommended for admission but are still missing application items will need to resolve the missing items before they can be officially admitted by the university.

    Required Documentation for Student Visas

    • Applicants will receive email instructions from ISSS after they are officially admitted to the university about how to upload the required documentation for their student visa via the ISSS eForm portal. DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS BY EMAIL.
    • Below is a non-exclusive list of the types of documents that could be required:
      • Personal - official bank statements or proof of liquidated assets.
      • Sponsor - completed and signed Affidavit of Support with supporting documentation, such as official bank statements or proof of liquidated assets.
      • All supporting financial documents must be current within 12 months with official English translations and must bear the name of the account holder and date of issuance.
    • Current passport biographic pages along with copies of passports for any dependents that will accompany you.
    • Current non-immigrant or immigrant visa information/documentation (including dependents that will accompany the student).