Application Instructions

When adding recommender information to your application, you will see the following question:
"Do you wish to waive your right to examine this letter of recommendation?"

• Yes
• No

What does this question mean?

If you check YES: You will NOT be able to view the letters submitted on your behalf, even if you are admitted and choose to enroll at the University.

If you check NO: Your letters will become part of your student record and you will have the right to inspect that record (including your letters) after you are admitted and enroll at the University. You only have this right if you enroll at the University. If you are denied admission, or if you are admitted but do not enroll, you do not have the right to view your letters, regardless of how you respond to this question

Why do we ask this question?

Your recommenders and your graduate program will see your response to this question--they both have the right to know whether the information provided in your letter could be accessible to you in the future.

This statement gives the admissions committee an opportunity to learn the following:

1. your preparation and background for the program to which you are applying and the special emphasis you hope to pursue,
2. your academic or professional goals (both short (3-5 years) and long-term) and reasons for your choice of career,
3. your particular academic or professional reasons for applying to Brigham Young University and the scholarly or professional contributions you expect to make to your program,;
4. (optional) any special circumstances you wish the department to consider, such as circumstances that may have affected undergraduate academic performance, test scores, unexplained job gaps, etc.
5. Briefly describe a time that a goal was not accomplished, an aspiration was not achieved, or your leadership efforts have fallen short. What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today?.
6. (Optional) How have you strengthened your candidacy if you previously applied to this program and were denied admission? (e.g. changes in your professional development, improved academic qualifications, etc.)