BYU Hawaii admissions process

Does anybody have experience with the admissions process at BYU Hawaii? What were the admission requirements you needed to meet and how did you navigated through it all? Just trying to get my bearings and stay on top of my goals, so any advice would be awesome =)

BYU Hawaii has a holistic admissions process, meaning they look at not just your academic qualifications, but also your personal characteristics, and your participation in extracurricular activities.

In terms of academic requirements, there's no minimum GPA or standardized test score cutoff, but successful applicants typically have strong high school records. BYU Hawaii takes into account your grades, the rigor of the courses you took in high school, and your SAT or ACT scores (though for the 2024-2025 application cycle, submissions of these test scores is optional).

For the SAT, the middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 1080 and 1250. For the ACT, the average score in recent years has been a 24. It's important to note that while good scores can strengthen your application, students who fall outside these score ranges should not be discouraged from applying. Remember that these scores are not definite indicators of an acceptance or rejection decision.

One additional academic requirement is the seminary recommendation. If you've been attending a Church Education System (CES) institute or a high school with a LDS Seminary class, you need a recommendation from your Seminary teacher.

Furthermore, they consider your extracurricular activities. While quantity can be impressive, it is important that your activities demonstrate a high level of involvement or achievement. This could range from leadership roles in clubs or sports teams to national recognitions like winning a Congressional Art award.

Finally, the application includes a few essay questions. This is your chance to help the admissions office understand you better as an individual, and to showcase personal qualities that aren't visible in the rest of your application. Ensure that your essays are unique and accurately portray your personality and experiences. Remember to avoid cliche topics and instead focus on experiences that were deeply meaningful or impactful to you.

Once you're done with your application, it's time to submit it! BYU Hawaii has rolling admissions, meaning they review applications as they come in and continue to accept students until the incoming class is full. So it's a good idea to apply earlier rather than later.

Hopefully, this gives you a comprehensive understanding of what the BYU Hawaii admissions committee looks for. Good luck with your application!