Brigham Young University stated Wednesday that the nine students impacted by an admissions letter error earlier last month have been provisionally admitted.
"The university’s admissions team is working with the students individually to ensure they have an opportunity to both attend BYU and meet the university’s academic standards," Audrey Perry Martin, BYU spokesperson, said.
The statement comes after the BYU Office of Admissions mistakenly sent acceptance letters to nine students who were later denied admission to BYU.
The error gained attention on social media as families of prospective students posted about their frustration that their loved ones were affected.
According to BYU Admissions' social media pages, admissions letters were sent out on Feb 13.
Nine students received acceptance letters to BYU. Days later, when some attempted to accept the offer and begin preparing to attend, they learned that they had been denied.
On Feb. 27, news outlets nationwide reported on the situation.
A group of BYU students started protesting that same day outside the Wilkinson Student Center although did not continue as BYU Security notified them that they needed a permit.
Students and members of the community are split on the situation, with some saying mistakes happen and others arguing that the nine students should be admitted to the university.
On Feb. 28, a petition calling for the nine students' admission was started.
Maylee Cooper started the petition after her father sent her an article when the news first broke.
"I would have been so disappointed if the situation happened to me or any of my friends," Cooper said, before the university provisionally admitted those affected.
"I had faith BYU would make the right decision, and I’m so grateful they did," Cooper said.
The reaction extended much further than the Wasatch Front. Tauni Hawker of South Carolina said she saw the story through national and Utah outlets.
"Nine students is .00025 percent of the BYU students. It’s crazy they didn’t see the human affected by the error before the wrong number was accepted," Hawker said.
Hawker said she is happy the university plans to accept the students, adding that it is what should have happened from the start.
The provisionally accepted students are reportedly expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA during their first semester in Provo in order to be officially admitted.
This is the second time in recent years that the university has had admission errors, as the BYU College of Nursing sent incorrect application decisions in 2024.