As deadlines for limited enrollment programs approach, students from various disciplines are finalizing their applications and awaiting decisions in hopes of earning a coveted spot.
With nearly 50 BYU programs requiring applications, students are busy compiling their portfolios and resumes. Among the most competitive limited enrollment programs are nursing, experience design and management, accounting and graphic design.
Second Time’s the Charm
Kate Lubin, a student applying for the nursing program for the second time, expressed her nervousness surrounding the application process. The nursing program application involves academic records, health care experience, interviews and letters of recommendation.
“When I didn’t get in, at first I was a little surprised,” she said. “But then, I came to more of an understanding and I accepted it.”
She’s now applying again, this time with six more months of volunteer experience and more in-depth video interviews. Lubin said the nursing workshops helped her polish up her application before submitting it again.
Lubin isn’t alone in this experience. She noted that her friends, who applied with her, didn’t get in the first time either.
“We all got denied our first time, and we are all reapplying again,” Lubin said.
With only a 37% acceptance rate, the nursing department is one of the most competitive majors on campus.
“It’s not uncommon to turn people down who have great GPAs. It’s that tough to get in,” said Blaine Winters, associate dean of the nursing department.
Winters noted that most students don’t get in because of a lack of resources, not because they aren’t qualified.
“The majority of students who apply would be great nurses,” he said. “We would love to admit more, but are limited by several factors, such as clinical placements, lab and classroom space.”
Experience Design and Management: Passion Matters
Another program with a reputation for high standards is experience design and management, which admits about 62% of applicants. The application includes course prerequisites, evidence of relevant work experience, a resume and a personal essay.
Aleia Allen, a current student in the program, sees the competition as necessary.
“I would tell the admissions board to continue to make the application process more rigorous to ensure that those who are in the program care about carrying it forward and improving the viability of future endorsement and alumni relations in the future,” Allen said.
She advises other students that although it is a competitive program, applicants don’t have to worry if their passion for the major is evident in the application.
The BYU Marriott School reiterates this idea and advises students to fully grasp what they’re applying to before hitting submit.
“A key differentiator is how well applicants understand the major they’re applying to — not just the name, but what they’ll learn and where it can take them,” said Rhonda Sandberg, an undergraduate advisor at the Marriott School of Business.
Sandberg also said students should consider applying to multiple BYU Marriott majors. 80% of students who apply to two or more majors are admitted to at least one.
Accounting: Academics Above All
Another notoriously tough major within the Marriott School of Business is the accounting program, which puts a heavy focus on the grades earned in prerequisite courses.
BYU student Sydney Berg was recently admitted to the program and noted how rigorous the application process was.
“Compared to the other business school programs, which are a little bit more holistic-based, this was strictly academic,” Berg said.
While Berg advocates for a more balanced approach, the Marriott School maintains transparency about its criteria.
“We do our best to communicate the selectivity of each program upfront, but it’s easy to underestimate just how thorough the process is,” Sandberg said.
Graphic Design: One Shot at a Time
The graphic design program is known for its competitiveness and early preparation, with some students starting as early as high school. April Crawford, a first-time applicant, is preparing her portfolio to apply to the program.
Applicants can only apply twice, with a required year-long break between attempts.
“I’m honestly just hoping for the best,” she said. “It’s a really competitive program, and everyone who’s applying is so talented.”
The design department didn’t comment on the admissions process, but Crawford said she’s been encouraged by others to trust her skills and focus her energy on creating the strongest portfolio possible.
As deadlines for each program loom, admission boards are making difficult decisions that will affect the trajectory of many students' futures. However, each department emphasized that there are always different paths that can be just as fulfilling.
For more information about limited enrollment programs admissions, visit department websites or stay updated on admission rates at https://catalog.byu.edu/about/limited-enrollment-programs.