Process and Time Line

“The BGS program has enriched my life. The learning process has opened up old doors and has swept away cobwebs. It has, again, made me an active learner.”

— Linda, Lagrangeville, NY

The application and admission process does take some time. The process is as follows:

Submitting the application
Click here to download application forms. Do the following:

1. Fill in all of the requested information on Form A.



2. Send Form A along with the $35 nonrefundable BGS application fee to the BGS Office.



3. Submit any letters of explanation, if necessary, as indicated on Form A.



4. Submit a photocopy of your driver’s license, marriage certificate, passport, or Social Security card showing your current name with your application, if your BYU records are under a former name or student number.



5. Prepare your portion of the Student Commitment and Confidential Report (Form B). Then schedule an interview with your LDS bishop or branch president and a member of the stake presidency. If you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, follow the instructions on Form B. See BYU and Ecclesiastical Endorsements The stake president should send Form B to the Bachelor of General Studies address.



6. Ensure that official transcripts of all prior college/university credit that have not already been posted to your BYU record are sent directly by your previous college/university (not by you) to:
   
   Bachelor of General Studies
   Brigham Young University
   315 Harman Continuing Education Building
   Provo, UT 84602-1515

Click here to download application forms

Social Security Number Disclosure Consent Statement
You are requested to voluntarily provide your Social Security number to assist BYU in internal identification of students, in bringing all your records and transcripts together, and in administering student aid programs. Your Social Security number is necessary for IRS tax reporting requirements. BYU will not use or disclose your Social Security number in a manner that permits personal identification of you by individuals other than representatives of BYU. By providing your Social Security number, you are consenting to the uses identified above. Provision of your Social Security number and consent to its use is not required and, if you choose not to do so, you will not be denied any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law.

Being notified of provisional acceptance
Once your application is complete, a series of evaluations will take place. This processing and evaluation may take four to eight weeks, depending on the time of year and the amount and type of transfer credit you have.

You will be notified of your provisional acceptance once the evaluations are complete and eligibility has been determined. Along with a letter of notification, you will also receive an information packet and a summary of your credit evaluations listing requirements that have been completed by prior work. The next step in the admission process is to enroll in the Student Development 100 Independent Study course.

Completing Student Development 100
Instructions for enrolling in Student Development 100 are included in the notification of provisional acceptance. This 1-credit BYU Independent Study course can be completed at your own pace; however, a deadline of three to five months (depending on at what point during a semester you receive your provisional acceptance) will be specified in your provisional acceptance letter.

As part of Student Development 100, you will complete your BGS academic plan. The materials you receive with your provisional acceptance notification will be used in preparing this academic plan.

Being notified of formal admission
Upon successfully completing Student Development 100, including the approval of your academic plan, you will be notified of your formal admission to the Bachelor of General Studies program. You may then proceed by enrolling in those courses outlined on your academic plan. Any changes you make to your plan must be approved by the BGS Office before you proceed.

Meeting application deadlines
There are no application deadlines per se for the BGS program; you may apply to and begin the BGS program any time during the year. However, if you are planning to enroll at BYU for Evening Classes, at the Salt Lake Center, or on campus during spring or summer terms, you must be formally admitted, which includes completing Student Development 100, by the following deadlines:

Graduation
Once formally admitted to the Bachelor of General Studies program, students have up to eight years in which to graduate. Diplomas are awarded in April, August, and December; and BGS students are encouraged to participate in commencement ceremonies that are held in April and August. BGS graduates attend the convocation of the college that houses the emphasis (Humanities, Marriott School, or Family, Home, and Social Sciences).