Brigham Young University supplemental essays, 2026-27
Brigham Young University lists 8 supplemental questions for 2026-27. One is a "why this school" question, which is the one prompt you cannot reuse from another application.
The 8 prompts
In the order the school lists them. A limit appears only where the school prints one.
Have you become aware of significant needs in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked toward meeting those needs.
What it asks for: community you belong to.
Briefly describe a time that your efforts have fallen short, a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved. What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today?
What it asks for: why this school.
We strive to create a rich and varied educational environment through admitting students with a wide range of: Goals, Interests, Skills and talents, Life experiences, Perspectives, Cultures. Tell us your story. What will you contribute to our university community? Be specific.
What it asks for: community you belong to.
A BYU education will be spiritually strengthening. BYU students have a unique opportunity to seek learning by study and by faith. Describe the reasons you want to learn in an environment like this.
What it asks for: personal story.
Why are you applying to transfer from your current institution?
What it asks for: why this school.
How has your initial college experience prepared you for the academic rigor of BYU? Tell us what you have done to challenge yourself academically. Be specific.
What it asks for: a challenge or setback.
Please provide a short description of your participation in the specific activity:
What it asks for: an activity in depth.
Why did you choose to participate in this activity? How have you benefited from your participation?
What it asks for: why this school.
Source: Brigham Young University, read October 24, 2026. Confirm the prompts in your application before you submit.
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Questions
1. Have you become aware of significant needs in your family, school, and/or community? Please explain how you have worked toward meeting those needs. (1500 characters) 2. Briefly describe a time that your efforts have fallen short, a goal was not accomplished, or an aspiration was not achieved. What steps did you take to recover from this defeat? What resources did you use? How and why are you different today? (500 characters) 3. We strive to create a rich and varied educational environment through admitting students with a wide range of: Goals, Interests, Skills and talents, Life experiences, Perspectives, Cultures. Tell us your story. What will you contribute to our university community? Be specific. (1500 characters) 4. A BYU education will be spiritually strengthening. BYU students have a unique opportunity to seek learning by study and by faith. Describe the reasons you want to learn in an environment like this. (1500 characters) 5. Why are you applying to transfer from your current institution? (500 characters) 6. How has your initial college experience prepared you for the academic rigor of BYU? Tell us what you have done to challenge yourself academically. Be specific. (1500 characters) 7. Please provide a short description of your participation in the specific activity: (300 characters) 8. Why did you choose to participate in this activity? How have you benefited from your participation? (1500 characters)
Current Essay Prompt 2: 1500 characters; Current Essay Prompt 3: 500 characters; Current Essay Prompt 4: 1500 characters; Current Essay Prompt 5: 1500 characters; Transfer Essay Prompt 1: 500 characters; Transfer Essay Prompt 2: 1500 characters; Activity Essay Prompt 1: 300 characters; Activity Essay Prompt 2: 1500 characters.
These prompts ask about community you belong to, why this school, personal story, a challenge or setback, an activity in depth. The why-this-school answer must be written for this school. Answers about a community, a challenge or an activity often adapt from drafts for other schools; My Schools maps which of your drafts fits which prompt.