Short answer: You do not have to be Mormon to apply to BYU, but you must meet BYU’s admission requirements and be willing to live under the Honor Code, which reflects LDS Church standards. Details:
- BYU is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and enrollment is conditioned on adherence to the Church Educational System Honor Code and related dress and grooming standards. However, non–LDS students can apply and be admitted if they meet the same academic criteria and agree to follow the Honor Code once enrolled. This means being non-Mormon does not disqualify you from applying or attending, but you must commit to the Honor Code while you are a student. [sources indicate BYU’s admission policies and the Honor Code expectations for all students, including non-members]
- Practical implications for non-members:
- You’ll still need to satisfy standard admission requirements (GPA, test scores if applicable, coursework) and complete general education requirements.
- You must obtain and maintain an ecclesiastical endorsement as part of the admissions process, and agree to comply with the Honor Code after admission. If your church membership is withdrawn or restricted, admission could be impacted until those changes are resolved. [BYU admission policy and honor code sections]
- BYU-Pathway and related programs sometimes have programs with different participation rules, but traditional BYU undergraduate admission generally allows non-LDS students provided they align with the Honor Code and ecclesiastical endorsement requirements. Always verify the current policy for your program of interest. [BYU admissions guidance and related program pages]
If you’d like, I can look up the most current official BYU admission requirements for the specific program you’re interested in and summarize how the Honor Code would apply to you as a non-Mormon applicant.
