Summer of Academic Refinement
The 2025 SOAR application is now closed. Decision notifications will begin on May 10th.
SOAR 2025 Dates:
June 23 - June 27July 7 - July 11
WHAT IS SOAR?
SOAR is a BYU college preparation and scholarship program that serves domestic students with diverse cultural backgrounds to strengthen their spiritual, cultural, social, academic, and personal identities. SOAR exposes students to BYU's mission and aims, providing an on-campus experience in the summer immediately after their junior year of high school.
Priority will be given to first generation college, low socioeconomic students who traditionally do not have access to the same educational and financial resources and opportunities as others.
BENEFITS OF SOAR
* Note: Students' financial need is considered during the scholarship evaluation process.
** Successful completion of the SOAR program does not guarantee admission to BYU. Students must still complete the standard application process and will be evaluated by the admissions office: apply.byu.edu.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
"SOAR has given me the opportunity to get closer to our Heavenly Father."
"I loved SOAR because it taught me that BYU makes things like becoming an accountant super fun!"
"SOAR makes me feel like even though I don’t speak a different language or dance very well, I can still participate in my culture."
"My favorite part about SOAR is that there’s no awkward interactions when we first meet each other."
HOW CAN I APPLY?
The application opens February 3 and closes on April 14, 2025. Decision notifications will be sent by May 10, 2025. Make sure to check the SOAR application page here for the latest updates and information on the application process.
Students will participate the summer before the year they are eligible to apply for BYU (usually right before their senior year of high school or equivalent). Student preferences, abilities, and circumstances will be considered in the review process.
REQUIREMENTS
All SOAR participants must:
- be at least 16 years old,
- finished their junior year of high school,
- have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.2.
SOAR 2025 Dates:
June 23 - June 27
July 7 - July 11
SOAR Fee:
SOAR sessions are held in person and cost $450 USD.
Scholarships:
Upon receipt of a free/reduced lunch form from your school, you can be considered for a need-based tuition scholarship in the amount of $350 USD.
Refund Policy:
If you withdraw from a SOAR session more than 15 days before it begins, you are eligible for a refund, minus a nonrefundable $100 fee. After this period, refunds are unavailable as housing and other arrangements have been finalized. Refunds are typically processed within three to four weeks. Please note that no refund will be issued if a participant is sent home due to illness or for violating SOAR standards and rules. Legal guardians are responsible for all travel arrangements and associated expenses.
Special Accommodations:
If you would like additional information on special accommodations, please email us at soar@byu.edu.
SOAR STANDARDS
As a SOAR participant, you are expected to use good judgment in your interactions with others, in alignment with For the Strength of Youth standards from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
You should use clean language that encourages, uplifts, and compliments others. This includes refraining from profane language or participate in discussions that are vulgar or crude, or that involve jokes or stories about immoral actions.
In addition, some topics WILL NOT be discussed by SOAR Advisors, SOAR Assistants, or other program participants. If you feel the need to seek counsel in one of these areas, you should talk to your parents or church leaders. These topics include, but are not limited to:
- Mental health issues (e.g., suicide, depression, anxiety).
- Past or current serious transgressions.
- Same-sex attraction or sexual preferences.
These standards apply to all forms of communications, including verbal conversations in person, on the phone, or by video conference, as well as correspondence by email, letters, texting, social media, and any other methods before, during, or after the program.
Remember that you are a participant at an institution sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and you have agreed to abide by the Church Educational System Honor Code. A participant who disregards these SOAR standards may be subject to appropriate sanctions up to and including dismissal without refund.
Parents and participants may report any inappropriate or behavior of SOAR Staff by calling the SOAR Administration at (801) 422-5971.