BYU Mistakenly Sends Acceptance Emails to 9 Students

The university later apologized for the "unfortunate mistake" that sparked joy and heartbreak.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Brigham Young University mistakenly sent acceptance notifications to nine students who had actually been rejected, leading to celebrations and then disappointment when the error was discovered. The university has apologized for the glitch in its admissions notification system but has not offered to honor the mistaken acceptances.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the significant emotional impact that college admissions decisions can have on students and their families. While BYU has acknowledged the error, many are questioning whether the university should have simply honored the mistaken acceptances given its resources and reputation.

The details

According to BYU, a technical glitch in the admissions notification system triggered 'Congratulations' messages to nine students who had not actually been admitted. The university later contacted the affected students to apologize for the "unfortunate mistake" and said it would take steps to prevent such errors in the future. However, the damage was already done, with one student, 18-year-old Owen Johansen of Virginia, saying he and his family had already begun preparing for enrollment before discovering the acceptance message had been replaced with a rejection.

  • On February 28, 2026, BYU mistakenly sent acceptance emails to nine students.

The players

Brigham Young University

A private university located in Provo, Utah, known for its nationally recognized academic programs.

Owen Johansen

An 18-year-old student from Virginia who received and celebrated the mistaken acceptance from BYU before later being rejected.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The university has promised to take steps to prevent such errors from happening again in the future, but it remains to be seen if it will honor the mistaken acceptances.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the significant emotional impact that college admissions decisions can have on students and their families, and raises questions about whether universities with significant resources should be held to a higher standard when it comes to avoiding such mistakes.