Brigham Young University

Comments about Brigham Young University:

I had a wonderful experience with BYU. It was great to be around people who valued the same things that I did. The school welcomes everyone who will abide by their Honor Code, regardless of religious affiliation. A school deep with tradition and with a strong heritage of honor and integrity. Definitely recommend.

Comments about Brigham Young University:

As one of the top programs in the NCAA I intended to play a sport at BYU. After injury derailed that option, I wasn't sure what the experience would be. In short . . . amazing. It's often what you make of it and I got involved and had life-changing experiences. I had professors who had life experience outside of academia to mentor me and help me find my path. I was able to integrate my faith with secular learning to provide a more complete understanding of principles. And of course, I cannot overlook the fact that there were thousands of beautiful single ladies who shared similar values. So yeah, I loved it.

Comments about Brigham Young University:

There is absolutely no better value in higher educationn anywhere. That's one of the reasons I chose BYU. And being LDS and having just gotten off a mission didn't hurt either. I've been to other schools (after BYU) where there aren't a lot of LDS students and the social aspect of BYU can't be overstated.

Class size: obviously the general ed classes, or some of them, are crowded, but once you get into your major you'll be surprised how manageable the class sizes are and how approachable the instructors are, too.

Instructors: first rate. I know first hand that there are a lot of professors who would love to teach at BYU, so that means the school can afford to be pretty choosy. I never had a poor instructor while at BYU.

Value of degree: unmatched. I've been all over the country since I graduated and the fact that I went to BYU is always met with a positive reaction (and I didn't even do THAT well, either).

One of the most positive influences in my post high school life was with a BYU professor, Dr. Stovall-Richards of the history department. I was a history major, just off my mission. I was taking History 120 and I got a D on the first test. I was mortified. I went to talk to her, almost in tears, and she spent considerable time talking with me and evaluating my study and note taking habits. She made some key recommendations to me that I held onto through law school that literally changed my performance immediately. I got A's on the rest of the tests that semester. I will never forget her empathy and kindness.

The one con I'll mention will seem nit picky if you don't work out, but the weight room facilities at BYU for the general student population (at least when I was there) were literally embarrassing. My first year of school was spent at tiny Bloomsburg University in PA, and their facilities blew the doors off of BYU's. If they haven't made a bigger and more up to date weight room for students, it's high time they did and retired their present equipment to the Smithsonian.

Comments about Brigham Young University:

I'm a member of the LDS church and BYU was a great fit. I actually transferred there after I got my associates degree. Campus is beautiful, students and faculty are exceptional. I also really wanted to get my social work (MSW) degree there.

Comments about Brigham Young University:

Allowed me to interact with individuals who have similar interests and standards

Comments about Brigham Young University:

As an international student, I had a very difficult time getting straight answers from competent staff at the Student Center. I was often given misinformation or old information with annoying (though not quite permanent) consequences.

I also felt belittled by one of the more senior academic advisors whose political views didn't seem to include helping international students obtain off-campus employment through Career Practical Training (CPT) -- a legal route to off-campus work.

BYU was a good school, but I don't think it was quite all it's hyped to be. Would likely not recommend, and I would not go back for a graduate degree.

Comments about Brigham Young University:

I selected BYU because of the opportunity to attend a faith based university where standards matter and are enforced. I also found that there were no other schools available that could offer that level of education, in-state or out-of-state, for the unbelievably low tuition costs. I found that my overall experience was a positive one, that the enforcing of standards didn't bother me too much (as I realized that since it is a private university, and I signed the honor code, that it was my choice to attend and follow the rules) and that the quality of my education was very competitive with other universities who offered my degree. In fact, I found the curriculum very challenging and the instructors in the field I studied were extremely experienced and varied in thier credentials. I feel like attending BYU gave me a great education and I would have been very prepared to either continue my education or enter the work force had I chosen to do either. I currently don't work outside of the home, but I use the skills I learned there every day! I would encourage those considering attending BYU to understand that if you want to go there, be aware that it is not a place just to "find a mate" that it is a serious place of education. It irritated me that so many students did not take their education seriously and that because they were taking up a valuable place in the enrollment, that someone else who was serious was being denied that opportunity. BYU is NOT a party school, so if you want to party, don't go there. Only enroll if you are willing to abide by the honor code and if you go and break it, don't blame the university for the consequences.

Comments about Brigham Young University:

I was very happy with the level of education. My only complaint is that for a religious private school, it strangely doesn't offer a degree in religion.

Comments about Brigham Young University:

Receiving my degree from BYU opened up a world of opportunities for me. A program required by my major, enabled me to get an Internship from the top company in my field. Afterwards, I was offered a job from this company and had opportunities at my other companies. Something I do not think I could have done without BYU.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, BYU also strengthened my faith and gave me opportunities for friendship and service that I still maintain and hold dear today. I am very grateful for my time and BYU.

Comments about Brigham Young University:

Overall I think you will get a quality education here. Professors and instructors are all good, and some are outstanding. I would recommend the school from that standpoint. My main complaints with the school have more to do with two areas: administration and culture. For example, the student association is a poorly run organization, lead by full-time administrators who, in my opinion, lack the open minds and leadership skills to run a vibrant and effective association. As to culture, there is a strange attitude of prejudice toward anything that is perceived as out of line with the mainstream. As an active member of the LDS faith (both then and now), I found it so interesting that faculty and students alike would not give each other the benefit of the doubt when it came to possible differences of views or opinions. I think these two areas are the biggest shortcomings of the University. I would still recommend the school, but hope that these things would improve in the future.