BYU May Not Be for You

I hate the question, what year are you in school?

Um, 6?

Oh, so how much longer do you have?

2 years. 

Oh.

Yes, I’m a super senior attending BYU.

This last weekend I went back to visit BYU-I, the school I attended first before transferring to BYU my sophomore-ish year. 

Right in front of their building was a sign that read, “If you take 30 credits a year, you will save money and graduate faster!”

I couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, I wish BYU had that same attitude.

Let’s rewind a few years. 

After meeting and marrying the love of my life at BYU-I, we both got accepted to BYU and felt, even though we didn’t necessarily want to, that we both should transfer there.

Leaving BYU-I was hard. We both loved it there! I was leaving a graduation year of 2018 and because of a ridiculous system at BYU for not taking all transfer credits (even from their sister school), I was put back two semesters. 

It was exciting to be at such a large school! The football games were a blast, the classes were hard, and playing in the band was thrilling. 

I found myself missing the 30 student classes that BYU-I often offered. But melting into the crowd on the 25th row sometimes felt nice. 

My career goals didn’t change with the new school, so I took the pre-requisites for the marketing program, and then retook one of the classes to get my grade high enough.

With great excitement I turned in my application and waited. 

Only to find out that my BYU-I grades were docked and therefore weren’t high enough to apply. 

Their reason? They didn’t know the classes were as “rigorous” as theirs. 

Trying to ignore the ridiculousness of not accepting sister-school grades, I changed my career goals to advertising,

Only to apply twice and get denied both times. 

An important part to know is each application can only be turned in once a year (for marketing), and every other semester (for advertising). Meaning that just trying to get into a program has added a year and a half onto my already lengthening college sentence.

Before I continue I want to talk about what kind of student I am. I get A’s and B’s with one C. I never miss a class and take organized notes in every class. I study for every test and meet with groups to study. 

I’m not a bad student, but for BYU, I’m not good enough. 

BYU is a competition. 

They’re not there to help you achieve your goal, unless you’re the best. 

I’m a husband and father who not only works and takes care of my daughter, but also balances a schedule for my wife to continue school also. 

BYU is not designed for people like me to graduate in a field they want. 

That’s why I couldn’t help but laugh/cry at BYU-I’s sign.

The reason I wanted to write this is for YOU to know that just because BYU is “prestigious” or has a football team, it may not be for you.

Please don’t make a quick decision, really think about it. BYU-I or any other school may be a much better choice for YOU.

No matter what you’re parents or friends say. Think about it for YOU.