Getting into BYU, if not apart of LDS

YourNameHere27 · 08-01-2008, 05:23 PM

Hey guys, I am very interested in getting into BYU, but I am not apart of the LDS, not a Mormon. How badly will it affect my chances of getting in? I was thinking it may help it since colleges are looking for divesity, since I'm not apart of the 98% category. I am applying next year, and if I get accepted; I plan on transferring to LDS, "methodist now." What do you guys think?

Thank you

Nimrodel · 08-09-2008, 07:55 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about not being LDS. If you really want to go there, they will consider you as much as any other applicant. Even though a lot of weight is put on religion, they are still going to look at things like test scores and EC's. I have friends who are LDS that didn't get in, and I don't know specifics, but I'm sure they didn't get rejected because there are too many Mormons there already. I doubt that not being a part of the 98% is going to hurt or help you. It's still a college, after all, and they aren't going to accept or reject you based on religion. I think it's simply that the vast majority of applicants are Mormons who are looking for a college where they can keep their standards and feel good about being there. The more important thing, I think, is that they look at your character. They want people who will uphold their standards and contribute to the environment that they have created. They probably won't accept someone who does drugs or something like that, but as long as you show a history of honesty and integrity, and as long as you show a willingness to keep their rules, I think you've got a good shot.

P.S. I know that religion classes are a big part of the curriculum, and I read that non-LDS students are encouraged, if not required, to take an "Introduction to Mormonism" class, so if you're considering converting, that would be a good place to do it.

yucca · 09-01-2008, 07:54 PM

You will be converted.

Viper24 · 10-01-2008, 07:26 PM

people actually have a higher chance of being accepted if not LDS and from Utah. Uthan LDS high school grads will have the toughest time getting in.

talha_adnan · 01-06-2009, 09:51 AM

Viper24, really???? :O
I mean isn't the school meant for Mormons? I'm an international student and I've seen BYU's name in many rankings and I think it will be great if I can get in. The only thing that troubles me is the social scene! I don't really wanna be in a place like... you know!

Kyo*** · 01-24-2009, 08:49 PM

well talha_adnan, BYU is actually for mormons but the fact is non mormon people can get in also. And if you do not mind being a mormon you will have no problem going there. But i have seen some non mormon people who dropped out after 1 year cuz they cannot stand the environment. oh btw like 99% of the students are mormon and white + they marry like when they are 19 soo... i would not recommned without knowing this schooll and religion u know.

talha_adnan · 02-11-2009, 06:49 AM

Thanks Kyo***. BYU is my safety university. I'm also planning for the 1 year and then transfer thing! Hopefully it'll work...

Does the school administration help non-LDS students in any way to adjust in the environment?

cdcd · 02-14-2009, 02:29 AM

You do have to understand that BYU is about 98.6% Mormon, but that should not deter you. BYU is a highly rated private university with top notch students. The students are all really friendly and are accepting. (I wouldn't be surprised though if some of them don't hit you up about the church

)

Here is a link that breaks down the religion

Religious Breakdown

I would not doubt that their is some type of "counselor" or "administrator" that would be of assistance to you and the transition. BYU truly is a great school and is EXTREMELY culturally diverse. I think you will enjoy it.

talha_adnan · 02-24-2009, 09:37 AM

Thanks a lot, cdcd.

zbenjii · 04-04-2009, 08:37 PM

Being non-lds at BYU is hard. Girls have come up to me asking questions as a sign of interest; the first question is 'where are you from?', the next question is 'where have you served?'and that is where it goes downhill. If you've made it that far, the next question will most definitely be 'why are you at BYU?' or something along those lines. All the while, the girl's interest level drops to the point where she just walks away.

A greater problem is the social cohesion. Members are very tight knit by nature. The majority of activities are announced in church, and members mostly assume that everyone knows about the activities. A lot of activities directly relate to the religion: family home evening, potlucks, fireside chats, and even the concept of Mormon dating. After all, the great majority of LDS students at BYU have chosen BYU as a lifestyle, and NOT just academics. I can't possibly stress this point enough.

Everyone's social interactions, morals, judgments correlate to LDS doctrine. Prepare to undertake assimilation. Prepare for some trial and error. By trial and error, I mean saying something or doing something that is unapproved by the majority of LDS students and getting dirty looks, being ignored, or having someone passive-aggressively smile at you.

I guess it's different for someone that is playing a sport for BYU. If you're at BYU for academics, find your own religion and your own race. Remember that any homogeneous population will have racist and derogatory behaviors. Korea and China are good examples(black and indians have a very hard time finding jobs in china and korea). BYU is more than 90% white, and there is a reason there are wards specifically for certain races(Chinese, Korean, Tongan)

In conclusion, you will have a far better time at BYU if you are Mormon. You will have a far better time at BYU if you're white. You will have a far better time at BYU if BYU has significant population of your race or religion or both. If you're not particularly outgoing and you don't qualify as white or Mormon, don't even think about going to BYU. Believe me, the benefits do not outweigh the costs.

And in response to cdcd, I do not believe BYU is culturally diverse.. lol. I'm in the accounting program at BYU, and three words describe BYU: white, mormon, republican. The majority of the views portrayed by students have been from this persuasion, and upon dissenting, most of the time I have been ignored. I have personally witnessed kids from Napal get discriminated against. It's a daily routine to hear LDS students talk about other races and religion in a condescending fashion.

zbenjii · 04-04-2009, 09:08 PM

"There is no other place I think you can feel so socially isolated, but if you survive, it's going to be a unique experience for your lifetime!" - from a blurb about the BYU MBA program.

Another note: realize that almost everything you read about the BYU academic experience is written from a LDS perspective. The non-lds perspective as well as the minority experience is VERY different and is very hard to find!!!!

aaron2398 · 04-04-2009, 09:22 PM

zbenjii - QUIT CRYING KID - your probably a loner and for a GOOD REASON TOO.

talha_adnan · 04-05-2009, 04:47 AM

@ aaron2398. zbenjii is telling us about his/her experience. I don't know about you, but as for us (prospective international students), it really helps in understanding the atmosphere at BYU.

I appreciate negative remarks just as much as the positive ones, as long as they give a clear picture of things.

@ zbenjii. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with all of us.

I appreciate your honesty and look forward to hearing more from you.

krakenjack · 04-05-2009, 05:56 AM

@ talha_adnan

Mormons are really cool people to hang out with, They're like mirzais and ahmedis....so that means..... Talha_adnan + BYU = mormons for ever

fcthebeatles · 04-05-2009, 09:48 AM

All of your information is really helpful to me, now. I'm thinking about coming to BYU this fall. Thanks zbenjii for your real experience at BYU. Athough it's only a story from a person and it's a sad story, but it shows an aspect of life of some people who are non Mormon and not white people.

I'm a non Mormon and not white man, too. So I really want to know, to listen more stories, more real experience of people who are not white, or non Mormon at BYU and stories of everybody experiencing BYU or knowing about BYU to make people understand more profoundly about life at BYU, whatever it's interesting or sad stories.