Colleges/universities

[anniem]

What experiences have you had (or heard about) with lds kids going to ivy league schools on the east coast? If a hs senior had the opportunity to go to BYU Provo or lets say to Brown, what factors should be taken into consideration other than cost? Anyone familiar with Southern Virginia University? Just interested in some varying points of view.

[the_jason]

I would not encourage my kids to go to BYU just because it's BYU. I would encourage them to attend a school where they would get the best education for their field of interest. Cost is an issue as well, so it's obvious that it would cost more to attend Brown than it would BYU. There are many factors to consider. The name of the school shouldn't be the only factor.

[BenRaines]

Depends a lot on if you are going to college to get married or an education.

Ben Raines

[Palerider]

I have had the opportunity to speak with several students that were going away to school and BYU was not a choice. I just encouraged them to look into the Single Adult program for whatever college they were thinking about.

[Janell]

I went to BYU and although I will be the first to admit that it is not for everyone, it was for me. I just graduated about three years ago and so College is still kinda fresh to me. When I decided to go to BYU there were a lot of factors that lead me to that conclusion. A couple factors were-- Of course education. I did get into other very good Colleges, but decided that for my major BYU was the best. Another was Location. I wanted to stay on the West and had no desire to go anywhere East of the Misssissippi. I grew up in Hawaii so I didn't want to get too far from home. Another was Family. At the time both my older brothers were at BYU and I really missed them-- so I wanted to more then anything go and just hang out with my brothers and just be around them. For awhile I could not make up my mind between USC, UCLA, and BYU. I grew up with quite a few members of the church and I really wanted to continue that. I didn't want to have to worry about other distractions of the world and just wanted to focus on school. Although I did consider other Colleges, I grew up in a very huge BYU family and due to my major it was kind of a no brainer. Now, had I had a different major I am almost positive my school of choice would have been different. I loved BYU, but I was not going to let my love of BYU decide the quality of education I received. For my major, I feel BYU offered the best quality of education.

I've had people ask me if I went there to get married. I think that if you are going to college to get married--stay home and go to a singles ward. I think if you go to College and get married great, if not don't worry about it. Granted, I met my husband there, but he and I were best friends for a couple years and did not even talk about dating until we had about 2 months left of school. I was never "The married student"--thank goodness and never went there to get married.

I think you really need to consider what you plan to major in and do your homework about that specific major. Talk with professors, if possible talk to students who are currently in that major, and definitely tour the campus and feel out the school if possible. Ask other students how their experience has been at that one specific school.

When it all boils down I think you of course need to do your homework on the Unviersity and make a list of what you want out of your College education/experience. Decide what is important to you about a College and what isn't and then go from there. Go where you feel is right for you and not for your friends or your parents.

I hope this helps!!

[sixpacktr]

I sent all three of my girls to BYU. There really was no other alternative for them, in my mind. I graduated from there a long time ago, and my wife and I told them from the time they were embryos that they would go to college, and that their first choice was BYU. My oldest graduated from BYU-I last year with her husband, and my youngest two are at BYU Provo now.

They went there for the education, but I also sent them there to find a husband. I have been around other schools with SA programs and institute, and they are fine and all that, but in my mind I wanted them around as many poor returned missionaries as possible.

Just my opinion, and my girls seem very happy to be there. If they had chosen another school we would have done something to help them out, but their first choice was the Y.

BTW, my son-in-law is considering getting his graduate degree from that apostate school to the north of Provo. I told him I'd disown him.

[anniem]

I think there are huge advantages to going to BYU...students and professors with the same beliefs and standards, for one. Our kids have to put themselves out there every day being different, which is not a bad thing of course, but I think it would be a welcome relief to have lots of people around who share one's beliefs. Second, the church has built a nationally ranked school which attracts top-notch talent to teach and research. Third, it provides an opportunity to meet and personally hear from our prophets and church leaders. Those forums and devotionals are an education in themselves. (Okay, I went to BYU and thought it was great.)

I've had nieces and nephews attend ivy league schools who have tended to pull away from the church. Can't determine cause and effect. BUT, if someone has the opportunity to go to a top-rated school, to share his or her beliefs with others, to have more options opened up in the future, that would be a valid path. most schools have institute programs.

As far as finding a marriage partner...college should be about education. could serindipitously find a mate anywhere. To tell the truth, I'm a little wary of the typical mormon byu boy...can be a little chauvinistic.

[BenRaines]

sixpaktr,

My son is a returned missionary there and can't find a girl that wants to date thinking that it will result in marriage. All his roomates are getting married in the next six months and he isn't even dating.

Poor boy.

Ben Raines