Hi! I’m a 22 year old art student and currently interning for a fine artist here in Chicago. I have always dreamed of being an animator and I have been searching for an affordable schools that have good animation programs and I stumbled upon BYU. As I researched further into the school I found out that it’s a Mormon university (I really don’t have a problem with that at all). I was brought up catholic and I am female. I am more of a atheist, but I have strong catholic background. I am here to ask how is the college life in BYU for a student who is more leaning (and or is fully pledged) atheist? AND OR just really respectful of religions and just very open. My whole intention of why I’m interested in going to BYU is because they have an affordable tuition and their program is one of the best (that I have read so far).
Secondly, I wanted to ask how competitive is it in the selection process for getting into the program itself? I have always been reserved, but I am very willing to finally step out and fight for my own dreams rather than wasting another say just dreaming… I do tend to work hard and still aim for BYU.
I know the tuition at BYU is very affordable and I wanted to also know how much it would cost with living expenses mixed in? And what residence hall is closest to the art building?
Basically I’m asking for everything and hopefully (the person who is taking the time to answer and read this whole thing) doesn’t mind answering it all… Please and thank you so much!
Oh and by the way (I don’t know if this will cause any problems) I am a female Asian and I am very respectful of any individuals beliefs and or of anyone’s own ideology. I just want to know how it would be for me being in BYU. I’m sorry if this whole board sounds ignorant or anything… I just want an in depth information about the whole school from someone who is a current student, past student, and or someone who really knows the school. PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!
https://www.quora.com/Whats-it-like-to-be-an-atheist-at-BYU
Sounds like you have to go to church, and sign a contract and be an upstanding “christian”
Really, BYU is 97% plus mormon, it is not just something you can turn on and off. You have to comply with the honor code, dress regs, religion classes, it is in Utah county (LOL, you have to be there to get that). They will smell you a mile off if it is just about money (because it IS cheap). You can’t just be casually atheistic and not mind other peoples’ beliefs, you are going to have to live the experience LOL. I think even if you spend a little time googling, you will get enough info. As for the non mormon stats, athletes may be almost solely responsible for that dilution. If BYU was a school that worked for non mormons, it would be much more dulite, like say, catholic unis, who don’t care where the money comes from.
Thank you so much for the advice and yeah, after posting this I did look for more info online and I did read a lot of forum discussions! Thank you for your time and words I really appreciate it!
Np. There’s schools like Fordham or Boston College that are jesuit and have a religious core but are open-minded and that’s very different from narrow minded schools like Liberty, Azusa Pacific, BYU, etc.
While I respect BYU’s religious mission and heritage, I personally would NOT recommend you go to BYU as a non-mormon. It will affect your social life because of religious-oriented rules (no drinking, coffee, etc.), and there may be stigma (not overt, but subconscious) attached to you as someone who isn’t LDS. Also, if i’m not mistaken, the tuition is discounted for LDS members only.
Non members do have to abide by the honor code. Make sure you read it and are really ready to embrace it for 4+ years. They are required to take a religion class each semester, but are not required to go to church. The non LDS rate is more expensive, but still very affordable. Not everyone in the Provo/Orem area is LDS (Mormon), so if you are social, you will find your groove. Mormons (for the most part) aren’t going to avoid you because you aren’t. I am LDS and some of my closest friends and neighbors are not of my faith. My D going to BYU this fall (though I had hoped she would go out of state, darn it).
All the residence halls will be close. Some are traditional dorms with cafeteria style dining. Others are apartment style with kitchens. Housing is determined by application completion date, with apartment style usually filling first. Applications for next fall opened last Oct. My D met the priority deadline (Dec 1). Final deadline was not til Feb 1. Even applying as early as my kid did, she missed out on all the apartment style on campus housing, and literally got the last traditional dorm room. On campus housing is not guaranteed, but there are TONS of off campus units that are close. As an older student, you would likely prefer off campus anyway. Check out the BYU sites for entrance averages. They are very stats oriented. They do have a nice, straight forward merit based scholarship matrix (google it). If you meet the ACT or SAT and GPA combo, the listed scholarship is yours. How many credit hours do you have already at your current school? BYU doesn’t take people applying for 2nd Bachelors, nor do they usually accept transfer students with more than 90 hours.