<p>BYU has a lot of ethnic diversity due to its many international students. Its language diversity is due to the fact that a large percentage of its students learned another language while serving as missionaries, either in the US or (more likely) abroad. In addition to this diversity, the school and a large percentage of its students are culturally diverse. Indeed, most returned missionaries I’ve met who served outside of the US place more value on their multicultural skills than their multilingual ones. </p>
<p>Mormons are nice people, but you’ll fine nice people everywhere. </p>
<p>BYU has very little religious diversity and most BYU students are active Mormons who are dedicated to their religion. The language diversity you find on campus is rooted in a religious experience (missionary work). Also, returned missionaries are very accustomed to defending their beliefs. Like any other homogenous environment, you will get what you give at BYU. If you walk around campus with a chip on your shoulder, challenging the beliefs of others, they will be very happy and able to share and defend their beliefs. That’s what missionaries do. If you are more low-key with your beliefs, then no one will say anything to you. They may try to convert you, but they would not be hostile to you. Once you’ve explained that you’re not interested, they would stop (Mormons, I have found, are very different from evangelicals; they feel a responsibility to share their beliefs, but they won’t judge or ostrasize you if you’re not interested, and they would have no problem becoming your friend and including you in their inner circle).</p>
<p>So the answer to your question really turns on what type of personality you have. If you see the college experience as a time to challenge the status quo and to make your mark, then you could find BYU stifling. If you see college as a change to learn and experience new things, then you may like BYU. </p>
<p>I am a Mormon who attends a college where liberal atheists (or at least liberals who look down on religion) seem to be the majority. If I mind my own business, religion is never a topic of debate. If I voice my beliefs, people get defensive and I feel that they even look down on me. My guess is that your experience at BYU would be similar. </p>
<p>If you live close to Provo, you should spend a long weekend there mingling with students. If you don’t live close, find the local Mormon institute program in your city and attend one of its functions. Mormons are pretty much the same throughout the country. </p>
<p>Whatever you choose, I hope things work out for you.</p>