Transfer before or after proselyting mission?

Transfer Students
1

Hi!

I’m a college freshman at BYU Provo. At the end of this year, my college GPA will probably be around 3.8. My high school stats were impressive—Ivy-league admit level, with many excellent ECs (nothing of national rank however) and a 4.2 GPA and 34 ACT. I graduated a year early due to family problems and went to BYU right away.

In college, I work as a PR specialist for the university Chemistry department, I’ve started a creative writing club, and taken a few sophomore- and junior-level classes. Thanks to COVID, online school, and maybe just adjusting, my grades have taken a bit of a hit, so no all A’s this year. I’ve applied for a congressional internship and an internship with NPR (will find out about both this winter), but since I’m a freshman competing with graduate students for these opportunities, I doubt I will be accepted.

I plan to serve a Mormon proselyting mission for 1.5 years beginning Christmas 2021. I also dislike BYU so far and am considering applying to NYU or even Northwestern, Harvard, or Yale. I’m an English major with political science and creative writing minors. I’d love to be a political journalist and but I have little impressive relevant experience (high school news editor-in-chief and current job).

Should I apply to transfer this spring or after my mission? I feel that my mission will help me grow in maturity and experience and maybe help me come away with some cool new language skills. However, I’m worried that my age may reflect poorly on my application if I apply after my mission (I’ll be about 20). But I don’t want to spend another year at BYU.

Any advice would be appreciated. I struggled with this concern this past summer and being at BYU has intensified my desire to transfer.

2

Have you checked whether the other universities are likely to be affordable?

What about BYU do you dislike? It looks like you are committed enough to your religion to go on the mission, so it does not seem like BYU being a religious university of your religion would be the problem.

3

BYU is definitely not for everyone. Your GPA is excellent, and going on a mission can only help. Are your chances realistic? I’m not sure how to answer, because no one really has a realistic shot at these schools. Your chances are as good as any other candidate. The other issue is cost. If you can’t afford it, then there’s not much point in applying, no matter how qualified you may be. Just go on your mission and don’t think too far ahead. After you’re back, you’re perspective on life will change 2 times over by then.

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