Considering BYU? Ask yourself these 5 questions

So you’re thinking about applying to BYU. (Or maybe BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, or any other Church school; this article will apply pretty well for that, too.) 

This decision is one that will shape your life in huge ways. Ask yourself these 5 questions BEFORE you apply (and especially before you lock in your registration!).

(Oh, and if you want to go more in depth on this topic, watch the full conversation I had with my brother and current BYU student all about the pros, cons, and the myths of BYU!)

Okay, let’s get into it!

Questions to help you decide if BYU is right for you

1) Am I choosing BYU for the right reasons?

Get out a sheet of paper and ask yourself: Why BYU? Why are you considering it? Be honest with yourself, and write down all the reasons you can think of. Then rate them by writing a 1 to 5 to indicate if this is a major reason you want to go (5=important/highly motivating reason to go!) or if this is not a very good reason (1=bad/not compelling reason).

If you realize your main reason to go is for your parents’ wish fulfillment or for low tuition, maybe that’s not the best reason. But if you want to go for the programs there, for the high standards of living of your peers, and for the big dating pool of practicing Latter-day Saints (yes, this is a valid reason), you’re probably making a good decision.

2) Have I considered all my options?

Look at those list of reasons. Are these things you could get by going to another Church school? A different college or educational path? Or no college at all, just a career? (Shocking, I know!)

Just remember: BYU isn’t your only option, and if you don’t get in or you decide it’s not for you, there are probably other options that might be just as good or better for you! (I didn’t go to BYU myself, and I still got married before I graduated college! ;))

3) Am I really willing to live the Honor Code?

Are you applying thinking you will be able to sidestep the most annoying or pointless parts of the Honor Code?

If you’re already planning on barely towing the line while people are watching, maybe BYU isn’t the right place for you.

Even if you do “get away with it,” it’s probably not a place you’re going to thrive in and enjoy. Also, please be considerate of other students who dream of coming here because of the Honor Code; don’t take space from someone who really wants to be there, or take away from other students’ experiences there.

4) Am I expecting BYU to solve all my problems?

Are you ONLY going to BYU to find an eternal mate? Or maybe you expect BYU to continue to support your somewhat shaky testimony?

While BYU is an awesome place to find someone to marry and build your testimony, if you’re going in expecting BYU to just hand you answers to your problems, you’re setting yourself up for failure. You aren’t guaranteed a spouse just by getting into BYU, and if you don’t put in the work yourself, your testimony will likely continue to gradually slip then collapse right after graduation (at best).

5) Have I seriously prayed about it?

This is the biggest one! I won’t ever forget the day I realized, “Wow, I should really pray about my college choice.” (That’s how I changed my major as a junior. Oops! Should have done that sooner. But that’s a story for another day.)

Seriously though, PLEASE take your plans and choices to the Lord, especially choices as big as this one! He cares about your life. Be ready to listen and walk in faith. Trust that He has big plans for you and can see things you don’t yet.