If I've ever written one, this is it: a loaded review. Maybe you know, maybe you don't, but leaving behind family legacies, as in abandoning them, can be difficult, as it has been for me. I grew up watching BYU sports...or rather watching people watch BYU sports. My family bleeds blue if anyone ever did; we're a multi-generational group of Cougars. Well, I'm not a Cougar, but my family past and present are -- probably future, too.
So, I've got baggage. And, being a church owned and operated educational institution, it's really hard to separate opinions about the faith from the school (or maybe I shouldn't try to). What to do? I'm going to give it my best shot. I actually don't know how I'll rate them yet.
I attended BYU for 3 semesters and 2 sessions (I think that's what we called the spring and summer), equivalent to 4 semesters, through 2009-2010. I left because I would no longer support the honor code, as it conflicted with some of my core personal values. I'll just say it now: I would not encourage any young adult to attend this institution. I feel that it denies half of what I believe the educational experience should be: one part academics, one part self discovery. They've got academics down, but are pretty great at restricting self discovery. How? I'll explain more.
In my experience, which I do not think to be unique (I know I'm not alone, and I'm pretty sure we're not few), BYU was a "home away from home" in that while mommy and daddy weren't there, "big brother" certainly was, and his rules were just as strict, if not stricter. I feel that to grow one needs freedom to move. BYU's honor code (religious moral code) denies many that space, through fear of punishment. When your education, namely the academic credits you have earned to a point, is placed on the line, many will not risk engaging in new experiences they would otherwise explore.
But they agreed to the honor code, you say? Well, that's true, but that's the problem: I don't think asking entering, naive freshmen (or really anyone who has yet to really live and learn on their own) to agree to rules just like mom's and dad's ("which I've always followed," I thought) is ethical. As I stated previously, I feel that self discovery constitutes half the experience, and the freedom to explore is essential to that. Of course, there are exceptions (youth who "have found themselves" already, converts to the church, and people of other religious backgrounds among others, may not encounter this experience) and I respect that, but my time at BYU caused me great mental harm because I was naive and didn't know what I would find within myself. So, no, I wouldn't encourage any young person to attend.
While there was never much of a culture of "witch hunting" it was still something to fear, as a call from the honor code office could mean an end and loss of your hard work. Still, there are plenty of students who thrive in counter culture groups at BYU, or even just underground groups, be it atheists, feminists, queers or pot heads, so there are certainly pockets of freedom, but the reign of the Honor Code office isn't escaped until one transfers or has their diploma in hand.
I realize this review so far has been exclusively negative, but I wanted to develop the feelings that I have for this University articulately. There are many great things about BYU. The academic programs are superb. BYU really does provide excellent quality of education. I was challenged and grew in my academic pursuits while there. Some of my most challenging classes were also taken there, as were some of my favorites.
BYU also has some great people. I also found excellent open minded professors...among many close minded (scarily so) professors. I met some wonderful friends (often through underground groups), that I value. I didn't engage much with "Molly Mormon or Peter Priesthood," and never have in my life, BYU being no exception.
There are often great events, both ongoing (annual, biannual, monthly....weekly etc.). I enjoyed the multi-cultural events, like Fiesta; the dance events, like Dancesport and salsa club; the film events, like the International Cinema (though censored); and the live theater series. I'm not interested in sports, but there's lots of that, too, as well as multiple social groups. The campus is very much alive.
I think the campus is beautiful, some areas and buildings more than others. The art museum is a great asset to the community. So much of what is available on campus is also made to the community, which I think is wonderful. Provo wouldn't be the same were it not for BYU, and I think that is true for a lot of the good in Provo.
Now, to rate. I'm conflicted. I think the academics are 5 star, as is campus activity. But the ethics of the university are bottomed out, as I've explained here. I want to give 2.5, but alas, I'm going to round down in this case, partially because there are far too many five stars. read more