Academics
Brigham Young University is a Mormon school that’s “all about putting religion and education together” and learning “about secular subjects through spiritual eyes.” The school provides a “high-quality” education in a “challenging” academic atmosphere. Students at Brigham Young strive for academic excellence. As one student explains, “Brigham Young pushes us to realize that our ‘best’ can be a lot better than we ever dreamed, and I love that!” The school offers a wide range of majors, and its education, business, and mathematics programs get great reviews, as does their language program. Classes are generally a “healthy mix of discussion and lecture,” and the education classes in particular have “a lot of group work.” The school doesn’t focus only on classroom learning, however. “Hands-on experience, internships, and study abroad are highly encouraged,” and many students take advantage of these opportunities. There are also “tons of undergraduate research opportunities.” Professors are “passionate about what they’re teaching,” and they “really care about their students’ success.” Another adds, “Professors really do take a genuine interest in their students,” and “the vast majority are also very willing to help out students individually.” While students at Brigham Young appreciate the academic attention they receive from professors, they also like that it “is committed to spiritual and academic learning for the benefit and betterment of everyone” and that they’re being taught to “pursue lifelong learning and service.”
Student Body
Brigham Young has an extremely conservative “Honor Code” derived from the Mormon Church that requires, among other things, abstinence from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea, as well as what the church considers “inappropriate” “sexual activity, including sex outside of marriage and homosexuality.” The Honor Code is a plus for students seeking a like-minded peer group, such as this art education student who “didn’t want to have to worry about walking in on my roommate sleeping with someone or have to hold her head up while she was puking her guts out into the toilet.” The Honor Code also demands honesty and respect for others, which means the student body is “friendly, outgoing,” and “concerned for others.” Students are “smart and very confident in their intelligence,” as well as “hardworking” and “goal-oriented.” The school drawing traditions from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints means that 25 percent of students are married, and people appreciate that “the school caters...really well to the average Latter-day Saint student coming in and working with those wanting to get married [or] go on missions.” Marriage is definitely on many people’s minds. A family studies major notes, “We are constantly encouraged to date.” People generally think that “students mesh together well and it is easy to make new friends,” though one concedes, “I can see how it could be hard to fit in if you are not used to the Mormon culture or beliefs.”
Campus Life
Students at Brigham Young love the “atmosphere of spirituality that unites everyone” and “the kindness of those around you.” Brigham Young provides a “safe environment,” but students “still get to have real-world experiences.” Recreationally, “there are multiple clubs across campus to fit the taste of different people,” “tons of...performing events,” and “fun student body activities, which are cheap.” There are also “exceptional weekly devotions and forums.” Brigham Young’s athletics are wellsupported and are a place where “students love to have fun.” Students rave about the library and the “Adlab,” but more than anything they appreciate that there are “good people everywhere you go.”