I am from Utah and I find your analysis is highly flawed. To base popularity on percentage of those accepted who decide to attend is statistically interesting but misleading. Brigham Young is owned, managed, run and educated primarily those of the Mormon belief system. If you are Mormon, apply to BYU and are accepted then of course that is where you will attend.
The university with more applications than any other in the World is the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). And it was only founded in 1919. Quite an achievement for any institution.
Russell M.A. Blumenthal6:44AM October 02, 2011
This is seriously flawed statistically, as well as a fallacy.
Statistically speaking, there are several unaccounted for variables that could lend to the trend not voiced. Such as being a religious school, the applicants are well aware of what they are looking at. So those who choose to apply, actually are considering in real terms going there. For example, I am not Mormon, and socially liberal, therefor I know I would not be accepted "even" if I wanted to go, ergo I don't bother to even apply. People often apply to Harvard under similar pretense of educational prestige, AND know they need to fork 40+K annually to do so. Where someone moderate might apply to several schools on neither those extremes and choose something more middle of the road. Like U of U, Texas A&M, CU-Boulder or even Weber.
Fallacy wise, it's assumed that because BYU had actual enrollments of potentials at the highest, it's an automatic jump to assume it's popularity, and by extension preference. Which, likely is not the case. Those who applied had a preference to go there solely. Likely they did not apply anywhere else, or in short numbers. Not to mention the loaded word of preference, and its ill use in this context.
The only thing those report says, is of the students who are considering an education BYU represented the best overall for their preference. No other school could have provided to them what they chose BYU for. Religious experience, cost, location, credentials. I am not aware of any other Mormon school. So the pickings of those are slim. If only Mormons or similiar apply to a religious school, there are only a handful across the country to choose from.
Kristineof UT11:29AM June 17, 2011
Just another reason why the Big 12 needs the Cougars.
Www.backtotwelve.over-blog.com
William Kingof OK9:27AM May 19, 2011
Hahahaha,
You are full of BS. It is not easy to get into BYU at all. and to quote you " . . . This is not really a choice for students alot of students are their because their parents make them. "
LDS parents are not into forcing their kids to go to BYU, that is not the way things work. People go to BYU because they want to be there.
Jielof MI7:37PM March 18, 2011
I am so happy that BYU has been recognized in this way. I have read many of the comments on this article, and I just have a couple of things to say. First, I understand that there may be pressure to attend this college if you grew up in Utah, but do you know how many people who attend BYU are NOT from Utah? There are thousands of students (the majority) who applied to BYU because they wanted to and because it was their top choice university. I am one of those people. I grew up in NJ and in an LDS home. I was not pressured to attend BYU. I WANTED to go. I applied and was accepted. I attended BYU and loved every experience I had. My development as a person in all aspects was greatly strengthened while at BYU. I love that place and I miss the atmosphere of unity and harmony as one gains a love for learning.
I believe that before making judgements about BYU, or about anything for that matter, it is necessary to experience it first-hand and not base your judgements on what others say. Everyone is different and will have different opinions, so you need to form your own opinion based on your own experiences. If you have never attended BYU, you cannot fairly make negative statements about it. It is an exceptional institution.
I love BYU and I owe much to my alma mater. It prepared me for the real-world of work, family, and just life in general. I encourage all who can to apply and attend this university. You will not only receive an academic education, but you will also be edified morally, socially, and spiritually.
Mariaof NJ10:11PM October 09, 2010
When I was considering college my mother suggested I go to BYU. No way. I didn't know anything about Mormons except that the school was too clean cut for my life style. 20+ years later it was the first choice of my four children. They wanted to be in an environment where the lifestyle and culture was more liberating, that is, not entrapped by the common focus and pressure of alcohol and sex. They all had a lot of fun at school AND completed their academics with recognition. One is now a lawyer, one is in med school and two are graduating soon as teachers.
As a parent, I couldn't be more pleased with their choice to be sober minded and to know that they were in a physically and morally safe environment.
JB Carrof PA9:28AM May 22, 2010
As a graduate of BYU and a grad student at Harvard, I can tell you that both sides of the coin are great--no, BYU does NOT rely on pressure to get students.
BYU is a great school, too--if you think for a second there are maybe three other places in the world to learn more languages (and related cultures) better, then you're delusional. And since BYU students don't drink, have irresponsible parties, or do drugs, the academic standard is very high--no one is being distracted by self-destructive lifestyles.
I'm sorry for those who think BYU's standards are restrictive; really, they're the things anyone should be doing to lead a responsible, healthy and very classy life, if I dare say so. There is no honour in failing classes (or getting less than an A) because of irresponsible partying.
No matter how many diplomas I earn or titles I garner, I will always be a proud former BYU student. Go cougars!
Blair Spencerof MA8:41PM May 21, 2010
How on earth can they calculate yield before all students have reported their decisions on the universal reporting date of May 1?
Karen Middletonof CA10:33AM April 27, 2010
What is the system of admission to this university? As I am staying in out side of America. How can I get the visa? And what is the supporting document paper necessary for the admission of this university.
So that please provide me that this like of all prosier which are require for that.
Teeshal Chowdhuryof CA3:39AM April 11, 2010
I was born and raised in Ecuador. I attended BYU from 2004 and graduated in 2008. I always had high moral standards and it was very easy for me to live under the Honor Code, plus I was grateful that people around me did it as well.
BYU is an extremely interesting place. Sometimes, I just want to go back and study something else. I learned to love learning at BYU.
My group of friends inspired me to be better, I got friends all over the world now. It is so cool, to think that I could visit friends in France, Chile, Spain, COlombia, Peru, Marruecos, China, Korea, Armenia, Rumania, I mean everywhere.
I learned to treat all kinds of people at BYU. Now, that I am here in Ecuador again I am just so grateful of that opportunity. For my job, I have to deal with all kinds of people from everywhere. I am amazed of the competencies I gained there.
BYU is hard like any other big university in the States. I think I wouldn't had been able to do it, with distractions, such as: messy roomates, alcohol, parties, and all the things that are a result of them.
I had amazing teachers, the place is just beautiful, the events are so fun, and let's face it some people might find this annoing, but the culture that is created within BYU sometimes is not good beacause the real world is different, and sometimes you just have to get out of the bubble and get them baby, or you could be eaten in the real world!
I didn't go to BYU to get married, and I didn't get married. Although, I wish sometimes I would have tried harder, cause the world is really messy right now and I wish I had more friends around here like the ones I had there.
I think it is cool that BYU got that new recognition. I don't understand why people get so political sometimes.
Reader Comments
Back to article
Russell M.A. Blumenthal 6:44AM October 02, 2011
Kristine of UT 11:29AM June 17, 2011
William King of OK 9:27AM May 19, 2011
Jiel of MI 7:37PM March 18, 2011
Maria of NJ 10:11PM October 09, 2010
JB Carr of PA 9:28AM May 22, 2010
Blair Spencer of MA 8:41PM May 21, 2010
Karen Middleton of CA 10:33AM April 27, 2010
Teeshal Chowdhury of CA 3:39AM April 11, 2010
Diana 3:01PM April 05, 2010