Monday, February 22, 2010

An angry rant on the topic of the BYUs


{This is Laura}
I have a few words to say concerning BYU vs. BYU-Idaho.




My sister Laura, after months of planning on getting into BYU and having her living arrangements worked out, ended up not getting in. As her backup and "only other option," she settled for going to BYU-Idaho. My parents were disappointed in her, I'm sure, as my Dad is BYU's most ardent fan.



This attitude makes my blood boil. The attitude that BYU-I is a lesser school and second best and a fall-back for anyone who doesn't get into the Lord's true university. I know I shouldn't feel these emotions, and they usually remain dormant. But when I get the feeling from people that my school - the place I love probably most in the world - is not good enough, I want to wring their necks.



I admit that BYU probably has higher academic standards. It probably is harder to get in there. It's a much bigger school, and they have many top-ranking programs. But I would be hard-pressed to say that anyone who goes to BYU is smarter or more intelligent or studied harder than I did simply because of the school they attended. Just because someone goes to BYU doesn't mean they are more "chosen" than a BYU-I student. I know nobody would ever say that out loud or even concsiously think it, but I guarantee you it's in people's psyches. The feeling of superiority in some BYU students - even long after they have left it - is very insulting.



And just for the record, I DID get into BYU. I think there is a mistaken assumption in my family that I didn't. I got in, twice - once when I first applied, and once again when I was thinking about transferring, which I thankfully never did or it would have taken me another year to finish school. I (gasp!) CHOSE BYU-Idaho over BYU. I didn't WANT to live in Provo. I am so grateful I went to Idaho, for so many reasons. I may not have gone to the world's best business school or whatever blah blah blah, but I went where I was meant to go.



So please, PLEASE (my Andersen family members), please do not think Laura simply isn't good enough for Provo. There is a mission for her to fulfill in Idaho, just as there was for me. There are wonderful things for her to learn that she might not ever learn at BYU. The Spirit is so strong on that campus, and she will have some amazing experiences.



Let's all get rid of this sickening attitude that those who go to BYU-I just aren't as good as the BYUers. For real.

17 comments:

Angie said...

Loved this post. Thank for also defending my school. I never understood why there had to be competition between the 2 schools and the "why would anyone WANT to go to BYU-I" attitude. Grrrrr. I know a number of people who got into BYU in the beginning or with the intent to transfer and instead stayed at BYU-I (I planned on transferring myself). I'm with you sister!

Cam said...

Yay for the truth being spoken. It's about time!

Trevor said...

LOVED BYU-Idaho! I'm jealous of Laura!

Lacking Productivity said...

I too have BYU rants, that are quite similar, but not exactly the same.

Ali said...

Having lived in SLC my whole life, I didn't have the desire to even apply to BYU-provo. Provo and I don't mesh.

I fell in love with the spirit of ricks as an EFY student and always knews that's where I'd be/go. It was the only school I applied too and it gave me an academic scholarship...

She's at the better place, if you ask me :)

Elise said...

As long as she doesn't go to U of U... :).

Samye said...

BYU-I is by far the better school, there is no doubt!! Your sister should be totally stoked- she is going to LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about it up there. When people tell us they went to BYU, our first comment is- "oh...I am so sorry". Rock on BYU-I rock on.

Charity said...

OH Steph. I too get that feeling sometimes. I too CHOOSE not to go to BYU. I still cheer for them though(I think we were raised that way!)

Jordan said...

Generally, I leave the comment writing up to Charity, but a post of this nature requires a response.

First, a side note...Steph, my wife loves your blog and you for that matter. When she first found your blog, she read it for days trying to catch up on your life and I started to get a Steph Webb inferiority complex.

I, too, have BYU rants!! But for much different reasons...mainly that I graduated from the beacon on the Hill that accents the background behind the SLC temple. Thank you for telling the world that attending BYU is not the be all, end all requirement for becoming an enlightened and educated person :)

Mikael Squire said...

AMEN AMEN AMEN. And praise heaven above! I never even applied to BYU. I went straight fro BYU-Idaho and I am SO glad I did. BYU Provo is perfect for some, and Idaho for others. One in not better than another, one may just be a better fit than another. Trust me, I went to every BYU BUT Provo! And guess what...I got a job faster than many of my friends who went to school before me...who aren't yet done with BYU...and I am dang proud of it too! Go Laura for getting into a college period. that is somethign to be proud of

Laura said...

WOW. I feel sort of special? Steph, for the record, yes I was a bit disappointed at first but I know BYU-I is where I should be and, like all of you hoped I would be, I am STOKED to go. I have everything planned out. I have felt that lately as I tell people the results, the "oh I'm so sorry" tone they imply when they say "well that will be nice" or "well I've heard it's just beautiful up there!" It gets annoying but I think it will be okay. Thank you for your support in my love for BYU-I :)

Melissa Andreasen said...

I have always wondered why people who attend BYU think they are better than everyone else. It's the reason I dislike that school very much! We are all God's children and it doesn't matter where we attend higher education.

kate said...

Just for the record I think the people that go to BYU-I are a lot tougher than BYU Provo goers because it's freakin' freezing up there! :)

Tyler and Jill said...

You don't know me...but I also went to every BYU but Provo and loved them both. I'm sure BYU is a great place...but Idaho and Hawaii were wonderful! At the same time...GO COUGAR FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL!

Brittani said...

OUCH!!!! my schools just got slammed! It is pretty funny, and kinda sad. Loved BYU, U of U (for very different reasons)and loved that BYU-I produced my husband. What can I say it is not about the school, but the attitude of the person. If you think you are better for one reason or another....you are the problem! Funny to read everyone's comments (issues)!

Bekah said...
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Bekah said...
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