Mormons.... college question. ***VERRY IMPORTANT***?

Question

I really want to transfer to BYU from a local community college in Maryland. I've been living in the US for 2 years. am 18 years old and I am in my 3rd semester and my major is Biochemistry (not 100% sure yet, I have other considerations), I am an LDS convert (2 months) and very active i church, I am not attending institute but I'll try my best to do it, what happens is that it is far from home and I don't drive. My GPA by now is 1.00 (by the time, I have only taken 2 credit classes and I am enrolled in 3 more this semester, the other classes have been like preparation clases because english is my 2nd language), i know, my GPA is too low but at the end of this semester it could increase to 2.00 or maybe higher. I am going to take summer classes and the fall semester at my community college, so the GPA could increase. I am planning to transfer for the Winter 2008. I am working harder in school because it is my priority right now to transfer there. Help please!!! what are my chances?

Do they pay attention to volunteer service? I am going to start volunteering at a hospital (Johns Hopkins) in two weeks.
How about the essay? what else other than the GPA do they look for? By the way, my SAT grades were awfull. I have 6 college credits right now, I will have 15 credits at the end of this semester and by the time I finish the Fall semestewr I expect to have 29 credits overall.

I am very stressed about all this, please help me!

It is not that I look forward to have a 2.0 GPA. 2.0 is the realistic GPA that I will have at the end of this semester (I am on finals now.) By the end of the fall semester I expect to have increased my GPA to 3. something, the best I can. English is not my 1st language and I know that it isn't enough justification, but really, there are many things that are more difficult to me because of the language and I know that I could do better.
Another thing, do they require the TOEFL for an english as a second language student?

I contacted a BYU representative to check out if the credits of the subjects that I have previously taken, currently taken and plan to take can be transferred and she said yes, all of them can be transferred.

Answer 1

Hey, thank you for answering my question. so helpful! Definately the best answer. So about your question, I have a friend that went to BYU. Loved it there! Now he's doing ministry in Chile, but as for you.....your GPA is a little low. I'd say that the lowest GPA you'd want to strive for is a 3.2. take more classes, do everything you can to get your GPA up. Winter '08 is just around the corner. Have you applied? When do u apply? What classes have u taken for biochem? I hope all works out for you, good things do happen to good people that work hard. Nothing is easy but you can do it, for sure. Just stay focused and you will get there. Good luck! Let me know how it goes!

Answer 2

Most colleges want a well rounded student. They want a student who works hard and has good grades, but they also feel that volunteering, being a part of a club/community group, being active religiousy is also important. They want people who can do the work and be an asset to the school/society. It's not like you're stupid or you don't work hard. I would talk to a counselor at BYU. They know what the requirements are and they could suggest what you should do. They may suggest that you take more classes in Maryland along with volunteering and getting involved more with your community and then transfer. They may tell you to transfer to community college in Utah for a year or two, and then transfer to BYU. They will be more than willing to help you.

Answer 3

I'm not Mormon, but I have been involved with colleges a lot. You're right - you do need to raise that GPA.

According to their site on transfer students, here is the criteria -

To be competitive for admission, the following recommendations have been made:

Be living in harmony with the BYU Honor Code and the BYU Dress and Grooming Standards.

Earn a transfer GPA above the B+ range . The higher your transfer GPA is, the more likely you are to be admitted. To compete for academic scholarships, your transfer GPA should be in the A range.

Take approximately 50 percent of your classes in general education subjects: English, mathematics, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, foreign language, and humanities.

Attend LDS Institute of Religion classes where available.

Here's the page for more info for you. http://saas.byu.edu/depts/admissions/transfer.aspx

based on their emphasis on service in their mission statement, I think volunteer work will be considered, but you will need a 3.0 or better GPA.

Good luck, I hope you make it - and remember, they always have a graduate school there.

Answer 4

Getting into BYU is very hard and very expensive. With a low SAT and GPA you might find it very hard to get into BYU. You could try but they usually only accept people with very high scores. But if you could always try BYU Idaho they don't have as high of expectations. Your credits might not transfer though. BYU is considered a private university which is why the can have a high tuition and expectations. Usually credits from a public College/University won't transfer to a Private Intuition. If your wanting to come to Utah you could also attend Weber State of Utah State they are a Public Unversity and they also have many members who attend them.

Answer 5

I answered this question the last time you posted it.

In answer to your specific questions, yes, they pay attention to volunteering, and take into account the fact that you are a new member, so you cannot have attended Seminary or Institute. But you need to know something important...

The average GPA of a student who is accepted to BYU is 3.75 You are probably going to have to make other plans until your GPA is higher.

Answer 6

BYU is a difficult school to get into. I know a girl who is very smart and got waitlisted. You have a tough road ahead but its not impossible. If BYU is what you REALLY want, then go for it!
Should it not work out, you can still get the same degree and have the opportunity to go to institute from lots of different universities.

Answer 7

I am so sorry for your loss. The balloons I think is a wonderful idea. I think he would really enjoy that. As far as what else you could do, you could place a card on his grave signed by everyone that loved him with like a little toy or some flowers. As far as the cake goes coming from a mother of two, I think I would get upset if anyone ate it either, and I would probably not ever want to throw it out. So I would not suggest that. No matter what you do, be sure to know that he is looking down smile at you and that he does and always will love you very much.

Answer 8

Just keep in contact with the representative from BYU. Also keep in mind that BYU Hawaii and BYU Idaho are easier to get into, so check with them too.

Also, ask the representative about their summer program. A lot of kids who don't get into BYU are allowed to go to summer classes on a trial basis. If they get good enough grades, they are often allowed in.

good luck.

Answer 9

Your best bet is to talk with the local institute teacher he/she can help you learn all you need to know about what you need in order to transfer..

Also talk to your local bishop he will be able to help you as well..

If you are applying for a scholarship they will look at gpa as well as volunteer and community work just like any college...

Answer 10

Get some TUTORING NOW!! I'm sure you can find someone in your Ward to tutor you in your classes. I used to tutor math in my Ward and each of my students got A's ...

You have enough difficulty with English as a second language, don't handicap yourself even more by not seeking help.. you need a GPA of about 3.5 to get into most good Universities.