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BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:18 pm
by erico
I'm curious how you guys perceive BYU as a law school (reputaion/job placement/etc). Besides the rankings, the only input I get is from fellow Mormons and I'm trying to gauge whether there's any bias in their advice. At $10k/yr it's tough to beat with my numbers (3.35/166) unless I somehow squeak in to USC or GWU and even then it's a decision. The idea of coming out of school debt free is very appealing to me. Your feedback is appreciated, thanks.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:34 pm
by ruleser
Unless you have some magical softs, I doubt USC or GW. Don't know about BYU, but if the Mormon community offers good job ops and that's what you want, that may be a big + regardless of rank.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:58 pm
by ainzabo7
Georgia and Ohio State are two other inexpensive options given your stats.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:00 pm
by Renzo
BYU law also has a bit of a cutthroat reputation. I've heard that it turns out good litigators because of it's gladiatorial learning environment.
Just hearsay, however.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:01 pm
by Foozle
ainzabo7 wrote:Georgia and Ohio State are two other inexpensive options given your stats. The BYU student body will not be that diverse. No alcohol and students that adhere to very strict religious guidelines. Unless you are a Mormon, you will have a higher quality of life at UGA and OSU.
OP is a Mormon.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:05 pm
by JetstoRJC
BYU obviously has a different culture that would appeal much more to members of the faith. I think it could be argued that the law school does place better than similarly ranked schools. However, I also think the atmosphere is more competitive than most schools. Definitely a great value though, especially for those comfortable with the LDS culture.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:12 pm
by erico
In addition to its reputation in terms of schooling, I'm curious if anyone has any commentary of reputation in the industry and job placement. Thanks for your replies.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:39 pm
by RudeDudewithAttitude
BYU 1L here. OP can PM me if he/she wants a student's opinion.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:38 pm
by Dingo McPhee
BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons: "Mormons."
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:39 pm
by Kohinoor
Dingo McPhee wrote:BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons: "Mormons."
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:42 pm
by GhostDynasty
Kohinoor wrote:Dingo McPhee wrote:BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons: "Mormons."
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:52 pm
by tomhobbes
I'm absolutely sure that BYU's reputation is inflated among Mormons, including its law school. I was raised Mormon, and I frequently heard people say things like "you know, it's actually one of the highest ranked schools in the nation." The impression I got from other Mormons was that BYU's undergrad was ranked in the 50s, and it's law school was in the 20s.
When I went outside the Mormon community, I was surprised to learn that the rest of the world had far less respect for BYU than I had been led to believe. My brother (who attends BYU) is interviewing at many med schools right now and he says that he feels like people treat him a bit differently because of his school.
I'm sure that many BYU grads get accepted into top schools in many fields, but I'm just saying its reputation is not particularly favorable. Its reputation might be a very slight negative at some places.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:22 pm
by johnstuartmill
One of my close friends is a born-and-bred California Mormon, and she tells me that she's having a hard time fitting in socially in Utah. I don't know if that's a potential problem for the OP.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:26 pm
by Bosque
GhostDynasty wrote:Kohinoor wrote:Dingo McPhee wrote:BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons: "Mormons."
Ain't that school the one with all the mormons?
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:26 pm
by rondemarino
tomhobbes wrote:When I went outside the Mormon community, I was surprised to learn that the rest of the world had far less respect for BYU than I had been led to believe. My brother (who attends BYU) is interviewing at many med schools right now and he says that he feels like people treat him a bit differently because of his school.
I wonder if its also because people are suspicious of someone's ability to engage with the broader community if a candidate went to school in an isolated atmosphere.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:29 pm
by MC Southstar
I believe South Park describes it best.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:26 am
by wired
tomhobbes wrote:I'm absolutely sure that BYU's reputation is inflated among Mormons, including its law school. I was raised Mormon, and I frequently heard people say things like "you know, it's actually one of the highest ranked schools in the nation." The impression I got from other Mormons was that BYU's undergrad was ranked in the 50s, and it's law school was in the 20s.
Hmmm... Those numbers could be about right depending on what time frame you were hearing it.
Just checked. I was wrong. The highest BYU Law has been ranked is 30. It's undergrad is currently 71. I know that is a bump from last year, but I have no idea where it is historically.
I agree that Mormons (I am one) tend to overstate BYU's reputation broadly. The primary advantage that BYU has is cost and a broad network of Mormons. Still, it places very well in the Mountain West region and has great federal clerk placement for as low as it is ranked. (LDS federal judges do not pull from it exclusively obviously, but I do know of at least two that have hired from it on a yearly basis. It fares well against non-LDS judges as well.)
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:28 am
by Cupidity
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Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:29 am
by Cupidity
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:36 am
by MC Southstar
I would offer my views on their cultist mentality and ultra-conservative bigotry, but I'm trying to take the high road. I think the first word that comes to mind when most people think of Mormon is still "polygamist" even though it isn't generally true.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:37 am
by buckley
I have a friend who is at BYU law in his second year and he said that it's not as competitive as he thought it would be. Overall he feels that he is receiving a great legal education and is going to work in Arizona when he graduates. He thinks a person not of the Mormon faith would do just fine there.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:42 am
by PoliticalJunkie
BYU Law is just like Liberty U Law (no offense intended). It's the self-segregation issue that probably forces some non-Mormon's to second guess the degree just like non-evangelicals second guess a Liberty U degree (though admittedly, Liberty is not even in the same playing field as BYU)
Either way, I'm not sure it matters depending on what you want to do. If you're looking to stay in the SLC area or Utah in general, BYU would probably be the best value by far given the cost, local prestige, and career prospects.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:51 am
by Cupidity
shadowfrost000 wrote:
I would offer my views on their cultist mentality and ultra-conservative bigotry, but I'm trying to take the high road. I think the first word that comes to mind when most people think of Mormon is still "polygamist" even though it isn't generally true.
I think Prop 8
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:54 am
by wired
buckley wrote: He thinks a person not of the Mormon faith would do just fine there.
I think job placement he would "do just fine," but whether or not a non-Mormon will be fine with the social environment is the most important question they could ask themselves before attending.
I am a BYU undergrad right now. I know a few non-Mormons attending BYU. Some have married Mormons while here, some have converted, some are passionately against converting. The common thread in all of them is they wanted to go to a school with conservative values and they did not mind living the BYU honor code - which includes no extra-marital sex and no alcohol. For many law students, both of those would be immediate deal breakers.
I love it here at BYU. The education has been amazing. The cost of living and tuition are incredibly affordable. However, by no means do I think everyone would be fine here.
Re: BYU's rep amongst non-Mormons
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:54 am
by paratactical
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