If I'm honest, the biggest reason that I went to Utah...

They offered to pay for my tuition.

I went to Bountiful High- I knew I was going on a mission, but my birthday is in January, so I knew I wanted to go to at least a semester of school. But I didn't have a concrete plan.

So, I applied to Utah, BYU, USU (my parents alma mater), and [cough] Weber State. I got accepted to each school. I got partial scholarships from USU and Weber. (I didn't apply for scholarships at BYU.) And I got a full tuition "leadership" scholarship from Utah that could be renewed annually. (I had been involved in politics, and community service stuff, hence the "leadership" title.)

So, I decided to go to Utah for a year, then go on my mission. When I got on campus- I loved it. I loved the campus, I loved the view of the valley. There were a multitude of lovely young women. I loved the Institute. (I loved my daily commute past Temple Square.) And I loved the football games- my sophomore and junior years occurred during the Urban years. And by the time I got my degree- I was a fully indoctrinated Ute. 🙂

That's how it happens...


Two other quick points:

• I honestly don't remember ever getting crap about being a member of the Church, at the U. (There was a lesbian in a bowling class I took, who didn't understand why I'd go on a mission. Kyle Gunther was in that bowling class.) I DID get a lot of crap for being a Republican.

• I never really considered going to Weber. My mother insisted I apply so I'd have options.