Although it isn't required for admission, seminary attendance shows up high on the to-do lists of high school students hoping to attend BYU.

Tom Gourley, director of BYU admissions, said students who don't have the training could be put at a disadvantage.

"The biggest misconception is that seminary is required," said Tom Gourley. "It's not required, but is certainly encouraged."

According to the BYU Web site, students are highly encouraged to attend seminary, and each year of seminary attendance is given additional weight in the admission consideration process.

Students who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and recent converts to the Church are not expected to have the same seminary attendance record as life-long members.

GPA, ACT score, ecclesiastical endorsement, college preparation classes, extracurricular activities and answers to essay questions are other factors, besides seminary, that affect admissions decisions.

Although it may not be a requirement, few students at BYU are without at least some form of seminary training.

Gourley said he could not remember a student who had not had any seminary experience at all.

BYU encourages seminary attendance for two reasons.

First, students in seminary are more likely to have good, wholesome friends. Second, seminary provides the training and background to more fully enjoy religion classes at BYU.

"You're associating in a good, wholesome program around good people," Gourley said.

Most BYU hopefuls say they appreciate the preparation they are receiving.

"It teaches you a lot and prepares you for your mission," said Ryan Aylesworth, 15, a sophomore in high school from Chandler, Ariz. "You get to know the scriptures so you can teach others."

Kristen Hinton, 23, a senior majoring in elementary education from St. George, Washington County, said she appreciated the opportunity seminary gave her to feel the spirit every day and be reminded of the real goal in life.

However, she suggested some changes in the curriculum.

"Teach more of the basic doctrine," she said. "It was just story after story. I didn't learn the basic doctrine."

Whatever they think of the curriculum, many current seminary students say they can detect the difference it makes in their lives.

"When I don't go, I notice there's something missing," said Sarah Leavitt, 15, a junior in high school from Cajon, Calif. "The cheerfulness is gone in the day."

Similarly, many teens say that seminary helps them develop their characters.

"It shows you're committed and you'll be an example to others," Leavitt said. "It shows service if you'd be willing to wake up at 4:30 in the morning to be there by 6."

Many BYU hopefuls agree with the university's strong encouragement of seminary attendance.

"We will have a better understanding of the gospel, and BYU likes the gospel," said Gentry Earl, 15, a sophomore in high school from Lindon, Utah County. "We have a better chance of getting in."

Although it isn't required, BYU strongly encourages seminary attendance.

"I just don't think there's any finer class a student can take," Gourley said.

Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Aug 2002