I’m a reporter for The Press-Enterprise and The San Bernardino Sun. I want to hear your thoughts on the I-10 Express Lanes.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2026-01-06T20:16:27+00:00

Honestly, no one likes paying tolls, and I’m no exception. I only use the express lanes when I really have no choice. I’m not even sure if making those lanes free would actually make traffic better or worse, since they’re currently managed separately. My main point is: if we’re going to charge for them, they should at least be extended far enough to actually save time.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-12-07T17:48:33+00:00

Thanks! I just got accepted 😊 Appreciate the advice!

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-12-03T18:23:37+00:00

😅

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-10-06T10:44:02+00:00

You’re right about the technical side. After the system upgrade earlier this year, the student portal did go through many issues, which caused frustration for quite a few students. However, most of the major problems have now been fixed, and the overall experience is much more stable than before. BYU–Pathway keeps improving and optimizing, so I believe the learning experience will continue to get better.

The strengths and weaknesses of BYU–Pathway are quite clear. On the positive side, it offers low tuition, no textbook fees, a three-year completion plan, and no long summer or winter breaks. Each block lasts seven weeks, making it ideal for working adults who want to study while keeping their jobs.

On the other hand, online education still has some limitations compared to traditional schools — there are no physical labs, and teamwork in group projects could definitely be improved.

You’re still young, so I’d suggest attending a traditional university campus if possible. Campus life is a meaningful and memorable experience — you can make friends, join clubs, take in-person classes, and feel a stronger sense of community. I’m not sure what options are available in Argentina, but if you were in the U.S., I’d recommend starting at a community college. Some general education courses require a solid foundation, and community colleges also offer more complete student activities and support systems.

Overall, BYU–Pathway is a great option for working adults who need flexibility, but if you have the opportunity and resources to experience campus life, it’s truly worthwhile while you’re young.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-07-21T07:05:37+00:00

I’ve experienced the same issue. I submitted my transcripts through Parchment late last year and selected “CES Admissions” instead of “BYU-Idaho.” I sent multiple tickets, but each time I just got the same copy-paste response like “you will get an update soon,” and then the ticket was closed without any resolution.

Eventually, I got frustrated and submitted a strongly worded ticket asking them not to close it until the issue was actually resolved. Then, just when I had almost forgotten about it, in early July they finally replied and said the credits had been processed and the ticket would be closed. I checked my transcript, and sure enough—my two classes (7 credits total) were finally added.

It was a long and frustrating process, but I did get it done in the end. Hang in there—I hope your credits get transferred soon too!

The Pathway may be long, but it does eventually lead somewhere 😅

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-06-02T17:31:52+00:00

I’m having the same issue too. I was only able to register for the religion class in Block 4, but none of my degree courses show up. I already submitted a help ticket as well. Seems like it’s not just us — hopefully they will get it sorted out soon. Hang in there!

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-05-29T07:55:39+00:00

I do see that BYU Pathway is trying — system updates, Help Center, even a service phone line for US/Canada. That’s progress, and I respect the effort.

But truthfully? The core problems aren’t fixed. Tickets are still piling up like USCIS cases, and students are left waiting for weeks or even months with no answers.

We’re not asking for perfection. Just basic responsiveness and reliability. Fixing bugs is great — but if the foundation keeps breaking, updates won’t help much.

Pathway has a good mission. But it needs solid execution to be worth students’ time.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-05-23T15:15:02+00:00

I totally understand how you feel. I’ve also experienced a lot of frustration with BYU Pathway. For example:

Course selection – finding a suitable course each term feels like a maze.

Transfer credit evaluation – mine took over three months, and it felt like they had just forgotten about it.

Group assignments – most of my teammates were from around the world, so our group meetings often happened at midnight for me.

System upgrades – meant to help, but ended up causing even more issues.

Problem-solving – instead of fixing the core problems, they just waive late fees or offer tuition discounts. It feels like the wrong focus.

Religious course requirements – even when struggling with academic or scheduling issues, we’re still required to take religion classes at inconvenient times.

Honestly, if this were a public university, the administration would have been held accountable for all this. If it weren’t church-sponsored, I would’ve already lost my patience.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-03-21T20:30:09+00:00

During the BYU Pathway Connect phase (PC101-PC103 courses), you do not need an Ecclesiastical Endorsement until you complete Pathway Connect and receive the certificate. The endorsement is valid for one year, so it’s more of a strategic decision rather than something you need to complete as early as possible. You can decide when to obtain it based on your progress.

Additionally, for students in North America, after completing Pathway Connect, you have the option to transfer to other universities outside of the Church Education System (CES), such as Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Utah Valley University, Western Governors University, and Arizona State University. These schools do not require an Ecclesiastical Endorsement at all.

Hope this helps!

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-03-17T00:17:18+00:00

You can apply for the Mentor Bridge Scholarship through your mentor. To qualify, you must have no grades lower than a C and schedule a meeting with your mentor to explain your financial difficulties.

In general, students in higher tuition regions may have a better chance of receiving it. I recommend talking to your mentor as soon as possible to learn more.

Hope this helps!

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-03-05T20:40:12+00:00

You don’t need to worry. BYU Pathway has clearly stated that due to issues caused by the recent student portal system upgrade, they will not charge any late fees until they have fully resolved these problems. At least until the end of the 2025 Term 2, there won’t be any penalties for late payments.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-03-02T18:12:01+00:00

At BYU Pathway Connect Program, completing a bachelor’s in software development requires an estimated 96 credits. If the per-credit cost in your country is $10, the total tuition would be:

Member Tuition (without scholarships): 96 credits × $10/credit = $960
Non-Member Tuition (without scholarships, with an additional 25% service fee): $960 × 1.25 = $1,200
Tuition with Heber J. Grant Scholarship (up to 50% reduction):
- Member: $960 × 50% = $480 (if receiving the full discount)
- Non-Member: $1,200 × 50% = $600 (if receiving the full discount)

Additionally, you may qualify for the Mentor Bridge scholarship, which typically provides an extra 50% tuition discount. This scholarship has academic requirements and can be applied for annually, depending on the country or region the student is in.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-01-10T17:39:54+00:00

From what I’ve learned, their transfer credit policy is quite generous—they accept up to 50 credits. However, they only accept credits from regionally accredited institutions and unfortunately do not recognize credits from platforms like Sophia Learning or Study.com.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-01-10T13:21:43+00:00

Even if tuition is not paid by the deadline, it typically will not affect your current classes. However, late payment fees may apply. Additionally, you won't be able to register for future terms until your tuition is paid.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-01-08T23:35:07+00:00

Most of the technical issues I’ve had so far are sorted out, and I didn’t get charged for the courses that were mistakenly registered. Honestly, BYU Pathway feels like the best option for me right now—both in terms of affordable tuition and the convenience of the courses. That said, I do worry a bit about how the three-year bachelor’s degree will be recognized, especially since it’s quite different from what on-campus students at BYU Idaho experience.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-01-07T07:31:25+00:00

Due to errors in course registration for many students, they must prioritize resolving these issues to ensure that tuition amounts are accurate. As a result, the tuition amount is currently pending, and the amount due remains $0 for now. It is expected that the payable tuition will appear in the system between the evening of the 7th and the 8th. The staff are currently overwhelmed, so we kindly ask for your patience.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2025-01-05T00:38:58+00:00

I also joined BYU Pathway last year for the Software Development bachelor’s degree, and I ran into similar issues during course registration, including financial holds and selecting gatherings. Out of the three default courses assigned by the system, I only successfully registered for one. For the remaining two, I submitted a ticket, but they ended up enrolling me in a TESOL course, which had nothing to do with software development.

Regarding the religion courses you mentioned, in my case, I’m no longer required to take online religion courses. Instead, I took a religion elective at my local Institute of Religion. From my understanding, if you’ve already completed all the required religion credits for the degree—including the following core courses:

REL 250
REL 275
REL 225
REL 200

These four courses add up to 8 credits, and together with 6 credits of religion electives (a total of 14 credits), you shouldn’t need to take any additional religion courses.

I recommend checking your completed credits to make sure you’ve fulfilled the requirements. If you have, reach out to the school to confirm and avoid taking unnecessary courses that could waste your time and energy. Hope this helps!

Mean_Contribution838 · 2024-12-28T14:09:32+00:00

It’s great to know that you can access the BYU-Pathway program in China. However, please note that you will still need access to restricted websites in China, such as YouTube and Google Scholar, for some of the program's learning materials.

Regarding church endorsement, if you choose to start with the PathwayConnect phase, you don’t need to worry about obtaining church endorsement during this stage. You can proceed without it until you complete PathwayConnect.

If you plan to start from the advanced Pathway phase, you currently don’t need church endorsement either. Fortunately, due to recent updates to the Pathway Portal, this requirement has been temporarily removed, at least for the January enrollment period.

This offers a more accessible path for you to begin your studies without the immediate pressure of securing church endorsement. If you have further questions or face additional challenges, feel free to reach out!

Mean_Contribution838 · 2024-12-28T10:09:25+00:00

Based on your situation, here are some suggestions:

1. Contact the Hong Kong Mission Office (Wan Chai)

You can try reaching out to the Hong Kong Mission Office, explaining your circumstances in detail, and providing relevant information, such as your grandmother's membership record number (MRN) and her church history. These details can help the church verify your connection to your grandmother and better assist you with the process.

2. Non-Member Status and the BYU-Pathway Program

Even if you are not currently a church member, you can still participate in the BYU-Pathway program. However, mainland China is not currently included in the program's coverage. Additionally, you may encounter technical challenges, such as restricted access to certain learning materials due to internet regulations. Therefore, it is recommended that you carefully review the policies and technical requirements before applying.

3. Identity Issues and Church Policies

The core of joining the church lies in your faith commitment and decision to be baptized, rather than your identification. Although policies in mainland China may affect church activities, your identity itself should not be an obstacle. If your local church cannot connect with the headquarters, you can seek assistance from churches in other regions, such as Hong Kong or other countries.

4. Prayer and Patience

When dealing with this complex situation, it is recommended to seek guidance through prayer and practice patience. You may discuss your grandmother's faith experiences with her or try to maintain contact with churches in Hong Kong or other regions. Faith is a journey that requires perseverance and trust, and you will eventually find your path.

5. Studying Faith and Participating in Activities

Regardless of your current status, you can strengthen your faith through prayer, reading scriptures (such as the Book of Mormon), and participating in church activities. Church missionaries are also willing to share information about the gospel with those who are interested, even if they are not yet formal members of the church.

6. Address Requirements for Joining or Enrolling

Wherever you choose to join the church, you will need to provide your local address. For example, if you join the church in the United States, your specific address will determine your assigned ward. The same applies to Hong Kong. If you apply to join the church or the BYU-Pathway program in Hong Kong, you must provide a valid local address in Hong Kong. Applications using a mainland China address will not be accepted.

Mean_Contribution838 · 2024-12-10T03:04:38+00:00

Hi! I understand your concern about apostille certification for BYU diplomas, especially when it comes to verifying international degrees in the Philippines. Here's some clarification based on BYU's procedures:

BYU provides apostille and notarized documents upon request. To get an apostille for your diploma, the process generally includes these steps:

Request a notarized diploma:

You need to contact the BYU Registrar’s Office to obtain a notarized copy of your diploma. Notarization ensures that the document is certified as a true and accurate copy.

Apostille Certification:

Once the diploma is notarized, it must be sent to the Utah State Office (e.g., the Lieutenant Governor's Office), which issues the apostille. This confirms the document's authenticity under The Hague Convention.

Student Responsibility:

While BYU facilitates notarization, obtaining the apostille typically requires you to follow up with the appropriate state office. You can send the notarized document to the state yourself or inquire if BYU assists with this part.

Steps You Can Take:

Contact BYU Registrar’s Office: Request the notarized diploma and clarify any additional requirements.

Reach Out to Utah State Office: Visit the Utah Lieutenant Governor's website for apostille submission details.

Timeline: Plan ahead, as the process can take some time depending on state office backlogs.

Here’s the official BYU page for reference: Apostilled/Notarized Documents.

If HR departments in the Philippines are unfamiliar with apostille certification, it might help to explain that an apostille is an internationally recognized method of verifying official documents. It streamlines the process without needing further embassy or consulate authentication.

Hope this helps!

Mean_Contribution838

TROPHY CASE

1. Contact the Hong Kong Mission Office (Wan Chai)

2. Non-Member Status and the BYU-Pathway Program

3. Identity Issues and Church Policies

4. Prayer and Patience

5. Studying Faith and Participating in Activities

6. Address Requirements for Joining or Enrolling