Weber State University — Attraction in Ogden

My experience with Weber State University’s graduate admissions process was disappointing and left me questioning how fairly and consistently applicants are evaluated. I applied with genuine interest and strong qualifications, but after investing significant time, effort, and money—ordering multiple transcripts and preparing a detailed application—I felt misled and not reviewed holistically.

I have over seven years of professional engineering experience and hold three master’s degrees in engineering, each earned with a GPA above 3.5. I am also currently pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science. Despite these achievements, I was denied admission because I do not have a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a qualifying GPA. It’s discouraging that such a narrow technicality outweighed my advanced education, proven academic success, and extensive real-world engineering experience.

The program also cited my lack of two specific calculus courses. However, I completed Engineering Mathematics, which included full calculus content, earning a B grade, and I have successfully passed Calculus courses through accredited external programs. These should more than satisfy the math preparation expected of any technical graduate student. Ignoring that verified coursework reflects a rigid and checklist-driven approach rather than a true holistic review.

Adding to the frustration, I was previously told that the Spring application cycle did not have many applicants, yet my rejection letter stated that the applicant pool was “highly competitive.” That inconsistency raises questions about how transparent and accurate admissions communication really is.

I’ve been accepted into top universities in the nation, so this decision isn’t a reflection of my capability—it reflects Weber State’s restrictive admissions policies. I am a high scholar who has consistently excelled in graduate-level engineering and technical programs. My background clearly demonstrates the aptitude, discipline, and analytical foundation needed to succeed in a systems-focused curriculum.

It’s disappointing that Weber State failed to recognize that success at the graduate level proves capability far beyond undergraduate labels or GPA conversions. Most reputable institutions offer conditional or provisional acceptance to qualified applicants missing one or two prerequisites. This program instead chose to reject an applicant with multiple advanced degrees, professional engineering experience, and a verified calculus foundation—all of which demonstrate readiness for the coursework.

While I continue to respect the university’s educational mission, my experience left me feeling undervalued and misinformed. I hope Weber State reconsiders how it evaluates nontraditional and advanced applicants. A truly holistic process should reward demonstrated success, not exclude candidates based on rigid undergraduate checkboxes.

I know my worth and abilities, and I will continue pursuing opportunities with institutions that value experience, advanced achievement, and the proven...

Weber State is a positively spectacular school. Not only does it have a breath-taking campus, it has a friendly and competent staff, and there is always a group to fit into. I made some incredible friends and connections among the faculty, staff, and student body in my three years here. I still break out into a grin when I tell stories about my time there.

In my final year, we hosted the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, and I was in charge of the info booth, so I had the opportunity to talk to many students from schools all over the country (and some from even farther!). In particular, I remember one encounter with some boys from the National Naval Academy, who commented on how gorgeous the campus was, how easy it was to find their way around, and how modern and well-equipped the buildings were. They asked me how much it cost for me to go there. I responded, "Oh, about $5,000." "A semester?!" "No, a year." In a cement rectangle that they were going to school in, they paid three times as much.

The staff in the English department will bend over backwards to help you grow, succeed, and find your place in life. They challenge you every step of the way, and make sure that you've got a step ahead when you head out into the rest of the world.

The Office of Undergraduate Research is also a very under-appreciated department. I started thinking about applying for a grant to attend a writing conference to hone my craft and connect with people in the industry, effectively putting to use the things I had been learning in my creative writing courses; I was told by countless people around campus (mostly student body or people from other departments) that I shouldn't bother, because they don't fund things like that--all the research grants go to science and math. But some of my professors encouraged me, and signed on to the project, even though none of them had ever heard of someone in the student body of the English department applying for a grant. And guess what--I got to go! Every step of the way of applying, applying the funding, and the afterwork was guided by the OUR, and I could not be more grateful to them.

I could go on and on about the amazing time I had here and all the opportunities I was given, but I'd rather you go here and make some memories yourself. When I first started going here, I was like most of the local kids: Oh, I'm just going to Weber. Now I never say that. I am very proud of my school, and I...

Well, I don’t think I will be going to Weber University for the Zoology Program. Their customer service is awful, the people in Admissions are terrible, their treat you like a piece of crap, and if you try to transfer credits from a school they don’t like, they will treat you even worse. Weber University has a stupid policy that consists on not transferring credits from National accredited institution. I submitted an Equivalency Review Request late night on last Friday, and this morning before 9:00am, I received an Email from their transfer articulation department reading: “I am sorry but we do not accept any credits from Broadview University. The policy of the university is that we only accept credits for transfer from institutions that are regionally accredited. Broadview University is nationally accredited. “ This was too quick, so I don’t think that the Zoology Program chair took the time to look at it. I think that as soon he saw Broadview University name, he didn’t even go over it. I totally understand the differences between the Regional and National accreditations, but as far I know the Department of Education does not mandate Weber to put this policy in place. It is an internal Weber policy, that to my eyes, it is BS. Broadview is a National Accredited institution that received the accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency. These Accrediting Agencies are recognized by the Secretary of Education as Reliable Authorities. The accreditation of the Accrediting Agencies is based on the quality of education and training provided by the collage in question, in case Broadview. So, if all these high position/government people, including the Secretary of Education (who recognize the Accrediting agency) give accreditation to BVU as a Collage that meets the standards and quality of education, , then who in earth does Weber administration think they are telling my school credits are not good enough to be transferred? They make people feel bad, and they can make you feel small through the way they handle things on this matter. Today I also realized that doing this they are devaluing and underestimating the teaching of one of their own in the Zoology Department. Prof. Jonathan Marshall taught my Biology class, and I think he is a great teacher, too bad that Weber doesn’t think so. Seriously, their admission employees are the worse costumer service I...