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Honors Program

Alyssa Ball

Alyssa Ball
Major: Microbiology
Graduation: April 2023
Instagram: @alyssaball_ 

Hi! My name is Alyssa Ball! I am from Seal Beach, CA, and I love California! I definitely miss our 70-degree winters. I served my mission in Tampa, Florida, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I am a Junior now, and I'm studying microbiology. I'm hoping to attend law school in the fall of 2023. I have had so much fun in college exploring Utah with my friends! The hot springs are a favorite! I am so grateful to be here at BYU!

What's the best-kept secret at BYU? Why? 

The gelato in the engineering building. It's amazing!!!

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self? 

Plans always change, and that is okay! I entered BYU thinking I was going to medical school. However, a lot of my classes helped me realize some of my strengths that I hadn't really recognized before college. I enjoyed my science classes, but instead of pursuing medical school, I decided that law school was a better fit for me. During my freshmen year, I was dead set on all my plans. However, college has taught me that the Lord usually has better plans for us than we do, and when we let our faith take control, life becomes so much more fun and happy!

What has been the most significant plot twist in your life? 

I feel like my whole post–high school life has been a plot twist! Growing up, I had a list of "never’s." This list included things like going to BYU, majoring in science, going on a mission, etc. However, I am studying microbiology at BYU and went on a mission. I never could have imagined that things would have turned out as well as they have! BYU has been such a great fit, I love my major, and my mission was probably some of the happiest times in my life. As much as I disliked it in the moment, I have come to love plot twists and all the fun they bring!

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?

When selecting a college, I really wanted to go to a small school where there would be many opportunities to get to know and work with my professors on a more personal level. However, overall, BYU felt like the best option as a whole. When I was on a college tour at BYU, I learned about the Honors Program. I loved the idea of smaller class sizes, discussion-based learning, and a focus on interdisciplinary connections. It felt like a great fit, and I am so glad that I joined the program!

What has been your favorite part of your Honors experience?

I think my two favorite things have been the professors and the focus on an interdisciplinary education. The professors have been wonderful and are so student focused. For example, in one of my Unexpected Connections courses, my professor had memorized all of our names prior to the first day! I also love being able to learn from the best of the best. The Honors Program seems to attract the top researchers and professors. It has been such a blessing to learn from experts while taking GE classes. I think it is a remarkable experience, and I wish all BYU students were able to do the same. I also have really enjoyed the interdisciplinary approach that the Honors Program takes. I started off as a MMBIO major planning to go to medical school. However, I changed my mind, and I decided that I wanted to go to law school. I am so grateful that so many of my college courses have focused on developing skills in all areas of study and thus helped me prepare for this different career path that I had never planned to take.

What is your next step in Honors? (Specific class, thesis proposal/defense, etc.)

I will be working on my thesis proposal! I am really excited about this. I am in the process of deciding what I want my thesis to be about. I would really love to combine things that I have learned in my science classes with legal aspects of our society.