According to Corey Killpack, who was the institute director at the University of Michigan before becoming an instructor at the Logan institute adjacent to Utah State University, housing selection is a critical issue for LDS students.

"Where somebody would live as a student at U. of M. would make a big difference in their experience," Killpack said.

Rob Line, who worked as the Church Educational System coordinator for northern Indiana for seven years, suggests it's an issue the prospective students shouldn't tackle alone.

"It's vital that parents be involved in the selection of the housing," Line said.

When daughter Brittany was preparing to attend MIT in Cambridge, Mass., Baker took extra steps to scrutinize the housing selection. Brittany ended up living in an all-women's dorm where she felt comfortable. She arrived at the decision after mother and daughter both attended a campus preview weekend, where they toured the dorms and spoke with other students to get a feel for the atmosphere at each location.

"We decided that this was essential," Baker said. "I would really recommend that the parents go there to the school with their child."

Baker also suggests that parents and students visit potential wards or branches in the area to determine whether they are easily accessible, not just during the summer but in the winter as well.

It's all part of the homework process that begins long before the student steps on campus. According to those who have worked with LDS college students throughout the country, the pre-college syllabus includes asking the right questions and making the right contacts.

Line, who was also the institute director at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., said that once students narrow their list of schools based on academic considerations, there's one question of overriding importance.

"To me, it's simply asking the question (of) is there an institute there, especially if they're undergraduates," said Line, who is currently an instructor at the Salt Lake University Institute of Religion.

Line suggests contacting institute directors and priesthood leaders in the initial stages of the college-preparation process. Doing so will help the student build a network of fellow church members.

"Build those bridges of communication early," Line said.

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MIKE GRAF, THE director of administrative services for CES and former institute director at University of California Davis, said that for prospective students, "institute ought to be the first great contact."

"Their focus is on the college student and helping them transition from seminary to institute," Graf said.