Some 97 percent of male BYU graduates and 32 percent of female graduates have served as LDS missionaries.[164] In October 2012, the LDS Church announced at its general conference that young men could serve a mission after they turn 18 and have graduated from high school. Since that time many young men have elected to enroll at BYU after their mission rather than taking a hiatus during their college studies. Missionary service often lasts up to two years for young men, and up to 18 months for young women.[16]