Beloit College

Beloit College

Beloit, WI, USA
Private
4 Year

Katherine's Review

Review of Beloit College

from Mokena, IL

Do you feel you’re learning a lot?

My first semester here was a joke [my roommate that semester, Sylvia, also wrote a review]. But the semester after that, and the semester I'm currently working on have delivered on Beloit's promise to expand my thinking and have really captured my interest. I think it really depends on the classes that you're taking. I love that classes focus on opinions and discussions rather than being talked at by the professor for an hour or two. There is no pressure to compete with other students for the best grades. Professors know you by name, not your ID number.

Do you enjoy the experience at your school?

True, it's a small town and a small school. We party hard on weekends and study even harder during the week. There are still lots of opportunities during the week for movies and talks, and on the weekend there are parties [open to anyone, a great perk compared to other schools I've heard of], improv shows, adventuring [as my friends like to call it] to parks, movies, etc. If you're not into drinking/partying, there are other people here that feel the same! I am still very close with the people I lived with last year and am a lot more involved in a few of the ton of clubs we have here. Over all, it's a great place to form close bonds and explore different interests with unique people.

Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?

The professors are all top-notch, and are really excited about what they teach. They all are interested in your opinions, and want to help you succeed in not only their class, but also connect what they're teaching to the outside world by helping you with research and internship opportunities. Don't be afraid of the price tag! When I first looked, I nearly wrote off applying because of it. I'm so glad I didn't. Because of my good grades and lots of extracurriculars, I got nearly 2/3 off in tuition in scholarships [as in, money I don't have to pay back]! If you're not the best student, don't worry- Beloit Admissions is less concerned with your academic record than your involvement and potential for success.

Do you have any tips for prospective students?

One thing that has really made my experience here so far was living in one of the all freshman dorms last year. I would highly recommend that option if it's available wherever you ultimately decide to go. In the dorm there were 40 people, and while some people of course only had friends outside our group and weren't connected to our dorm life, the others were very solid. It was a great support base to deal with transitioning to college. The 10 or so people that really formed the core of our cult [as it was referred to] are still my best friends here. Another tip is to don't go home right away. Sunday dinner isn't offered, but it's a great way to bond with new friends by having a big pizza party or potluck. Join a bunch of clubs, then narrow it down to a few you really care about. Volunteering is super rewarding as well!

Which types of students will excel at your college?

If you didn't quite fit in with the high school sheep. We have our share of seemingly popular-type kids, but everyone here is awkward in their own special way. If you're independent. Coming from a school that was fairly restrictive, it was unnerving at first that no one was telling me what I should or shouldn't do academically. There are so many unique and life-changing opportunities here, and everyone truly does want you to have those, but ultimately it's up to you to arrange things and get everything in motion. Liberal, or at least open-minded. We have a big international focus in the classroom, and the student body. Laid-back. Basically every professor and all workers go by their first name. You're treated like an adult, and they hope by treating you as an equal, you are accepting of the responsibilities.