Berea College

The professors all make sure that you are keeping up, but at the same time, you are expected to keep up to the rigorous pace they set. We currently operate on a 4-1-4 calendar year. That means that fall semester is 4 months, we have a January Short Term and the spring semester is 4 months. This allows us to have a break because during short term, students are only allowed to take one class.

Berea puts a lot of emphasis on the liberal arts education it gives--there are a lot of interdisciplinary classes that students are required to take, but so far they've been enjoyable and useful to me. Classes are usually small, since there's only around 1600 students on campus, and the largest class I've seen is twenty-five people. Some people might underestimate the difficulty of the school (I know I did!), since Berea is a small, private college with Christian roots, for students that might not otherwise go to college; but it would be a mistake to say that anything at Berea is easy. The college expects you to do well, and even in the classes where I struggle, I still feel like I'm constantly learning.
Note: In addition to having a liberal education, Berea is also a work college. Every student that attends the school will have a job on campus and is expected to work 10-15 hours/week. This helps pay for the tuition-free education (since it uses federal work study money), teach students time management (while giving them job experience!), and helps students be financial responsible (by still giving them a paycheck, even though most of the money goes to tuition).
A previous review also says that Berea works on a 4-1-4 schedule; this has now changed. The college now has a fall semester, spring semester, and then optional summer I/summer II semesters (which are about a month long each).

berea college is a fun yet challenging institution. it is generally hit or miss with professors as far as teaching ability is concerned. much of the progress attained by students depends on their personal drive and intellectual ambition.

Everybody I've met has said the classes are demanding, but rewarding. The small class size means I'll be given much more 1on1 and discussion time, which is much better than being known as student #341.

From the students I talked to when I visited, they said that the curriculum at Berea is very demanding. You will be challenged in every aspect. A graduating senior told me that at the end of her 5 years at Berea, she feels like she was prepared for anything that comes her way.

There are simply no words to describe my experience at Berea College. This place changed my life! Aside from its stellar academics, outstanding work-study program, and culture of service and stewardship, this institution was HOME during my four-year experience as a college student.

Berea is that place full of so much academic rigor and it can be a little much. It is also that sigh of relief from high school. You've come to a place where people want to know your name and your story, and that just makes it so special.

A small college with the opportunity for more one on one with professors. Has some diversities, in that they have students from all over the world there. Berea College is very much an educational school, there are not much crazy wild parties on campus.

Berea College is a very diverse, interesting, and intensely educational school. It has a beautiful campus, a great community of classmates and professors, and a fantastic array of classes. While the classes are challenging and you may sometimes feel as if there are not enough hours in the day, the experience and education you will gain here is completely worth it.

A small school focused on academic success and its student, Berea provides a place for student to quietly learn. Berea has a wide variety of programs to choose to study from and in some cases can help you build a degree. Berea has been the blessing in my life and I hope it can be for other students.