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).
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
Plainly put, Berea is a gorgeous town. It's a small-ish Southern-ish town in Appalachia, and so far I have yet to see the town be anything but beautiful. There are usually a number of events happening on campus, and there are plenty of student organizations (including most sports) to keep one occupied outside of class and work.
Conversely, Berea is known for being in the self-described Berea Bubble. Students who are used to living in larger cities might be uncomfortable living in such a small town, without some of the pleasures that larger cities might provide. Berea is also a dry town (no alcohol is sold/served here), so students that are looking to party will have to go elsewhere. The college also discourages students from having cars and prohibits first-year students from having cars, both for financial and environmental reasons (there IS a free shuttle that will transport students to Walmart, Richmond, and Lexington occasionally). I do not personally find any of these things to be an issue, but it's something to consider for some students.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Berea is a tuition-free college; I don't know how it can get better than that. Berea only accepts students below a certain economic level, based on their FAFSA reports. After being founded in 1855, the college has focused on educating students from Appalachia; women; African-Americans; and a number of international students. Once accepted, a student will get a four-year tuition scholarship, even if a parent's income increases. This isn't a deal that looks fabulous and then charges students an insane amount for room and board; the last time I checked, the most students can pay for room and board is $6,600, and many students pay nothing at all (if their EFC is zero). In fact, a fair number of students (21%, off the top of my head) graduate without any student debt at all.
STUDY ABROAD--If you plan on studying abroad, Berea is the place to do it. The college will cover 75%/$11,000 of student costs for a term abroad, and something like 35% of student costs for a summer/short term abroad.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
*Apply EARLY--these are difficult economic times. The college is getting more applications than ever, and while I still encourage you to apply at any time of the year, you'll have a better chance of gaining admission if you do it early.
*Visit the college--I didn't even seriously consider Berea until I visited it during spring break of my senior year in high school, but the gorgeous campus and the attitude of the students I met impressed me.
*TALK to the admissions staff--if it isn't feasible for your family to visit Berea to do the interview portion of the admissions process, email/call the admissions staff and they can schedule a time to do it by phone.
*Speaking of the admissions process, DON'T BE INTIMIDATED. Yes, you will have to do an interview, but if you're calm about it, you will be fine.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Berea is a great school for students who
*have limited financial means
*are from Appalachia (even though it's entirely possible to attend Berea without being from Appalachia!)
*want to attend a smaller, more personalized college
*are Christian (Berea has a Christian background; all students take an Understandings of Christianity course, and there are plenty of churches no matter your background)
*AREN'T Christian (Don't let the Christian label scare you. Berea was founded by an abolitionist preacher who wanted to educate black/white students together AND men/women together--in 1855. Pretty progressive. There are multiple religious student organizations that aren't for Christians.)
*want a liberal education
*want to study abroad
*want to graduate with less student debt than all of your friends! (which is good for those who want to go on to graduate school, by the way)
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).
Plainly put, Berea is a gorgeous town. It's a small-ish Southern-ish town in Appalachia, and so far I have yet to see the town be anything but beautiful. There are usually a number of events happening on campus, and there are plenty of student organizations (including most sports) to keep one occupied outside of class and work. Conversely, Berea is known for being in the self-described Berea Bubble. Students who are used to living in larger cities might be uncomfortable living in such a small town, without some of the pleasures that larger cities might provide. Berea is also a dry town (no alcohol is sold/served here), so students that are looking to party will have to go elsewhere. The college also discourages students from having cars and prohibits first-year students from having cars, both for financial and environmental reasons (there IS a free shuttle that will transport students to Walmart, Richmond, and Lexington occasionally). I do not personally find any of these things to be an issue, but it's something to consider for some students.
Berea is a tuition-free college; I don't know how it can get better than that. Berea only accepts students below a certain economic level, based on their FAFSA reports. After being founded in 1855, the college has focused on educating students from Appalachia; women; African-Americans; and a number of international students. Once accepted, a student will get a four-year tuition scholarship, even if a parent's income increases. This isn't a deal that looks fabulous and then charges students an insane amount for room and board; the last time I checked, the most students can pay for room and board is $6,600, and many students pay nothing at all (if their EFC is zero). In fact, a fair number of students (21%, off the top of my head) graduate without any student debt at all. STUDY ABROAD--If you plan on studying abroad, Berea is the place to do it. The college will cover 75%/$11,000 of student costs for a term abroad, and something like 35% of student costs for a summer/short term abroad.
*Apply EARLY--these are difficult economic times. The college is getting more applications than ever, and while I still encourage you to apply at any time of the year, you'll have a better chance of gaining admission if you do it early. *Visit the college--I didn't even seriously consider Berea until I visited it during spring break of my senior year in high school, but the gorgeous campus and the attitude of the students I met impressed me. *TALK to the admissions staff--if it isn't feasible for your family to visit Berea to do the interview portion of the admissions process, email/call the admissions staff and they can schedule a time to do it by phone. *Speaking of the admissions process, DON'T BE INTIMIDATED. Yes, you will have to do an interview, but if you're calm about it, you will be fine.
Berea is a great school for students who *have limited financial means *are from Appalachia (even though it's entirely possible to attend Berea without being from Appalachia!) *want to attend a smaller, more personalized college *are Christian (Berea has a Christian background; all students take an Understandings of Christianity course, and there are plenty of churches no matter your background) *AREN'T Christian (Don't let the Christian label scare you. Berea was founded by an abolitionist preacher who wanted to educate black/white students together AND men/women together--in 1855. Pretty progressive. There are multiple religious student organizations that aren't for Christians.) *want a liberal education *want to study abroad *want to graduate with less student debt than all of your friends! (which is good for those who want to go on to graduate school, by the way)