Berea College

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Students Say - Academics
Berea College in central Kentucky is "about bringing underprivileged high school graduates from the Appalachian region and beyond together for a chance at a higher education, a career, and a better life." Thanks to a labor program that requires all students to work 10 to 15 hours each week and a ton of donated cash, tuition here is "free." "Each student receives a laptop to use while in school" as well. "No tuition does not mean a full ride," though. "Extra costs such as technology fees, insurance, food plans, etc., add up quickly," advises a business major. About two-thirds of the students receive additional financial aid. Berea's administration is efficient, but it "tends to be too parental in nature," and can be overly concerned with image. "Donors hear a story of poor kids who are getting help from a school that sometimes styles itself as a charity," explains a junior. In addition to a decent range of liberal arts and sciences majors, there are several career-oriented programs. The academic atmosphere is "rigorous." Class attendance is mandatory. A few "hardcore" professors "abuse the idea of homework." Others "need refresher courses on how to deal with people." On the whole, though, faculty members are "witty," and they "have a strong passion for what they are teaching." "Everyone who I've had has been completely accessible outside of class," describes a nursing major. "Students are able to get so much more one-on-one time than at larger colleges."

Students Say - Campus Life
Buildings, facilities, and technology are not always the newest, nicest, or most expensive on this "tiny campus." There's no cable television in the dorm rooms, and the "crazy" visitation policy for members of the opposite sex is "borderline 19th century." Academics take up a lot of time, and "every student is required to have an on-campus job." Some students make stoneware pottery. Others "feed sheep and goats" on the college farm. However, "janitorial work," computer sup- port, and similarly mundane jobs are more typical. "With work, classes, and studying, there's not much time left for anything else." "There are many clubs" and several religious groups. "Movie marathons" and "dances" are common. "Pick-up games" and intramurals are popular. "Some of us go camping when it's nice out, that kind of thing," says a first-year student. Otherwise, "life at Berea is generally regarded as boring." "If it weren't for videogames, I'd go nuts," speculates a junior. The surrounding town is "very small." "There is not even a movie theater." "Someone from a big city would be in for a shock." Freshmen can't bring cars at all and, generally, only students who live far away can ever have vehicles. The county is dry, and there are no bars. Berea's alcohol polices are theoretically harsh but more lenient in practice. "If you can hide it, you can drink it." However, alcohol and drug usage is "very low." "We're not a party school," says a junior. "Basically, our weekends consist of walking down to Wal-Mart," explains a sophomore, "and that's if we're really ready for a crazy night."

Students Say - Student Body
The typical student at Berea College is broke but "has big dreams." "Most people are from working-class families." They were "raised in backwoods hollows" around "the Appalachian area." "We are all here because we have no money but are equipped with the hope for a bright future and a desire to learn," declares a senior. Students at Berea are "sleep deprived" and "too busy to really have the time to slack off (though there are some that still manage it)." They're "bright, hardworking," and "studious." "Most of us are nerds," admits a senior. There are "quite a few Bible thumpers." At the same time, Berea is "probably more liberal than conservative," and this is something of "a hippie school." "People are really big about recycling, sustainability, and the environment." Students tell us that Berea has "more diversity than most schools." "There is a very large homeschool population." There are quite a few "young married students." There's also a noticeable contingent of international students and "a large population of African Americans." Some students claim that minorities "blend in well." Others say the campus is "widely segregated."

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