Student Reviews

Berea College Reviews

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• Morgan from Campbellsville, KY

  01/14/2010

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  31 out of 32 people found this review useful. 1 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Great for these types of students	Great for creative thinkers, good studiers, and overall good students.
  Tips for prospective students	Apply early. The majority of students get in during the fall enrollment period. This is because Berea caps how many students it will take so that it can pay more attention to the students they accept. Be prepared to study. Classes here on general require at least a couple hours a week in order to keep up. The professors here will put you to the grindstone, but the quality of students that graduate is excellent.
  Bang for the buck	All full time students receive a full tuition scholarship just for coming to the college. Then the room and board fees are determined on what the FAFSA says your family can pay. Berea only takes students in low economic settings, and works on bringing students in from Appalachia and people of different ethnic origins.
  Am enjoying being here	Berea is in a dry county. This is partially what allows us to study so well, however the next county over is a wet county. Overall, there is not a lot to do in Berea, so we make up our own games to play in town and on campus.
  Am learning a lot	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.

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• Emily from Lapeer, MI

  10/14/2010

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  20 out of 20 people found this review useful. 2 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Great for these types of students	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)
  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.
  Bang for the buck	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.
  Am enjoying being here	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.
  Am learning a lot	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).

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• Thea from Martinsburg, WV

  12/21/2009

  Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

  10 out of 13 people found this review useful. 3 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Will enjoy being here	It's a small town in Eastern Kentucky located in a dry county. If you are looking for a party school this is not it. If you are interested in an excellent education, getting into graduate school, study abroad or graduating without any student loan debt -- Berea is it!

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• Sean from MT Sterling, KY

  08/17/2011

  Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

  6 out of 6 people found this review useful. 4 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Tips for prospective students	Do your best to stand above the crowd during your interview. I was nearly passed on before I asked about the music program.
  Bang for the buck	Berea College provides the most financial aid of any college on Cappex. Every student receives a full tuition scholarship.
  Will enjoy being here	Absolutely, this is the main reason I'm excited about attending. I've met nobody who wasn't congenial.
  Will learn a lot	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.

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• Brittany from Berea, KY

  03/04/2012

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  6 out of 6 people found this review useful. 5 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Campus Safety	berea is an incredibly safe town. it is rare to hear of any type of incident on campus. public safety also does an excellent job of ensuring student safety.
  Greek Life	there are no sororities or fraternities on campus. however, we have some lovely classes surrounding greek culture and the latin language!
  Clubs and Activities	you name it, we have it. and if we don't, you can start it. the campus is overwhelmingly student-led, which allows for many independent organization opportunities.
  Great for these types of students	berea is a great place for a student who doesn't think that he or she will be able to go to college based upon monetary difficulties, who is academically savvy and looking for a challenge in the way of schooling. students looking for work experience whilst in college and a guaranteed job, who are interested in appalachia and who like are passionate about the environment would be a perfect match. this is a great school and it's a great place to be.
  Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	the campus participates in a game called humans vs. zombies twice a year. it's like a very large game of tag using nerf guns and all the proceeds go to a charity for children.
  Bang for the buck	tuition at berea college is free. each student pays part of their room and board based upon their family's income and pays for their own books. tuition is around $25,000 a year, so each student is looking at upwards of a $100,000 scholarship. students are given free laptops when they enter the college which they may keep upon graduation from the school. also, berea has funds set aside for all students to have an opportunity to spend time studying abroad. many students from berea graduate completely debt free, which is something to be said in this day and age.
  What to do for fun	berea is a wonderful town for students. there are many things to do within walking distance and the town is incredibly safe. we have local coffee shops, artisan centers, parks, contra dances, free movies, and a ton of on campus activities. the school is also only fifteen minutes away from richmond, ky, and berea provides a shuttle service for transportation to richmond once a week and to lexington every month. there are also many beautiful places for hiking and camping and beautiful places around town to find and enjoy. you simply have to look!
  Food and Dining	the food at berea is pretty bad. we have a singular cafeteria and one cafe. both have limited hours and limited menus. there are many options in the cafeteria, but the quality is not the best. however, there are plenty of ways to be creative with the food in the cafeteria to create a relatively nice meal.
  Dorm Life	the dorms at berea are in need of some improvement, but my experience overall has been relatively positive. freshman year is pivotal and the most fun in terms of dorm life. as the years progress, however, dorm life begins to wear on students. off-campus housing options are available to seniors.
  Academic Rigor	we're not kidding when we say that this school is tough. it is. students must be enrolled full time and also maintain a labor position which requires at least ten hours of labor per week. most classes are at least an hour and a half long and require a great amount of out-of-class effort. however, the payoff is phenomenal, and it is to be expected that a tier one school such as berea should be academically rigorous.
  Tips for prospective students	for those students who know what they intend to major in, take courses required for your major as soon as you come in, and not just general requirement courses. classes at berea are sometimes only offered every other semester or even every two years, so it is important to take classes at specific times in order to graduate on time. planning ahead is key. for students who don't know their intended major, berea does not allow students to declare a major until the end of sophomore year, so use your first year to get some general requirements out of the way and also to explore some fields of interest.
  In three sentences	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.

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• Mia Janay from San Pablo, CA

  05/24/2011

  Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

  5 out of 5 people found this review useful. 6 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Great for these types of students	Students that are eager to get a great education, be a part of a diverse community, and develop skills that will really get you through challenges in the real world.
  Tips for prospective students	Apply early, visit the campus (when classes are in session), and don't hesitate to ask questions.
  Bang for the buck	That is the biggest incentive to most students that come across Berea. Berea believes in the philosophy that students should not be just numbers. There is no tuition at Berea which essentially means you don't have to pay tons of money for an education that should be free. Having said that it does not mean it costs $0 to attend Berea. You will be responsible for room and board, books, and other fees, but when you think about compared to other schools that is a great trade off.
  Will enjoy being here	I unfortunately had my visit when the students were out for the summer already. But, the campus is pretty and the town was inviting so I think I will enjoy my time there.
  Will learn a lot	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.

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• Erika from Berea , KY

  04/16/2012

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 7 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Campus Safety	Is Great, always feel safe!
  Greek Life	There is none
  Clubs and Activities	Any CAB event is great, or anything hosted by the Black Cultural Center.
  Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	People tie rope to trees and walk on them like their walking on the ground.
  What to do for fun	Hang out with friends and visit nearby cities
  Food and Dining	Food Service is okay but it could be much better.
  Dorm Life	Is not that great just because of the visitation hours.
  Academic Rigor	Is great no one that graduates from Berea has lower than a 2.5
  Tips for prospective students	Come prepared for college in general. Be open because Berea is not like most schools. Also the last thing that I will say is, not to give up even when it gets hard because it does, there are plenty of resources that are on campus, but you have to take advantage of that.
  In three sentences	Attending Berea College is a great experience because we have to work. I never had a job before coming to school here. Now I won't be thrown into the without ever having worked a day in my life.

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• Jeremiah from Adamsville, AL

  07/16/2011

  Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

  2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 8 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Tips for prospective students	if accepted, take the blessing seriously and attend berea

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• Bama Girl

  01/14/2012

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  2 out of 3 people found this review useful. 9 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Greek Life	There is absolutely no Greek Life.
  What to do for fun	There is nothing to do for fun, Berea is not college like.
  Food and Dining	Dining service is not very good. The quality of the food is low.
  Dorm Life	Most people in the dorms are friendly at first, but there is not a true home feel. The way that the rooms are chosen is also not favorable, rooms are chosen via a lottery. The rooms are also small and can be uncomfortable with two people living in them.
  Academic Rigor	Academic life here is vigorous. Because there are so few students that attend the college professors give more work, but this also allows more one on one time for learning.
  In three sentences	Berea takes away your social life and literally puts you in a bubble. It is not the place to be if you want the college experience. The education provided is good, but social options are equally important.

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• Braden from Berea, KY

  07/11/2012

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 10 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Campus Safety	Public Safety does a great job dealing with issues on campus and even sending out alerts for weather, etc.
  Greek Life	There is no Greek life on Berea's campus, but if you want to be a part of EKU's Greek life, then apparently that's an option.
  Clubs and Activities	There are many clubs that represent many countries and interests.
  Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	Every Thursday, the college has mandatory convocations. Students can choose seven to attend each semester.
  Bang for the buck	Berea is one of seven colleges with a work-study program, and all students earn money to pay for school (and for pocket money) through their labor as well as earning a full-tuition scholarship. The education is one of the best in quality in the country.
  What to do for fun	Hanging out with friends in the grass or at the local coffeeshop near campus is good for studying and homework sessions. There are various clubs for all interests.
  Food and Dining	Food Service has a great variety of many foods for all people.
  Dorm Life	Each dorm tries to get involved in campus activities in order for people to bond with one another in so many ways,
  Academic Rigor	The academics of Berea is going to be challenging because college is supposed to challenging, no matter where you go.
  Tips for prospective students	There will be many clubs and organizations, and usually they are per semester. If you want to do many things, split them up between your semesters.
  In three sentences	Berea has a small campus and a diverse campus with a tight-knit community. You really get to learn from the small classes with much-needed attention from the professors and the representation of students from many countries. Berea offers a free tuition scholarship to all students in order to insure that people can receive a quality education without having much student debt.

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• Kayla from Northfield, MN

  11/02/2009

  Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

  1 out of 33 people found this review useful. 4 people found it offensive. 8 people found this inaccurate. 11 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Great for these types of students	Admissions staff are not helpful
  Tips for prospective students	Admissions staff are not helpful
  Bang for the buck	Admissions staff are not helpful
  Will enjoy being here	Admissions staff are not helpful
  Will learn a lot	Admissions staff are not helpful

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• Stephanie from Berea, KY

  02/28/2013

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 12 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Greek Life	NON existent
  Bang for the buck	some say Berea is free. No...no it is not. You may not pay much money compared to other colleges, but it is taxing in many other ways.
  What to do for fun	IF you have the time or money, which seldom occurs, there is a mini mall 15 minutes up the road with movies and good restaurants.
  Food and Dining	There are many choices to eat, but when you are subject to it 3 times a day everyday for four years, it sucks. Better than many though, I am sure.
  Tips for prospective students	Berea is not for everyone. If you are looking for fun do not come to Berea. Berea has many opportunities for serious students.
  In three sentences	Berea is a Liberal Arts school that offers free tuition. Berea is also a work study college. So, it is a Harvard for low income families and YOU WILL BUST YOUR BUTT learning and working.

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• dreamlikecrazy93

  06/18/2013

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 13 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Campus Safety	I like campus safety because they will do whatever they can to make sure students on campus are safe. If you need to go down to the nearby hospital, they'll drive you themselves so you can avoid the expense of gas money or an ambulance. Just call them and they're on their way for anything. Even if you're too scared to walk to a certain building late at night or early morning, they go out of their way to take you. It's nice knowing they care.
  Greek Life	What is this Greek Life that you speak of?
  Clubs and Activities	Berea is a smaller institution but offers so many clubs and activities. The most popular are those dealing with the arts. If you love to perform, get involved with the BC Theatre Lab, a dance ensemble, or one of the music ensembles in the music department. Whatâ??s amazing about the Theatre department is that they produce 2 main stage shows each semester and many smaller productions that are equally outstanding. A bonus is the fact that anyone of any major can participate in these productions whether itâ??s onstage or backstage. The music department includes ensembles such as the Concert Choir, the Bluegrass Ensemble, and the Black Music Ensemble. Everything dealing with music in Berea is very eye-opening and full of greatness. If you arenâ??t too in to the arts, you can join one of Bereaâ??s many sports teams or other clubs like the Campus Activities Board (CAB) or the Blue Crew. No matter what activity you choose to pursue at the school, you will relieve your stress and you will enjoy yourself, no doubt.
  Great for these types of students	If you are outgoing or love to make new friends, then welcome! If you keep more to yourself or aren't very confident, that's alright, too. By the time your first year is over, your life will change completely. You will have friends and acquaintances that actually care about you. It's an overwhelming but amazing feeling. You will change for the better for sure. It's like a breath of fresh air.
  Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	Do you know how to swim? Well, if you do, that's great. If not, you're required to take a swimming class before you graduate and pass it. Berea does not tolerate a hesitant swimmer. No joke.
  Bang for the buck	Imagine being accepted to a school that is extremely selective, gives every student a full-tuition scholarship plus more financial assistance, receiving a free, brand new laptop, and making the most of an education that many other colleges and universities wished they could live up to. And on top of that, being the #1 school in the US with the lowest student debt amongst its graduates. Welcome to Berea College!
  What to do for fun	Berea College is set among the beautiful Appalachians, so it is a great place to go hiking, running, or anything else nature related. However, there arenâ??t much shopping or entertainment facilities (unless you like the fact that Berea, KY is the Arts and Crafts capital of the US). If you want a quick getaway, a 15 minute drive to Richmond is the way to go. If you want to go to a livelier city and are willing to drive a little more, consider Lexington (45 minutes), Cincinnati (2 hours), or Louisville (2 hours). If you're a freshman cursed with the no car on campus rule or you're a student who gets screwed over by the college lottery, just make something up. You will have fun no matter where you are with your new friends, even if it's a walking trip to Wal-Mart. It's worth the crazy, fun memories.
  Food and Dining	Food services...my goodness. The Mountaineer Dining Hall is the central food location for Berea students. They have their really good days where there is a lot of variety, but to tell you the truth, most days are just average or below that... especially on the weekends. Friday night is the time that many students leave campus to commute back to their homes, but we all know that they're just avoiding the lack of good food. They are such cowards :) !
  Dorm Life	When it comes to living in a dorm, I believe it truly depends on the person. Some people love the fact that they are technically living with their friends. They love the community aspect of it. Others don't like the fact that none of the residence halls are coed or that you don't get to live off campus until your senior year. Living with a bunch of people can be pretty messy, but it's nice to be able to have quick access to people to talk with. It's nice living in a hall but at times, it can be hectic. You just give and take a little.
  Academic Rigor	Berea is one of those schools where even the most promising student goes, What have I gotten myself in to?! The institution only accepts academically promising students so they expect you to go above and beyond your comfort level. Even though the school can be more challenging than any Ivy League school, what makes the place outstanding is that the professors care about you so much. They know you by name and they make sure to get to know you as more than just a student. They'll do whatever they can to make sure you understand what's going on whether it is inside or outside the classroom. Sure you'll most definitely be doing more than one paper at a time, but hey. You know you're going to pass because your instructors are going to talk to you over the phone at 2 am just to help you get through it.
  Tips for prospective students	Don't be shy! If you want to make new friends, Berea College is the best place in the world to do this. Everyone is so accepting and it definitely changes your perception of your own life before entering the school. Just relax. You're a Mountaineer now and Mountaineers don't take anything for granted.
  In three sentences	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.

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• Terrin from Berea, KY

  01/22/2013

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  14 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Campus Safety	Full public safety department
  Greek Life	None unfortunately
  Great for these types of students	Low income
  Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	We have the Freedman's Bell, a symbol for integration and the promotion of equality for all people.
  Bang for the buck	BEREA COLLEGE OFFERS FREE TUITION!
  What to do for fun	I like to play soccer, video games, and enjoy using the schools free programs, such as, comedy shows, intramural sports and events.
  Tips for prospective students	Remember to study, not to break yourself as many high school teachers suggest you will. Stay level headed and find some friends who support your goals
  In three sentences	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.

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• Avante from Berea, KY

  02/23/2013

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  15 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  Campus Safety	Extremely safe campus! There is mild weed and alcohol usage, but t does not hurt others.
  Greek Life	There are no fraternities or sororities.
  What to do for fun	Campus offers various on campus free concerts, comedy shows, parties, game night, etc.
  Food and Dining	Many organic and vegetarian choices. You have the option to eat at the campus cafe if you do not want to eat cafeteria food.
  Dorm Life	The men and women can not live in dorm together. There is visitation of the opposite sex during certain hours. Nearly all the dorms are new and clean.
  Academic Rigor	Make sure that you start working on the assignments as soon as they are given to you. Waiting to the last minute could put you on academic probation which isn't taken lightly. The scholarship given to all students is certainly earned.
  Tips for prospective students	You should bring anything you can live without to this college. There are limited places to shop nearby, so try online shopping or thrifting. The academics are rigorous and require much dedication. Since it is a small institution, there is a great chance that you can obtain excellent references.
  In three sentences	It is a rural institution. There isn't a strong based for athletics, except track. It is a small liberal college with a rigorous academic background.

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• Evelyn

  05/22/2013

  Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

  16 of 16

  Categories	Comments
  In three sentences	I am planning to come and visit the campus.

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