Bethel University
Saint Paul, MN, USA

Reviews

Bethel University

Ashley from Lakeville, MN

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
As Bethel is a small school there are many opportunities for students to have close interaction and communication with their professors. Teachers notice when a student is not in class and the classes, such as the Humanities program is very well renowned. Bethel has a top rated nursing program as well as is very strong in their science departments.
Am enjoying being here
Bethel is a beautiful campus in Arden Hills right by St. Paul and very close to Rose dale Mall. It is by various restaurants as well as it allows for students to explore the cities. The academic buildings are all connected which is nice for winter walking to class and the Christian atmosphere is, in my opinion, one of the strongest in MN.
Bang for the buck
Bethel is roughly 36,000 a year currently which makes it expensive, but there are relatively good academic scholarships available as well as work study.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure to visit the campus, it is a small campus that is very grounded in biblical studies and beliefs. Students should be searching for scholarships if they don't expect to be receiving financial aid.
Great for these types of students
Students that want a smaller school that is close to the cities. Students that want to grow deeper in their faith and be supported in their growth will enjoy the atmosphere. Bethel is a school that cares more about personal growth, achievement, and interaction than how good a student looks on paper.

Kayla from Randolph, MN

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I believe Bethel University has a great community that is both friendly and spiritual. The professors take time to get to know each student individually. Everyone that is at Bethel is so nice and are always wanting to know more about you.
Tips for prospective students
Ask questions no matter how stupid you think they are.
Academic Rigor
The academic part of Bethel is great. The professors teach you so much and it is so nice to have such small class sizes.
Dorm Life
I loved dorm life. It was great! My roommate and I got along great. The RA was always around to do fun things with the floor. I got to know my floor very well.
Food and Dining
The Dining Center is so good. The food choice is great and you can always go back for more.
Campus Safety
The safety on campus is amazing. They are always on the look our for unusual things that are happening. They even will give you a ride if you need one from one side of campus to the other.

Keshini from Minneapolis, MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Bethel University is a school meant for kids who want to strive academically, socially, and in their faith. We all push each other to be the best versions of ourselves in every way possible. This is a place for growing so we are able to reach our full potential.
Tips for prospective students
My tip for a prospective student would be to do an overnight before committing. He/she would get the full experience of what it would be like to attend Bethel so they know what they are getting into. I would highly recommend coming on a Sunday night so they can attend Vespers. Vespers is our weekly hour long worship service; the first time I went, I was blown away, I had never seen a community come together like that before.
Academic Rigor
The Academics at Bethel are definitely personalized to fit the needs of the Student. Some of my peers are taking 18 credits where as some are taking much less than that. The academic counselors are extremely helpful with helping you put a a class schedule together that fits your needs. The homework is defiantly manageable as long as you put the effort and time in that is needed (in other words, don't procrastinate!)
Dorm Life
Dorm life is good in the sense that we all have a very strong community! Each floor is different in that some floors choose to keep all their doors open so people are free to walk in and out of each others rooms. Where as some floors keep their doors closed for privacy reasons. Each floor has an RA that goes above and beyond their duty! Every RA that I have come across always has a smile on their face and they are very welcoming to everybody! On thing that really impressed me was that each RA knows everybody's name even if you are not on their floor. Every night there is an RA on shack. This means that an RA will hang out in Shack (where our lobby is located) and they will have games, snacks, or just fun activities for our dorm to do. The only con of our dorm life is that mostly on the weekends, campus gets pretty quiet! People usually choose to go off campus over the weekends since there is not much to do.
Food and Dining
I would for sure give our Dining Center 5 stars! I remember when I was in high school looking at other campus', the one thing that always turned me off was how bad their food was! However, I was (and still am) blown away but how good our food was. We have so many options just in the DC: customized pasta, pizza, customized stir-fry, burgers, the list goes on and on! In addition to this we have The Grill which is our restaurant on campus and we have the Royal Grounds which is our coffee shop (Caribou Coffee.) All of the workers are so nice which makes going there 10X more enjoyable! The best part of our Dining center is defiantly the deserts...they are SO good.
What to do for fun
Usually we have activities to do set up by Bethel Government or Student Life and they are always pretty fun. For example, one night they bussed everyone to the Maple Grove ice arena and another night they had a sign up to take people to a twins game. We also have our homecoming banquet, christmas banquet, Gadkin, and Nikdag. ( Look under share any unusual traditions or locations on campus category)...In addition to this, we are 15 minutes away from downtown and the shuttle goes to Rosedale mall and Target!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
One unusual tradition we have at Bethel is the weekend full of dates! They call it Gadkin and Nikdag. Gadkin is the one in the fall where the boy asks out a girl and Nikdag is the one in the spring when a girl asks a guy! Basically, the school sets up 3 different dates through out the weekend and they take the couples to each location. Its a huge deal on campus and everyone gets pretty into it. However, if you don't get asked, no worries! Usually people come up with something fun to do instead if they don't go.
Great for these types of students
Bethel is a great place for anyone who is looking to really grow in their faith, whether it is intentional or unintentional. This is a place where you can really see God present and at work with each student.
Clubs and Activities
We have an activity fair in the fall so you can sign up for as many activities as you like. There is a wide range for anybody's interest.

Cameron from St. Paul, MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Bethel University is an incredible institution that has been life changing. It is a college that pushes kids not only to grow in the knowledge of their specific field, but to grow in their faith as well. There is no college setting that will prepare one for life better than Bethel.
Tips for prospective students
Come into Bethel knowing that you are going to work hard, but know that there will be people constantly helping you out along the way. Also, getting involved in sports, clubs, or co-ed activities is a great way to get to know people right away. Be an extrovert and get to know people right away.
Academic Rigor
This is a college that will push you to learn and grow. Although it can be tough at times, the professors are beyond helpful and are always willing to help. There is a free tutoring service available to students if needed.
Dorm Life
The dorms are a blast. I have had more fun than I ever have while living at Bethel. I've met some of my best friends, and I know that they will be ones that I will be with the rest of my life.
Food and Dining
The food is very good, and we have a beautiful dining hall. We have a wide array of food, but it doesn't necessarily change that often. Because of that, the food can get quite repetitive.
What to do for fun
Sports, clubs, and co-ed activities are a lot of fun and are a great way to get involved. Co-ed basketball and volleyball are big activities that last throughout the fall and spring semesters. Also, co-ed broom ball is a sport that many Bethel students play during the winter, and it is a blast.
Bang for the buck
Because it is a private college, it is quite expensive, but it's worth it. This is a college that pushes students to succeed but will be along side of them to help. Also, a big thing for me was the fact that all of my teachers knew my first and last name because it helped me to know that they were invested in my learning and my life.
Great for these types of students
Students who love the Lord, have a great work ethic, attack life, and like to have a lot of fun.
Campus Safety
It is a closed campus, so there isn't really anything that goes on that would demote the campus safety. The worst that anyone ever hears of are things like water-ballooning and snowball throwing. There is also security guys that patrol campus to keep it safe and give people rides around campus if needed.

Laura from St. Paul, MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Of all the schools I have toured and visited, Bethel seems the most like home. I feel like a fish dropped into my fishbowl. The people, professors, activities, and environment are absolutely charming.
Academic Rigor
The academic rigor will have a lot to do with which majors and/or minors your are interested in, which track you choose for generals, and how much you challenge yourself. Professors are very approachable, fun to work with, and will always help accommodate a student with needs.
Dorm Life
I have met some lifelong friends here at Bethel. The atmosphere is inviting and so supportive, whatever the struggle. Freshman year, I had a problem with my roommate and needed to move out of my initial dorm room, to another one on campus. My resident assistant (RA) and resident director (RD) were so kind and so helpful and so caring throughout the entire process. I ended up living with a group of girls who were so beautiful on the inside and the outside!
Food and Dining
Bethel has a 97% from scratch kitchen. They make almost everything there at the school, and even grow some of their own herbs and vegetables. Every so often, they have specialty food days, where they make food from a specific country or in a certain style (France or Cajun-style, for example). They say when you leave, you learn as much about food as if you had taken a class on cuisine. I am a person with a plethora of food allergies, and dining is always a problem for me. When I came to Bethel, I met with the head chef, and he took me on a tour of the entire kitchen, showing me places I could find things to eat, and things and food to watch out for. I was always well fed. (Vegetarian and gluten-free diets also accommodated.)
What to do for fun
Bethel has a number of event days throughout the year where students can attend things like skating, Minnesota baseball games, Minnesota lacrosse games, etc., for reduced or no cost. Bethel Student Activities (BSA), a student group, also organizes events on campus, such as girl's/guy's nights and Halloween festivities, and Bethel even hosts local bands at a free concert during the year.
Bang for the buck
Bethel is a very expensive school. A Bethel education is worth it. It has leading programs in both the Physics and Education departments, and excellently composed programs otherwise. Departments are well supplied. Programs expand and challenge students. The campus is clean and well-maintained.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Bethel has a large rock/boulder in the middle of the Kresge Courtyard which students spray paint about once every month in different colors. Most memorable for me was when it was painted like the head of a teenage mutant ninja turtle...
Great for these types of students
Students who are looking for a school with a thriving faith community. Students at Bethel are serious about God, without stuffing faith down the new-comer's throat. Chapel is optional, so those who go are interested and engaged. Bible studies and community outreach programs are numerous and easy to join. Students are encouraged to take their faith into their own hands, and one of the ways this is accomplished is by not hosting church services on Sundays, but rather providing shuttles to transport students to local churches, further getting them involved in the community.
Greek Life
There are no fraternities or sororities associated with Bethel.
Campus Safety
Bethel puts an emphasis on safety. Bethel is a pretty closed campus. After about 7:00pm, all gates are closed to the outside except the main entrance, which is blocked by a sort of guard house. All entering cars must prove that they are Bethel students or employees, or must be called in by a student to gain entry. All students are encouraged to have the phone number of campus security. If a student feels unsafe walking between two points on campus, campus security will escort anyone who calls. Weather warnings and campus alerts are sent by email, and can be sent to a student's mobile phone.