<p>The FYI program is amazing at Beloit. It gives you a set base of friends outside of your dorm. Before I came to Beloit, I was told by my tour guides and hosts that the people from your FYI will become your best friends. I did not believe it then, but now, as a senior, I live in a townhouse of 4 girls who are my best friends (me included) and 2 of the 3 are form my FYI, and we often have our other friends from our FYI's come over and hang out. My other best friend lived in the same dorm as me our first year. I'm not sure how it is done, but the people who you first make contact with, complain about loads of work with, and read the common reading together do become your friends. You do not have to worry about being alone at Beloit, because if you just put in an ounce of effort, you will find a group of people who will become your best friends.</p>
<p>About double majors, a lot of people do so. Actually, I was a double major, but dropped one major to go abroad because of scheduling issues. That is not the case for everyone, I know plenty of people who go abroad, double major, and are involved on campus. So, if your daughter wants to pursue two majors, like a lot of people do, she can, or she can even design her own major. I find that the only draw back of double majoring is not being able to take advantage of every class offered because you have to fulfill your requirements; and after your second year you get quite focused, with maybe only one class to take outside of your two majors.</p>
<p>About psychology, I’m not too familiar with that department. I do know we have a unique study abroad program in psychology. We have a new cognitive science professor that I’ve just met while working the Polls yesterday. The psychology department focuses a lot on cultural psychology, which is often forgotten in traditional psychology study. I also have a friend, who’s very interested in psychology and law, she’s done two summer research projects with Professor Larry White and plans to go to graduate school.</p>
<p>DJD, My daughter is a studio art major, who considered psychology as a major at one point. She has also taken some of Beloit's great creative writing classes.</p>
<p>In terms of her experiences with the individual departments:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>She found the teachers in the psychology department to be great, and very helpful. However, she quickly discovered that psychology is much more of a "scientific" major than she had expected -- she pictured it in her mind as being sort of a touchy-feelie major that involves "helping people" and the way psychology is taught at Beloit (and most other colleges) is more analytical, research oriented. She did enjoy the courses she took in the department, but ultimately, decided it was not for her.</p></li>
<li><p>One of the main reasons my daughter picked Beloit was because of the art department. When she visited, one of the teachers in the department gave her a personal tour of the facilities, and talked about the opportunities for art majors. The department is one of the better funded departments at Beloit thanks to a major donation from a former alumnus. As a result, they are able to bring in a variety of visiting artists, and they do offer a fairly wide variety of courses. The art facilities are fairly good, although they could be better in a few areas (my daughter would like there to be a metal foundry for sculpture, for instance). In terms of the teachers in the department, they tend to be young, friendly, and exceedingly supportive. My daughter has loved her experiences in the department, although she works quite hard as a major.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>One nice plus about Beloit is that they have such a great archeology/anthropology program and also a museum studies minor. They also have two museums on campus, and a student run art gallery in downtown Beloit. My daughter will end up with minors in archeology/anthro and museum studies, which is a nice compliment to her art major. She found that her courses in these areas helped her land an excellent museum internship last summer, and she has also had some unique on-campus opportunities involving art and museum work. Ironically, she really didn't think she would major in studio art when she picked Beloit - she just knew she wanted to be able to take art courses. But, the support she's received from the teachers in the department really convinced her that this was the right route for her -- we have been pleased at how well she has been treated in the department.</p>
<ol>
<li>In terms of the creative writing program, it is wonderful. One of the great things about Beloit is that anyone can take creative writing courses -- this is not always the case at other schools. For instance, at my son's LAC, you have to apply and submit a writing portfolio just to get into the basic courses. My daughter has really enjoyed the creative writing courses she's taken at Beloit.</li>
</ol>
<p>Academically, my daughter thought that, since she was towards the top of Beloit's admissions pool, that she wouldn't have to work as hard as she did in high school. But, instead, she's found Beloit to be quite challenging. The most wonderful part of Beloit, from my daughter's perspective, however, has been her teachers. I know all colleges talk about strong relationships between students and teachers, but the teachers at Beloit (with a few exceptions here and there) really do seem to take a true interest in their students, and encourage them to strive to reach their full potential. For my daughter, this has helped her explore areas and subjects she never would have imagined in high school, and, as a parent, it is great to see how self-confident she's become in the process.</p>
<p>Beloit really is a great place. It may not be right for everyone, but when it is a fit, it can be magical.</p>
<p>What's the new student orientation process like? My D is a shy kid who is anxious about being able to get acquainted with people.>></p>
<p>I just want to add that one of the things that Beloit does is bring freshmen to campus a full week before upper classmen arrive. They begin their FYI classes during this week, and there is a full slate of activities. The fact that it is only freshmen on campus makes it very easy for even shy kids to get to know other people. I think this weeklong orientation is one of the things that Beloit really does right.</p>
<p>thanks so much for the info! really very helpful! :) i plan to apply to beloit for fall 2009. just wanna ask you...are there any big cities around?</p>
<p>Hey!</p>
<p>I'm really liking Beloit; it seems to be a quirky, offbeat sort of place that wouldn't mind that I put "Time Magazine Person of the Year 2006" as a joke on my resume. (Believe me, my GC gave me a guilt trip about that. I mean, adcoms need a laugh sometimes, but I digress.) I do, however, have some qualms about the campus, since I am in New York and will be unlikely to visit unless accepted. I hear from some people that it is "gross." Thoughts?</p>
<p>Elvy, Beloit is 90 miles northwest of Chicago, 50 miles south of Madison, and 70 miles southwest of Milwaukee. None of those cities are particularly close to campus, but the students do manage to get there from time to time. Our daughter has already been on a field trip to Chicago (about an hour and a half drive). </p>
<p>Skullduggery, The campus may not be as strikingly beautiful as some LACs, but I don’t think it’s “gross” at all. It has all the usual attributes: trees, winding paths, grassy gathering places and well-kept facilities (including a great new science building). We visited in the winter and found the snow-covered grounds quite pretty. It is fairly small, however, and the city of Beloit is not as attractive or as quaint as other Midwestern college towns like Northfield or Grinnell. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To our daughter, the Beloit campus is lovely, and she has no complaints.</p>
<p>I would totally agree that Beloit's Campus is beautiful. I'm from California and I am use to the scenes of the ocean, mountains, and redwood trees as I drive. I even live a walk away from the Bay. But, despite the absence of mountains and oceans, Beloit College campus is really beautiful. I love the surplus of trees on campus, the fall when everywhere you walk the trees are vibrant colors of red, orange, and yellow. I love even the winter (although it’s cold) when icicles hangs from tree branches in a mysteriously haunting and beautiful way. I especially love the spring when everything comes alive and blooms. The architecture of Beloit can be described as similar to the historic buildings in Virginia (near D.C). Beloit College is one of the more beautiful campuses I have seen. I recommend you take a look at the website and see for yourself how pretty Beloit can be.</p>
<p>Hey, Lollypop, how are the students taking the news that Beloit is laying off 10% of employees, including faculty? The economy is tough and getting tougher, but that news moved Beloit down on my son's college list.</p>
<p>Hi folks
Anyone know any math majors at Beloit? Son is planning to be a math major with a minor or second major in Comp Sci, but he wants a school where he can still pursue choir/voice without being a music major. Beloit seems to fit the bill for the latter, but I have not seen much about about the math program there.
Thanks</p>
<h1>TM</h1>
<p>Cardinal Fang, I asked my daughter about the budget cuts. She said there was a campus meeting to discuss the matter, and that many of the students were bothered by the potential layoffs. Early retirement will be offered to eligible employees before any riffing takes place. It’s a tough situation for all concerned, but not unique to Beloit—the students were told that other colleges are also experiencing difficulties during the economic downturn. How those other schools will handle the problem remains to be seen. Beloit intends to keep the tuition at modest level (relative to other LACs) and to continue to offer generous financial aid. </p>
<h1>theorymom, sorry—I have an Education student who avoids math whenever possible! I’m sure lollypop will check in eventually with some info.</h1>
<p>I've been following the situation and haven't heard of another college that is planning layoffs. Certainly there are tough times everywhere, but I've been at several companies that have had layoffs, and it's so destructive to morale. I wish Beloit could have found a different solution. (When we were touring Beloit, I wondered how such a small school could afford a $37 million new science center. Now I know the answer-- they couldn't.)</p>
<p>Thanks! I wish that I could visit...maybe on Accepted Students Day, if there is one. :**)</p>
<p>As I understand it, the planning, funding and construction of the new science building pre-dated Beloit’s financial crunch and was not a contributing factor. Students and parents have been told that the current problem stems from a lower-than-expected enrollment, as well as poor returns on investments during this year’s economic crisis. Today’s Wisconsin Journal has a more detailed article:</p>
<p>WISCONSIN</a> STATE JOURNAL</p>
<p>And here’s one from The Boston Globe about other colleges searching for ways to cut back (but fortunately, no reported layoffs as yet):</p>
<p>Harvard</a> seeking spending cuts to weather downturn - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe</p>
<p>Cardinal Fang
I do not think anyone is happy about the layoffs or involuntary separations. It was not caused by financial malpractice, but by the unexpected number of early graduates and students who did not show. Something like 70% of Beloit’s budget is from student tuition revenues. But out new Intern President has been as open and honest with the community as possible, we even held a town meeting. I’ve read his e-mails and read newspaper articles about Beloit. Niemiec says that he is first asking anyone who was planning on retiring and/or leaving to inform the office first. That should cut down on layoffs. The point is Beloit has been operating with a bigger staff to student ratio than other private liberal arts schools. He wants to put Beloit on an operating budget that includes fewer students and staff, that way, Beloit can be prepared for a lower student turnout or early graduates and any additional student would be considered a surplus. I do not think this is a show of Beloit’s failure, but rather its longevity and ability to adapt to tuff situations in the economy. Beloit had a financial crisis in the 1970’s and has sense grown. This is just a stump in the rode that Beloit will adjust to. I do not think Beloit’s situation is totally unique, colleges across America are suffering. I believe many colleges will have to face making hard decisions in the future and I respect President Niemiec for being open and honest with us.</p>
<p>Dear Theorymom,
Sadly, I do not know much about the Math department. I, like Mary13’s daughter has tried to stay away. I have friends who have taken statistics and I tried Physics before. I have a friend who is a math major, and one who is computer science. I know we have a new minor for computer science that your son may want to check out. Most of my exposure has been with the science disciplines. I know a slew of die hard physics majors who have graduated. Two are in master programs in Spain, one is in a PhD program at UNC- Chapel Hill, one is in South Korea teaching English before going to graduate school, and another is in Turkey working in a lab taking frequent trips to Hamburg, Germany. So they are successful. But what I do know is that you can participate in voice without being a major. I have a few friends doing so, and I take voice lessons from time to time. I have a friend, who was always in a theater class or play, and graduated with a major in English and began applying to library science graduate schools. So you can pursuer passions to the point in which everyone thinks you are a major, without actually being a major. I’d recommend contacting the Math department to find out more information. Sorry I couldn’t help more.</p>
<p>lollypop, what do you know about Beloit's CS department? I know it's small, but...?</p>
<p>Hello,
I am quite interested in beloit,and I would like to know something about the 3-2engineering program in beloit, are there any students interested in this area? Also, is it possible that I complete the courses in beloit in 2 years, so I can obtain bachelor in 4 years?
would you mind telling me something about the study abroad program, I mean is it hard for students to get chances? what do you think about this program, thank you so much.^ ^</p>
<p>Has anybody applied to Beloit yet?</p>
<p>What do they primarily look for in an applicant?</p>