<p>During one of my SAT study sessions the instructor talked a great deal about Berea College and about their supposedly unique full tuition scholarships. Granted Berea seems like an ideal school from an economic standpoint, but what's the real deal with a school like Berea which offers all admitted students virtual free rides?What's the academic environment at Berea like?I checked their rankings on Usnews and it appears that Berea has been ranked number 1 comprehensive school in the south for over 5 consecutive years.At this juncture I am beginning to wonder what striking features distinguishes comprehensive schools from LACs? My concern with Berea is that I feel there is some sort of tradeoff for the virtual free rides.My friends tell me the professors at Berea earn humble salaries and for that matter Berea employs a faculty of average ratings.Irrespective of USnews' rankings I feel Berea students might turn out to be intellectually mediocre.I stand to be corrected.I hope to elicit responses from Berea students or from friends of Berea students or just anybody with any input whatsoever.</p>
<p>34 views...no replies...
<em>yawns</em>
Guess Berea isnt as popular as I had presumed...well, at least amongst CC'ers!!
<em>sighs</em></p>
<p>A friend of mine went there in the early 80's. She had a good experience there- but she really did need free tuition. She went on to get a Master's and has had a successful career at the United Nations. I do know that students are required to work on campus in exchange for the free tuition. I would look into it more. Perhaps ask the admissions office if you can speak to some alumni.</p>
<p>According to the usnews 2006 college guide </p>
<p>Comprehensive CollegesBachelor's (South), 1 </p>
<p>Since Berea charges no tuition, students can graduate with very little debt.</p>
<p>Cost of Education - $21,000 per student (provided by the College from endowment, gifts, and scholarships.) </p>
<p>Room and Board - $4,748
Fees - $516 (Includes $300 technology fee to support student laptop computer program.)
Books and Incidentals - $2,376 </p>
<p>Education at Berea involves both academics and the performance of work. Through the Labor Program:</p>
<p>Every student works 10-15 hours per week while carrying a full academic load. </p>
<p>Students earn a portion of their college expenses, develop their appreciation for the dignity and utility of labor, and gain valuable job experience for their future careers in over 130 student work areas</p>
<p>The school has a 3-2 Dual Degree Engineering Program at Berea, students have the opportunity to earn two degrees in five-years: a B.A. or B.S. from Berea, and an engineering degree from a partner engineering university. Courses offered at Berea in mathematics, physics, computer science, and chemistry provide excellent preparation for students to complete both of these degrees, and students in the 3-2 program may complete any major they wish at Berea. Students in the 3-2 Program typically spend their first three years at Berea and their final two years at the engineering school. This combined program gives our students the rich benefits of a liberal arts education combined with the specialized training of an engineering school. The entire dual degree program is normally completed in five or six years, three or four years at Berea, and two years at either the University of Kentucky or Washington University in St Louis.</p>
<p>Berea's 3-2 Affiliate Engineering Programs
Washington University in St. Louis offers programs which meet the degree portion of professional engineering registration in Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Science Engineering as well as in Computer Science. In addition to major programs, Washington University offers minors in Engineering and Public Policy, in Robotics, and in Environmental Engineering. Programs at the University of Kentucky meeting the degree portion of the requirements for registration as a professional engineer are available in Biosystems and Agricultural (including emphases in Machine Systems Automation, Food and Bioprocessing, Bioenvironmental, or Thermal Environmental), Chemical and Materials, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Mining Engineering, as well as in Computer Science. The University of Kentucky also offers an Enviromental Certificate option to students in participating in Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering or Mining Engineering to receive formal recognition for additional educational emphasis in environmental issues as part of their normal degree program. Berea does not have a special agreement with any other engineering school, but Berea students have never-the-less successfully completed 3-2 engineering programs with other universities. </p>
<p>If you are really interested your best bet would be to go to their website and read about their degree programs, course offering and mission to see it it is something that you are interested in.</p>
<p><em>heaves a sigh of relief</em>
Thanks for the info sybbie. But what's the difference between comprehensive schools and LAC's and does either have preference over the other?</p>
<p>PS:Sybbie would you be interested in reviewing my essays?</p>
<p>I heard Berea is a college where you work for what you're given for free. The application is also very different from other schools. I had it, but I threw it away. <em>wince</em> It asks a lot about any work experience you had and I <em>think</em> asks for a peer evaluation.</p>
<p>Is it any good? If you want to go to Med School after u graduate from there, is there a strong chance of getting into Med School with the education you recieve at Berea?</p>
<p>Sorry I get in the conversation
Did anyone of you get into Berea? know I am about 5 years late, but just any opinion would be great
Thanx</p>
<p>I just got accepted today :)</p>
<p>[National</a> Liberal Arts College Rankings | Top Liberal Arts Colleges | US News Best Colleges](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges/spp%2B50/page+2]National”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges/spp%2B50/page+2)</p>
<p>rank #67 among liberal arts colleges</p>
<p>I visited Berea College back in the dark ages when <em>I</em> was applying to colleges. It is a nice school.</p>
<p>It caters more to students from Appalachia, but they do admit students from other areas, and even international.</p>
<p>Congrats!!!I’ve been accepted to that Berea but awesome! I’m going there for sure.</p>
<p>Do they offer the aid to international students as well?</p>
<p>To clarify something mentioned above about the faculty, the professors at Berea College are not paid a pittance. They are paid somewhat above the national average, which, considering the low cost of living in their region, is quite good. [What</a> Professors Make - Almanac of Higher Education 2012 - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“http://chronicle.com/article/faculty-salaries-data-2012/131431#id=156295]What”>http://chronicle.com/article/faculty-salaries-data-2012/131431#id=156295)</p>
<p>The school only accepts students whose families don’t have a lot of money, and has a preference for kids from Appalachia. There are apparently income ceilings. Because they charge no tuition, the admission rate is low - 12% or so.</p>
<p>bebetter18, contact the school directly about their policy on internationals.</p>
<p>@bebetter18, here is info from their website regarding international students -</p>
<p>[International</a> Students - Office of Admissions](<a href=“http://www.berea.edu/admissions/international/]International”>http://www.berea.edu/admissions/international/)</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>Did you end up going? Are you a student there now? I just applied, but have since seen a lot of nasty comments about the students from the towns’ pwople and hateful comments from students about gay students. Does it seem like a place full of conflict? Would you rec. it? Any advice and insight would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>This post is 8 years old. Try starting a post on the main page of the forum asking for feedback on Berea.</p>