Bellarmine University (BU)

Located at the edge of Louisville, this small Catholic university offers 50 majors and "seeks to benefit the public interest, to help create the future, and to improve the human condition." A "superb teaching staff," a recently renovated library, and an Academic Resource Center with free tutoring cohere to deliver a "challenging but rewarding" academic experience for students. The nursing program is a big draw here, as are Bellarmine's study abroad programs in 68 countries, which more than one-third of students avail themselves of. Generous financial aid only sweetens the pot. In line with its mission, Bellarmine University "seeks to train its students in the love of truth and equips them with the skills and tools necessary (e.g., critical thinking, problem solving) to live an enriched life."

The "insightful and dedicated" professors are almost always available to answer questions or concerns, and "want their students to pass their class with as much knowledge as possible." Because of the small class sizes ("I have one class with seven students," reports an actuarial science major), students are able to have one-on-one discussions with their professors. Most professors at Bellarmine "even provide their personal cell phones to students on their syllabi." This access to professors "really [establishes] an ability to grow closer to future employers and be willing to open up with them about issues, concerns, or ideas." Material is often taught through real-world applications, and many teachers will even "help you find internships and jobs." Though students admit that some adjunct professors can be below par, "Bellarmine takes their course evaluations pretty seriously and assesses the situation quickly."

Though mostly white and from Kentucky and neighboring states, this is a socially wideranging group considering the small size of the student body, which naturally allows "blobbing of the social groups." Part of this may come from the way the school handles its strong athletic programs, which are never placed above academics: as a result, "the athletes are also amazing students." The school is "welcoming to every single person and makes an effort to include everyone." Students note that though they are introduced to "different cultures and customs from around the world, seeing that our student body is so diverse," they feel, overall, as if "I can't say I've ever met a stranger." Everyone is always willing to help and "comfort you with just a simple smile on their face."

People here are "very studious" during the week, but weekends offer plenty of options for socializing. A major hub of the city (Bardstown Road) is nearby, providing lots of little shops, restaurants, and bars, and the campus is close to the Louisville Zoological Garden, a park where students can often be found "playing and hanging out." The university also coordinates off-campus actives such as "Knight at the Movies" (the knight is Bellarmine's mascot), ice skating, and concerts, and students can take advantage of the Louisville Connections program, which offers "free tickets to events or places around Louisville, such as to Dracula at Actors Theatre, a day at Kentucky Kingdom, or a day horseback riding."

On campus, most people "hang around Cafe Ogle in between classes, sipping on coffee and working on their laptops." Bellarmine's men's basketball team draws huge crowds, and the school has "a niche, club, or activity for everyone" (and "encourages and supports any club a student would like to create"). There are also events like "Late Knight Bingo, which is a huge Bingo party where students can win really awesome prizes," Homecoming, and "Ball on the Belle (a Halloween dance on the [steamboat] Belle of Louisville)." The campus itself is both beautiful and "small enough to be easily traversed if you only have 10 minutes between classes and need to be across campus."