Berea College (BC)

Since 1892, tuition-free Berea College has been turning out "well-rounded, hardworking students fully prepared for grad school or the workforce." This federally recognized work college only admits academically strong individuals "who otherwise couldn't afford college but who are deserving," and each earns an income for their mandatory ten hours of work a week while developing professional skill, which is described as a "wonderful opportunity." Additionally, the college offers "a huge scholarship to study abroad," which many do. The skills acquired through work study can be applied to real-world settings at the college (such as Berea's College Farm or retail outlets), meaning that "if the labor program is used to its fullest extent, each student has the opportunity to graduate with a fantastic résumé and many network connections." The uniqueness of the program also creates "truly a different world when it comes to the atmosphere of the college," fueled by the pool of students and faculty that are drawn to it.

Professors here are equally excited about the opportunity being presented, and are "lively and passionate about their subjects, and it is very evident within their classrooms." A student vouches, "If you miss a class, professors will email you to find out why." A studentto-faculty ratio of 9:1 "[allows] them to adapt to their students' needs" and affords the bandwidth to "care about not just your learning but also about who you are as an individual." All students at this liberal arts school appreciate the rigorous academic and practical efforts required to complete their education, including one who says "I've never felt more challenged than when I stepped foot in a Berea classroom."

Though founded in 1855, this progressive school is "very deeply rooted in Appalachian culture and history, but unafraid to address issues outside of that." You don't just stumble by a free education and stacked resumé without some sort of otherworldly drive: "the one thing that ties us all together is the fact that we had to work so hard to get into Berea." Many from this "creative" and "incredibly resilient" group are first-generation college students "from the Appalachian region," all of which makes for a particular sort of academically driven and serious student. That said, some note that this quality also spills over into personal relationships, as there seem to be "a lot of couples on campus." Overall, if you look around you're most likely to see "an overworked, but generally content student shuffling between classes and work."

Make sure there's coffee brewing, because "naps are rare" at Berea, and undergraduates confess that they "usually don't sleep in because there is just so much to do." On top of work study and regular study, each student is also expected to attend seven Convocationssupplemental lectures, concerts, and performances-during their fall term (except during graduation term). Students look to one another for entertainment, noting that you have to "make something happen" through one of the more than sixty clubs and student organizations. The town of Berea is similarly lowkey ("a calm place"), though as the Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky, there are plenty of artisans, crafts, and heritage activities such as Contra dancing available for those looking to explore local roots. For those looking for a little more urban shopping and dining (which some students stress "is a must"), the town of Richmond is a 15-minute drive or campus shuttle ride away, with the city of Lexington just a bit further. Beyond that, "there isn't a big party scene"-a ban on the sale of alcohol in Berea was only recently lifted and remains controversial, and it remains against school rules to have alcohol on campus. This doesn't seem to bother undergraduates, who mention that they're "constantly holding events" that include "movie nights, game nights, dances, [and] bowling."