Bethany College (WV) (BC)

Bethany College in West Virginia is “a very small liberal arts school” with “a rich history full of tradition” and a “close-knit community of students, administrators, and faculty.” “Bethany is a wonderful college if you’re looking for small classes.” The administration and faculty “become part of your college family.” The top brass is “always willing to help.” “There is very little red tape to speak of when it comes to anything.” Overall, professors are “good at what they do,” “passionate about teaching,” and “serious” about “challenging students.” The curriculum is “well-rounded.” “There are a lot of classes that I probably would not have taken if I did not have to, and now I am happy that I did,” muses one senior. Also, all graduates “must complete a senior project and take comprehensive exams” in their majors. It’s not easy, but in the end “You feel confident that you know about your major and can get a real job.” There are “very good academic programs in education, chemistry and psychology.” Students also say that Bethany has “a good reputation for biology.” The equestrian program “is known up and down the East Coast.” The one big academic complaint is that “some of the science facilities and computer labs are due for an upgrade.”

Most students are “White” and “from the local tristate area” of “Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.” A typical student here is “well balanced academically, athletically, and socially.” “There aren’t very many atypical students, but they fit in fine.” “We all have to fit in because we are such a small school,” adds a chemistry major. “It is nice to be able to recognize and say hi to about 85 percent of the people you pass on the way to class,” says one student. “Even if you do not know the person, you still say hello.” “The student population could very well be split into Greek and independent students, or into athletes and nonathletes.” However, “There aren’t really uncrossable borders,” observes a religious studies major. Students “intermingle and get along well.”

Bethany’s “beautiful,” “secluded” campus in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains is “isolated from everything.” Students describe life here as “friendly and inviting” and “somewhat like high school.” “Most kids here play at least one” intercollegiate sport. “People play intramural sports a lot” as well. Bethany “brings in entertainment and offers things to do,” but mostly, “Students are forced to create their own fun.” “Drinking plays a big role,” “but students who choose not to participate are not harassed.” “A lot of people participate in Greek Life on campus,” and frat parties are very common. Otherwise, “To have fun, many people go to the only bar in the small, small town of Bethany.” “We usually just dance, hang out, and have a good time,” explains one student. Complaints about campus life include the food, which “tastes terrible.” “Healthier meal options, such as chicken that isn’t more fat than meat” would be an improvement. “The hills on campus make it hard to gain the ‘freshman 15,’” but “At night, it’s too dark to see and in the winter, too icy.” “It’s not the kind of place where you worry about getting mugged walking at 11:00 p.m., but you do worry about twisting your ankle.” When students need a taste of city life, Pittsburgh is about 40 miles awa