Academics
Birmingham-Southern College “is an institution that cares for its students and provides them with a high-quality education and opportunities to succeed.” A double-major in art and psychology says, “I chose BSC because I wanted a small liberal arts college where I would know my teachers personally and where I would gain a well-rounded education and experience to help me further my career in life.” Most students rave about the “academic reputation and the small class sizes that allow for personalized interaction with the professors.” The college is known for its strong premed and theater programs, and students say BSC has a “reputation for sending students to some of the most prestigious and reputable graduate and professional schools in the country.” Professors get high marks across the board. Students say, “The professors here make BSC what it is” and add, “They’re always willing to help you out and meet with you if you need extra help. They make the academic experience here completely fabulous and well worth the hard work you have to put into your studies.” Academic standards are considered rigorous, and students say BSC “demands the best from the professors and the best from the students. The faculty is fantastic, and the campus is beautiful.”
Student Body
At BSC, typical students are “goal-oriented and focused,” but also “hard workers” who “find time for play.” One student says, “Simply put, a BSC student is a laid-back workaholic who knows how to have a good time.” Another adds, “The model Birmingham-Southern student is over-committed, because at BSC it’s cool to be busy.” Students say they’re “heavily involved in Greek life and student organizations” and that the small student body allows for more leadership roles in extracurricular activities. Despite the popularity of the Greek system and the fact that “most people at BSC drink,” drinking is “not required to have friends or fun,” and “Students fit in well at BSC regardless of their personal preferences, usually.” Most students are “Southern, both in origin and in nature—warm hellos from strangers are a part of life on campus. Overall, it’s a pretty likeable” and “smart bunch.” Although, “The typical student comes from an upper-middle-class background,” one student says, “There are many (like myself) who are here through extensive scholarships and financial aid.” Birmingham gets praise as a vibrant community with a local art scene, and a psychology major says, “There is a great coffeehouse scene in Birmingham, and during exams you can often find students studying at various locally owned coffeehouses.”
Campus Life
BSC “is a gated/closed campus, so living on campus is preferred by most students—and many of the activities happen at night for this reason.” Students describe the atmosphere on campus as, “welcoming [and] intelligent, where assumptions are challenged, and individuals [are] supported” and say, “In order to ‘fit in’ one must get involved in something.” Many students say the small size of the college “allows for a lot of opportunities for students to get involved and become an active part of campus.” Clubs and intramurals are popular, and students say, “It definitely never gets boring here on campus.” One student adds, “Even if you can’t think of anything to do, the school is always having some kind of event that’s usually free and pretty fun.” The administration earns some grumbles, with students saying, “There is a disconnect with administration and the student population.” Better communication around campus “is something students have been looking for in the past few years.” A collaborative education major says, “We’ve recently had some financial troubles, and it has exposed some gaping holes in the way the administration deals with the student body”; however, some are optimistic that “steps have been taken this year to improve that situation.” A common complaint is the cafeteria, where students feel frustrated by high prices and a lack of quality.
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