Berry College (BC)

Berry College is ideal for students with “ambitious goals,” offering academics “designed to set you up for success” in your career or advanced degree—“as long as you are willing to put in the work.” The college offers over 75 areas of study, including a “very hands-on” Animal Science major that allows students to work directly with live animals. While academics are described as “usually demanding,” they are balanced by a “very strong” support system that begins as early as first-year orientation. During their orientation class, students create “a detailed plan” for their entire academic career and receive feedback from both their advisor and peer mentor. Beyond the classroom, students have access to numerous “mentorship, networking, career, and research opportunities,” making it easy to gain experience that both “looks great in your résumé” and “helps you grow.” One example is Berry’s Cultural Events Program, which hosts lectures, panel discussions, and concerts. While participation is required, many students view it as a favorite extracurricular activity. As one student explains, “So many are held each semester that I can always count on there being enough on topics I’m interested in.” Overall, Berry provides a well-rounded environment where students feel “supported and confident.” This is due in large part to the professors, who “push you to be your very best” while also being “very understanding.” The faculty “want you to succeed” and “make an effort to help students every way they can.”

Berry’s “very dedicated” students want to do it all and playfully describe how “everyone is involved with everything all the time” as being “Berry Busy.” Thankfully, this still allows students to be “thoughtful, caring, and hardworking” and, perhaps most importantly, “very friendly.” There is, in fact, a “Good Neighbor Culture” at the school, and this results in peers who are “encouraging, supportive, and bring out the best in me.” The student body is a tight-knit group, and classes, extracurriculars, and the LifeWorks program, allow them to “get to know people more in-depth.” As one student explains, “the different environments bring out different parts of people’s personalities.” Many students here are Christian, though not exclusively. One student adds that there are also “many students [who] ascribe to different religious traditions” as well as “a significant number of atheist students.” Students note “how welcoming everyone is” and describe the school as a place where their peers are willing “to help each other succeed.” As one student sums up, “We look out for those beside us and treat our community with care and intentionality.”

Students are awed by all 27,000 acres of Berry (the “world’s largest campus”): “The beauty...absolutely amazes me. Plus, there’s cows!” There’s plenty to see and do, including the LifeWorks program, which gives students professional experience across a wide variety of on-campus jobs: “It is common for students to have two to three jobs.” In addition, because “it’s easy to start” an activity, “there’s always a club for whatever someone may be interested in.” While Berry is not officially a religious school, it “was founded on Christian principles,” and attending church services and Bible studies are popular activities for many students. Students also enjoy playing intramurals and taking day trips with the outdoors club to rock climb or explore nearby caves. Sporting events are “very exciting to attend because the campus is small, so you typically know the players and have plenty of friends in the stands.” With few exceptions, full-time students live on campus, and while some would like to see dorm and parking upgrades, the residential nature of the school creates a close-knit community. Overall, students like living in the “Berry Bubble,” and say it “feels like family.”

The Career Development office at Berry College offers a comprehensive support system to guide students through every stage of their career journey. Central to this support is a robust career development network that includes Career Consultants, faculty advisors, alumni, and employer partners. Students can begin their exploration with tools like the PathwayU Assessments, which help identify their career interests, core values, personality traits, and workplace preferences. To promote further self-discovery, Berry offers for-credit exploratory courses such as Exploring Self, Majors, and Careers. Career Consultants are available for one-on-one meetings with students to discuss and explore possible majors and career paths. They also assist students in refining their résumés and cover letters, practicing interviews, and developing effective job search and application strategies. Additionally, students can connect with alumni and hiring managers through Berry College Networking Events, gaining valuable professional insights and opportunities. Career Peer Advisors also play a key role by offering one-on-one career development consultations, conducting mock interviews, and leading workshops and presentations. "The LifeWorks program is incredible!" says one student, referring to an initiative that allows students to explore career possibilities with paid work positions across 180 departments. "My on-campus jobs have given me invaluable experience in my major and field." Through this layered and proactive approach, Berry College equips students with the tools and confidence they need to successfully navigate their immediate job searches and long-term career paths. The median early-career salary for Berry graduates, according to PayScale.com, is $56,700, with 20 percent entering STEM fields.