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Since 1892, tuition-free Berea College has been turning out 鈥渨ell-rounded, hardworking students fully prepared for grad school or the workforce.鈥� This federally recognized work college only admits academically strong individuals 鈥渨ho otherwise couldn鈥檛 afford college but who are deserving.鈥� Each student earns a scholarship disbursement for their ten mandatory work hours per week while developing professional skills鈥攁n experience widely regarded as a 鈥渨onderful opportunity.鈥� Additionally, the college offers 鈥渁 huge scholarship to study abroad,鈥� an opportunity many students pursue. The skills acquired through the work they do can be applied to real-world settings at the college (such as Berea鈥檚 College Farm or retail outlets), meaning that 鈥渋f the labor program is used to its fullest extent, each student has the opportunity to graduate with a fantastic r茅sum茅 and many network connections.鈥� The uniqueness of the program also creates 鈥渢ruly a different world when it comes to the atmosphere of the college,鈥� 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 鈥渓ively and passionate about their subjects, and it is very evident within their classrooms.鈥� A student vouches, 鈥淚f you miss a class, professors will email you to find out why.鈥� Small student-to-faculty ratios 鈥淸allow] them to adapt to their students鈥� needs鈥� and affords the bandwidth to 鈥渃are about not just your learning but also about who you are as an individual.鈥� All students at this liberal arts school appreciate the rigorous academic and practical efforts required to complete their education, including one who says 鈥淚鈥檝e never felt more challenged than when I stepped foot in a Berea classroom.鈥�

Though founded in 1855, this progressive school is 鈥渧ery deeply rooted in Appalachian culture and history, but unafraid to address issues outside of that.鈥� You don鈥檛 just stumble by a free education and stacked r茅sum茅 without some sort of otherworldly drive: 鈥渢he one thing that ties us all together is the fact that we had to work so hard to get into Berea.鈥� Many from this 鈥渃reative鈥� and 鈥渋ncredibly resilient鈥� group are first-generation college students 鈥渇rom the Appalachian region,鈥� 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 鈥渁 lot of couples on campus.鈥� Overall, if you look around you鈥檙e most likely to see 鈥渁n overworked, but generally content student shuffling between classes and work.鈥�

Make sure there鈥檚 coffee brewing, because 鈥渘aps are rare鈥� at Berea, and undergraduates confess that they 鈥渦sually don鈥檛 sleep in because there is just so much to do.鈥� In addition to their work and regular study, each student is also expected to attend seven Convocations鈥攕upplemental lectures, concerts, and performances鈥攄uring their fall term (except during graduation term). Students look to one another for entertainment, noting that you have to 鈥渕ake something happen鈥� through one of the more than sixty clubs and student organizations. The town of Berea is similarly lowkey (鈥渁 calm place鈥�), 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 鈥渋s a must鈥�), 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, 鈥渢here isn鈥檛 a big party scene鈥濃�攁 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鈥檛 seem to bother undergraduates, who mention that they鈥檙e 鈥渃onstantly holding events鈥� that include 鈥渕ovie nights, game nights, dances, [and] bowling.鈥�

The job program at Berea inherently infuses students with a 鈥渞igorous, real-world experience鈥� that they might not receive elsewhere, and students are afforded 鈥渟o much opportunity,鈥� such as internships, study/travel abroad, and the ability to attend conferences and workshops off-campus. The Office of Internships and Career Development centralizes all the school鈥檚 career development resources in one place, and offers mock interviews, personality assessments, workshops, alumni networking, and job search tools. Further support systems can be found in career interest communities, which are online pages that operate as forums for students, faculty, and staff to share pathways, core skills, and opportunities specific to their areas of focus, such as Arts, Media, and Journalism or Healthcare & Wellness. The volunteer program at the Center for Excellence and Learning Through Service (CELTS) also offers students the chance to develop leadership and social justice backgrounds through academic service learning and student-led community service in both the local community and throughout the United States. Out of Berea alumni reporting to Payscale.com, 62 percent derive a high level of meaning from their jobs.