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Berea College

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As the Family Engagement Counselor in the Office of Admissions, I am so glad to support families embarking on the journey from high school to college. My professional background is in college admissions and family engagement and this role allows me to combine those passions with my love of Berea College.
Having helped my own son through the college admissions process several years ago, I understand how exciting, but also occasionally challenging, this process can feel for families. I encourage you to use me as a resource as you navigate through this transitional time and look forward to partnering with you while you learn more about Berea College.

Becca Parish

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No student pays for tuition. All admitted students to Berea College receive our No-Tuition Promise, which is valued at $176,000 over four years. This scholarship is combined with financial aid you may receive as well as any other scholarship you may be awarded by outside sources to cover 100% of tuition costs, due to the generous support of alumni, friends, organizations, and others who believe, as we do, that a student’s income should not dictate their outcome.  The best way to estimate your likelihood of meeting Berea’s financial qualifications is to complete our <a href="https://www.berea.edu/admissions/quick-estimator/">Quick Estimator</a>

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At Berea College, we take our admissions decisions seriously. Our Admissions Decision Team conducts a holistic review of each applicant, considering all factors. These factors include a properly completed application, official academic records, test scores (<a href="https://www.berea.edu/admissions/applying-for-admission/test-optional-admissions/">learn about our test-optional policy</a>), and financial eligibility. In addition to these components, we value and assess recommendations and endorsements, Admissions Counselor conversations, extracurricular and co-curricular activities (e.g. music ensembles, athletics, theatre), community service, character and personal qualities, social maturity and demonstrated interest in the College.
Berea College operates through rolling admissions; however, interested students are strongly encouraged to apply early and meet deadlines. The College maintains an open admissions policy for all applicants and considers students regardless of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.
<a href="https://www.berea.edu/admissions/academic-requirements/#1458586718501-b8e32cbc-a25b">Admissions Application Deadlines</a>

How does the college review applications and make decisions about who to admit?

Admission to Berea College is academically competitive. We have a limited number of spaces in each year’s entering class, so we are looking for students who have strong academic potential as well as financial need.
Test Scores:
Most of our students score between 20 and 30 on the ACT (or SAT equivalent). Students may take either the ACT or SAT or choose to be <a href="https://www.berea.edu/admissions/applying-for-admission/test-optional-admissions/">test-score optional</a>.
GPA:
The average student cumulative high school GPA is at least 3.25 with a strong grounding in college prep curriculum.
Recommendations for high school course work:
<ul>
<li>Four (4) units of English (including composition, rhetoric, and literature)</li>
<li>Three (3) units of Mathematics (at least Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry)</li>
<li>Two (2) units of Laboratory Science</li>
<li>Two (2) units of Social Science/History (including World History)</li>
<li>Two (2) units of a foreign language</li>
</ul>
Other Factors:
We also review additional considerations, such as community service, leadership qualities, and levels of motivation. If your student has any questions about how to share this information, please have them reach out to their Admissions Counselor.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.berea.edu/admissions/applying-for-admission/new-freshman/">See our list of application requirements for prospective new freshmen. </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.berea.edu/admissions/applying-for-admission/transfer-student/">See our list of application requirements for prospective transfer students. </a></li>
</ul>

What are your admissions requirements?

Once an application becomes complete it is reviewed and if additional information is needed the Admissions Counselor will reach out to the student to schedule a quick conversation. A decision notification is based upon which deadline the applicant meets. In some cases, decisions are released earlier than the projected notification window.

After completing the application requirements, what comes next?

All admitted students to Berea College receive our No-Tuition Promise. This scholarship is combined with grants your student may receive as well as any other scholarships your student may be awarded by outside parties or organizations to cover 100% of tuition costs. For most Berea students, the No-Tuition Promise amounts to more than $176,000 over four years.
No student pays for tuition.
We are able to provide this level of financial assistance due to the generous support of alumni, friends, organizations, and others who believe, as we do, that a student’s income should not dictate their outcome.
So when your student enrolls at Berea, their scholarship will be provided by people you don’t even know who believe in your student’s potential — and who know that Berea is well-positioned to help them realize that potential.

How does the unique financial aid program work?

Estimating your financial eligibility to attend Berea College will help you understand if Berea is right for you. We’ve developed this simple online form to help your family estimate your likelihood of meeting Berea College’s financial eligibility requirements. In order to receive the most accurate results, please provide the most precise information possible and be sure to read the help messages in the right column.
<a href="https://bereaquickestimator.studentaidcalculator.com/">Calculate Now using Quick Estimator</a>
Please note that this tool provides only a preliminary estimate of your likelihood to qualify.
Also, if your family has encountered special circumstances (divorce, death of wage earner, etc.) your financial eligibility should be considered on an individual basis. If you have any questions or are experiencing technical difficulties, please contact us at 1-800-326-5948.

How do we know if we meet Berea College's financial eligibility requirements?

The Work Program makes it possible for students to know each other as co-workers as well as classmates.  More importantly, linking the Academic and Work Programs establishes a pattern of learning through work that continues long after college is completed.
All Berea College students work a minimum of 10 hours per week in approved jobs on campus (or occasionally in the community).  These work experiences provide tremendous opportunities for students to develop soft skills that future employers appreciate, as well as the ability to gain experience in major-related areas. They also have the opportunity to learn the qualities of leadership, standard setting, and effective supervision.
Students and alumni share an overwhelmingly positive view of the Work Program, noting that it “teaches you how to work”, “provides practical experience” and “genuine job perspective.”
Students will be assigned to their work position for their first year. After the first year, they will gain job search and application experience by applying for open positions on campus.

What is the Work Program?

The Berea College Office of Internships and Career Development provides many resources and services that students can begin taking advantage of as soon as they arrive on campus.
The Career Development Program offers personalized career counseling appointments to support students in career decision making, exploring career options, and proactive planning for internships, gap-year experiences, full-time employment and/or graduate school. In addition, weekly workshops are available to help students with career/job searches and graduate school preparation. Workshop topics include resume/CV and cover letter writing, job search strategies, professional dress, dining etiquette, interviewing skills, LinkedIn and Social Media in job search, salary negotiations, and application to graduate and professional schools.
Berea College hosts a wide range of employers from business, technology services, education, non-profit organizations, government agencies and more to help students connect with for internships and full-time position opportunities. Targeted networking fairs and on-campus interviews provide experience for students, and allow employers to identify potential candidates.
The Internship Program affords students the opportunity to take part in summer internships both nationally and internationally with a broad range of organizations. Recent internship sites include Google, The White House, Mayo Clinic, Goldman Sachs, and refugee settlement and foster care agencies.
The Office of Internship and Career Development covers living and travel expenses for students participating in internships that are not paid by the employer.

How does Berea College prepare students for life after graduation?

Student Health Services is located right on the edge of campus and is operated by White House Clinics in St. Joseph Berea Hospital. Students are entitled to unlimited visits to Student Health Services for no additional charge each term after the required health fee has been paid. They are able to receive care for acute illness (sore throats, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, sexually transmitted infections, etc.); chronic issues (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.); and screenings/health maintenance (pap smears, sports and other physicals, health education, etc.). Various immunizations and allergy injections are also available to students at no cost. Student Health Services of White House Clinics has a strong network for specialty care, and provides referrals for some services such as x-rays, MRI’s, and specialty physicians.
Dental services are also provided to Berea College students through White House Clinics.
Students can also utilize Berea College Counseling Services at no cost. Berea College Counseling Services supports the personal and developmental needs of individual students through individual counseling, group counseling, and crisis intervention. All counseling services are completely confidential.

What happens when my student needs medical care at Berea College?

The mission of the Disability &amp; Accessibility Services Office (DAS) is to create an environment that frees persons to be active in their learning, working, and serving environments and as members of the academic community as citizens of the world. DAS recognizes disability as a valued aspect of diversity and embraces access as a matter of social justice.
DAS works with prospective Berea College students with disabilities to determine what challenges they may face and what accommodations may be available to them if they are admitted to Berea.
Services through DAS are voluntary and provided upon student request. Students are invited to meet with the Director of Disability &amp; Accessibility Services to register after they have been admitted.

Parent and Family Resources

Your Family Engagement Counselor

Berea College's No-Tuition Promise

Helpful Links

Financial Support

College Connections

Parent Frequently Asked Questions