Beloit College

A small liberal arts college in southern Wisconsin, Beloit College offers students "small class sizes, [and] expansive study abroad opportunities" in an academic environment "that encourages debate and discovery." Beloit "embraces individuality" by giving students "freedom to study what they are passionate about," and so there are student-designed "academic paths [that] can be customized to suit every student's needs, interests, and goals." Whether you're studying journalism or majoring in molecular biology, Beloit cultivates "critical thinkers who can put the liberal arts in practice" and the curriculum stresses "intensive essay writing and an emphasis on self-identity." As one student puts it, at Beloit "there is no such thing as a one-sided problem...we ask the hard questions and approach solutions in a multidisciplinary manner that requires critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity."

Beloiters describe their academic experiences as "nothing short of phenomenal." As one student explains, "My first day of classes, teachers already knew my name by the time I sat down at the desk." Students benefit from "many one-on-one experiences, hands-on classes, and project-based learning," and note that professors "bring unique perspectives to class material, and the small class size allows them the flexibility to tailor the courses to their students." Because of the low student-to-faculty ratio and "motivated student body, it is possible to have close relationships with faculty that make for a more enriching college experience." And students relish those relationships, describing their professors as "easily accessible," "dynamic and knowledgeable," and "generally nice and open." Beloit professors also prove to be "very good resources for helping you with research, internships, and graduate school applications and program decisions."

Many students celebrate the "outstanding diversity of the student body," including "a large international student population on campus and domestic students [who] come from all over the United States." Beloiters are predominantly liberal and "very engaged students and citizens, who are passionate about various causes and their academics." Most agree that students aren't afraid to address tough subjects and seek out "different opinions, backgrounds, and ideas that allow [them] to explore things outside of [their] comfort zone socially, personally, and intellectually." Even for "students who have felt out of place before" arriving at college, Beloit provides "a safe space to learn." "Beloit College students are a mixed bunch." One student explains, "[We're] unafraid to be different, and aesthetically unmatched by any other student body."

Beloit is "decorated by its open, welcoming community." Students say that "there is a lot of freedom for students to learn from their mistakes while living on campus and to make their own decisions. Students at Beloit are responsible for taking initiative in their decisions to learn, both in the classroom and out." Students report that there is a fair amount of "drinking on the weekend" but that "it's usually done pretty safely." Even though it is a small school, there is plenty on campus to keep students occupied: "Whether it's a Greek event, Black Lives Matter panel, new movie screenings, school sponsored trip to a haunted house or musical, or our professors' band is playing in the quad, there is always something going on." Sports and extracurricular activities are also popular as "everyone is a part of at least one club, and usually several." As spring rolls around, students look forward "to Spring Day," a day without classes when students enjoy "giant inflatable bouncy houses, caricature artists, free junk food, and the martial arts demonstration."

Beloit College “provides endless opportunities” and targeted career development resources that can be customized to where a student is on their path to graduation—from First Year Initiatives seminars to job shadowing and skills development. There are also a “vast amount of internship and community involvement opportunities” with funding to match. Students can choose a Career Channel to help guide them in their specific areas of interest with mentors and alumni through the school’s Power Grid. In addition, the school has a three-story storefront student business incubator located downtown because Beloit is about “taking the idea of a liberal arts education and transferring it into a fun and usable state.” Beloit helps students find their passion and purpose, as evidenced by Beloit alumni visiting PayScale.com, where 61 percent report that they derive a high level of meaning from their jobs.