Beloit College

Beloit College is a private liberal arts school that provides a global, experiential education and "consistently encourages students to follow their interests both in and out of class in creative ways." The college's flexible curriculum offers students the "freedom to study what they are passionate about" and student-designed "academic paths [that] can be customized to suit every student's needs, interests, and goals." These experiences include Impact Beloit, which offers a variety of career-readiness and community-based learning programs, including internships within the town of Beloit. One student says, "It has placed me in a local business, working 10-20 hours a week while earning credit and getting paid. I have been able to directly apply what I've learned in the classroom and learn so much more." Students appreciate that their professors are "dynamic and knowledgeable" and "bring unique perspectives to class material." The "structure of the classes is very interactive" and "a significant amount [of] classes at Beloit are discussion-based." Small class sizes create an environment where "every student gets to participate and collaborate with one another," and there is a good deal of "intensive essay writing and an emphasis on self-identity." The college has "very good resources for helping you with research, internships, and graduate school applications and program decisions" and excels at "connecting us to local professionals and [alumni]." These opportunities give students valuable "experience that'll separate them from the herd of job applicants," resulting in 93 percent of students being employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.

The student body at Beloit is "a unique blend of athletes, academics, and people...fitting together on one small campus." The community is welcoming and open-minded, with students who "aren't afraid to express themselves and stand out in different ways." At Beloit, "you will find athletes passionate about theater, classicists that translate Star Wars into Latin, and Japanese majors that study queer themes in medieval literature." For a small school, the student body "is extremely diverse, with students from not only all over the country but all over the world," which leads to "a lot of different perspectives coming together." A common trait among students is that they "care a lot about their community" and are "very engaged students and citizens who are passionate about various causes and their academics." As one student shares, "All in all, I believe Beloit is a great place to find a more unique, open-minded, and interesting group of people."

At Beloit, "there is always something going on." During the warmer months, "there are a lot of spaces on campus to sit outside, play pick-up, and just overall enjoy the outdoors, and the college facilitates a lot of outside activities." Clubs and organizations "are always throwing events and encourage students to try something new," and "everyone is a part of at least one club, and usually several," with options from theater to powerlifting club. One undergrad observes, "I really enjoy the ways athletics, intramurals, and SAAC [Student Athlete Advisory Committee] connect you with other students." Another great opportunity to bring students together is with traditions like "Spring Day (a day off of school where we have a carnival, free food, and outdoor games)." A popular spot to hang out with friends, play games, or grab a bite is the Powerhouse, a 120,000-square-foot facility that houses the student union and athletic center. On weekends, "there are usually parties or events," and "many people enjoy the cafe on campus and will spend their time studying or having fun with friends there."

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.