bookmom

My DD is very keen on Beloit and plans to apply EA next fall (she is a jr now). She is in top 10% of class with initial scores of 2060 SAT and 30 ACT (will retest in spring), several APs, and a couple of actual college courses (not dual credit) already. She is a talented artist and has won several contests. Art will be either a second major or minor wherever she attends, with psych and pre-law as other major and minor. Does anyone know if Beloit's art program is strong? Also, will her current scores be high enough to help her obtain good merit aid (as the financial aid packages offered will probably determine her final choice)?

momofthree

Bookmom,

I would bet that Carolyn will give you a very complete answer to this question: her daughter is almost sure to go to Beloit, and I know she is very interested in art. Her love of art is what made her decide not to apply to Earlham, where she had initially thought to go. You might wish to PM Carolyn if she does not answer this post sometime in the near future.

I have a S2 who is (I sincerely hope) about to finish his Common App supplement to Beloit. He sent the Common App to them on already, but the priority deadline is today. Thankfully it is a priority date, so all will not be lost if he waits a bit longer, but I would love to have this all wrapped up!

momofthree

Yippee! S2 finished his app today! All done!

lantern5

Beloit offers very good aid programs for top 10% of class/high SAT scorers; their aid also often goes further because their tuition costs are lower than many other LAC.

bookmom

Thanks for the info. Carolyn did provide me with many useful insights in PM. I don't think D can go wrong with Beloit!

lindalana

Where we are Beloit is regarded as not known for great academics, maybe it is due to the history of alternative movements decades ago. I think this school student body is changing during last few years since school becoming more and more popular. It has been my impression that it is not a good science school. Science facilites need renovations and from students talk I got impression that such majors are not "cool" for the lack of better word. When my D was there on overnight visit she mentioned that she did not see anyone with a book studying and it was Thursday eve. My niece is at Beloit almost ready to graduate and while she loves it there, she is not exactly brainy girl. I think for majors other than science this school would be excellent, no gen ed requirements allow student to experiment and faculty is very supportive.

bookmom

Lindaluna--I do think Beloit's becoming more mainstream and moving away from its previous 'alternative' status. They do encourage study abroad, which is a priority for my D. Anthro and Psych are respected depts. I may have misunderstood, but I thought I learned during D's overnight in Nov that the school is planning to build a large new sciences complex, even closing off one of the streets that separates the academic from residential sides of campus to accommodate the new plan. I must say that the TH my D stayed over, little studying was done, altho her hosts did take her to a Gay/Lesbian tea party! At Grinnell on a Th, the kids gathered at the coffeehouse in the evening, but many commented they had to get back to dorm/library to work on papers or other assignments. I also noted that Beloit's library used Dewey Decimal System. As an academic librarian, every college I have had experience with for 30+ yrs has used the Library of Congress system, which is more science-oriented. Only public and school libraries and small (church) ones still go with Dewey in my experience, so I was surprised they hadn't converted at some distant point in the past.

carolyn

Linda, I think you are right on several fronts. Beloit does seem to have a slant towards humanities/social science types, probably drawn there by the strong anthropology and English/creative writing programs. I also agree that Beloit had that alternative image years back - even in NY, where I lived, it was known as one of those "alternative" schools. However, I've been over the curriculum with a fine tooth comb, and it's definitely pretty traditional now, although there is still a a definite quirky bent to both faculty and students and an interdisciplinary, flexible focus that may not be for everyone. Beloit does seem to be working hard to strengthen their science programs, and once the new science building is completed, I suspect they'll succeed. The library, in my opinion, is definitely a weak point. Again, Beloit is one of those schools (well, aren't most?) that probably isn't right for everyone, but a good match for some.