The choice to attend Berry was a relatively easy one - most of the other colleges I got into were too expensive or located in suburban wastelands. Berry's hefty scholarships and gorgeous environment made things a bit easier.My freshman year, I lived in the Ford girls' dormitories - although they were beautiful, I don't know if I can really recommend it. They're far away from main campus, so none of your friends in TB, Dana, or ML will come visit. Also, the Ford buildings - especially Clara, for some reason - tend to attract self-righteous prudes. My RA once tried to PHYSICALLY drag a friend of mien to Bible study!
The closed-mindedness and hostility of the administration and some of the students can be infuriating, but take a deep breath and remember that you are dealing with Southern evangelicals, and that logic and courtesy can't always be expected. Just go about your life and don't worry about it, unless they try to attack you.
Academically, Berry has its ups and downs. There is far too much focus on the School of Business, and not enough on history, science, and the arts. I never had a bad professor in my time there. Dr. Trolander is/was an excellent teacher, and the Chem 101 prof (sorry, I forget his name) very kindly helped out students who struggled with the course material.
One unfortunate academic problem Berry has is that non-Christian professors are routinely denied tenure, even if the quality of their teaching is superb, and even if their faith has no bearing on the course material (which it shouldn't, in any class). Three of the four finest professors at Berry were all let go because they followed other faiths - the last of the four was let go because he had left the Baptist church and refused to teach only fundamentalist dogma in his Religion & Philosophy classes.
Socially, Berry is all right. I loved the lack of fraternities & sororities. You can party if you want to, but there's no pressure to get drunk all the time.
There is always something to do on campus, with a group or alone. Most of the students are friendly and kind. Getting involved with a group outside your major is a good idea - it's also fun to meet students from Shorter and other area schools.
The campus is so gorgeous that it's hard to resist going out for a run or a bike ride in good weather. If you can, bring a good mountain bike with you, but not a very expensive one - it will likely be taken. Lock your bike up, even if you're just leaving it to go check your mail at Krannert!
No matter what life throws at you while you're at Berry, there is always a way to ease your spirit. Fly a kite out by the Ford buildings whenever you can. Visit the dairy and pet the cows and cats. Lie on the grass in front of Frost Chapel and look at the stars. Make a midnight run to the grocery store for ramen. Watch flocks of deer sneak onto the townhouse lawns to munch fallen walnuts.
Oh, one last bit of advice - DO NOT GO TO THE CAMPUS CLINIC FOR ANYTHING except cold medicine or band-aids! The doctor there prescribed me an antibiotic that landed me in the ER with a severe allergic reaction - when I brought this up with him, he mentioned that SIX OTHER STUDENTS had had this same reaction to the drug, yet he still prescribes it! This same doc also can't seem to tell an ear infection from strep throat.
The caveat goes double for the psych & counseling services. Counsellors are supposed to maintain confidentiality, but this is a joke. If you are having doubts about your mental health or sexuality, confide in friends or see an in-town psychologist instead. The campus counsellors WILL break confidentiality and "out" you to administrators and to your family. I had the good fortune to graduate from Berry before the gorgeous campus was torn up (goodbye, lovely dogwood groves...) - I've no idea how it looks now, though I imagine the kite fields and pastures are still intact.
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