Bethel University

Date: Sep 29 2013
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I was accepted into Bethel after spending three years out of college. Originally I had gone to Austin Peay in Clarksville. I grew up in McKenzie, lived here my entire life, went to the schools here. Mckenzie is a very narrow-minded town, devoid of anything majorly prosperous. In fact, the only real asset to the town is Bethel, which has seemed to face some kind of financial setback for the past twenty years. The only reason Bethel is what it is now (major new building projects, rapid increase in students) is through a huge donation by one woman, who apparently had millions of dollars lying around. The school was never really anything eye-catching. the campus is relatively bland. There is a gazebo in the courtyard, some trees lining the main drive in the front. Structures lack any true architectural genius. I always thought Bethel, a private liberal arts college, would offer a real challenge. But after coming here, I found out that is not the case. It's designed for anyone to pass. The tests aren't very hard. Papers don't require much thought. I switched to an online program that would grant me an associate's degree. I was amazed at how unchallenging the coursework was. It felt like high school. I can say that Austin Peay, a public school, was much more challenging. The irony is that you pay big bucks at Bethel to get a mediocre education. I don't care too much for the Christian emphasis, but the Chaplain is very nice and will do anything for you. The Dean of Students is also a nice person. Bethel is actually a microcosm of diversity. It hosts students from across the nation and many different countries. For such a small school, it does a good job recruiting people from all walks of life and of different backgrounds. One great asset that has transformed Bethel is the Renaissance Program, which is home to singing and theatre talent. However, the students can be quite snooty. The campus is filled with bros: the traditional visor-wearing, big truck driving, hunting types. There is an array of sports programs including bass fishing, bowling, among others. If you aren't a part of Renaissance or play some kind of sport, good luck making friends. The fraternities/sororities don't seem to attract much attention. Many students complain about the business office, citing problems with money. Bethel seems to have a big problem with handling money, but then again, so do I. One neat thing about the university is first-time freshman get a laptop as part of the technology initiative. If you like small town atmosphere, have a knack for singing/performing, and come from a deep pocketed family, then Bethel is the place for you.