Bethel University

Date: Jul 10 2014
Major: Music Education (This Major's Salary over time)
Bethel University is not a real college. It is poorly administered and the campus is exceedingly ugly. There are a few new buildings on campus, but the music department, where I spend a lot of time, is hideous. One of my professors has an office with peeling wallpaper from the 80s. There are only a few practice rooms, just one classroom (other classes are held in rehearsal rooms). There is no integrated technology in the classroom, and professors have to bring in projectors, speakers, monitors, etc. It is a joke in this day and age.

There is no music library and the school's main library has very limited access especially on weekends!

The school has had major financial problems. I don't know what happened exactly, but the school has no money. Hence, the poor facilities.

The school has a musical division called Renaissance. They sing pop Christian music mostly. These people are not music majors. They can sing (rather loudly) but know nothing about music. This group's leadership has the run of the school. They are quite arrogant even though they also lack a formal musical education one would expect from a university instructor.

The town of McKenzie and the surrounding area is the most depressing area of the country in which I have ever been. If you want to do anything, you have to drive an hour or more. When I came here, I thought rural life would be a good change of pace. I was wrong. There are no pubs, sports bars, etc anywhere as the school is in a dry county. You can but beer and alcohol in stores, but restaurants cannot serve alcohol. It is sad. Since there is nothing to do, most of the students get stoned and drunk on weekends.

I left Bethel after two years. I couldn't stand it anymore. I wanted a university experience, not a high school extension program. I highly recommend that you avoid this school.