Berea College

core/paragraph

core/table

acf/button

We have no interest in making your application process to Berea difficult. Our streamlined application and checklist are the basic requirements.

Students often tell us their life experience is so meaningful that we can’t get to know them without it. Your story and identity matter in our holistic and selective admissions process. Use the elective items to share your story.

<strong><strong><strong>Application Checklist Components</strong></strong></strong>

core/heading

field_card_stack_cards_title

<strong>Complete the Berea College Application f</strong><strong>or Admission.</strong> There is no application fee. <em><strong>Our application opens August 1.</strong></em>

Apply for Free Online

acf/card-stack

<strong>Request <a href="https://bereaedu.wpenginepowered.com/admissions/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/09/High-School-Transcript-Request-Form.pdf">an official copy of your final high school transcript</a> or GED results.</strong> Home school students who don’t have a transcript should complete the <a href="https://bereaedu.wpenginepowered.com/admissions/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/09/Home-School-Supplement-Form.pdf">Home School Supplement form.</a>

Submit Your High School Transcript

Submit your official transcripts from all institutions attended (even for credit earned while in high school) at <a href="mailto:transcripts@berea.edu">transcripts@berea.edu</a>.  If you are currently enrolled, you should submit official transcripts once grades for the term are posted and before the February 1 Priority Deadline.

Submit Your College Transcript(s)

Applicants will be required to submit the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at <a href="http://studentaid.gov">studentaid.gov</a> when it becomes available. Berea’s FAFSA code is 001955.

Prior to the FAFSA opening, submission of the Financial Resource Questionnaire (FRQ), a form unique to Berea, helps to determine if a student meets the College’s financial eligibility requirement. Although offers of admission may be made based upon information submitted via the FRQ, all such offers will be considered tentative until such time as final FAFSA results are received.

Submit the FAFSA/FRQ

Submit your essay response by logging into your <a href="http://www.berea.college/application">portal</a>.

Your essay prompt is:  Why do you wish to attend Berea College?  How can Berea help to achieve your academic and personal goals?  Please be sure to describe what you plan to study and how certain you are of your academic plans.

Submit Your Essay 

<strong>Students who believe their scores are an accurate representation of their ability should submit them</strong>. There are two ways to submit official test scores:
<ul>
 	<li>Visit <a href="http://actstudent.org">actstudent.org</a> (ACT scores) or <a href="http://collegeboard.org">collegeboard.org</a> (SAT scores) to send your official scores to us. Our ACT school code is 1492 and SAT school code is 1060.</li>
 	<li>Email a copy of your full score report to: transcripts@berea.edu</li>
</ul>
Please note: test scores older than five years will not be considered.

Test Scores (Optional) 

For eligible non-citizens, depending on your USCIS status, a copy of your permanent resident card or employment authorization card will be required.

Proof of Permanent Residency (if required) 

We are happy to hear from teachers, coaches, mentors, and others who are willing to brag on you. Submit a Teacher Recommendation Form by logging into your <a href="http://www.berea.college/application">portal</a> or by sharing this direct link: <a href="http://www.berea.college/recommend">www.berea.college/recommend</a>

Recommendations 

Share with us your awards, community service, extracurricular activities, and work experience. This is your chance to brag about yourself. Submit this form by logging into your <a href="http://www.berea.college/portal">portal</a>.

Activities Resume

Share with us your experiences, perspectives and creativity through written, video and/or graphic essays. Upload your personal submission by logging into your <a href="http://www.berea.college/portal">portal</a>.

Personal Submission

In less than 5 minutes, you'll select a variety of statements which best describe you and your personal story. Complete this elective by logging into your <a href="http://www.berea.college/portal">portal</a>.

Student Self Inventory

Berea College was created 168 years ago and became the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. Please tell us in 168-ish words or less, how this is meaningful for you in context of your personal experience. Complete this short statement by logging into your <a href="http://www.berea.college/portal">portal</a>.

Short Statement

field_6283326ff79f7

Applicants are ineligible for admission to Berea if they are in default of federal student loans, or if they owe a balance with any other institutions at the time they apply to Berea.

Applicants with less than a 2.5 cumulative college GPA or less than a 2.5 college GPA in the last 24 hours of transferrable college credit are ineligible for admission to Berea College.

What are the admissions requirements for transfer students?

Although Berea does accept applications for international students, we typically reserve our very limited space for students who have had no opportunity to study higher education, whether in their home country or abroad. All students wishing to apply as an international transfer student must complete the international application process. If an international student has earned any university credit after completing secondary school, they must follow the international application guidelines and include all transcript from universities previously attended.

Can international transfer students apply to Berea?

Admission to Berea College is extremely competitive. We receive hundreds of applications each year from very well qualified applicants from all over the United States, and can enroll only about 50 new transfer students each year.

What are my chances of being accepted?

No. Applicants are ineligible for admission to Berea if they are in default of their federal student loans, or if they owe a balance to any other institutions at the point of application to Berea. It is advised for applicants that are in default with their student loans to contact the Federal Student Aid office to resolve their default.

I’m in default with my federal student loans. Can I still apply to Berea?

Yes, and many do. However, doing so does not improve the chance of being accepted. More often, strengthening application components (taking more college credit, more letters of recommendation, etc.) will give an applicant a stronger chance of admission.

Can transfer students apply for admission more than once?

All traditional transfer students must live on campus for at least one year. Non-traditional students (students who begin attending Berea College when they are at least 23 years old, are married, and/or have children) may live off campus if the Residential Life Office approves their application. Non-Traditional students may also live on campus in a residence hall, or if the Non-traditional student is married or a parent, they may apply to live in one of the 50 apartments in the Ecovillage with their spouse and/or children.

Do transfer students have to live on campus?

Any student who would have above a first year standing (more than eight BC Credits), or is a non-traditional student may apply for a parking permit to keep their vehicle on campus. Parking permits are assigned on a first come first serve basis, and admitted students may contact Public Safety regarding questions pertaining to the issuing of parking permits.

Can transfer students bring their car onto campus?

Yes. Berea does accept non-traditional transfer students. You can find out more about the Berea non-traditional community by going to<a href="https://www.berea.edu/non-trad/"> berea.edu/non-trad</a>.

Does Berea accept non-traditional transfer students?

It is essential that applicants submit all application materials needed by the deadline. Applicants are welcome to submit both a resume and extra letters of recommendation, and are encouraged to do so.

How do I improve my chances of being offered admissions?

No. Although Berea is known for serving students from Appalachia, the College prides itself in accepting qualified applicants spanning the US. Berea’s student body represents 45 different states and the District of Columbia.

Is there preference given to transfer students applying from Kentucky schools?

No. Students generally declare their major to Berea College during the 2nd term of the sophomore year. Transfer students who are credited with 2 or more transfer terms are expected to declare their major in the spring of their first year. Transfer students who are credited with less than two (2) transfer terms are expected to declare their major in the spring of their second year. However, it’s important to let the school know an intended major so we can better serve students during the transition period from their college to Berea.

Do I have to declare my major as I am applying to Berea?

An applicant will be considered a transfer student if they have attended a college course after graduation of high school. If an applicant is still a high school student, then they will need to apply as a first year student. If an applicant has attended Berea previously and is reapplying to Berea after taking some college courses at another institution, they will need to apply as a readmit student.

Who is considered a transfer student?

<div id="1536683543447-11adefae-3b8f" class="vc_tta-panel vc_active" data-vc-content=".vc_tta-panel-body">
<div class="vc_tta-panel-body">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">

Applicants who have been offered admission will be notified of the number of credits accepted to Berea after their acceptance letter has been released. Only courses and earned credits completed with a grade of C or higher at a regionally accredited institution within 10 years of initial enrollment at Berea are transferable to Berea College. The amount of credit granted by the original institution will be honored by Berea and transposed into comparable course credits or fractions of course credits. If not accepted to meet a specific requirement, such credit can be accepted as an elective credit. One course credit at Berea represents four semesters hours or six quarter hours elsewhere. No credit is granted for developmental courses or other courses not at the college level, as defined by that institution (typically courses numbered below 100, such as 080 or 36B). Credit for a course in which a P,S, or credit grade has been earned will be granted only upon verification from the institution that work in the course was completed at a C level or above. Credits earned as part of a certificate program are not transferable. It’s also important to remember that only credit is transferred to Berea, not grades or quality points.

Transfer credit is not used in computing the GPA at Berea College and higher grades will not replace lower grades on the Berea transcript.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1598996114554-00b0f13d-c844" class="vc_tta-panel" data-vc-content=".vc_tta-panel-body">
<div class="vc_tta-panel-heading">
<h4 class="vc_tta-panel-title vc_tta-controls-icon-position-left"></h4>
</div>
</div>

How do I know if/how many of my credits will transfer into Berea?

<p class="x_MsoNormal">All colleges are required to list their accreditation status on their website.  The agencies listed below are regionally recognized and a student should feel confident that their credit will transfer to other regionally accredited institutions.</p>

<ul>
 	<li class="x_MsoListParagraph" data-ogsb="white"><a href="http://www.msche.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-ogsc=""><span data-ogsc="windowtext">Middle States Commission on Higher Education</span></a></li>
 	<li class="x_MsoListParagraph" data-ogsb="white"><a href="http://www.neasc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-ogsc=""><span data-ogsc="windowtext">New England Association of Schools and Colleges</span></a></li>
 	<li class="x_MsoNormal" data-ogsb="white"><a href="http://www.ncahlc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-ogsc=""><span data-ogsc="windowtext">North Central Association of Colleges and Schools</span></a></li>
 	<li class="x_MsoNormal" data-ogsb="white"><a href="http://www.nwccu.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-ogsc=""><span data-ogsc="windowtext">Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities</span></a></li>
 	<li class="x_MsoNormal" data-ogsb="white"><a href="http://www.sacscoc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-ogsc=""><span data-ogsc="windowtext">Southern Association of Colleges and Schools</span></a></li>
</ul>

How do I know if my college is regionally accredited?

Only courses completed within 10 years of the initial enrollment at Berea, which are above 100 level (They are not developmental courses or other courses not at the college level as defined by that institution), in which the grade received is above a “C”, and awarded from a regionally accredited institution are transferable to Berea College.

Berea will accept credit from 4-year or 2-year institutions (i.e. community colleges) as long as it adheres to the earlier specified guidelines.

What counts as transferable college credit to Berea College?

Transfer applicants may choose to apply for the Priority Deadline (February 1) or the Final Deadline (March 31).  Due to the competitive nature of admissions, those students who have strong interest in Berea should complete their application prior to the Priority Deadline.

When is the transfer application deadline?

Members of the Transfer Admissions Committee will read and review all eligible applications using a holistic approach, which considers all aspects of a student’s file.

How are admissions decisions made?

After other forms of financial aid from federal, state, and student achievement scholarships are awarded, tuition is covered by Berea’s No-Tuition Promise, which is valued at more than $176,000.  Depending on the need of the student, Berea may provide funding to help with costs stemming from housing and meals as well.  55% of Berea College students graduate debt free, and those graduating with debt generally graduate with approximately 5,500 dollars, which is less than a quarter of the national average.

What is the cost per year?

No. New transfer students may enroll only in the fall term of each academic year.

Does Berea allow for spring or summer admissions for transfer students?

<div id="1536680361027-c491132b-cee0" class="vc_tta-panel vc_active" data-vc-content=".vc_tta-panel-body">
<div class="vc_tta-panel-body">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">

No. Berea College offers only undergraduate work leading to a Baccalaureate degree.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1536680417555-139a40dc-54c9" class="vc_tta-panel" data-vc-content=".vc_tta-panel-body">
<div class="vc_tta-panel-heading">
<h4 class="vc_tta-panel-title vc_tta-controls-icon-position-left"></h4>
</div>
</div>

Does Berea have any graduate programs?

Students who have already earned a Baccalaureate Degree are not eligible for admission as a transfer student.

Can I apply if I have a Bachelor’s degree?

No. You must apply as a transfer student. However, for students finding themselves in this situation, it is suggested they attend either a community or a four-year college for at least 2 semesters or 24 credit hours in good standing to apply as a transfer student.

Apply as a Transfer Student