Academics
Centre College is a school that prides itself on fostering a “tight knit community,” one in which “everyone genuinely cares.” Undergrads appreciate the college’s liberal arts education, which provides them with “substantial freedom to pursue whatever academic experience and career they wish.” Additionally, “small class sizes” are the norm at Centre, leading to a very personalized classroom experience and education. “In every class I’ve ever taken in my four years, the professor has known my name and made an effort to get to know everyone.” Of course, individualized attention also means that “you must work hard and you must be ready to learn!” A fellow classmate cautions that at Centre, “You cannot get by with not trying.” But don’t worry. The Centre faculty consists of “extremely knowledgeable” individuals who maintain “a vested interest in [their students’] success” and are there to support you on your academic journey. As this undergrad sums up, “Even professors that I’ve had in the past always have their door open, so to speak, to get questions answered or simply talk.” Ultimately, students leave these courses well-equipped, quickly stressing that the “academic rigor is great preparation for graduate school and fellowships” along with “the real world.” As one individual emphasizes, “I know that I’ll have connections for internships and jobs for the remainder of my time here and after I graduate.”
Student Body
Centre College does a great job amassing a group of undergraduates who are “hard working, high achieving, and very involved on and off campus.” Students here “are always happy to help in any way they can.” And while they are undoubtedly “academically motivated,” Centre students definitely “know how to have fun” as well. Most people “prioritize studying during the week and social life during the weekends, though the two are often combined.”
In terms of diversity, undergrads recognize that the “student body is predominantly white.” However, they rush to note that “Centre [is] certainly striv[ing] for a more diverse make up.” And many also point out that you’ll definitely meet “people from all over the country and the world” here. What’s more, students report that their peers are “focus[ed] on [ensuring]...inclusion everywhere on campus in terms of sports, Greek life, academics, and extracurriculars.” This undergrad agrees, adding, “Our community is very welcoming and warm to all student[s] whether you [are] international, American, Republican, Democrat, there is something and someone for everyone.”
Campus Life
Given Centre’s rigorous academics, a lot of “students’ time is spent studying.” But fear not, the college still manages to generate plenty of opportunities for fun. For starters, Greek life is quite popular. Indeed, Centre maintains a “healthy culture of fraternities and sororities, which most students engage in.” Additionally, there are numerous career-focused organizations like the investment society that enables students to “manage over $200,000 in stocks [as well as] look for opportunities to grow [their] portfolio and teach others about investing.” There are also more traditional clubs such as the college orchestra, garden club, intramural sports, and the Centre Environmental Association. Plus, “every weekend the campus center puts on an event from laser tag to mechanical bull riding.” Students also simply “enjoy hanging out and watching shows or movies with friends” or “socializ[ing] during their meals.” It is important to acknowledge hometown Danville is “a very small town.” Because many feel “there’s not much to do for fun” in the small town, most are content taking advantage of all of the built-in fun offered from their college.