BSC makes top 10 list for preparing students for graduate school

For years U.S. News and World Report has been the “go to” publication for analyzing universities and colleges on their academic and institutional performance.

Last week, as part of the publication’s “short list” series, Birmingham Southern College (BSC) made the U.S. News list of  10 Colleges That Often Lead to Graduate School. 

Based on data submitted to U.S. News by colleges throughout the nation, the publication identified colleges where the highest percentage of 2015 graduates pursued an advanced degree within a year.

According to the annual survey, the average proportion of 2015 graduates who went on to further their education within a year was 25.1 percent. Among the 10 schools that topped this year’s list, the average was 74.6 percent. BSC ranked 5th on the national list with 80% percent of its graduates pursuing an advanced degree within one year.

“What an honor to be highlighted for the work this College has done for years here on the Hilltop to prepare our alumni to excel in some of the world’s best graduate programs.” said BSC President Linda Flaherty-Goldsmith.

BSC Provost Dr. Bradley Caskey added:

“Our success placing students in the graduate schools of their choice speaks to the strength of BSC’s academic programs. Our faculty and support staff make it a priority to challenge students in and out of the classroom, and often encourage seniors to apply to top programs and guide them through the process. It’s just part of the mentoring relationship you can only find at a small school like BSC.”

U.S. News also ranked BSC 123rd on their list of top national liberal arts colleges. The college was the only school in Alabama to make the list.

Along with the U.S. News accolades, BSC was recently recognized as one of the nation’s top schools in the 2018 Fiske Guide to Colleges.

According to the Fiske Guide – “Students at Birmingham-Southern continue to focus on academics while balancing community service and an active social scene. Small classes, a caring faculty, and an expanding menu of academic offerings continue to draw attention to this close-knit liberal arts school.”

“I hear often from my counterparts at top law, medical, and other professional and graduate schools from around the country about how impressed they are by our students and what an asset they are. Our city and state are also better places to live because of BSC’s many graduates who return to Alabama to work in these professions after completing graduate programs throughout the nation,” concluded BSC President Flaherty-Goldsmith.

It’s good to see BSC recognized nationally by a number of prestigious publications.  If you haven’t been on the campus lately, take a virtual tour or visit bsc.edu .