Bethune College B.A Review By Kirtika Roy

So, before I start with anything let me make this clear Bethune for someone who doesn’t know is a completely government operated college under Calcutta University. So, the experience from typically private institutions might or a lot can differ. Also to get in Bethune a student has to be academically quite good because the selection is based on the merit list and the last merit list contains the name of the students who scored above 80% in their 12th level. I was also from the few last merit lists. But if you are fortunate enough to get here I would say please don’t miss this opportunity because this 187 year old institution can give you what private universities might not.

As said earlier the last merit based students who got above 80% in their 12th got admission. So it’s quite clear that Bethune is quite demanding in case of academics. Also it might be due to the fact that being the first women's college to be established in India it has to keep up with its reputation since lot women freedom fighters have passed out from this college. So yeah, academically you have to be better. To fill up the College Form (free of cost) you have to require 55% in your 12th. My motive to study in Bethune was to prove that all that hard work I did was to study in such a prestigious college. About my course, I opted for Political Science, English and History and my name was on the 2nd last merit list of History and Political Science but I wasn’t qualified for English, Maybe it was more demanding.

The faculty members are the most respectful and friendly person we have ever seen. Almost 69% of them are doctorates and they don’t carry a single level of attitude. Obviously some teachers are not that friendly but that does not mean that they won't help you if needed. They provide us with the best theses and best advices. Without any extra pressure they teach what is necessary and being experienced for so many years. They do care about how much we can handle and cope up with. They teach the important and the most difficult topics lucidly that makes the topics much easier for us to understand.

We have Career Counselling Cell where students are being guided with perfection and provided with opportunity to hold a good future ahead.

The hostel is a bit far away from the campus but all the facilities are provided by the college. For example, our college has our own bus to reduce the travelling time for the students. Food provided here and its amenities are up to the mark. Students are satisfied with the facilities provided.

The college is not that big as compared to private institutions but do provide us with good amenities. Like we have lifts, AC rooms (not all), water purifier, Sports area, gym, common room, labs, library, etc. The canteen is a bit small but the food quality is good. The washrooms are good but not all.

The campus was built in the British era. It is quite amazing to study in such a beautiful historic campus. Students enjoy their stay here. We don’t have any union and we don’t face any sort of ragging. We have fests like AALAP and several competitions where various colleges participate. We often have seminars where professors from other colleges come and teach us. So all over it’s a good and fun experience for us.