Admission

<p>My daughter was waitlisted at Elon. I guess we're just trying to figure out if there is something we missed. </p>

<p>She has a 4.1 GPA and is in 4 AP courses her senior with no easy classes or early dismissal. She is in the top 10% of her class and has great extracurricular activities. She also was very clear with them that Elon was her top choice. Her SAT scores are on the lower end. They definitely say that they look most at your academic record and desire to attend.</p>

<p>I'm wondering if this is typical. Based on last year's statistics, we really thought she would get in; however, maybe Elon's criteria went up a lot this year. Have other people gotten in with lower GPA's? Does something seem out of the ordinary? I think we're just hoping to understand it better for our future kids and to explain it to my daughter. </p>

<p>Thanks for any input!</p>

<p>Hi - I know being wait listed at a school you really like is tough. I do see Elon getting more and more competitive every year - and I also think girls have it harder.</p>

<p>The good news is that kids do typically come off the wait list at Elon every year. Have you - or I should say your daughter - been in touch with your regional rep? If not - please have her email her rep - emphasize that Elon is her first choice. If she truly would attend if taken off the wl - say so. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Hi jksmith, all I can tell you is Elon is known for being really unpredictable in their admissions. They’re really into “wholistic” admissions, so it’s hard to figure out sometimes. </p>

<p>The year my daughter was admitted (ED), I was reading the Elon threads after the EA and RD decisions. The stats of kids who were deferred or WL’d were astonishingly high - there were kids with much better stats than D who didn’t get in. </p>

<p>D knows a boy who got into Bucknell and got WL’d at Elon - although Bucknell’s stats are generally higher. </p>

<p>Like I said, Elon is unpredictable. Let them know she’s still very interested!</p>

<p>I think that in a school that has three admissions cycles, RD is always dicey…</p>

<p>the EA kids still have over 5 weeks to commit; not sure how they even assess RD numbers…there are already 350 guaranteed from ED, and, according to the Dean’s blog, 90% of just the fellows candidates had already committed as of the beginning of March…that doesn’t even include non-fellows EA commitments…</p>

<p>Doesn’t leave alot of spots for RD’s…but spots could open up after May 1st…they have in the past…</p>

<p>I heard that if you wanted a better chance at getting into Elon then you should apply Early Action. I believe the statistics were that 60% are accepted during Early Action and only 35% are accepted Regular Decision. (Not sure if my numbers are exactly correct) I applied Early Action and got in, but I didn’t enroll until just yesterday because I wanted to hear back from all my other colleges despite the fact Elon was my first choice. I got in Early Action with an unweighted GPA 3.97 and weighted 4.03. My sat scores are also only a 1920, and I have only taken 1 AP (but 8 honors). However in terms of extra-curricular I am strong, I am in Marching Band (drum major senior year, section leader junior year), Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra, Cabaret (school talent show), Ski Club, National Honors Society, and Spanish Honors Society. Also my personal statement was awesome. The one thing I have heard about Elon is they look at all the characteristics of the individuals they accept.</p>

<p>jksmith, I hope your D gets her spot. My son was admitted EA with a B average (I’m not sure how it translates on the 4. scale, but I think it’s 3.2-3.3 UW), which he’d brought up from C or maybe C- in 9th G. He had few but tough APs and high SATs (2240), few ECs, some work experience and an interesting essay.</p>

<p>whowatashat4 - I’ve heard Elon say that EA is actually usually their largest and most competitive pool. The thing that gives you a significant advantage at Elon is Early DECISION. The admit rate for ED has historically been over 75%, while the EA/RD admit rate is closer to 50%.</p>

<p>My daughter experienced the same thing last year. Awesome grades, ACT scores, community service,etc. Wait listed. We were shocked. Finally accepted for spring semester 2012. Decided to go to another school and “make it work” . Was never really happy, so transferred to Elon for Spring semester 2012. Absolutely loves it and says she feels like she never really went anywhere else.Don’t be too discouraged and be persistent with admissions. Let them know you are still interested despite anyhwere else you may be accepted.</p>