<p>Please help! Does anyone have opinions on either of these schools for Business (Accounting/Business Systems)? Bentley has great job placement; being an Elon Business Fellow also seems to afford great opportunities!! Help!</p>
<p>Elon 10 chars</p>
<p>What do you mean?</p>
<p>Bentley without a doubt. It's much better for business, job placement is great, there are plenty of internship opportunities, and the campus is beautiful. I'm a little biased, because I will be attending next year, but definitely Bentley. There accounting program is one of their best.</p>
<p>OP, my son is in the same boat regarding Elon though considering other competitive schools, and I would like to share some thoughts with you in hopes that another perspective may be helpful as you and your son sort things out. </p>
<p>About a month ago, I accompanied my son to Fellows Weekend at Elon. Students he and I met at the Business Fellows reception spoke of a clearly remarkable experience that went far beyond what one might expect from an ordinary undergraduate business school program. I couldn't help being impressed by the remarkable poise and confidence displayed by these students; their enthusiasm for their community was palpable. They had high praise for such things as assistance they received with being placed into internships/jobs, guest speakers who fostered a feeling of connectivity with the world at-large and travel abroad opportunities made possible by the 4-1-4 calendar. The accounting track, which you mentioned holds certain interest for you, received outstanding remarks. I personally took comfort hearing that many said they were from out-of-state, yet they felt right at home and were engaged in a variety of activities outside of class. Students were at ease and complimentary of one another, genuinely collegial with professors attending the reception and consistently expressed how the business program was meaningful on many levels --- personally, inter-personally and, yes, even academically. </p>
<p>I can understand how school name recognition and academic reputation are concerns as I am also aware of how school name dropping is an entry ticket into many circles and validating in others, shallow as it may seem. Yet, if you peel back the layers, a nurturing environment no matter where you find it goes a long way toward producing individuals of substance who are not only competent, confident, contributing members of society but also proud of where it came from. </p>
<p>Unlike many schools with firmly established reputations, Elon is a school that has evolved over the years, and it is a challenge to sift through opinions based on a past that contrasts to the present. Thanks to what appears to be an exceptionally forward-thinking administration considering the gains made in this decade, Elon is also a school that continues to evolve. I suggest you consider what you and your son value at an individual level and you won’t likely go wrong. </p>
<p>Hope to meet up with you at move-in weekend in the fall at Elon. Best of luck sorting things out ; )</p>
<p>Thank you! We were also at the Business Fellows weekend, and that was the main factor for keeping Elon in the "top two". Bentley is also a small school, and very responsive to questions (even after "office" hours)-that is what makes the decision so very difficult for him. As you mentioned, an established reputation vs. an up-and-coming nurturing environment-who knows how much farther Elon will progress in 4 more years?!</p>
<p>How much farther Elon may go in four years may well be reflected in a pattern that has already been set motion. As you probably already know, Elon's website is a fascinating read considering its history. One item that I find particularly interesting that you may want to reference also is the "New Century Blueprint for Excellence" which seems to have been written 4-5 years ago. (See <a href="http://www.elon.edu/e-net/newcentury/american.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.elon.edu/e-net/newcentury/american.asp</a> ) </p>
<p>Reading through strategies conceived in that time frame I can't help but take note of progress being made in terms of measurable gains in academic excellence and facilities, though goals related to endowment levels may still be lagging. Nonetheless, these must be exciting times for students and faculty alike --- today's students at Elon are making school history. </p>
<p>So, getting back to your son and his soon to be made decision, Elon may fit the bill depending on what he truly wants for himself. At Elon, the fellowship he's been offered recognizes his potential and he can expect to be recruited for internship/job opportunities, have privileged access to resources and participate in selective group travel/education experiences with like-minded business students. Not a bad option if he in fact wants to live in a warmer climate and be on a campus where students pursue a variety of interests beyond business education. In the end he has two very solid choices given what you’ve said about him, and he will in all likelihood be well positioned for long term success either way.</p>
<p>Thank you for the info on Elon. We were very impressed with all they offered the students, the faculty involvement/concern for the student, the many, many new buildings and labs, numerous (perhaps a bit excessive) brochures sent, etc. BUT did have the concern as to the source of the funds since the tuition is very reasonable. Will these major expenses come at a cost to the student re: academics?</p>