<p>statistically, i'm a borderline kid so i applied to 10 schools hoping that only half of them would take me and make my decision a lot easier. however all the top schools that I expected would deny me accepted me and now i have 8 acceptances...i've narrowed it down to Elon University, University of Virginia, and Wake Forest.</p>
<p>I've heard Elon is like a "country club" and that's definitely not the type of environment I want to be in. Diversity is very important to me and I don't want to feel out of place in a sea of brand names.</p>
<p>My hesitation about going to Wake Forest is the intense work load. I'm not a lazy student but my SAT scores were waaay below the 50th Percentile. I'm really worried I won't be able to keep up with my studies or handle the work load.</p>
<p>And then there's UVa. Well I live in Charlottesville and have spent the last 17 years of my life saying I wouldn't go to UVa. I know it is an excellent school and has everything I'm interested in persuing [minus a decent dance program...which Elon does have & Wake has as a minor] but I don't want to end up stuck in Charlottesville. I was planning on coming back to UVa for grad school and I don't want to be a "Double-Hoo" (doing both undergrad and grad at UVa)</p>
<p>so this is where i am...any suggestions on how to decide???</p>
<p>Sounds like you want Wake, and they wouldn't have let you in if they didn't think you could handle it. The kids I know who go to Wake are well-rounded and smart, but not brainiacs, and they are doing well there. As for Elon, I would recommend doing a little research, as I haven't seen the one-dimensional side you mention. The kids I know who go there are also well-rounded and smart, and much more varied. If anything Elon stresses community service more than Wake, and those kids reflect that. Neither are particularly diverse, but I think both are trying. As for UVA, great school but sounds like you've eliminated it for undergrad. Good luck- 3 great choices.</p>
<p>problem is, I think the general atmosphere at Wake Forest (at least in terms of the sea of brand names) is going to be similar to Elon. You and I both know that there are strong elements of this at UVa as well, but the school is large enough that all sorts of people are represented to some degree.
What's wrong with being a "Double-Hoo?" That's what I am, and it hasn't ruined my life particularly. I do sympathize though about going to school in the same town where you've been raised- that's not so good for someone looking for a change and maybe seeking some "adventure". But, from what you've said, UVa is probbably your best choice, unless you want to revisit your other acceptances.</p>
<p>if you're serious about dance, go to elon
i agree with weldon the atmosphere at wake forest and elon are going to be similiar
is money a factor? wake forest (w/o a scholarship) is probably $20,000 more than elon and $30,000 more than in state uva</p>
<p>Wake GENERALLY is a stronger school than Elon..but Elon has been coming on strong and its scores are rising rapidly, while Wake has been pretty static over the years. They essentially admit the same students, as does Uva. There are MORE minorities and "diversity" than you may expect at all three schools. Elon is a GORGEOUS campus and a bit quieter than Wake. Wake has excellent sports and competes with UVa, whereas Elon is in the SoCon and competes with smaller and lesser known schools like Furman (another excellent school by the way) and Georgia Southern. The Administration at Elon is just superb...very warm endearing people who emphasize community service and they also send a HUGE percentage of kids overseas every year. Wake OWNS the buildings it sends kids to in London and Venice and its a lifetime open door to stay there.</p>
<p>Wakes faculty is probably a tad bit stronger than Elon. If you want to enjoy college and get a good education and be less stressed, then Elon is the choice. If you want to get a kick in the pants and get prepped for Graduate school, then Wake and UVa are the choice.</p>
<p>And btw, I think that UVa is the BEST public university in the country. Better than Michigan and Chapel Hill and Berkeley in my view. </p>
<p>But yes, being away from home has its benefits.</p>
<p>I would strongly urge you to not make your decision based on grad school . . . even if you are going to UVa for grad school 4 years is a long time to change your plans. At Wake more that Elon is the 'country club' atmosphere. Elon use to be this way but has admitted more minority students. I would recomend going to UVa based on school quality but see the getting away from home side.</p>