My daughter (now a senior) chose not to go Greek. She has never regretted that decision. She’s a very social girl and she has lots of friends who are Greek, and lots who aren’t. She’s very involved on campus and has never felt that not being Greek has hurt her social life. (It is easier for girls because they are always welcome at parties. My daughter said that guys kind of need to find a group – Frat, religious group. sport etc. because they aren’t usually welcome at other guy’s parties)
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Hi all. I am the author of this thread: "Transferring to Elon in January of sophomore year. Biochem major. Pre-dental. Nervous"
I am sophomore at a highly ranked small liberal arts college. I want to transfer to Elon in order to have a greater selection of courses, and for a new environment. My current school is suffocating with its extreme liberal students. There is no tolerance for anyone who has different opinions. Most importantly, I am having trouble scheduling the courses I need for dental school. Elon appears to have everything I am looking for in terms of courses.
I am nervous about starting over with no friends. I have never been interested in joining a sorority (my current school has no Greek life), and I am not sure I could even join a sorority as a mid-year sophomore transfer at Elon.
Doe anyone have ANY input regarding my situation? I would like to make the change, but I am afraid that I will be socially isolated coming in so late. Do I have to be part of a sorority in order to make friends?
Are the professors helpful and approachable? Are the chem and bio courses good and challenging? My current school has wonderful science professors who are always happy to meet with me. I just cannot get the courses I need.
Does anybody have any words of advice here? I really would like to move, but I am nervous about knowing no one! Where will I live? Where should I live? I thought about starting in the winter term so that I could jump in with both feet and already be acclimated when the spring semester starts. Good idea??
Are students academically challenged at Elon? I like to learn, and courses now are tough (but I have good grades). I plan to major in chem or biochem.
Are the students at Elon happy? My campus is very depressing… my friends and I agree on this.
I am worried about the party scene as well. The party scene at my school is low key.
Finally, and I know this is stupid… but I worry about Elon’s reputation. My family is not snooty but I grew up in a snooty area, and all of my classmates and I were steered towards “elite” schools. And here I am at my elite school wanting to be happy. Do you all really feel like Elon is a good academic school, esp. for the sciences? I loved Elon when I visited in HS (multiple times)… but alas I guess it wasn’t “elite” enough.
In summary, I want interesting, exciting, different science courses that are well taught. And I want to be happy again.
Thanks for ANY tips here - I truly appreciate it!
@taternappy - my D is a current, fanatically happy sophomore, and my S attended Elon as well. Socially, as long as you have outside interests, you will be able to meet people and build your network of friends. Most Elon students are very engaged in at least one activity, and usually more. I’m not sure that starting during winter term is a good idea for a sophomore - almost all of my D’s friends will be taking classes off campus/abroad, as will many upperclassman. The vibe is different during that month, more low key, which may not give you the type of start you are hoping for. However, if there is any chance that you want to explore Greek life, then you may want to start in January since rush occurs during Fake break (the break between winter term and spring semester.). I have no knowledge of science majors, but my D has been happy with her classes, challenged by the work but not overloaded to the point of major stress. Plenty of time for extracurriculars. She has good relationships with her professors and was asked to do research this semester which she is enjoying. Has never had a problem getting classes she wanted/needed. She did a winter term class last year that went to Iowa for the caucuses - the class was pretty evenly divided between conservatives and liberals, no issues with acceptance of those on the other side. The party scene is almost entirely off campus in houses and apartments. Parties are mostly thrown by extracurricular organizations - frats, sororities, club sports, acapella groups, ENN, etc. Often there are mixers between 2 organizations. This is where it helps to be involved in at least one extracurricular group (doesn’t have to be Greek; my S’s social life was all with his club sport.) Elon’s reputation is rising as the school grows, particularly as a school that produces well-rounded, experienced applicants. They have a good network of resources for internships. Again, I can’t speak to your pre-dental track. If you are that unhappy, but still concerned about whether Elon is a good fit, you should try to visit again and spend some time in the science departments - the professors will be happy to meet with you if you arrange it ahead of time. Good luck!
Thank you @Embracethemess. I have read other threads that talk about severe punishments for underage drinking on campus OR off. Court dates, expulsion, removed from leadership positions in clubs. Do you have any knowledge of this? My college has a look the other way policy. As long as no one is being hurt, they are not concerned about drinking. I am 20 a drink a little, but I sure don’t want to be expelled for it!
Students figure out how to work around the drinking rules. Elon is far from a dry campus; they definitely know how to have fun. I think you just have to be more discreet, especially on campus; don’t carry open alcohol etc. You will not find a rocking Greek Row at Elon, the Greek section of campus is very quiet. Frats have houses off campus and are spread out quite a bit. But that doesn’t seem to be a problem. They have a Safe Rides program that students take advantage of. Students will “pregame” with friends on campus and then head out to the parties.
My daughter is currently a senior in high school and applied ED at Elon. As the notification date approaches, I am trying to find out how Elon will let her know whether or not she is admitted. Do they send a letter, an email, or does she have to check online? This is so stressful and I’d like to be prepared for how she will receive the news!
Does anyone have any insight into how the various classes spend Winter Term? Do most freshman go abroad, or go home, or remain on campus for a class? By sophomore/junior year, I imagine most go abroad? Maybe senior year too? I’d appreciate any info.
@eherrin Your daughter will receive an email a few days ahead of when they plan on announcing & then she will be able to log into the portal at midnight the day of the notification to get the results if I recall correctly (if you look at some of the notification threads from last year I think they’ll have more details). It’s very stressful & exciting & hard to go to sleep afterward regardless of the answer.
@roycroftmom My daughter is a freshman & will be returning to campus for J Term. My understanding is that 98% (or some astronomically high number like that) of freshman spend J Term on campus & it’s strongly encouraged from the beginning that they do so. Soph/Juniors/Seniors are mixed- many use it as an opportunity to study abroad, some use it to do internships and many do stay on campus to take classes in a more intense environment. But most freshman do remain on campus.
Typically Freshman do not study abroad winter term. There’s too much adjustment freshman year without throwing international travel into the mix. There is a good contingent of all grade levels that take advantage of Winter term classes on campus - and also rush is during “fake break” between winter term and spring, so students interested in/involved in Greek life will typically be there.
I wouldn’t say “most” sophomore/juniors study abroad winter term, but many do. Especially if you have a major that makes it difficult to study abroad for an entire semester, study abroad winter term is a great option. Elon certainly wants all students to have as much real world experience as possible, but not every student can or does study abroad multiple times. There are additional costs involved in studying abroad.
Does Elon require a mid-year report?
Lots of helpful info on this thread. Can anyone tell me if it’s possible to double major AND spend a semester studying abroad? The two majors would not be sciences.
It’s really going to depend on how closely related the majors are. If the student can “double-dip” and count certain classes towards both majors it should be doable, but it’s also going to depend on how willing the department(s) are to take credit from courses abroad towards the majors. Working out a plan right from the beginning with the advisors will be important. Effectively leveraging winter term helps a lot as well. Also helpful is if there are any dual-enrollment or AP courses that allow the student to skip some core requirements.
i will tell you that my son (junior) is double majoring, spending this Winter term abroad, is on a varsity sport and would be able to graduate early except the the way the classes line up he will have to take 3 classes in the fall and 2 classes in the spring. he did have 6 classes accepted for college credit from his high school.
Hope that helps
I have the same question, citymama9. Also, how are my D’s stats to get in?
4.3 gpa weighted
8 AP classes, mostly 5’s, some 4’s but A grade in each & should get A’s in the 3 of those she has now
ACT 29 but reading, writing 34 & 35, math & science pulled her down, same with SAT 1230 so scores not great
Double major Art History/History, possible French minor
Good volunteer work
Just Ok leadership
President history club, founded Art History Club
Does online archive work cataloging items for Charleston Historical Society
3500 kids in her huge school, she is in %16th, might get better after this sem grades close out
My older son and I visited Elon in Summer 2015; we left knowing it wasn’t exactly right for him. Our tour guide was sweet but not great. My younger son and I visited a few months ago (Fall 2016) and left with a completely different impression. Both of us knew after our tour that he (2nd son) would be really happy at Elon. Our tour guide the second time around was AMAZING and that definitely helped. But my two boys, though best friends, need different school environments. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed he is offered a Fellows place or scholarship (I’m not sure of the exact wording) so we can afford it without huge loans.
Any thoughts about the Honors Fellows program would be welcome. I know it’s competitive.
Hi I have a question,
I currently have a 3.3 gpa from the fall semester, I’m trying to either get the same gpa or try my best to get a 3.5. I will have to send out my hs info, which is: my hs gpa was around a 2.6 and my sat score was a 980. I know that is very low, but I’m trying to redeem myself by getting a really good gpa so colleges don’t really have to look at my hs/sat scores that much. Btw, I’m a Sociology major and I’m trying to pursue a career in Speech Pathology. Do I have a chance of getting in?
@julyzahxo I am sorry, but I do not think your chances are very high of getting in. Look at some of the threads…there are kids with 1300 SATs who have been deferred. I think it is great that you are trying to redeem yourself and get your grades up though! Keep at it!
When do students usually fly home for winter break?
I only ask because someone told me they’re done the first week of December.