<p>I was accepted to Elon w/ a Presidential Scholarship, and up until now I just kind of assumed that I wouldn't go. I applied somewhat thinking it was just a safety and never really had big intentions of going.</p>
<p>However, with the economy looking the way it is and my family's stock portfolio plummeting, it looks like Elon is a pretty good option. Now someone from my high school attends and he isn't much of a fan - says it is a lot of rich kids who drink themselves into oblivion every weekend and that academics come low on the priority radar for them. </p>
<p>Can anyone offer some positive advice about Elon? I know that is just the opinion of one guy and it certainly isn't by any means accurate...so who's got something great to say about Elon for a prospective journalism or history major and a dance minor?</p>
<p>I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. I hadn't really seriously considered Elon before either, but the economy is making me look twice. Obviously, I wouldn't know anything about Elon's school environment, etc, but I do know that - as far as prospective students go - they have given the best response of all the universities I've applied to. They seem to have a genuine interest in me and the lady I've been in contact with feels like a friend. I don't know if that helps, but good luck all the same! </p>
<p>By the way, what amount did they offer you as a Pres. Scholarship, if you don't mind sharing?</p>
<p>The Journalism and History departments are very strong. So is the Dance department, from what I've heard. Also, the liberal arts base of your education would probably be great in terms of History and Journalism especially.</p>
<p>Elon definitely has a lot of partying, and a lot of people certainly value that more than their studies. However, it seems to me that most people have been taking their studies much more seriously lately. I don't know if this has to do with rising admission standards or not, but I suspect it is. Elon isn't the party school it used to be, in my opinion. However, the truth is, there isn't much to do in and around Elon without going to the Chapel Hill, Raleigh/Durham, or Greensboro areas. If people were only drinking on the weekends, I'd say that would probably be below the norm for most colleges considering the surrounding area.</p>
<p>One of the best things about Elon is the personal attention you can receive from your professors, especially if you seek it out. Since classes are capped at 30 students a section, you're more likely to be known on a first name basis with your professors.
The dorms are great.
The food is above average and there are a lot of options most days.
There are lots of clubs and sports. One of my best friends recently started a water ski club, and one of the families that has a daughter that goes to Elon donated their top of the line 2007 MasterCraft.
If you like Greek life, there's a LOT of it.
It's very pretty and the weather is great.
It's an up and coming school, and it's reputation is getting better every year.
They're doing a lot of new construction on campus. While this seems to stink at first, it shows that the school is dedicated to keeping the facilities top of the line. You'll notice on a visit that most of the classrooms have new furniture. I thought this was the norm for most schools, but one of my friends from home recently told me that the classrooms at his school had a lot of broken furniture.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. If there's anything else feel free to ask.</p>
<p>My daughter is a junior there and just loves it. She is very involved with her soriety, and loves most of her classes and teachers. I do agree with the poster before me , at least from everything my daughter has told me.</p>
<p>My daughter and I went there for an open house and it went to the top of her list. Just the right size, beautiful campus, homey feel, and the faculty seems to be terrific. They also REALLY encourage travel abroad and internships. We found the student body more diversified than their reputation, but with such small numbers it was of course not what you'd find in a huge Public University. I would strongly encourage you to go visit before it comes off the list. It is a small investment in a very important decision.</p>
<p>This school is definitely on the rise. My son is currently a senior and is sad his time at Elon is soon coming to an end. As I have not been down to visit since the end of his Sophomore year. He tells me the area is exploding with growth (both at the University itself and the surrounding town of Burlington). We lived close to Elon for eight years and he tells me that "I won't recognize the area."</p>
<p>The school is getting harder to get into as it's popularity is increasing across the board. The tuition is definitely appealing. Close to $20,000 less than many private schools up north. </p>
<p>Quality of education is excellent. My son has never complained about the rigor of any of the classes or the accessibility and caliber of his professors. He has worked very hard and we've gotten our moneys worth! Size just right...not to big, not too small.</p>
<p>Campus is beautiful. Weather is great. Although there is a change of seasons....winter definitely is not as harsh. Proximity to airports - Greensboro and Raleigh. Great to have two options for those living far away. Has never complained about things to do on weekends. As the area is expanding, he has said the variety of restaurants and new movie theater are a definite plus. Of course, there is a party scene...what college campus doesn't have one? Definitely not a city environment like NYC, DC, Boston, but not in the middle of nowhere. There are options.</p>
<p>Most importantly...the school needs to be the right fit for your child. Every school has pluses and minuses. For my son it was the right fit. Good luck!</p>
<p>My advice is to be careful of any advice which groups an entire campus under the same description. I am sure there are "rich kids" there who "drink themselves into oblivion" every weekend, just as I am sure there are very middle class kids who don't drink at all. And I would bet that the majority of kids are somewhere in the middle. A school like Elon doesn't get the national attention that it has without something to it!!</p>
<p>I come from a small town outside Boston. Elon is most definitely in the middle of nowhere, there just happens to be shopping complexes in the area that have replaced the mill business that used to be based in Burlington. Even though it is right on the highway, you definitely have to travel to find stuff to do off campus other than shopping, eating out, or the movies.</p>
<p>If Elon cost as much as any other private university, it really wouldn't be that significant, but when you put it in comparison with the actual price of Elon, it's a decent chunk. Just thought it was significant but apparently not.</p>
<p>I do have a point of comparison. We lived in Greensboro for quite some time and now live in Connecticut. I suppose for you coming from a "small town outside of Boston", any where may seem like the middle of nowhere. I will say, most things are very "commercial" compared to New England. Location and things to do may be very subjective.</p>
<p>It is definitely not a major city which offers museums, theater, mega shopping, ethnic restaurants, music/comedy clubs. However, we've looked at schools for my other child which are in the "middle of nowhere" - more than an hour and a half to a major airport. That's in the middle of nowhere! </p>
<p>It depends what type of environment a student is seeking. Besides, most students usually go to the movies, restaurants, or shop on the weekend. Elon definitely has plenty of that in relatively close proximity.</p>
<p>glad to hear all this good press.....definitely on the radar here, but I fear it's getting too competitive....does anyone know the ED admittance rate this past December?</p>
<p>NEMOM,
Point taken. I guess I was referring to more how there is very little within walking distance or a quick drive other than major shopping complexes. In the town I grew up in, there is very little within walking distance as well, and I'd say Elon has a comparable amount to Metrowest Boston suburbs. My town has almost everything within a 10-15 minute drive. However, a 35-45 minute drive to Greensboro, R/D, or CH is not my idea of being in proximity to things to do. There is definitely a lack of culture events, such as music, beyond lectures and movies. Elon has for years been called a 'bubble' because it is quite separated from the surrounding area and doesn't have a lot going on separate from the University. I would classify Elon as being in the middle of nowhere, mostly because if you don't like what's happening on campus, there isn't really anywhere else to go that isn't a significant drive. On the weekends it's not a big deal, but during the week it's hard to get away if you have to drive close to an hour each way.
It is great being near a bunch of airports, though.</p>