<p>My D was accepted as a Communications Fellow. She is trying to decide whether to go to Elon with that program or to Wake Forest. Can anyone tell me specificallly what being in the fellows program for communications gives you? Has anyone done it already? How special is it really? What are the opportunities you were offered as a comm. fellow?</p>
<p>carolee: if this were my child, I would contact the fellows program (or have your daughter do so) to talk to a student who has already completed part of it…</p>
<p>when we were at Spring orientation, there was a Communications seminar with professors and students…amazing experiences both from Fellows students and non-fellows…</p>
<p>I do not feel comfortable giving out the contact information for the students we met, but I’m sure that the School of Comm or the fellows program would be more than happy to help…</p>
<p>on a separate note, I did not know that Wake has an accredited communications school/program/major…?</p>
<p>This may help:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/academics/communications/fellows/FellowsFLASHF10.pdf[/url]”>http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/academics/communications/fellows/FellowsFLASHF10.pdf</a></p>
<p>Wake does offer a major/minor in Communication. I do not know any specifics about the program.</p>
<p>[WFU</a> | Communication Department](<a href=“Department of Communication - Department of Communication”>Department of Communication - Department of Communication)</p>
<p>Carolee - you might want to also post on the WF forum to get more Wake feedback.</p>
<p>thanks!! both good suggestions. I will explore both options.</p>
<p>I used to teach at Elon and am somewhat familiar with Wake’s program too. At Wake, the focus is more general communication. At Elon, it’s mass comm (like broadcasting, journalism, strategic comm). So it really depends on your daughter’s interest. Elon can’t be beat for broadcasting, that’s for sure. When I was at Elon, Fellows were treated like a special class of students. They were able to get involved in campus media right away. They took trips to Atlanta and LA. They had special access to speakers that came to campus (like Cronkite when I was there).</p>
<p>thanks suzybee. we are still contemplating our options. The pull is hard for Wake, but the communications program at Elon is so exciting.</p>
<p>I have reservations with Wake - the grading system; I believe is the bell curve which is extremely challenging and leads to students feeling incredibly stressed vs. my sense is Elon is more holistic academics. </p>
<p>While Wake has national recognition (& big rah-rah sports) going for it I worry about the emotional toll the Work Forest (work hard, play hard) mentality takes on the student - especially if you live far away. Some kids are fine with that competition. some kids are geniuses and they will do fine. I expereinced both in my college career & knew I wanted a more holistic, supportive academic environment for my kids. </p>
<p>I am thinking Elon’s reputation is building in the NE – where it will become recognized like a Wake, Duke but for other attributes. Just mentioned Elon to someone in Mass. & PA–they were freaking out b/c Elon had just come on their family’s radar too (younger HS kids). Sign of rising popularity?</p>
<p>thanks for your thoughts livesinnewjersey. I was concerned about the grade deflation as well, but after talking with many students, it does seem to me not to be that big of an issue. Everyone is going through the same thing. My d has great time management and writing skills and her possible choices in majors seem to be not as stressful as say pre-med or engineering. I have become more confident that she can handle it. I know Elon is a wonderful school too and that made the decision that much harder.</p>