Elon trip report and addressing other threads comments

Colleges and Universities A-Z Elon University
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<p>I have just come from a trip to Elon to attend a parents council meeting and I want to share some information here. I know many of you are well informed on this thread, but for newcomers, this information might prove useful. Of course, admittedly, I am biased.</p>

<p>I have not posted too much lately due to a back injury and surgery, so my time at the computer has been limited. Thankfully, I am healing well and will be able to contribute more. Please forgive my lack of capitalization and abbreviation. It helps if I can just type and get it out here. This is going to be very long to make up for all the time I have been missing! Grab a cup of coffee and begin reading!</p>

<p>Full disclosure: I am going to get very personal, so you have an example to look at and know my perspective. I have a son who is a freshman. We are from NJ. He was a B+ student who peaked his senior year and got all As with 2 Aps and 1 honors course. Until then, he was quite lazy and like other posters have said, if he liked the teacher, he did well no matter how hard the course, but if he didn’t like the teacher he tuned out and didn’t care. He has ADHD and organizational issues, but refuses to be treated differently to the point of hurting his options. However, as he has matured he is managing very well on his own. His unweighted GPA: 3.3. SAT: eng 720 math 590 ACT eng 32 math 23. You can see the pattern with lower math scores. Elon looks for something special in applicants. S competed nationally in martial arts and was ranked. He was a state champ in 3 categories. So although his grades really suffered during his big competition year, there was a compelling reason. S loves to participate in class. This was one of the things that attracted him to Elon. When we visited, it was love at first site and the more we learned the more we fell in love.</p>

<p>In general, S has had a great first year experience. He loves most of his classes, activities, and is now really starting to feel connected. First semester he was overwhelmed with too many choices of what to do so he did a little of everything and never felt he was part of anything. Now he has settled in to what matters to him most and he feels better socially. He lives in the biz learning community which has been a mixed blessing. Loves the room, but not socially as gelled as some other floors. Next year he will be in a fraternity and is very excited.</p>

<p>Course difficulties: Some have said that course are too easy. I think it depends on the course and the student. S did well first semester and had to work hard to achieve his grades. His lowest grade was in a course on energy. There was a lot of math and so his grade wasn’t the best. BUT he loved the course and the professor. Raved about the course every time we spoke to him. On the other hand, what should have been an easy A, the dreaded health class, (which is being omitted as a required freshmen course) was a disaster. S wanted nothing to do with it and checked out. English and psych were easy for him. That is his strength. CIS he helped many of the other students, so obviously there is some difficulty level in that class. S took a 300 level in his major over winter term. Loved it, but while many of his friends were having easier lower level classes, he was working to all wee hours of the morning. I am sure that as students get in to their majors the difficulty level goes up. So tell your kids to enjoy the ride while they can.</p>

<p>OK on to trip report. Warning: this report is filled with positivity!!!</p>

<p>The new Lakeside facility is beautiful. The decor is fresh, fun. Tile designs on the floors and walls, beautiful fabric on benches. Looks like a resort hotel in some locations. I love the lighting especially in the conference rooms on the second floor. The views from the second floor overlooking the campus on all sides are beautiful, especially looking over the lake. Food wise I am so impressed with selection. Freshii serves healthy salads and wraps. Really nice quality. First organic fast food health restaurant on college campus in US. Kids are flocking to it, so lines are long and there should be another server. Nice idea is that there is an international station that switches themes weekly. (Thai, German, Japanese etc) Again very long lines to get food. I would think that lines will lessen after the newness wears off. The area to eat is light and inviting, but at the moment crowded. The crowds are the biggest issue. </p>

<p>On another note, I want to address food at Elon since it came up on another thread. The meal plan allows for unlimited use in the dining halls. Complaining that selections are too small is ridiculous. Go again. The plus 7 and meal dollars can be used at freshii, fountain market, acorn etc. there are ample choices. 1889 has reopened in nades. They serve crab cakes and steak in a restaurant setting. Kids around the country complain about their food, but there seems to be many good, varied and healthy options at Elon.</p>

<p>The lakeside dorms are going up fast. They are even working on Sunday. The students who face the lake are going to have beautiful views. Others will face the football stadium, tailgating anyone?</p>

<p>Admissions report: I didn’t write down numbers, but I will give you the general feel. The VP of admissions, Greg Zaiser, went to Elon for undergrad and grad school. He exudes Elon from head to toe. He has teens and is going through the admissions process at home so he understands what parents are going through. Admissions very happy with applicant pool. Very strong candidates. There were slightly less applications than last year, but increased quality. </p>

<p>As you know, Elon has you write an essay and if you choose (doesn’t everyone) a personal statement. This weeds out many candidates who send out resumes to lots of schools, but don’t send to Elon. Elon is not on the common app and that also increases a schools numbers, so looking at the numbers can be greatly inflated and misleading.<br>
Elon wants the kids who really want to be at Elon and demonstrate that desire. That is why Elon admits around 85% early decision. There was a news article that said 99%, that is wrong. There were over 6200 applicants for early action, up 18%, and approx. 50% have been accepted. The stats are high: weighted GPA 4.27, with SAT ave 1960, ACT 28. I have to believe that in the past there may have been students with lesser stats. BUT, if they demonstrated the real desire to be at Elon and had another compelling story (like my son’s martial arts) they were admitted. I know this has come up on other threads. Students with 2200 SATS were rejected, while others much lower accepted. This is due to the holistic approach Elon has to admissions. They look for students who want to be engaged in the classroom and in the school. </p>

<p>The school is trying hard to increase ethnic diversity. Class of 2017 is 10% Jewish. Anticipate still the 60/40 female to male ratio.Also admissions rep now in California to try an in increase West coast presence.</p>

<p>President Leo Lambert’s Report written randomly. (I could listen to Leo all day. You will understand when you attend fellows weekend or convocation. he is an engaging speaker and a leader with vision)</p>

<p>Best value college 7 years in a row Kiplingers</p>

<p>On line courses-over 50 during the summer, but wants to make sure that the brick and mortar college experience is exceptional and not fall prey to all the talk of institutions going to on line learning</p>

<p>Investing in faculty important</p>

<p>Number 1 study abroad program in country. 72% of students participate. Wants 100% study abroad and working to raise and make funds available</p>

<p>64mil in endowments in 2005 up to 152mil now. alumni is young so count on parent participation</p>

<p>Now donors are able to designate giving to special projects. Parents outpaced alums in Ever Elon Campaign. </p>

<p>Importance of alums and parents in networking. Offer internships.</p>

<p>The book Transforming a College is being updated and will be published again soon. If you have never read it, you should to understand Elon’s current and future strategies. Great and inspiring read.</p>

<p>There are currently 100 international students and the goal is to have 300.</p>

<p>This is the report that I found the most fascinating: Elon leads the nation in a US News "Focus on Student Success" ranking of key programs that enrich the college experience. Elon is among the nation’s leaders in the following categories:
• Internships
• Study abroad
• Senior capstone experiences
• First-year experience
• Learning communities
• Service learning
• Undergraduate research/creative projects
Elon is the only school named in seven of the eight key program categories. the next only is ranked in 4!!!!!!!!!
The full report of US News rankings: E-Net</a>! News & Information</p>

<p>Campaign report
There is the Annual, capital, and endowment campaigns
Capital...Hunt softball, Koury fieldhouse, Sklut Hillel, performing arts expansion, School of Communication/admissions-welcome center goal to open approx 24 months
Women's lacrosse new on campus
New performing arts center black box,dance studio,rehearsal studios
New Admissions center to open where Moseley parking lot. McMichael will remain parking lot of admissions and Moseley.
Communications bldng to have windows like NBC studios in ny, </p>

<p>I know I wrote a lot. I welcome questions. PM me or post. I might add, going to the Elon website and clicking on E-net will keep you updated on happenings. Just looking at the calendar will give you an idea of all the activities going on campus.</p>

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<p>Wow! Thanks for the update. Sounds great!</p>

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<p>Thank you Samtalya – that was awesome! Our daugther will be a freshman next year. We loved everything about it before, and it just keeps getting better. :)</p>

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<p>Thank you! This is very helpful.</p>

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<p>The information you provided was very helpful. I was very impressed when I visited the school and think it would be an excellent choice for my son. The one concern I have is does your son ever get bored. There was not much around that area and the campus is not large so I wonder if the students have a lot to occupy them or do they get bored.</p>

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<p>Does my son get bored? The better question is how can he find enough time in the day to do all he wants to get done? the first few weeks are tough on campus until all the clubs start meeting and getting underway. it is about finding your fit no matter where you are. </p>

<p>go to the football and basketball games. go to the club fair. greek life is big, but it isn’t like the animal house days that we remember. there are so many performances, speakers and lecturers on campus. it is a matter for your child looking at the calendar and going. even if it means dragging a roommate or going alone. remember once there, you are going to meet like minded students. over the summer before your child goes to school, look at the event calendar together and go over the possible student organizations on the web site. then when the club fair comes up, s/he wont be so intimidated. with over 150 organizations, it is a matter of putting yourself out there.</p>

<p>now my son is very much enmeshed in his studies and activities and it is hard to fit anymore in.</p>

<p>if you want the excitement of a big city, Elon is not for your child. but if you want a self running campus, there is a lot to do. remember greensboro is 30 minutes away and raleigh is under an hour. in the surrounding burlington area, there is every store, fast food place that you would find at home. alamance crossing has most of the same stores you find back home. guys don’t seem to care about shopping, but if you have a girl, the tanger outlets are 15 mins away.</p>

<p>so the next question will be, do you need a car? yes and no. my son has one and is thrilled to have the flexibility. he goes to the drugstore when he runs out of toothpaste and to the shake place in the middle of the night, which is an elon tradition. there are lots of kids on campus who have cars and offering money to go on an errand seems to work. there is also the opportunity to rent a zipcar for short errand runs and the website zimride if you are looking for rides to the airport or home.</p>

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<p>“On the other hand, what should have been an easy A, the dreaded health class, (which is being omitted as a required freshmen course) was a disaster.”</p>

<p>LOL - same with my S!!</p>

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<p>I wanted to add that Elon has a 90% retention rate of freshmen. That is very high. We all know that no school is for everyone. My s has 3 friends from other colleges who are transferring after this year and one already has. It happens. But 90% are happy at Elon. I remember hearing graduation rates in the 80s but cant find exact. Lafalum maybe you can find that. you are good at research, my search found other data. :)</p>

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<p>Thank you samtalya for your post. Very useful and appreciate that you took the time. It certainly helps!</p>

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<p>This may be useful:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/administration/institutional_research/factbooks/FactBookGrad12.pdf[/url]”>http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/administration/institutional_research/factbooks/FactBookGrad12.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks RVM, great stuff in this report.</p>

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<p>Definitely will check out. Sounds like a school my D would really be interested in.</p>

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<p>Ah, the Health Course. A low C for my student (now Elon grad). He couldn’t explain it, I just eventually ignored it. FWIW I know Elon has a reputation as a school that is heavy Greek. The reputation is not undeserved, but my son and his crowd are all very happy Elon grads and not of them joined the fraternity scene.</p>

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<p>Yikes…how does one get a 4.27 GPA?? Doesn’t it stop at 4??</p>

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<p>A “B” in a regular class is a 3.0, a “B” in a honors class is a 4.0. An “A” in a regular class is a 4.0, an "A"in a honors class is a 5.0. So, the 4.27 is a weighted GPA. </p>

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<p>Do you know if Elon is planning on building a new gym for students?</p>

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<p>While Elon always seems to have some major building projects in progress, a new gym does not appear to be on the table in the foreseeable future. Construction should be finished in the next few months of the entire global community, as the plan is to have all that dorm housing available for fall. Expansions of the science and communications buildings will be underway soon, as well as a 5,000 seat convocation center, which may occasionally be used for sporting events, as well as a 1,500 seat auditorium.</p>

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<p>Elon definitely offers a lot of programming on diversity and globalism, including lectures and events. However, the study body is still not very diverse at all, comprising almost 85% white students. There have been a few racial incidents on campus this year (her first year) which were disheartening to hear about as a parent and very upsetting to my daughter and some of the other minority students on campus. Until those kinds of things stop happening with some regularity (you can Google “Elon” and “racist incidents” to see a history there), it is going to be difficult for the college to get a critical mass of minority students. It’s a shame because it is such a lovely campus and the involved/engaged learning model works so well for many students. </p>