<p>These are my top two schools. What are the pros and cons to each? If you attend either, can you tell me why you chose the school you did?</p>
<p>My D1 graduated from Dickinson a couple of years ago, so I can speak to that school. She chose Dickinson because it was strong in international relations and political science, they gave her good merit money, she found the students to be friendly when she visited (one of the few schools where she visited a class and the other students struck up a conversation with her), because it wasn’t close to home and is not far from DC, and because the library is beautiful when you drive or walk past at night. 
She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and got a job she loves after graduating (via networking with a student who graduated ahead of her). She has done well professionally, currently managing a department of 25 people.</p>
<p>Pros: She had close connections with her professors (still in touch with several of them), had great experiences studying off campus (one semester abroad in an unusual country and one semester on the Washington Program where she interned at the Department of State), and had an internship in Carlisle at the Army War College during the school year. She made lots of good friends (she was not part of the Greek system). She had a very rigorous experience senior year writing a senior thesis (which was then nominated as one of the top 60 in her subject area in the country that year) – it was stressful, but I think she was happy she did it afterwards. It also gave her a taste of what grad school might be like if she decides to go. She was really active in different clubs on campus, and met a great significant other that she is still with. </p>
<p>Cons: Wow… honestly, I don’t remember hearing her say much of anything that wasn’t good. There are a fair number of “LAX Bros” on campus, but it was not overwhelming. It seems to rain a lot in Carlisle.</p>
<p>Elon is more preprofessional - students interested in college as a means to getting job, and in grades as ways of ranking themselves. Dickinson is more international-minded and more “intellectual”, interested in learning for learning’s sake. Both have pretty campuses.
Apply to both and come back to post a “college x vs. college z” thread when you’ve been admitted to both.</p>
<p>While I think overall that may be true (esp. if Elon is very pre-professional, I am not sure), we found Dickinson to be more practical and focused on helping their students build skills and get jobs than many of the LACs we have visited. They seem to have, to some extent, figured out that LAC/build skills needed in the workplace combination better than a lot of more insular, inward focused LAC we have visited. </p>
<p>^I agree. Dickinson has figured out the LAC/professional skills set :), very well-put.</p>
<p>Elon is not a LAC so it’s not looking at similar balance. It’s “rebuilt itself from the ground up” to go from a third tier general university to a brand-name in about 15 years, it’s actually a case study :p. Part of their change was how they decided “experiential rather than purely academic learning” was a niche, so looking for students who wanted to go to college to get a job, then providing them with experiences and skills related to that without sacrificing academic quality, was part of their change. There was some push back at first but as the new orientation seemed to work, it consolidated into a coherent teaching/learning system that attracts very strong students.</p>
<p>I greatly respect Elon, and especially its well managed, well deserved, and rapid stature increase. However, many resumes are read by evaluators and hiring officials who are seasoned professionals, possibly in their 40’s, 50’s, or 60’s. They will all recognize Dickinson’s long-standing reputation – it was founded in 1783 – as an excellent LAC. How many, however, will understand that Elon – founded in 1889 – is now an excellent undergraduate institution? Please understand that, based on the facts, Elon is quite competitive (with all the good/excellent LACs, including Dickinson). But it is also an unfortunate fact that PERCEPTIONS are quite critical. </p>
<p>These were two of the schools which my daughter was accepted to and were 2 of her top choices. She chose Dickinson, where she is now a sophomore, and is having a a great experience there.</p>
<p>I think of Dickinson as having stronger academics and a more academic vibe. It is more selective than Elon, and has a very strong alumni network. Dickinson really emphasizes the “practical liberal arts”, and that you can have a true liberal arts education which will nonetheless prepare you for a good career. Personally, I feel that between the two schools, Dickinson offers better potential future career opportunities, in a wide range of fields. </p>
<p>Dickinson is particularly strong in foreign languages and its study abroad programs. My daughter is planning to study abroad in two different locations during the two semesters of junior year - Italy and Australia, in Dickinson run programs. My daughter has participated in many extra-curricular activities, and has found them to be very accessible. Socially, it is a very welcoming place, and my daughter has made good friends. She does have to work hard on her studies, as much is expected of students. In terms of cons, my daughter is not thrilled with the dorm she got this year, in the quads, which are less appealing buildings. However, she had a wonderful dorm building next year, with amazing common areas, in a great location. </p>
<p>Since she didn’t attend Elon, I don’t know as much about it. The campus was really beautiful, and the students seem to really enjoy their time there. The food options on campus seemed really good. It is not a LAC, but a small University, which offers a number of professional majors. There is an active Elon forum here on CC, so you can get more info if you post there. Elon’s tuition costs less than other private schools of its caliber. Elon’s male/female ratio</p>
<p>For my daughter, I think the selection of Dickinson over Elon was partly because of distance/location. We are from NJ, and she had some trepidations about going to college in the South, and a larger distance away from home. The stronger academics and reputation of the school were also a factor. These types of choices are very personal, and there is no single best choice for everyone. I would say to apply to both (and other schools), and then make a decision once all the info is in, including financial aid. </p>