<p>You are right, Angst....on the general admissions. If your child chooses to pursue a BFA degree in musical theater (do not know that she will go that route or not), you'll now know that it is a different ballgame than regular general admissions to these very same colleges. So a college that otherwise does not seem that hard to get into (for instance for your older D who was a very good student) might be very very very hard to get into for the BFA program. Here is an example for you.....Penn State. Good school. My niece goes there and she is definitely an above average student. You do not have to be a stellar student to get in nor have very high SATs, etc. It is not super hard to get into but not easy of course. So, for example, I recall your older D as being a top notch student. She'd get into Penn State no sweat from her stats as I recall them last year. But say she was a candidate for the BFA degree at Penn State. They auditioned 350 kids (if I recall the number accurately, I hope) and they admitted approx. 15 kids into the program. Them are tough odds. Not what you think of when you hear Penn State, right? That's what I mean. </p>
<p>I thought the admit rates at the elite (not BFA) colleges my older D applied to were very very tough odds but the BFA degree program odds my younger D applied to were even worse. It is an eye opening statistic and better to learn it now if you are remotely considering this. I recall several years back that an older friend of my D's (four years older) was applying to BFA programs and her mom was telling me of these 5% admit rates and I thought, for sure, that CANNOT be true. Her D ended up at NYU/Tisch/CAP21. Now, we have gone through this and have learned that indeed that is a typical or average admit rate to most of these programs. It is quite a shock to hear it for the first time though!
Susan</p>
<p>The reason Elon gives out the acorns to freshmen and oak seedlings to graduates is because ELON means OAK in Hebrew. (If you look at their logo it has oak leaves with an acorn. The campus itself is absolutely lovely and has huge, old trees everywhere.) The gift of these oaks in various stages is an old tradition at Elon, so we were told. Yea, it can seem a little sentimental to do that, but sounds like it's been done for years and they stick to it.</p>
<p>There is something solid about the place...the setting, the professors, the other students. My D turned down 3 wonderful BFA MT offers to go to Elon this fall. We really think that Elon is making a name for itself with its graduates. For MT kids looking for a traditional college experience AND a good BFA program, Elon is a great choice. </p>
<p>Elon has a very strong overseas studies program...I think at least 75% of the student body take advantage of Elon's overseas connections either during their short term or for a semester. If that % is not right, it's at least close. We know of a BFA MT student who went to London this past short term. Several BFA MT programs don't allow ANY time for overseas study. We are glad it is still an option at Elon.
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The school has become so popular overall for admissions that they've stopped their rolling admissions. There are only 91 kids in my D's graduating class and at least 10 of them applied to Elon...3 are going.
Only about 30% of the student body is from NC, so we're expecting some diversity.</p>
<p>I'll be happy to relate my D's experiences and our opinions after she's been there a while.</p>
<p>Please do keep us posted on your D's year. We visited w/ our son and were very impressed. You answered my question on out of state students. Any idea on what the breakdown is for students from North vs South? Several folks have been steering our S toward the North because of NY. We're also from NJ. However, many programs throughout the country are very attractive. Elon was one that really surprised our S. I'm sure he'd like to hear from any who land there about the culture and area. He adapts pretty well, but would be 7 hours from home if fortunate enough to attend Elon. Thanks for whatever input you can provide.</p>
<p>We live in Greensboro, but I grew up in Syracuse,NY. My daughter is planning to go to Elon in Fall of '06, so we really checked the school out. Elon U is in the town of Elon College, but this is indistinquishable from the much bigger town of Burlington. Burlington is an old mill town that has been taken over by strip shopping centers. It sits right next to I-40/85 and in the past was known for it's outlet stores. Elon sits between this town and rural NC. There is nothing but farms and fields north of Elon. There some really nice areas near Elon. Just a couple miles west is the town of Gibsonville. It looks like a traditional southern town that you see with small shops right on the street. The students will be more interested in Greensboro, about 45 minutes west. It has a number of universities (UNCG,Guilford,Greensboro C,A&T,High Point U...) so there is a little more of interest there. Chapel Hill and Duke are about 45 minutes to the east. For students there are things to do and see there. Elon's nickname is the "bubble", for good reasons. Immediately around the University there is not a lot to interest most students. Elon is kind of an oasis. I think the admissions told us the highest percentage of students were from Maryland,followed by Virginia and then NC. To me it feels like a upper middle class country club.</p>
<p>Welcome abparent and Proud_Dad! We hope you will continue to participate and join this fine group of posters who share so much in common with regard to colleges for musical theater.
CollegeMom</p>
<p>apparently elon is really hot right now, meaning major increase in admissions and in a few years will probably be considered more "prestigious" (ugh hate that word). ive heard great things about it, but im not so sure about the location... i heard the city isnt much fun. (anyone know aboiut it?)
its definitely one of my "safeties" (hate that word too, sorry) since i'm applying to schools like emory. it definitely deserves some recognition!</p>
<p>Thanks Proud_Dad and all others. You described Elon exactly as I perceived it -- actually the Gibsonville point is a plus we didn't know about. Chances are any student in the theatre/musical theatre program will be so absorbed in work/activities that these environmental differences won't be a significant impact. Overall, it appears to be a great and reasonable (financially) choice. Unfortunately, with all this press, we're also probably increasing the competition, but then, we feel competition can be a good thing!</p>
<p>MT is tough in the admissions end at many schools. Elon seems to offer a very nice college environment along with a good MT program. Sometimes with MT you have to choose between the two.</p>
<p>My daughter wanted to go to Elon and visited. She received a merit award, I think a few grand, but Elon fin aid package did not measure up. We were all very impressed by the school and even sent in the deposit. But at the last minute she changed her mind - she didn't feel that the school would be challenging enough (or something like that) It is fairly popular in the Philly suburbs and the high schools are visited regurlarly by recruiters. The typical admission candidate is a wealthier, level 2 type student. Elon attracted a lot of folks from the East Coast because of the relatively low price and great facilities, but the price has risen considerably in the last few years. It's kinda like a small Southern Syracuse.</p>
<p>Although I don't know anyone going to Elon for MT, we know several kids going there for other studies. They love the school, the parents are pleased, and it looks like a good choice for a school. I have not visited the school myself, but have mentally put it on my list for future reference. Some of the southern schools have turned out to be great choices for a number of kids, and this one looks like and up and coming school. My only issue with it is that it seems so heavily into business and other non liberal arts majors, though I understand a good program in the liberal arts is available and required for all students . SOme of the other schools I have seen in the south are more liberal arts in the focus, something I personally like, but something that may not be an issue for others.</p>
<p>We are also from Greensboro...my daughter, is a sophomore this year. Have we seen your daughter in a show recently? Elon will be on my daughter's list of schools for mt as well although because we live here, I think she would prefer not to go here. Elon is has a wonderful mt program. Getting more and more competitive (thanks to forums like this I'm sure). There really isn't much to do in Elon itself as has already been said but a quick trip to Chapel Hill or Greensboro and there is plenty to do. Elon does a great job helping their mt students get professional paid work during the summer. Almost eveyone my d knows that goes there has a great part in something. The faculty is a fantastic plus to that program. They are great! There are also a lot of transplants here. </p>
<p>This entire area is also fantastic for theater! 2 professional dinner theaters, Professional regional theaters (Triad Stage and NC Theater) and great community theaters. You will never be at a loss for great shows! Truly top notch! There are also so many colleges around which also put on fabulous productions. </p>
<p>We moved here from NJ 10 years ago and every friend I have made since we have been here is from NJ, NY or CT. It's a like like the north but without the traffic and the potholes! It has never felt like the deep south to me. Elon is definitely worth taking a look into...it's a beautiful place!</p>
<p>I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Kimberly Rippy and I am the Departmental Secretary/Auditions Coordinator for the Performing Arts Department at Elon University. It looks like some great and accurate information has been posted about the school and the department with the exception of the statements about the general admission. This year we had over 9,000 applications to fill 1,250 spots for incoming freshmen. The average SAT score was above 1200 and the average GPA was 3.6, so it should in no way be considered easy to get into. I will be happy to answer any specific questions any prospective parents or students have about the department or school.</p>
<p>I feel our department is unlike any other. I as well as the other faculty really care about the students and we stay in touch well after graduation. They really want to students to succeed and are willing to go the extra mile to make sure they get the training to make that happen.</p>
<p>Please let me know if I can be of assistance to any of you!</p>
<p>Hi, Kimberly. Thank you so much for taking the time to introduce yourself online. This forum is a great resource for MT students and their parents, and it's nice to hear things from the "horse's mouth," so to speak. I'm sure we'll have plenty of questions as this year's group of students start planning their auditions!</p>
<p>Please join me in welcoming Elon Secretary to our forum. We are glad you have chosen to join in because we know you will be a terrific resource for those who are looking into Elon. Nothing like getting information from the source. Thank you for taking the time to offer your help to our readers. Welcome!</p>
<p>Welcome, Elon Secretary. I've heard many great things about Elon. I don't know anyone in your PA program but the families I know with kids there love the school. How many freshmen did you accept this year? How many MT applicants did you audition, and how many acceptance letters went out? Hard to get MT info, it seemed to me so would appreciate some numbers. </p>
<p>As if you didn't already have enough to do. Thanks for clarifying some of the stats. You know we do try to feverishly write all of the info session points accurately, but there's bound to be a slip up somewhere. We know it's no time off for you, but Enjoy your Summer!</p>
<p>Kaysmom,
My D doesnt do MT, she was just looking for a good size LAC. After visiting Elon a few times she fell in love with it. It's funny, reading this group you'd think that Elon just did musical theatre! Somebody else mentioned that they were a little leery of Elon because of the large number of business and communication majors, implying this made Elon less of a LAC. One thing to remember is that Elon is a fairly good size...at ~4700 students. If you subtract out the business and communication majors, I'll bet that you are left with a number that is larger than many of the "pure" LAC around North Carolina. Kaysmom, since you are in NC you should check out the NC Elon Junior Scholars program. This program gives scholarships and ultra early admissions to juniors in NC. By the way my D goes to NW.</p>
<p>Hi, I've already introduced myself in this thread, but I'm a senior music theatre major at Elon. I drove home to Cleveland yesterday and missed so much on the forum! Anyways, yes, Elon is a bubble, but it's a great bubble! It has everything you could need at your finger tips, Wal-Mart, mexican food, T-J Max, TCBY... Living in "the bubble," for me, has been a very positive experience. I'm a city girl at heart, and I plan on moving to NYC as soon as I graduate, but living in Elon has kept me focused on school. School comes first for four years, then I can play in a city. Being in a small town like this has really not given me an option not to succeed at what I do. Being a music theatre major, you don't really get free time, anyways. If you have it, you spend it in the practice rooms or sleeping. But, it's not like there are not cities close by, Raleigh and Greensboro have so much to do, so if you want to have a night on the town, it's just 30 minutes down the road.</p>
<p>Moving on... there are SOOO many northern kids here. I'm personally from Ohio, my roommate's are from Indiana and Connecticut. I'd say northern kids and southen kids are about equal.</p>
<p>As for liberal arts, everyone is required to do a significant amount of liberal arts studies, about 50 hours. There are 4 freshman core classes that every freshman takes. Then, 4 different categories, science, civilization, society, and expression... we have to take 8 hours in each. Plus upper level courses outside of your major. To be honest, these classes have helped me almost as much as my major classes. They have made me a more intelligent, more well-rounded individual. I'm aware of the world around me and the people in it. I think this kind of learning makes you a much better performer. And with so many classes, it's easy to find an interdisciplinary connection to performance.</p>
<p>Could you post the average SAT score and GPA for MT and Acting candidates? I'm sure those probably differ a bit from the overall demographics for the university and might offer the parents here an even clearer picture of your program. Thanks and welcome!!</p>