<p>I have recently been admitted to both Elon University and High Point University, and I have to make a decision about which school to attend soon. I am planning on majoring in chemistry or possibly doing a pre-pharmaceutical program. My mom and I are going down to visit both schools later this month, and I'll probably decide shortly after that. I'm looking for opinions on which school is better, has a better chemistry program, etc. Thanks!</p>
<p>After you visit both schools you will have your answer. My D and I visited both this summer. She applied to and has been accepted yo Elon. Did not apply to HPU. Enough said.</p>
<p>Elon. Much better school academically.</p>
<p>Don’t waste a lot of energy on this until you have been to both campuses. As long as they both fall into your parameters for the tangible things (program, extracurriculars, study abroad, etc.) then it comes down to finances and how you feel on the campus. Each campus has its own “vibe”. Visit the campuses, eat in the cafeterias, talk to random students (usually they are very happy to tell you what they like about their campus), stay overnight if you can. It will probably be very clear to you where you feel the most comfortable. Good luck!</p>
<p>If you don’t know how these schools are different, then you haven’t done enough research. I agree with big daddy that the visits will be an important part of your decision. Most people either really love what High Point is selling, or they don’t. There is not a whole lot of middle ground in the reactions. I can truthfully say that Elon is a wonderful University with a higher academic standing and reputation than HPU. It also has a stronger historical foundation. But only you can determine which is right for you. Enjoy your visits!</p>
<p>Elon for sure.</p>
<p>I visited both, but did not even apply to HPU despite the waived application fee, calls from the admissions office, etc. HPU may become a great school in a few years, but currently it really seems they are focused more on building up a nice new campus, not the academic programs.</p>
<p>Summary: HPU has a great campus, everything is brand new, but their academics are lacking in comparison to Elon.</p>
<p>I know several kids that went to Elon and several that went to HPU. Every person I know that went to Elon absolutely loves it there. On the other hand, I think like half the kids I know who went to HPU ended up transferring after freshman year. The other half liked it, but said that it was more a country club than a school in their opinions. I would recommend Elon, but you might like HPU more.</p>
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<p>We are struggling with the same thing. My daughter is exactly the kind of student HPU is trying to attract, and as a result, they have sent several gifts and personal notes (as Im sure they have for other strong academic/leadership students). She was also given a nice initial merit based scholarship and invited to apply for the Presidential Scholarship and the Leadership Scholarship. We go back to interview in two weeks. She was also accepted to Elon, given a similar merit based scholarship and invited to apply to several of their Elon Fellows Scholarship programs. She loves both schools.
Upon our initial visit this summer, we were all “wowed” by HPU. Running into Dr. Quebein, who spent a good hour talking to our family. He is so passionate about HPU, and as both my husband and I come from sales/marketing/PR backgrounds, we appreciate his business approach to building a great university. He has a sound reason behind all the seemingly over the top amenities at High Point, such as the Prime Steakhouse; students need to practice and get comfortable dining in that type of atmosphere because they will likely need to do so once they are interviewing and/or working. He seems to go with the “If you build it, they will come,” approach, which makes sense, but I don’t want my child to be a guinea pig in this process.<br>
I think that ultimately, High Point will end up costing approximately the same for us as Elon will, the student body size is similar, the campuses are both beautiful and located in the area where my daughter wants to go to school. Our biggest issue has to do with the academic reputation. I have no doubt that in 10 years, High Point will be even stronger academically. But for a prospective student, we are all struggling with the idea that my child could go to High Point and likely truly excel, lead, and make a name for herself, whereas at Elon, she would work just as hard, and probably not be one of the “top” students, although I’m sure she would do very well. So, if the child likes both schools equally, and the initial investment of sending her to school is the same, does it make more sense to go where you can be a big fish in a little sea, or a average-to-medium sized fish in a bigger sea?</p>
<p>If your daughter is invited and accepted as an Elon Honors Fellow, I suspect you are wrong about her not being one of the “top” students.</p>
<p>I’m kinda surprised you are this conflicted. Outside of size and location, these schools are so completely different. We visited them on back to back days and the stark differences in each school was remarkable.</p>
<p>If costs are comparable, and she likes both schools, then it should be Elon hands-down. I agree with mnm111 - while Elon is more challenging academically than High Point, if she’s been invited to compete for Fellows, then she’s at the top of the heap there as well. Think of it this way - you don’t want her bored academically, do you? High Point is spending lots of money, building beautiful buildings, and working on strengthening their academics, but Elon has a much stronger reputation at this point. If she’s that good of a student, she’s going to shine at Elon as well as at High Point.</p>
<p>Agree 100 percent. Elon!!!’</p>
<p>Elon without question. Even if HPU has a better reputation in ten years, Elon will likely also continue on a trajectory of growth as well. I don’t know if HPU can catch up.
On the way, you can stop at the Ruth Chris Steakhouse in Greensboro :)</p>
<p>Agree with all of the above comments. I would also be concerned about High Point and the huge role of Dr. Quebein. What happens when he leaves? HPU also has a lot of debt. I see more stability at Elon, along with a better reputation and stronger academics. HPU is pretty controversial and it would worry me about how a future employer or grad school would view that diploma.</p>
<p>Elon has made huge strides in the last couple of years to become recognized on a National level for its academics. Having said that, more companies will come to campus to recruit and IMHO the students will have more opportunities in the long run. I believe that Elon is trying to transition from regional to national whereas HPU is struggling to gain academic credibility. </p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. All great points regarding daughter’s decision to go to Elon or High Point, assuming it comes down to those schools. I think in our hearts, we all know that Elon is the academically better school, and when we do head down that way for her HPU Presidential Scholarship interview, we will be more prepared about what we will be shown, so that we are not as wowed by all the “sizzle,” and can look for the “steak.” She’s so anxious to KNOW where she will be this time next year, and as patience has never been my strongest suit, I get it. At least she is narrowing it down a little bit…she was accepted to all four of the schools she has heard back from and decided against two of those (James Madison University and Penn State), but still won’t hear from Syracuse, Villanova or Wake Forest until March or later. Quite a strange, diverse group of schools, no?</p>
<p>PS…I ordered her an Elon shirt, which she has worn already several times, and that seemed to immediately start swaying her a bit. Just goes to show how confused a kid can be. LOL!</p>
<p>Have you searched the HPU forums regarding the Prez weekend? Lots of folks were upset after last year’s event. Seems that the amount of the award offered after the weekend is exactly what you already expect after checking the website. IOW, no real chance to better the offer during the weekend. My niece was offered exactly the same award. She’s a freshman at Delaware. They found the weekend to be off-putting. Might want to check out those threads…</p>
<p>My D is a Jr. at HPU and had great professors the past 3 years. As far as financially, she is better off at HPU than Elon- in her award from both schools it was a $5000 annual difference. Plus, with all of HPU activities included in tuition she’s much better off at HPU. She is fully involved and engaged in many camous activities. Undergrad research is in the works as well.</p>