<p>Do you have any feedback on these schools regarding retention, inside scoop, pros/cons, quality of teachers, daily life, etc? Any glaring issues we may be overlooking at any of these schools that visits/tours/info sessions/gut response wouldn't reveal?? Your input will be appreciated!</p>
<p>D is heading to Elon in the fall. Their website is chock full of information. The numbers you want are there as well. Check out:
[Office</a> of Insitutional Research - Common Data Sets](<a href=“Elon University / Institutional Research / Common Data Sets”>Elon University / Institutional Research / Common Data Sets)
[url=<a href=“Elon University - America’s Top-Ranked Teaching University”>Elon University - America’s Top-Ranked Teaching University]Information[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Elon is known for their their high level of student engagement and experiential learning. Their teaching style runs more to discussions, group projects, using classroom learning to inform real-world experiences, and vice-versa. In fact, there are five Elon core “experiences”: undergraduate research, leadership, study abroad, community service, and internships. All Elon students must participate in at least one of these, most do a lot more than that. Elon even gives students a second formal transcript that lists these experiences (titled leadership positions held, community service projects/hours, etc). </p>
<p>Elon runs on a 4-1-4 schedule - four 4-credit classes in the fall, one 4 credit class in January, and 4 more in the spring. The January term is optional, although most kids participate most years. They run a lot of study abroad programs in January. Over 70% of Elon kids study abroad at least once, a lot go more than once.</p>
<p>They are known for Business, Communications and Education, but they have a full span of Liberal Arts courses/majors. The campus is beautiful, and the students seem extremely happy and friendly. Surprisingly, less than 1/3 of the student body is from NC, and the number 2 state for the past 2 years incoming classes has been Mass. There’s also a good number of kids from MD, VA and NJ. Elon has been on Princeton Review and other lists for being one of the most environmentally friendly campuses, and for being a “College with a Conscience.” They have also been sited as having one of the best Freshman Transition to College programs.</p>
<p>To see part of an Elon admissions video that gives you a good feel for the campus, go to YouTube and enter Elon: Explore, Dream, Discover.</p>
<p>Don’t know anything about Ithaca or Denver, sorry.</p>
<p>Assuming you (or your child) are a rising senior the best thing to do is to apply to all three and see what happens…</p>
<p>Overall DU is a good - not great - school. It had its difficulties 20-25 years ago (came close to closing) but thanks to a dynamic administration it’s since expanded its campus and continues to raise its admission standards by awarding good (sometimes very very good) merit aid to outstanding students. So academically, the school is definitely on an upward trajectory. Until fairly recently, DU was mostly known for its particularly strong program in music (Condolezza Rice is an alum) and a good international program (the father of Madeline Albright taught there.)<br>
Today, its graduate business school and law schools are quite respected. I would say DU isn’t quite as strong in many areas of humanities or in the research sciences compared to other major schools in the Denver area/Colorado. However, because it has fewer undergrads you could also argue that the outgoing student can also get more one-on-one time with faculty and research opportunities at DU. Another opportunity for undergrads are are internships due to DU’s strong ties with the local business community. Because it’s pricy, DU’s student body tends to be white and middle/upper middle class; most of the minorities at DU are Asians enrolled in the music program. Students tend to like DU, and often praise the quality of life in Denver: a lot of sunshine, a friendly, casual atmosphere, year-round outdoor activities and the perks that come with living in a city. (DU isn’t far from downtown.)</p>
<p>Also, check out each school’s individual thread under the CC alphabetical college listings- you will get alot of information that way, presented from diverse viewpoints. While a school’s website does give accurate statistical information (hopefully!), they are also “selling” themselves to prospective students, so it is worthwhile to check out other sources. It seems you are just starting out this process, good luck to you, and enjoy!</p>