<p>Elon is one of my top choices. I am an Honors Fellow and and plan to pursue a degree in the communications school. But I do have my concerns.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Prevalence of Greek life/partying/and alcohol. When I visited the school, they tried to keep these factors under the rug, but I know that exist. I am not a hermit, but I don't want the only source of fun available on campus to be wild parties.</p></li>
<li><p>Middle of nowhere. I'm worried that after four years, I'll outgrow the few diversions that surround Elon.</p></li>
<li><p>Rich kids? I've read on this forum that every student is rich and snobby. I know to take these comments with a grain of salt, but I don't want the next four years of my life to be a repetition of high school.</p></li>
<li><p>Gender ratio. Hey, don't tell me it didn't cross your mind. It is noticeable on campus, and do you think it's a detriment? (I'm a girl...)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I realize that everyone has a different experience in college, and I have to make the most of it, but these factors do concern me. This forum has proved helpful throughout this whole process, so I'm hoping you can shed some light on these issues I'm having with the school.</p>
<p>Also, I'm from PA and my other schools are BU, Syracuse, Ithaca, PSU, and Mizzou.</p>
<p>I didn’t want your question to go unanswered - there are already many threads on here that address your concerns - don’t want to repeat what has already been said. Also would like to add that girls outnumber boys at many colleges - except the tech schools. You mentioned Syracuse - were you accepted into Newhouse? Because that would be a very prestigious option if you are. There is a thread on here where people are asking about FA at Elon - so obviously not everyone is rich. I think many of the earlier threads have discussed greek life and things to do - so I would just suggest you reread the past few months of discussion to get your answers. I do see that you have a very wide selection of schools to choose from - sometimes that makes it harder. Your are comparing big, medium and smaller schools, plus urban vs. suburban. </p>
<p>When a student is torn between 2 similar schools - say Elon and Furman - it’s easier to help them glean the subtle differences. But your choices are so different - I won’t even try. Hope this is of some help.</p>
<p>Congratulations Elon has a wonderful communications school and being an honors fellow should put you in a very select group of students. I agree with rockvillemom, that a lot of this can be covered in a lot more detail by searching existing threads. Or by checking with current Elon honors fellows on dare I say Facebook.</p>
<p>But here are some quick thoughts to help you along…</p>
<p>Yes partying and drinking does occur on college campuses, and Elon is no different. A lot of the student drinking you encounter is likely to have more to do with the friends you choose and if you choose living quarters known for partying.</p>
<p>Elon has 21 social Greek organizations. 43% of women and 26% of men on campus belong - so more than half of students don’t do the Greek thing but If you do you are likely to find a group you like. Some even discourage drinking and concentrate on “Brotherhood / Sisterhood”. As far as I know almost all Greek events are open to all students anyhow, so no need to join unless you want to. </p>
<p>Middle of nowhere - Too many other threads cover this but I think it all comes down to you won’t be bored at Elon.</p>
<p>Rich kids? - Sure there are lots of kids who’s families can afford to help them attend a high quality private school. (Elon is always listed as a best value college) BUT - were not rich, I’m not even sure we would be middle class except I work lots of 12 and 14 hour days. And my S (also a fellow) is loving Elon and fits right in.</p>
<p>Gender ratio - Sorry but Elon is right in line with most LA, private, and many public colleges (except tech / Eng. Schools). Right now for whatever reason more F than M are attending good colleges.</p>
<p>Good luck…</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance to Elon!
My older son graduated in 08 and his brother is attending with you! As a parent who loves this school here are my thoughts.
- Greek life exists but it is not the only social outlet. My son did join a Frat. yet de-brothered after a year. He decided it was not necessary and was expensive. He had many friends throughout campus and there was a lot of different things to do and experience.
- Yes it is in the middle of nowhere (sort of) By junior year he had a car on campus. (funny he did not use it that much). By senior year second semester he did feel he outgrew Elon and was ready to experience a city. I see that as growth.
- Some Rich kids,some not. My son held down a part-time job while at Elon for spending money. We are not rich. If you have spent any time on campus you will see that the student body as a whole is welcoming and friendly. During the 4 years he was at Elon I could not have been more impressed with the students, his friends and the faculty.
- I cannot comment on this since he was a male student. He did end up with a number of great female friends.</p>
<p>We are from NJ formerly from Pa. You have a number of great schools to choose from-I wish you luck in your decision.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your help. I have gone back and looked at previous threads, and all of your responses have helped. It’s a big decision and I want as clear a view as possible before I make it, so thank you.</p>
<p>Just curious…are “rich kids” a negative at a school and to be avoided? I’m a bit shocked by the connotation and the discussion about the status of students parents bank accounts. My observation is that students at every school come from weathly and non-wealthy families, are snobby and gracious, personable and rude, engaging and private, and friendly and not. I have yet to see any data correlating these traits to income levels. If you are intelligent enough to be in Honors Fellows, you have the capability to think this through, and not base your decision on what anyone says about a school in a forum like this. Visit, talk to people there, get your own feel for the school’s personality. If Elon is a fit for you, it’s likely to become obvious when you visit.</p>
<p>ChiDad2008 - Calm Down, This is a high schooler asking the question not some 50 year old who just offended your mother… </p>
<p>I take her question as obvious - Am I going to fit in? </p>
<p>or maybe - I don’t have enough money to attend a private university and buy this years “in outfit”, will I stick out like a sore thumb?</p>
<p>or how about - If no one else needs to work and attend school at the same time will I be left out of all the social functions?</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone was implying that “rich Kids are bad” but surely you remember that almost every Kid (rich, poor, and otherwise) who is trying to choose where they will be living and learning the next 4 years and hopefully developing lifelong friendships, wants to know if they will fit in (and the life changing significance of the decision likely makes them a little crazy) …</p>
<p>So cut the kid some slack, no one meant to offend you.</p>
<p>I was actually referring more to the adults who were responding to the question by implicitly accepting the premise of the comment and saying that not all the kids are rich; poor (and presumably not snotty) kids go there as well. But, high schooler or not, stereotyping based on any factor like wealth, geography, or race is inappropriate. And the reference to “rich and snobby” seems a far trail from “am I going to fit in”. If the statement was "I heard everyone that goes to Elon is fat and smells bad…would you feel differently? The way you re-phrased the question is fine…but that wasn’t the tone of the original comment. And I’m sure you don’t mean to suggest that a poor kid can’t fit in with a rich kid…right? And BTW…my kid is one of the “not wealthy” that attends, has many friends whose parents appear to be quite weathly, as well as those who are receiving financial aide and loans. Enough said…my rant is over.</p>
<p>I’m sorry that I offended you. Of course I did not mean to insinuate that all rich kids are snobs; I’m sure most will be good friends. I do, however, want to ensure that I will fit in at Elon, and an economically diverse student body does factor into my decision. As I began this thread purely to learn more about Elon, I feel as though my comment was not without merit.</p>
<p>That being said, if you are out to chastise every teenager on this message board who phrases a legitimate question in a minutely offensive way, you are in for a long night.</p>