<p>Hi - can anyone shed some light for on some puzzling statistics? I believe the freshman retention rate at Elon is around 90% - which is great - meaning 90% of freshman return for sophomore year. But the graduation rate seems low - around 73% for a 6-year grad. rate. Why is this? Do many students transfer out? Why would someone like the school enough to return for sophomore year, but then not graduate in 6 years. </p>
<p>I'd appreciate input from any current students, recent grads or their parents. Thanks.</p>
<p>I looked at the CDS for more exact numbers - 78.2% is the most recent 6-year grad. rate. Not bad - but I am still puzzled by the gap between 90% freshman retention and 78.2% 6-year grad. rate. Most recent 4-year grad rate is 77.5%. Not saying these numbers are awful, but they are a little lower than a few of the other schools we are looking at and I just would like some feedback.</p>
<p>Hey Rockvillemom–My child will be a Sophomore this Fall. Be VERY CAREFUL about reported data from this school. I have sadly found the statistics and reality to be very different. This is a very strict school regarding “partying” and because you need both a high GPA to join the Greek system (“unauthorized” housing for which is also “off campus” contrary to reports by the school) and to request off-campus housing as a Sophomore–which because of the strictness of the school is highly desired. More kids than seem to be reported ARE transferring–or are being kicked out for other reasons. Be careful what you read! By the way–this IS a lovely school–just VERY STRICT about quite a few things.</p>
<p>Rockvillemom- Hello! I am familiar with you from the Wake board, my oldest son just graduated in May. My second son attends Elon- but may not be continuing, ironically because of what he perceives as out of control drinking most weekends by the majority of students. Remember, this is his personal opinion, and I am sure there are many students who feel that the drinking is fine. Over the winter, there were many incidents of very serious alcohol poisonings, he forwarded me an email from the president that practically begged the students to stop- it was scary. I know this happens at all schools (including Wake, but at Elon there seems to be more of a shroud over it, and a sort of lack of control on the administration’s part. The post about grade point is arbitrary, is a 2.5 gpa impressive now? I know not every student parties, and it is partly my son, as he is not an outgoing, real involved in clubs type of student, more of a regular kid that can handle a few things in addition to schoolwork. I think for those that are more outgoing, it is easier to find a non-partying group to have fun with. Hopefully, your child is more of an extrovert, I think they would be fine. Feel free to PM me with any questions.</p>
<p>njmom: interesting observations…I wonder why you have never posted your son’s experiences at Elon before now…it is unfortunate that he is not having a good experience…curious why you think an “extroverted” person would have more success at the school?</p>
<p>Just curious, why have you been so absent on the Elon forum before now? we would love to have more of your reflections as the application season is coming upon us quickly…</p>
<p>Hi, Rodney. The main reason I have not posted is a feeling that this was mostly my son not being able to adjust- more of a personal issue, and not a reflection of the school. He is a shy kind of guy who does not drink at all. So why would I post how he felt- when he (and his parents) were not sure if it was the environment, or all him. We know know it was a combination- we have visited on occasion and seen firsthand the results of the weekend by the trash oustside- the amount of empty beer cans on a Sunday morning is incredible.We have also been the recipients of a few lonely phone calls to our home here in NJ when his two friends that were not party guys went home for the weekend, (one from NC) or had ROTC obligations. I say an extroverted person would get along fine because there are things to do aside from party- but one has to be willing to get involved right away. My son was initially just finding his way around, and before he knew it, groups were formed, ect. He is a “slow to warm up” kind of person, but not adverse to doing so- just not as quickly as everyone else. So, while the majority like to have alcohol related fun on the weekends, there are alternatives. In general, I do not post as much as I used to as there were a few wackos on the Wake board (that sound funny!) that turned me off to taking the time to post. Best of luck in your decisions. I will say, my son has been very happy with the professors- that is the main reason he went back for the second year.</p>
<p>I’m confused. MomGrad reported strict policies on drinking - which I see as a good thing and njmom reports out of control drinking - which is it?</p>
<p>njmom - my older son had a great freshman year at Wake. He drinks very little. All the stuff that went on there with pledge night and so forth - he was not involved at all. He’s not what I would consider an extroverted kid - but he did find his niche group of sports-loving guys - and he is happy with his friends and his social life. So, I’m assuming S2 would choose a similar path and find his social group at Elon among the kids that are not big partiers. Isn’t that possible? I am concerned by your posts - I was under the impression that Elon had moved beyond being a party school.</p>
<p>The above tips on drinking safely are interesting - have not seen this before - but this meshes with what we heard from our tour guide at Elon 2 years ago - about trying to educate students to drink responsible - not sure if it works or not.</p>
<p>Hi, Rockvillemom- I am very happy your son had a great first year at Wake, I know that many of your posts spoke of success! My oldest son had the best experience there- he misses it already. He also drinks very little, and found the same as your son, a group of “sports loving” kids who have become solid friends. I am not saying this is not possible at Elon- I am saying it was not as easy as it was at Wake because first of all, Wake kids seem to be more driven with academics, with less time to party. My son at Elon thinks the kids are smart at Elon, and could have gotten into more academically rigorous schools, but some of them want it to be easier. Also, the support of the Deacs is a priority at Wake- not so much spirit at Elon, although they make it seem that way. When we were there for family weekend both years, people barely got excited at the football games- maybe we were spoiled from going to Wake games, which are so alive. The administration might be trying on paper to deal with the drinking issue, perhaps it is not yet developed to the point of seeing results on the ground. I will say it again, part of it is my son and his shyness, so please remember that, too. If Wake had gone SAT optional one year earlier, he would have had a chance to go there, which was dream school. When Elon son would visit his brother at Wake, he was so amazed that there were Wake kids in the library on a Friday! He said at Elon, he had very little library company, never mind a Friday. However, I would not be that concerned if you know your son is the type to get involved right away, for he will meet like-minded kids, even is they are not in the majority. Best of luck, and also enjoy your next three years as a Demon Deacon mom!</p>
<p>njmom - thanks for your response - I hope you continue to post on this Elon board in the fall so we can hear how your son does and whether it gets better for him or not. It seems like the partying issue rears its ugly head at a lot of schools - my younger son is also looking at James Madison, for example, which certainly has that reputation, so it seems like the solution will have more to do with him and the choices/friends he makes than with the school itself - but this kind of info is important.</p>
<p>I think the main issue is are there other options and other things to do? I attended Lafayette in the 80s - it doesn’t get much more frat-oriented/party school than that! I did not enjoy my time there - mostly because there were no other options. It was basically go to a frat party or sit in the dorm lounge and watch tv.</p>
<p>We are planning to visit Elon again in early November, and I will pay a lot of attention to this issue. I am hoping my son becomes involved with Hillel and that this offers a variety of social options - although someone else pointed out to me that I should not make the assumption that Hillel students don’t party!</p>
<p>So, again, thanks for your point of view and post some more in the fall.</p>
<p>I think that getting involved in Hillel from the beginning will make a huge difference- even if they do party a little! I think lot of young people just want to socialize- going to a party for that reason is understandable. It would be great if your son had a solid group of kids who he felt connected to. For my son, when the social anxiety issue is thrown in- any party that is crowded, loud and probably in some dreadful basement is hell! He never really “connected” with more than two boys, and they were not always there on weekends His roommate lived in NC, and went home every weekend. I will post on the outcome- I feel bad that I have not posted on the Elon board often- it is just that I felt that I could not be sincere in my viewpoints for obvious reasons. </p>
<p>On another note, my niece graduated from James Madison 8 years ago- there was alot of partying for sure- my sister was shocked when a few years after my niece graduated (she is getting marred in Oct!) she decided to tell my sister “all.” However, she did fine, graduated in four years, and has a great job in Va. She said because James Madison is a large school, there are lots of groups, and that her school does not deserve it’s “party school” reputation. Best of luck with your search. You are right about the majority of schools having drinking issues. My third son, a rising junior, is our last college search. We are making a DC trip later this month, looking at Georgetown, the GW, and American. When I told my oldest son, he said: “just watch it with Georgetown- those kids really like to party!” Of course, he only has eyes for Wake, which would be great, and is on youngest son’s list. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hi - please do keep posting - and don’t ever worry that you can’t be “sincere” in your views - your opinions are yours and you have a right to them. If you want to write something negative - go ahead and do it. I know that sometimes if you write something negative about a school - others who support the school will chime in loudly to overrule you - have certainly seen that. But every college has its negatives and its problems - I don’t want to stick my head in the sand - if a school that is on my son’s list has some drawbacks - I want to be fully educated by current parents so that I can make my own evaluation of the issues and see how my son feels about them.</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback on JMU also. My feeling is that its party rep is overblown - it gets a lot of attention - but surely does not describe 100% of the students. </p>
<p>Hope your son is happier at Elon this fall. Keep posting! I really want to hear how it goes.</p>
<p>njmom: I echo rockville mom’s post 100%; please feel free to be honest…you have given us things to discuss and examine and, for that, I thank you…</p>
<p>please update us with your son’s progress…I am also sending you a PM…</p>
<p>I will keep you guys updated, and thanks for the well wishes for the fall. I see that this Elon board is a very enlightened group, that is refreshing! :)</p>
<p>Wow - I have not been on in lately. The posts concern me greatly as I have a shy, nondrinking girl attending in the fall. She will get involved with Hillel right away ( she says)
and also is on a living/learning floor. All I can say is I will keep you informed of her journey.
I have friends at Texas ( the number one party school in the nation several years running) whose children don’t drink and have had a successful time at school. I have also been there and IU on a weekend and know what mass amounts of alcohol are consumed. I have talked with my daughter. She says he is used to being in the minority. I hope she really is ok with the social scene. It is a worry. Please feel free to PM in the fall.</p>
<p>Texasmother - my gut feeling is that the group of students who drink and party is very visible - not just at Elon but at other colleges as well. Their antics get noticed - get written up in the school paper, etc. I find it hard to believe that all students get caught up in this - particularly if they have other social options available to them. Please post in the fall and let us know how your D is doing - and her take on this issue. We are planning to visit Elon again in November - hoping this issue does not become a significant problem.</p>
<p>On the important subject of alcohol, we just received a letter from the Univesity president discussing concerns and policies. Pretty impressive. One part of the program requires all new students to complete an on-line alcohol education course. There are also a number of significant on-campus initiatives. I’m sure all of you have or will soon receive this letter. What are your impressions?</p>
I am familiar with you from the Wake board, my oldest son just graduated in May. My second son attends Elon- but may not be continuing, ironically because of what he perceives as out of control drinking most weekends by the majority of students. Remember, this is his personal opinion, and I am sure there are many students who feel that the drinking is fine. Over the winter, there were many incidents of very serious alcohol poisonings, he forwarded me an email from the president that practically begged the students to stop- it was scary. I know this happens at all schools (including Wake, but at Elon there seems to be more of a shroud over it, and a sort of lack of control on the administration’s part. The post about grade point is arbitrary, is a 2.5 gpa impressive now? I know not every student parties, and it is partly my son, as he is not an outgoing, real involved in clubs type of student, more of a regular kid that can handle a few things in addition to schoolwork. I think for those that are more outgoing, it is easier to find a non-partying group to have fun with. Hopefully, your child is more of an extrovert, I think they would be fine. Feel free to PM me with any questions.</p>