<p>I live in north Florida (a few miles away from Georgia) but my family is originally from Canada and the northeast. Living on the edge of the Bible Belt hasn't been the greatest experience ever. Politically, I stand by my liberal views which are quickly berated down here if I say them around the wrong people. I'm a practicing Christian, but I'm not really a "crusader".
Basically, the only thing that makes me wary of Elon is its location. Is the community largely exclusive to people that hold certain beliefs regarding religion/politics/morals?
This might seem like a stupid question, but I know what it's like to go to a school where everybody is traditionally Christian and Republican (in my case it was basically a GroupThink mentality), and I want to be in a diverse environment where I won't be ostracized for some of my beliefs.</p>
<p>Hi-
I’m in the same ballpark as you philosophically, but live in the Chicago area. We’ve taken both our kids to see Elon because we’re big fans of the school. I have to say that it takes the best of Northern and Southern mentalities. It’s Southern in its hospitality and attention to keeping the campus pretty (of course there are lovely northern campuses, too). It’s Northern in its focus on career preparedness and the overall vibe of its student body. While I think the actual majority is from Virginia and North Carolina (but double-check me on that) there is a VERY large group from the Northeast. It also has a vibrant and growing Jewish population (see some former threads on that). This school definitely strikes me as the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>My d (a liberal ) has found diverse views. I think you will find like minded people in the activities you choose. There is definately a tolerant atmosphere. I would say there are more moderate viewpoints than right wing but it is not as liberal a school like Earlham.</p>
<p>Massachusetts is the 2nd most represented state in the current freshman class, where we reside. My son is a freshman and has many friends from New England. I would describe Elon as a ‘northern school’ that happens to be in the south. My son only feels he is in the south when he ventures off campus to go shopping or to area restaurants. He is enjoying the warm weather and the sun, while his family is still freezing!! He LOVES Elon and has never second guessed his decision to attend.</p>
<p>My daughter is a sophomore from NY. She has a very liberal political background and has never felt that the school was “too southern” or “too conservative”. Her friends are very similar.</p>
<p>I had the same worry for my liberal daughter, but while there are probably more conservatives than at a comparable northern school, they are not the majority. She said the discussion in her classes indicates that most students are liberal. I just read that Elon is instituting a program to become gay-friendly. (it’s not unfriendly now- just neutral.) I don’t think you have anything to worry about, unless it’s important to you to be on a very politically active campus.</p>
<p>If a break from the conservative norm is what you’re going for, Elon certainly has it. One of my professors was a cross dresser 0.0</p>
<p>Echoing Teddy11 and marmelan. D from Mass is a freshman. She’s not politically active, but she says she only remembers she’s in the South when she leaves campus and hears accents. Perhaps its self-segregation, but most of her friends seem to be from the northeast (except her closest girl friend, who is from from Miami).</p>
<p>D grew up in Mass, but all my relatives live in the Carolinas, mostly in SC. D has spent at least a week there every year, so she knew what it meant to be in the different culture of the South. She very much likes the friendliness and slower speed of the South. But she doesn’t feel Elon is very “southern.” (although the kids are friendly and not rude!)</p>