Wake: Worth It? Advice/Opinions, please...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wake Forest University
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<p>So I feel kind-of awful for even posting this because I know so many wonderful people didn't even get in to Wake, but I could really do with some advice/opinions. Some on this board might already be a little familiar with my situation, but I'll explain again for clarity's sake. </p>

<p>I'm an International Student/Dual US Citizen living in the Caribbean. The high school I went to operates on the British/Caribbean system and students graduate at 16. My parents and I decided that I would work for a year before going to school so I could earn extra $ and wait until I would be closer in age to my peers [in college]. </p>

<p>My sisters and I (I'm a triplet) looked at different schools and applied to several in NC. They were rejected from Wake, but I was accepted. We were all accepted to a school about an hour away from Wake, Elon University. Most of my family feel that we should go to the same school (i.e. Elon) because we will be so far from home. </p>

<p>I've toured both campuses and, honestly, Elon's seemed more appealing and 'comfortable' (larger dorms, better dining facilities, etc.) though Wake is hard to beat with architecture and so forth. Elon is also less expensive than Wake and offering $7,500 a year in scholarship money (making it up to $20,000 cheaper). I never applied for FA because it was highly unlikely we would get much (we own a fair amount of real estate and a business and both my parents work) and we found it difficult (my parents aren't US Citizens, we don't pay official taxes in my country). I know Wake has superior academics and sports and a degree from Wake will likely be "worth more". My parents are willing to pay for Wake, but I'm thinking, should they? I plan to attend grad. school and I'm wondering if it will ultimately be best if I settle for a good, but not well-known, undergrad. university and look for more reputable universities (Wake Forest, Georgetown, Northwestern, etc.) for my grad. school experience. </p>

<p>On a more personal note, I know that - despite their/my best efforts - if I choose Wake and my sisters go to Elon together, it will change our relationship at least somewhat. I've always been the more independent of the 3, but I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable with a divorce of sorts. It makes me feel like quite the hypocrite, actually, because my essay for Wake was on becoming a separate entity and establishing myself as someone other than "one of the triplets". Oh, well. My rant's done.</p>

<p>If anyone's bothered to read this, thank you. And is anyone bothers to go further and respond with their advice or opinions, thank you even more. :)</p>

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<p>srsx3, I know there are a lot of parents who speak highly of Elon. Suggest you post your question on the parents board.</p>

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<p>The issue is that prestige is paramount in academia. Thus, a degree from Wake will be more favored than a degree from Elon, all other things being equal (which they never are). While I can’t comment on your financial situation (isn’t $7500 x 4 = $30k differential), nor the breaking up of your triumverate, Wake will give you better opportunities for grad school. How much better is an unknown, however.</p>

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<p>No school is worth creating a painful, potentially upsetting split/family dynamic. School prestige and reputation mean nothing compared to personal happiness and fulfilling, loving relationships. Further, it’s about the feel of a school: if Elon felt good to you, if it felt right, don’t talk yourself into going to Wake just for some perceived long-term benefit of “greater” name recognition.</p>

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<p>I graduated from Wake but I never felt that the name on my diploma was a key factor in my future career. It sounds like Elon would be a win-win-win for yoj, your sisters, and your parents.</p>

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<p>I would say Elon in your situation. Your grad school deserves more prestigous though and with the money you saved, it shouldn’t be that hard.</p>

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<p>Elon, it seems a better fit for you. Wake seems most appealing just because of the prestige, which imo, is a bad reason to attend a school.</p>

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<p>Wait;</p>

<p>What you you want to major in? </p>

<p>If it’s business, accounting, or finance, DO WAKE; Calloway is a top 15 program, but #1 in the country in quality of instruction (also, like, 3 in workload, but…), so I’d say the stretch would be well worth it. If not, you should choose what feels more comfortable to you, which seems to be Elon. Personally, I really liked Elon as a campus, and know a lot of kids who love it there, but I also felt Wake’s business school was too good to turn down (for much of anything except the Ivies, etc!) being a freshman, I can’t really comment on it yet, but I can say that Wake is an outstanding school, and almost everyone absolutely cherishes their time here. But if you wanted to go Pre-Med or major in something else, I’m sure you could be just as successful at a school like Elon. Good luck with your choice; I’m sure you’ll do well wherever you choose to go.</p>

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<p>Thanks again, everyone. I truly appreciate your input. It seems most people are advising Elon. The tricky part is, I am considering majoring in business. It’s not as if I’m set on doing so, but it is still highly likely. Wow. Tough decision. Elon and Wake’s Business Schools have the same accreditation, though. So do you think I would be at a huge disadvantage if I majored in Business at Elon but got my MBA somewhere else? What about when applying to graduate school?</p>

<p>Oh, bluebayou, when I said a $20,000 difference, I meant each year - $80,000 total for the 4 years. (Elon is already about $12,500 cheaper, with the $7,500 scholarship it’s $20,000.)</p>

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<p>$20k per year? OUCH!</p>

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<p>srsx3 - </p>

<p>Wow, that is a really tough decision. Look on the bright side, though- either way, you’re going to be attending a top-notch school with a great campus!
To be honest, I don’t believe the schools’ accreditation says a whole lot about their individual strengths and weaknesses; however, I definitely don’t think it would be a huge disadvantage at all to attend Elon’s business school. My Dad went to a little college in Pennsylvania called St. Vincent’s, and ended up at Wake Med School; so anyone can accomplish great things when they put their mind to them. Plus, 20K a year is a lot of money! Just keep in mind that Calloway is as high-quality as you’ll find anywhere in the country. The key issue is the comparison between spending large amounts (that you may or may not be able to swing) for an outstanding education, or saving a bit and getting a good one. Can’t say much about Elon’s bus. school, but I do know that Calloway kids (Accounting, at least) come out as strong as anyone. Recruiters know them, and know they’ll do as good a job as anyone.
I don’t think you’d have a problem getting into Grad School out of Elon, but I do think Wake’s name carries a bit more weight to it. It all comes down to whether or not you think there’s enough reason to pay more for Wake when you seem to like Elon better; hence, Elon APPEARS to be your choice.</p>

<p>Please, feel free to shoot me or anyone else questions about student life, etc.</p>

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<p>I think splitting up with your sisters is a pro for going to wake. Just my opinion, but you have been lumped into the categroy of “tripplets” your whole life, and you are eventually going to have to split with them. I would start fresh at a different school and let your own identity come through…plus elon is a short drive away and you could always visit them on weekends. Also, Wake has a much better b-school…just my 2 cents, both are great schools so theres really no wrong choice</p>

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<p>S was a Presidential Scholar at Elon, but once we stepped on to Wake’s campus…he was sold. Elon would not have been the right fit for him. When he studied abroad the academics were much easier than Wake…not to say that Elon is easy, but it isn’t known as Work Forest either. He loved the experience abroad yet he was very happy that he had chosen a school as selective as Wake. Elon was not the right fit for him…even with the scholarship!</p>

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<p>I’m in nearly the exact position you’re in. I’m in the business fellows at Elon and Wake would cost me about $45,000 a year after my dissappointing financial aid package. I’m also considering Northeastern where I’m in the honors program and after scholarships it would cost about the same as Elon. I can tell you that of the three I am leaning toward Elon. Heres my reasoning: Wake Forest while clearly the most prestegious of the bunch would require that I take out some loans wich I don’t want to be strapped with when I garduate. If your considering graduate school I would say you can deffinately get a god education at Elon it probably won’t be as rigorous as Wake but college is all about what you make of it. you could double major or something. Also the Wake Forest grade deflation doesn’t seem too appealing, though no doubt you would be very prepared for whatever you want to do. When you think of it you could attend elon and a couple years of graduate school for the price of Wake. Now if your not thinking about graduate school I would reccomend going to Wake because it will probably open up more doors for employment with alumni connections ect. Otherwise I think elon may be a better chioce. If you look at the stats, the quality of students at Elon university has improved each year since 2001 and by substantial amounts. Its possible that Elon could continue its assent and eventually become a more prestegious school in which case you would have recieved a bargain for your undergrad education. One thing that wories me about Wake is that the quality of student may decline because they have removed the sat requirement. I dont care what the studies show the sat’s are a good way of determining what level a student is at. There are ways to cheat the system in highschool and the sat’s nullify that.
If they cost the same I would choose Wake because I love the big time sports and quality academics. I’m from Boston and when you mention your considering Wake Forest people get excited because they know about it. Elon not so much. This bieng said I do not believe in paying for a name and I believe a quality education and good time would be had at both schools. I would be interested in hearing what you decide. Knowing myself I won’t make up my mind until a few days before the deadline. Good luck with your decision.</p>

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<p>An undergraduate degree in business is generally followed by a few years in the workforce prior to heading back to school for an MBA. The strength of an MBA candidate is evaluated considering not only the undergrad record, but also the quality of one’s work experience. Job accomplishments speak volumes. To be competitive for the best job opportunities, I suggest you investigate firms that typically recruit on each campus and assess which campus will most likely allow you to stand out among your contemporaries for selection by recruiters.</p>

<p>Be wise, and best of luck!</p>

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<p>don’t be an idiot, go to Wake. It’s international recognized and you’ll likely get a better education. Also why would you want to stay with your siblings for college? Don’t you want to get out and do something different? Branch out.</p>

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<p>My brother goes to Elon. I like Elon a lot, it reminds me of Wake Forest. However, Wake is the superior academic school.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice, everyone! Again, I appreciate your insight. No new developments to report, but I’ll be sure to let you know if there are. :)</p>

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<p>well since im on the waiting list, i would say go elon</p>

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<p>Drove throughout Wake on a Saturday late afternoon and didn’t see one student then drove to Elon and the students were all over the campus. Did the same thing a month later and had the same result. Don’t know if Wake students stay in and study or what but just was strange. Made me want to choose Elon.</p>