Mercer vs Elon

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have experience deciding between these two schools? DD is considering going to PA school after graduation but isn’t 100% sure of her major

[Anonymous]

elon hands down

[Anonymous]

someone is actually considering Mercer, and isn't an athlete? (I know two attendees but both athletes)
Obviously Elon.

That said, my DD went to college last summer a confirmed PrePA student and found herself weeded out by intro chem. Go to the best school you can get into and don't be tied to a major until you actually take some classes at the college level (and no APs and DE doesn't count).

[Anonymous]

OP here: Can someone give an actual answer instead of mindlessly bashing schools? Thanks

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of Mercer, and I know a lot of colleges. I do know Elon.

[Anonymous]

Elon

[Anonymous]

The graduation rate at mercer is questionable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Can someone give an actual answer instead of mindlessly bashing schools? Thanks

OP as I said. I know two people at Mercer and I find it hard to believe someone would go there if not for athletics. I am not a fan of Elon either (DDs best friend attends) but at least it’s a more well known brand.

So if you are not going to listen to posters, why post?

[Anonymous]

Elon. Not even close.

[Anonymous]

for pa school you want good grades just like you do for med school. go where you can get good grades.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have any knowledge of Mercer, but my son and I visited Elon this year and loved it. He will definitely apply. It was a beautiful campus with a great information session and tour. We were impressed by their small class sizes and curriculum. They are ranked #1 in undergrad teaching in US News: https://www.elon.edu/u/news/2021/09/13/elon-named-1-national-university-for-teaching-excellence-in-new-u-s-news-world-report-rankings/

[Anonymous]

I do have experience with Elon. I would not have sent my child there again if I had the choice. But honestly, they had few options. Kid likes it fine, but would not say they are blown away by the quality of the community. I would just ask, are Mercer and Elon the only options? Why not consider other schools? If your kid is not worried about the quality of PA school they go to after graduation, with good grades from Elon, she will be able to get in somewhere, but not a top program. Elon just doesn't send kids to top graduate programs overall. Yes, it's a beautiful campus. But your child will not be surrounded with kids interested in intellectual pursuits. With that said, if she is highly motivated and can get good grades, it probably does place into programs better than Mercer. I just can't understand why she would narrow down to these two. What about your state flagship? If in VA, what about JMU? Large state schools just have so many more resources and better graduate program placement than an Elon or Mercer. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We looked at both schools for DC and have family who attended each. Elon is definitely a step up in terms of academics and name recognition outside of the home state. And Elon is far less regional in terms of the student body.

Not that I dislike Mercer. Think it is a great place but would see it as a safety for someone interested in Elon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do have experience with Elon. I would not have sent my child there again if I had the choice. But honestly, they had few options. Kid likes it fine, but would not say they are blown away by the quality of the community. I would just ask, are Mercer and Elon the only options? Why not consider other schools? If your kid is not worried about the quality of PA school they go to after graduation, with good grades from Elon, she will be able to get in somewhere, but not a top program. Elon just doesn't send kids to top graduate programs overall. Yes, it's a beautiful campus. But your child will not be surrounded with kids interested in intellectual pursuits. With that said, if she is highly motivated and can get good grades, it probably does place into programs better than Mercer. I just can't understand why she would narrow down to these two. What about your state flagship? If in VA, what about JMU? Large state schools just have so many more resources and better graduate program placement than an Elon or Mercer. Good luck!

She is finalizing her list of safeties
I don’t know why people on this board have such an axe to grind with a very average private college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do have experience with Elon. I would not have sent my child there again if I had the choice. But honestly, they had few options. Kid likes it fine, but would not say they are blown away by the quality of the community. I would just ask, are Mercer and Elon the only options? Why not consider other schools? If your kid is not worried about the quality of PA school they go to after graduation, with good grades from Elon, she will be able to get in somewhere, but not a top program. Elon just doesn't send kids to top graduate programs overall. Yes, it's a beautiful campus. But your child will not be surrounded with kids interested in intellectual pursuits. With that said, if she is highly motivated and can get good grades, it probably does place into programs better than Mercer. I just can't understand why she would narrow down to these two. What about your state flagship? If in VA, what about JMU? Large state schools just have so many more resources and better graduate program placement than an Elon or Mercer. Good luck!

She is finalizing her list of safeties
I don’t know why people on this board have such an axe to grind with a very average private college

It kind of looks like the poster answered your question before you even asked it...in the second to last sentence.