Elon

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a kid who has attended Elon in the last 5 years or so? DS really liked his visit but is also weighing whether to apply ED to Miami FL, Tulane, or Wake. How are the academics? Outside of the fellows programs, are the kids academically motivated? Is there a social life outside of Greek life? Are the other schools worth a $100k extra over 4 years? He is interested in business and will play his sport on the club level. He also liked the other 3 schools but thinks he might do better as a big fish in a smaller pond. He has a 3.8uw with good ECs so he should have a decent shot ED at the others.

[Anonymous]

This is a tough decision since he may not get in EA or RD at the other three. Elon is definitely up and coming and will likely keep improving (similar to many other Southern schools). I think it would come down to your son’s gut feeling and your finances (how much the extra $100k would hurt). I would just pick wherever he thinks he will thrive the most (as opposed to the name of the school) and then decide if you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

My kid went there and transferred out. She found it was “easier than high school.” There are smart kids there, but a lot of kids who just want to party. She felt the social life/student body was one dimensional (UMC white kids who want to party). Greek was popular but everyone does not get in (well, for girls anyway) so there is social life outside of Greek life.

That said, a lot of kids love it. You just have to be a certain kind of kid. It seems they are trying to change the school a bit to make it more serious (and there is great student interaction with professors and the professors love when students take an interest).

It was a bad fit for my student (and interestingly, almost very one of her friends who also transferred out), but many kids love it and I think you can have a great experience if you are a fit and you want to.

[Anonymous]

Don't ED and rule out Elon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't ED and rule out Elon

This is easy to say theoretically but OP should know the odds of getting into one of those schools ED is roughly 50% but that will drop to less than 20% in the EA round. Seems like the decision should be made now since the kid will likely end up attending Elon if he doesn’t apply anywhere ED.

[Anonymous]

I know a current senior year there who def could have gone to a better school. She’s among the smartest and likes the opportunities it’s provided her because she’s a top student. That said she is Greek and she’s
said that is all there is to the social life. As a PS she drinks and drugs a whole lot more than she ever did in HS.

[Anonymous]

If your son could get into one of the Fellows Programs (there is one for business) I think the cohort would be pretty similar to the students at the other 3 schools he is considering. But I think there would be a big drop off in academic ability in the regular classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your son could get into one of the Fellows Programs (there is one for business) I think the cohort would be pretty similar to the students at the other 3 schools he is considering. But I think there would be a big drop off in academic ability in the regular classes.

Ha ha! There was a little cheating scandal last year when one of the business fellows told the school news organization how they all share answers. It was quickly swept under the rug. The fellows students are nothing special.

[Anonymous]

I have a freshman there now in one of the fellows programs who is really enjoying it. She got into “better” schools and to be honest, I was worried about the classes not being academic enough but that has not been the case so far.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid that looked there and ended up at Miami because she wanted more of a city experience.

She has friends there that are very happy and academic - actually the main negative after talking to folks is that is located in an area where there isn't much going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a freshman there now in one of the fellows programs who is really enjoying it. She got into “better” schools and to be honest, I was worried about the classes not being academic enough but that has not been the case so far.

OP here. How has the social life been so far? Is there enough to do on weekends if not interested in Greek life? What are the other kids like? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid went there and transferred out. She found it was “easier than high school.” There are smart kids there, but a lot of kids who just want to party. She felt the social life/student body was one dimensional (UMC white kids who want to party). Greek was popular but everyone does not get in (well, for girls anyway) so there is social life outside of Greek life.

That said, a lot of kids love it. You just have to be a certain kind of kid. It seems they are trying to change the school a bit to make it more serious (and there is great student interaction with professors and the professors love when students take an interest).

It was a bad fit for my student (and interestingly, almost very one of her friends who also transferred out), but many kids love it and I think you can have a great experience if you are a fit and you want to.

NP

Great post. Exactly what I have heard about Elon over the past several years.

Willing to share any of the transfer school names ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid went there and transferred out. She found it was “easier than high school.” There are smart kids there, but a lot of kids who just want to party. She felt the social life/student body was one dimensional (UMC white kids who want to party). Greek was popular but everyone does not get in (well, for girls anyway) so there is social life outside of Greek life.

That said, a lot of kids love it. You just have to be a certain kind of kid. It seems they are trying to change the school a bit to make it more serious (and there is great student interaction with professors and the professors love when students take an interest).

It was a bad fit for my student (and interestingly, almost very one of her friends who also transferred out), but many kids love it and I think you can have a great experience if you are a fit and you want to.

NP

Great post. Exactly what I have heard about Elon over the past several years.

Willing to share any of the transfer school names ?

I don’t want to put my DD because she is the only one to transfer to her particular school. I will say she got into about 10/13 (the ones she did not get into were Ivy). She got into T20 and “public Ivy.” Quite frankly, her 4.0 at Elon and involvement in ECs got her into schools she would not have gotten into directly out of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid went there and transferred out. She found it was “easier than high school.” There are smart kids there, but a lot of kids who just want to party. She felt the social life/student body was one dimensional (UMC white kids who want to party). Greek was popular but everyone does not get in (well, for girls anyway) so there is social life outside of Greek life.

That said, a lot of kids love it. You just have to be a certain kind of kid. It seems they are trying to change the school a bit to make it more serious (and there is great student interaction with professors and the professors love when students take an interest).

It was a bad fit for my student (and interestingly, almost very one of her friends who also transferred out), but many kids love it and I think you can have a great experience if you are a fit and you want to.

NP

Great post. Exactly what I have heard about Elon over the past several years.

Willing to share any of the transfer school names ?

I don’t want to put my DD because she is the only one to transfer to her particular school. I will say she got into about 10/13 (the ones she did not get into were Ivy). She got into T20 and “public Ivy.” Quite frankly, her 4.0 at Elon and involvement in ECs got her into schools she would not have gotten into directly out of school.

I will add that she loves her new school and finds the classes much more interesting and challenging. She doesn’t necessarily regret Elon but strongly feels it was a bad fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a freshman there now in one of the fellows programs who is really enjoying it. She got into “better” schools and to be honest, I was worried about the classes not being academic enough but that has not been the case so far.

OP here. How has the social life been so far? Is there enough to do on weekends if not interested in Greek life? What are the other kids like? Thanks.

My sense is that most of the parties are Greek but there is still plenty to do outside of parties - my kid is in one of the living/learning communities and has met people through that to hang out with on weekends outside of frat parties.