Wake Forest v. Elon

[Anonymous]

Originally DD was interested in Elon but family stopped at nearby Wake. DD loved it and is actually more interested in the Liberal Arts. Wake appears to be a higher rated school. Does anyone have thoughts on these schools (assume DD meets the stats for Wake).

[Anonymous]

Wake is more highly regarded academically and a bit more Southern.

[Anonymous]

ED is a big advantage at WF.

[Anonymous]

Went to Wake and loved Wake. It earns the nickname "Work Forest." Great for liberal arts and pre-professional. Less so in certain STEM fields. Very southern, very conservative, lots of Greeks. I grew up in NC, and it is much more highly thought of than Elon (not just saying that as an Alum). If Wake & Elon appeal to you, also look at Davidson.

[Anonymous]

I know Elon mostly as a crossword puzzle answer.

[Anonymous]

A know a family who has one at each. They both love their schools and are thriving. Very similar kids. Both are very preppy, smart, conservative kids, and liberal arts leaning.

[Anonymous]

I'm also from NC and think WF is more highly regarded. I considered going there. I had several very smart, well-rounded classmates go to Wake, but the people who went to Elon were not as outstanding, but still smart. I've only heard good things about both schools. The graduates I can think of from Wake are now a PhD in chemistry, a doctor, a director of social justice programs for a nonprofit, and a minister. The Elon grads are a teacher and someone who works in marketing. I agree that it wouldn't be a bad idea to look at Davidson. It's probably the hardest of the three to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went to Wake and loved Wake. It earns the nickname "Work Forest." Great for liberal arts and pre-professional. Less so in certain STEM fields. Very southern, very conservative, lots of Greeks. I grew up in NC, and it is much more highly thought of than Elon (not just saying that as an Alum). If Wake & Elon appeal to you, also look at Davidson.

+1 on all counts

[Anonymous]

Another NC native. I went to neither, but Wake is much more highly regarded than Elon. I have been really surprised to discover how many students from this area choose Elon; when I was in college it was considered a safety school for kids who weren't admitted to UNC, Wake or NC State. Maybe it has improved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another NC native. I went to neither, but Wake is much more highly regarded than Elon. I have been really surprised to discover how many students from this area choose Elon; when I was in college it was considered a safety school for kids who weren't admitted to UNC, Wake or NC State. Maybe it has improved.

For kids in this area it's now easier to get into N.C. State than Elon, and harder to get into UNC and Wake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another NC native. I went to neither, but Wake is much more highly regarded than Elon. I have been really surprised to discover how many students from this area choose Elon; when I was in college it was considered a safety school for kids who weren't admitted to UNC, Wake or NC State. Maybe it has improved.

For kids in this area it's now easier to get into N.C. State than Elon, and harder to get into UNC and Wake.

Elon and NC State are the same acceptance rate.
Elon has 6K students, NC State has 32K students
Elon and NC State are basically the same cost, but Elon gives more merit aid.

It's a good choice for a A-/B+ student who were very involved in other things in HS that did not want to waste their HS career with 10 AP classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another NC native. I went to neither, but Wake is much more highly regarded than Elon. I have been really surprised to discover how many students from this area choose Elon; when I was in college it was considered a safety school for kids who weren't admitted to UNC, Wake or NC State. Maybe it has improved.

For kids in this area it's now easier to get into N.C. State than Elon, and harder to get into UNC and Wake.

Elon and NC State are the same acceptance rate.
Elon has 6K students, NC State has 32K students
Elon and NC State are basically the same cost, but Elon gives more merit aid.

It's a good choice for a A-/B+ student who were very involved in other things in HS that did not want to waste their HS career with 10 AP classes.

Fair enough but the overall acceptance rates at a school don't necessarily tell you how kids in a particular area will fare.

[Anonymous]

We have a DD who is a senior at Wake. She has multiple job opportunities pending. Her run at Wake ahs been fabulous. Highly recommend the school for those who can get it. Getting harder however to get in as the school has been "discovered."

[Anonymous]

NC native here -- very familiar with both schools.

Wake has an actual academic reputation, whereas Elon is known as a safety/slack school for local kids or kids with big budgets from out of state.

Wake is great campus and faculty. Winston is a decent little city, not quite a college town like Chapel Hill, but affordable and easy access for travel (PTI airport about 25 mins away with direct flights to DCA/IAD 3-5x/day, 6 hours driving) and has a nice arts downtown and good social scene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: A know a family who has one at each. They both love their schools and are thriving. Very similar kids. Both are very preppy, smart, conservative kids, and liberal arts leaning.

Wake is not conservative....