Student Profile
Mike
- Class: Senior
- Major: Government
- Gender: M
- High School: St. Mark's Highschool
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
Elon is a fairly large campus...what you walk through campus (which takes about 10 minutes) you will see faces that you know but many that you don't. In the beginning of the experience you will meet tons of people, but as you go through the classes you will end of taking classes with a group of about 10 friends. Its really nice to have people you know and like around you all the time. The town of Elon is really small and it is sometimes a little difficult to find things to do. But in the last 2 years there has been a huge mall constructed just down the road so it is much better now. Its nice because the grocery store, shopping, movies are really close to the campus which helps out when gas is 3.55 a gallon. Administration is absolutely wonderful (note I do not work for the school). We have this thing called college coffee where the whole admin comes out to talk to the students. If there is something that could be better or theres a problem they will take care of it. They also have no compunction about throwing money into student events. Dr. Lambert (President) is also one of the nicest people in the world. He really keeps the place running (0 tollerance policy for broken stuff). School pride (and sports in general) are still weak. We are in SOCON division 1...I think. Its not like there is no spirit, but there's not nearly as much as you might find at UNC or Maryland. They school colors to sports game...we wear polo shirts and sundresses. But there is actually a new pep group on campus so I think that is starting to change. The football team is also getting alot better. My freshman year was a shambles.
Academic Life
I am a political science major so my experience is fairly limited, but we have a amazing department. I just finished writing a 100 page research paper (voluntary). The faculty are really leaders in the field and love talking to students in their office or out of class. It is not uncommon that by senior year you will be on a first name basis. Can't explain how much they help getting you ready for grad school or work. I got a job at the Pentagon thanks to their effort. I owe they alot, but I also put alot of effot into their classes. You will have to work, but you will definately come out with a first class education that can rival almost any other school. And class sizes...at least for political science are about 15-8.
Student Body
I think that all 50 states are represented. There are not very many minority students nor is there a large excange student presence. I will blame that on Elon's relatively small endowment. Given that the school is so small and the alumni so young, there is not a huge opportunity to hit us up for cash. But I hear that they are doing big funding drives and I'm sure that once I leave they will call and ask for donations, so I can see that slowly getting better. But if you need massive financial aid, I would recommend being really smart because there is not a ton of money to go around. For a private university in the south the price as is isn't killer.
The Best Things
Great friends, great professors, great post-graduation support, small feel, big opportunities.
The Worst Things
Sometimes we are so busy with school and orgs. that we don't have time to stop and appreciate where we are.
