StudentsReview :: Elon University - Extra Detail about the Comment
-or-
Search for Schools by Region
 

or within distance of city

Similar Schools
James Madison University -- Harrisonburg, VA
George Washington University -- District of Columbia, DC
Saint Mary's College of California -- Moraga, CA


  Who's got the Best?

Perceptual Rankings:
You Make 'Em.
We Post 'Em.
You Vote 'Em Up.
You Vote 'Em Down.
Aww yeah.


Elon University

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityA- Faculty AccessibilityB+
Useful SchoolworkB Excess CompetitionB
Academic SuccessB+ Creativity/ InnovationA-
Individual ValueB+ University Resource UseB-
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyA+ FriendlinessB
Campus MaintenanceA+ Social LifeC
Surrounding CityD Extra CurricularsB+
SafetyB+
Describes the student body as:
Friendly, Arrogant, Approachable, Closeminded

Describes the faculty as:
Friendly, Arrogant, Condescending

Female
Quite Bright
Lowest Rating
Surrounding City
D
Highest Rating
Campus Aesthetics/ Beauty
A+
She cares more about Surrounding City than the average student.
Date: Jan 26 2011
Major: Communications (This Major's Salary over time)
I am currently a sophomore at Elon University as a Commuications and International Studies double major. To be frank, I'm honored to be able to attend a school with such a strong Communications program. There are so many opportunities abundant for people in the Comm field at Elon, and graduates have gone on to work for CNN, The View, The Boston Globe, Vogue … if Elon wasn't doing its job, I highly doubt these students would be getting such prestigious jobs. Furthermore, so much of the faculty are accredited and have won top honors (Pulitzer Prizes, for instance) or have worked for top companies, such as Marvel and Disney. I'm not saying every professor is perfect - many of them can be arrogant or condescending, even when such traits are uncalled for, but are a few bad professors to be the judgment factor of the university? I should hope not. At even the best schools in the nation, there are bound to be less than great professors. Besides, more often than not, you can avoid a bad professor if you plan properly. And, yes, I will agree that the academics at Elon are not the most challenging in the nation, necessarily, but is this an Ivy League university? No. Furthermore, if you are griping about classes being too easy in your first or even second years, go ahead and take 300 and 400 levels. That's what I am planning to do this upcoming semester, as I want that extra challenge and hope that I am forced to work even harder to maintain a good GPA.

The extracurriculars are great at Elon, too, and should not be underestimated. It's important that students get involved, and Elon is all about that. There are numerous opportunities to do community service, student leadership, or even work on campus to earn some extra money. I am able to balance both a job and a leadership position in a club, in addition to my schoolwork, but don't think that this means I don't get any homework or out-of-class assignments, because I do get plenty of that. But Elon wants their students to do out-of-classroom activities, so that we can learn time management and have lots of great credentials for our resumes … not to mention that we learn a lot from these types of extracurriculars.

My biggest critique about Elon is, in fact, the student body and social life here. It's true that a lot of students are incredibly wealthy, which means that, of this batch, several students are snobby and obnoxious and tote around designer bags. There are many girls who will spend an hour dolling themselves up for their Econ 101 class. And, of course, let's not get started about the obscene number of salmon pink shorts and turquoise Vineyard Vines polos I see Elon men donning in the warm weather. But don't think in stereotypes, people. There are a lot more personalities than just the preppy frat boy or the overdressed rich bitch. An introvert will not do well at Elon, that much I can say, because getting out there and actively seeing people who are similar to you in personality, disposition, and interests might is crucial. Sitting back and sulking in your dorm room while your suitemates are dressing to the nines to go out and party on Thursday nights will not do.

The social life at Elon is pretty terrible, for there are hardly any outlets for entertainment, on or off campus nearby, and most people wind up at parties on the weekends for entertainment. I'm the type of person who enjoys going out every once in awhile, and would sometimes rather spend my weekends out doing other fun things. However, the closest location for entertainment is in Greensboro, which is anywhere from 20-40 minutes away. Some people don't have cars, so they wind up on campus a majority of their freshman year, bored out of their minds and not sure of what to do. I think Elon and the surrounding area could use a few more options for people who don't go out as far as entertainment goes, because Friday and Saturday nights at Elon (other than the parties) are quite frankly dead.

The bottom line is that, at Elon, you have to take it upon yourself to make it an amazing experience. You are provided so many resources and opportunities that other schools do not provide, and these should not be taken for granted. Amazing things are not just going to "happen" to you here: go out there, get involved, make yourself busy and that is when the success will happen. Don't whine and complain; thousands of people would kill to be able to attend such a great university.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Compare ElonSave Elon