Academics
Located in central North Carolina, Elon University offers a “visually stunning” campus and a “focus for learning [that] is very hands on.” One student shares, “Many of my classes actually introduced real life clients that we worked with,” like “the NAACP, Habitat for Humanity International, … and numerous local businesses.” This reach beyond the classroom is perfect for Elon students, as many “are intent on becoming global citizens.” Options to “study abroad for a semester, summer, or winter term are all very popular,” and those who remain local will find a curriculum that encourages experiential learning through “internships, research, service, and leadership.” The campus is packed with “amazing resources, such as the SPDC [Student Professional Development Center], and [the] Maker Hub,” but the classes themselves remain intentionally small, which “allows for connections and questions between faculty and students.” Professors, too, earn high marks for being “extremely student focused” and “engaged, caring, and smart,” and this connection fosters an atmosphere where “every student is a person, not just a number.”
Student Body
At Elon University “students are driven go-getters” who thrive in the “sense of community on campus.” They appreciate that their classmates “are very motivated and want a bright future.” It’s nearly universally accepted that they “over involve themselves in outside activities, but all in an effort to better themselves.” It’s also fairly agreed-upon that Elon is “striving for a racially diverse campus,” and some cite a “growing international student population” as evidence. The demographic, however, still skews “predominantly white” with “a great deal of wealthy students.” Others go on to add that, while they may prefer more ethnic diversity, “Elon students are diverse in their perspectives, experiences, interests, and passions.” As one happy undergrad reports, “The sense of community is truly unbelievable …. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced.”
Campus Life
Since Elon was “founded on the basis of community engagement and participation,” student schedules outside of class are full at Elon. Here, it’s known “that everyone is too busy, overly involved, and loving it.” Still, school work is a priority, and students “have a passion for knowledge, as seen through their exceptional academic efforts.” When they do want a break, students spend time at the campus movie theatre, sporting events, student organizations, and social events—Elon Phoenix love their “trivia or bingo.” There is live entertainment, too, with “many talented student groups/bands, and the musical theater department … puts on a spectacular show every semester.” There’s also no question that students “definitely love to party,” and “Greek life is a dominant force” on campus. While one student notes, “It does get hard at times … not being in Greek life,” another assures that “there are plenty of other opportunities for students.” As for the town of Elon itself, students admit “the surrounding area can be a little barren,” but “hiking in the mountains, beach trips, and mini adventures to nearby small towns” are all available options. In all, Elon is “a campus that inspires and collaborates,” and as one student says: “Everyone at Elon misses it when we go back home.”
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