Elon University (EU)

Elon University is all about providing “meaningful access to professors, research opportunities, internships, and leadership roles early…which allows [students] to explore their interests in practical, hands-on ways.” The community—“everyone from the most esteemed professors to our incredible dining hall workers, to the student life staff, to our groundskeepers”—is described as “the most incredible support system” and said to “want the best for all the students.” In practice, this means that the “highly experienced and enthusiastic” professors do “constant check-ups and meetings with you. They want to make sure that you’re not only succeeding in their class, but also having an amazing, enriching time in college.” Additionally, the small class sizes allow for bonding “with both my professors and my peers, and it gives me more opportunities for success.” There’s also lots of experiential learning, where “students can use both classroom learning and real-world experience to understand the information being taught.” For instance, one education student reports: “We can student teach and participate in practicum experiences as early as our first year.” The J-term—an abbreviated semester in January—also gives students, even those with strict major requirements, the chance to apply what they’ve learned abroad. Case in point, one student took a course titled “Through the Lens of ESPN” that involved traveling to Brazil: “I can surely say it was one of the best experiences of my life.” All told, students report that Elon provides the “kind of hands-on, inquiry-driven learning” that makes their college experience “feel deeply engaging, relevant, and transformative.”

“The student body at Elon University is most akin to a mosaic, where there are a wide variety of colors everywhere, but all together it’s like you stepped into a rainbow.” There’s a broad range “of backgrounds and individuals from…all over the world, that bring a wide variety of perspectives to the learning experience.” Another student agrees, explaining that the students at Elon are also “diverse when it comes to student interest and extracurricular involvement. I find a lot of athletes involved in art and music communities, and lots of cross-major friendship and interaction.” Perhaps inspiring these cross-curricular interests is the fact that Elon students share “a specific drive, and everyone is able to be involved on campus in some way.” As one student confesses, “I want to be as involved as I am because of those around me, and I am grateful for that every day.” In short, “everyone here belongs to Elon. We have different backgrounds, majors, goals, etc., but deep down, we are here because we care about having a community. Elon students seek community and seek to make you a part of it.”

With its “mix of modernity and brick,” sweeping lawns, and picturesque fountains, Elon is a “very beautiful campus.” Students name Lake Mary Nell, the Historic Neighborhood on campus, and the Center for the Arts (CFA) as favorite places to find students “lounging around, chatting, or doing their work.” The CFA is a particular hot spot, as it features a variety of theaters and studio spaces that house some of Elon’s popular performing arts programs, including Elon Student Television, “a sketch comedy show similar to SNL.” Student-run radio also “adds color” to campus life (“WSOE 89.3FM forever!”) Students enthuse about “our amazing theater program and productions…We are definitely an arts school.” Outside of creative endeavors, many students credit Greek life (“I wouldn’t be the student I am without it,” confesses one student) and athletics for opening doors to “incredibly strong” communities. One student sums up campus life best: “There’s a strong culture of involvement here: students are constantly balancing academics with leadership roles, service organizations, research, athletics, and creative projects, and that energy creates an environment where it feels normal to want to do big things.”

Undergraduates emphasize the “truly incredible professional resources” at Elon University, any one of which “prepares you for a job, providing solid connections and real-world experiences.” Opportunities at the Student Professional Development Center extend beyond the classroom, from study-abroad to fellowships, leadership development, and rotational programs. It’s easy to find “ample resources for career help and resume building” on campus and online with the Elon Job Network, which advertises jobs, internships, recruiting events, and the Alumni Speaker Series, and encourages connections with alumni for resume feedback and future employment. Students can match directly with alumni mentors in their chosen fields with ADPList.

Student-run career societies, networking organizations, professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, and similar interactive campus programs promote hands-on experience. Cinema and television majors rave about the advantages of professional training they receive on state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment: “Everyone…has had internships lined up…I feel this program excels at preparing students to become strong competitors in a very competitive field.” Another Elon student emphasizes: “I have so much confidence for the road ahead…I am certain I will be prepared for a successful and happy career.” According to PayScale.com, graduates with a bachelor’s degree report a median starting salary of $63,800.