Another one of "these threads:" Wake vs. Elon Fellows

[juba2jive]

I got into UNC-CH, Richmond, Wake, and Elon, and I've narrowed it down to Wake and Elon. (I was also waitlisted at Davidson, Duke, and WM, but I need a school to commit to NOW.) Chapel Hill is fantastic and I'll always be a Carolina fan at heart, but unfortunately, I think it's too big for me and students don't get the attention they need as undergrads. Plus, I'm from NC, so a lot of the kids are already "like me" geographically, if that makes sense. Richmond = too much $$$. That tuition increase ticked me off and was enough to turn me off, I think. So, between a good scholarship at Elon and basically no aid at Wake, which would you choose? Here's how I see it.

With the NC tuition grant, Wake costs $39,350/year, plus you get a laptop included in the price of tuition. Elon, when everything's factored in, is about $13,821/year - a third of the price, pretty much. Aid isn't necessarily the crucial ingredient to my decision, though...

Although I like a lot of things about Wake, I'm still a little leery of the homogenity/conservatism vibe that I get when I go on campus. I don't know...although I do my own thing and I'm really not a flaming liberal or anything, I also know I could learn to deal with whatever flaws I see. It is more rigorous academically than Elon, and as a result my GPA would be lower for grad or med school. But doesn't prestige really play a small role in getting jobs or into med school? In that case, Wake is probably more prestigious. On the other hand, as part of the Elon Honors Fellows program, I'd get special attention/classes/housing, etc. But would the student body be as intellectual?

I'm confused, and if anyone has any insight, that would be wonderful.

[njmom]

Juba2Jive- I read about Wake to pass on info. to my son, he is a jr. and loves Wake. I have kept up with your posts, and just want to say good luck with your decision! The school you attend will be the winner, you sound like a great student and a good thinker! Good luck!

[juba2jive]

Aw, that's cool! Thank you! Actually, it takes me forever to make big decisions sometimes because I waffle - I have to think through every possible situation and the pros and cons of each, lol. I've liked Wake since about tenth grade, although I see little things about it that bother me. I just have to learn to deal with the flaws I see, though, and realize that there is no one "perfect" school.

My English teacher, whom I always go to for advice, told me today that Wake would be more intellectually stimulating for me. Plus, I think it's the one my parents want me to go to...even though it is my decision in the end. This college stuff is too complicated.

Bumping this for more input.

[Faline2]

Wake over Elon IMHO. Have you compared Elon and Wake's Law and Med School admission percentages and which grad schools they often feed into? Wake will get you further even with the grade deflation issue. It is true that the student body is a bit homogenous, but in this case the faculty at Wake will "deliver" the goods and classrooms are personal but challenging. I believe you would graduate at a higher level of academic skill and with more competitive peers at Wake.