johndavis800

What are the students at Elon like?

gatorbait2299

well I suggest you come visit when there are students around so you can get a feel for it yourself...
It's alot like living in a "bubble world." I'm a freshman now but I'm transferring because I just feel like it's too small, too much drama like high school, no school spirit/pride (people go to the football games for the tailgaiting) HEAVY drinking on campus but they're trying to cut down on that so their getting ridiculous with their rules/cops, etc.
Basically, the schools gorgeous. There's not really alot to do though other than party somewhere with probably the same group of people. They try to downplay greek life on tours and stuff, but it's a big part of the social scene here. Actually this past weekend was all the frats banquets so basically the campus was dead and there were almost no good parties/things to do. I strongly recommend you visit!

3boymom

Sadly, I recall reading that the average transfer rate for Freshmen across all colleges and universities is about 18%, and up to 33% for students across all four undergraduate years according to institutional surveys. Though academic performance may be a factor that emerges over time, the reasons for Freshman transfers that I’ve heard most often in my neck of the woods are associated with social issues, interestingly enough --- horrible roommate, didn’t get into desired sorority/fraternity, unhappy with interaction in classrooms, yearning for friends and familiar surroundings, inability to continue with extracurricular activities cultivated in high school, unhappy with shared-living arrangements, i.e. hallway bathrooms, cafeteria meals, limited access to work-out equipment.

By my own observation (nothing scientific here), navigating the community of a small to medium size school takes a stronger person or one who is ready to step-up their level of maturity. It takes strength of character to live in a close setting where it doesn’t take long for everybody to know your name… and then some. The more intimate the setting, the more everything you say and do reveals something about you --- great, if you feel strong about who you are without being judgmental of others, but maybe not so good if you feel more secure in a larger school crowd where you can blend in without having to interact and possibly have several friends from high school with you along for the ride. Nothing wrong with either scenario, it’s just a matter of recognizing what works for you.

Unfortunately, we may not be doing enough to help students in high school learn to know themselves. Rising transfer rates could well be an indication of this shortcoming. Clearly, putting yourself through the transfer process is not easy and can even be painful. The transfer threads on this website echo of, “if only I had known.” The feeling of loss is real and predictably these students are going through phases of denial, depression and anger in the process of coping to preserve their ego.

I don’t fault the person for the angry comments made above. I understand the need to justify cutting-off and moving-on to what I hope is a more suitable place. But, in all fairness, I also happen to know there are many, many students who are experiencing success at Elon and have observed it to be a place where friends are made and a world of opportunity opens up. I am the parent of two such students, and I encourage readers of this thread to keep an open mind.

Ozymandias

I came in knowing knowing no one and could not be happier with the school. You don't have to be terribly outgoing to fit in here or anything, it's just a matter or meeting people (which is easy and facilitated by the university for the first semester). Elon people are diverse in the sense that if you are willing to introduce yourself, it will be possible to meet any group of people similar to you as long as you are from a middle- or higher- class white group. I hate to be exclusive but it's better to realize the population of the school beforehand then when you are already here. Elon students are going to hang out with the same group of people week to week but that doesnt mean that new people can't be assimilated into any given group of friends. Meet enough people during the earlier weeks with similar interests (be it religion, sports, alcohol) and you're going to be at home. Without question.

greenriver23

As someone who's transferring from Elon after my freshman year, I'll give my two cents. I came into the school knowing that it was not the best fit for me socially or what I wanted in the long run. However, the price was right and I had a guaranteed transfer to another school. That said, I did try hard to make it work. In the long run, I found a couple great friends who I'll really miss and through my activities I met some really smart, dedicated people. If you look hard enough, you can find any type of person at Elon. The school IS overwhelmingly greek though and there is an extremely large population of people who care about nothing but how many nights a week they can get drunk. Overall, I was not enamored of the school's social scene, isolated location and the large amount of apathetic students I encountered in my classes. I do know that there are a lot of people who don't fit the greek mold at all and who really love the school. I think it's just what you make of it. And never underestimate the power of both good and bad living situations in determining your overall happiness (I had a bad one)...