Frequently Asked Questions
Campus and Facilities
Where is Elon?
How many students are enrolled at
Elon?
What is the campus like?
What are Elon's facilities
like?
Academics
What majors are offered at Elon?
What are the most popular
majors?
What graduate degrees are offered at
Elon?
What is the student-faculty ratio at
Elon?
What is the 4-1-4 academic
calendar?
Admissions
What are Elon's admission
requirements?
What are the average high school GPA and SAT
scores of Elon freshmen?
How do I apply to Elon?
Elon Experiences
What are the Elon
Experiences?
How many Elon students complete
internships?
What service learning opportunities are
available at Elon?
How many Elon students study
abroad?
Cost and Financial Aid
How much is tuition, room and
board?
What types of scholarships are
available?
What is the Fellows Program?
Where can I get information on
financial aid?
Students and Campus Life
What percentage of Elon students are from
North Carolina?
What is the retention rate at
Elon?
Do many Elon students live on
campus?
Are freshmen required to live on
campus?
How does Elon encourage safety on
campus?
Can I bring my own computer to
campus?
What if I don't have a
computer?
Student Life and Athletics
What types of student organizations are
available?
Does Elon have fraternities and
sororities?
What are athletics like at
Elon?
Survey Results
What do college guides say about
Elon?
What do Elon students say about
Elon?
Where
is Elon?
Elon is a small, private, coeducational university situated
in the beautiful Piedmont section of North Carolina. The
campus is located just outside Burlington, population 50,000,
and 30 minutes east of Greensboro, population 225,000. There
are many restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, parks and
shopping options within a short distance of Elon. Raleigh,
Durham, Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem are all within an
hour's drive, as are more than a dozen other colleges and
universities, including N.C. State, Duke, the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest. As the state
capital, Raleigh also attracts many cultural and sporting
events throughout the year.
How many students are enrolled at Elon?
Undergraduate enrollment for the 2005-2006 academic year is
4,940 students. Graduate enrollment is 518.
What is the campus
like?
Visitors often comment that Elon is one of the most
beautiful campuses they've seen. The mild North Carolina
climate and colorful change of seasons make Elon an ideal
setting for living and learning. Classic brick buildings
represent the rich history of Elon. The picturesque oak
trees, the meticulous landscaping and the character of
Elon's campus have been creating lasting impressions
since 1889.
What are Elon's facilities like?
Although considered a small university, Elon thinks big in
terms of facilities and has a strong commitment to
integrating technology across the curriculum. For example,
students have access to more than two dozen high-tech
scientific instruments, loads of lab space and more than 70
computers in the McMichael Science Center. Belk Library has
250,000 bound volumes and 195 computers. Elon's Moseley
Center offers the Campus Shop, the Octagon Cafe, meeting
space for student organizations and even a fireplace lounge
for relaxing between classes. Elon's athletics complex
includes Rhodes Stadium, which seats 8,250, and the new Belk
Track. From academics to athletics, Elon's
state-of-the-art facilities offer something for
everyone.
What majors are
offered at Elon?
Students may choose among 50
major fields of study leading to the bachelor of arts,
bachelor of fine arts or bachelor of science degree. A dual-degree
engineering program, affiliated with North Carolina State
University, North Carolina A & T State University,
Georgia Tech, Columbia University, Virginia Tech and
Washington University in St. Louis, allows students to earn
undergraduate degrees from Elon and one of these
affiliates.
What are the most popular majors?
The most popular academic majors include business,
communications, biology, education, and political
science.
What graduate degrees are offered at
Elon?
Master's degrees are awarded in business administration
and education. A doctor of physical therapy degree is also
offered. Visit the Graduate Admissions
section of our site for more information. The Elon University School of Law
opened in 2006 and plans to graduate it's first class in
2008.
What are Elon's admission requirements?
More than 9,000 applications were received for the 1,250
available spaces for new freshmen and transfers last year.
The most important factors in the admissions decision are the
academic record (including courses taken, grades attained and
class standing) followed by SAT
or ACT scores. We also consider the Guidance Counselor
Evaluation, extracurricular activities and involvement, the
personal statement and a student's potential to
contribute positively to our campus environment. For
transfers, previous college work is the primary factor,
followed by high school performance and SAT or ACT
scores.
Applicants are encouraged to pursue a rigorous program of
study throughout their four years of high school. We
recommend the following distribution of courses:
English: 4 units
Math: 3 or more units (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry
required)
Science: 3 or more units, including at least one lab
science
Social Studies: 3 or more units, including U.S.
History
Foreign Language: 2 units required, 3 recommended (Students
who have not completed at least two units in one foreign
language must complete a 101-level foreign language course at
Elon.)
What are the average high school GPA and SAT scores of Elon
freshmen?
The middle 50 percent of Elon's incoming freshmen had a
3.5 - 4.4 high school GPA. The middle 50 percent SAT range
was 1150 - 1300.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Elon?
The student-faculty ratio is 15-to-1, with 22 students in
the average class. Elon has 279 full-time faculty. Students
regularly work one-on-one with professors who want to see
them succeed.
What is the 4-1-4 academic calendar?
Elon's 4-1-4 academic calendar includes two four-month
semesters and a four-week Winter Term in January.
How do I apply
to Elon?
For complete information on freshman admissions,
visit Application
Deadlines and Important Information.
Transfer Applicants:
- Obtain a transfer application and Dean's Evaluation form by calling the Elon Admissions Office at (800) 334-8448, or you may apply online.
- Have your high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores sent directly to Elon.
- Ask the registrar of each college you have attended to mail a transcript of your work directly to the Elon Admissions Office.
-
Send a completed Dean's Evaluation
form from the last college attended directly to the Elon
Admissions Office.
International Applicants:
All freshman applicants, regardless of nationality, complete the freshman admissions application.
What are the Elon Experiences?
The Elon Experiences encourage active learning through five programs -- study abroad, internships and co-ops, undergraduate research, leadership and volunteer service. The distinctive Elon Experiences Transcript documents this participation and helps graduates stand out in job interviews. Visit our real-life learning section for more information on the Elon Experiences.
How many Elon students complete internships?
Eighty percent of Elon's Class of 2007 graduates completed internships while at Elon. Students have completed internships in a wide variety of places, including the British Broadcasting Corporation, The White House, IBM, National Geographic, Merrill Lynch, Walt Disney World, MTV, the major television networks and more.
What service learning opportunities are available at Elon?
During the 2006-2007 school year, Elon students contributed more than 86,000 hours of volunteer service in the community. The heart of the volunteer program is Elon Volunteers!, which is a student-run network that matches student interests with the needs of community organizations. In addition, Elon's Kernodle Center for Service Learning actively links community service with classroom learning and serves as a model for student volunteer programs all over the world.
How many Elon students study abroad?
Elon sends more undergraduate students to study abroad than any other master's-level school in the nation. Seventy three percent of the Class of 2007 undergraduate seniors studied abroad at least once during their time at Elon. The study abroad program, run by the Isabella Cannon Centre for International Studies, takes students to England, France, Japan, Australia, Spain, Sweden and many more locations around the world. Visit the Study Abroad Web site for more information.
How much is tuition, room and board?
2007-08 tuition and fees: $22,166. Room and board: $7,296. Total: $29,462. Scholarships and financial aid are available, and there is a state tuition grant for North Carolina residents (currently valued at $1,900 per year). Please visit the Finanical Aid Web site for more information.
What types of scholarships are available?
There are several types of scholarships available to Elon students:
- Presidential scholarships of $1,000 to $4,500 annually are awarded automatically based on academic information submitted with the admissions application. Notification of a Presidential award is received at the time of acceptance. No separate application is needed for the Presidential scholarships.
- A limited number of Fellows scholarships ranging in value from $2,500 to $8,000 annually are available through the Elon Fellows programs, including Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows, Honors Fellows, Journalism and Communications Fellows, Jefferson Pilot Business Fellows, Elon College Fellows and North Carolina Teaching Fellows. Finalists are invited to Elon's campus in the spring to learn more about the programs and be interviewed by a faculty member. A separate application is required for the Fellows scholarships. Visit the Fellows Web site for applications and information about the application process. The application deadline is January 10. If you would like additional information about the Fellows programs, please contact the Admissions Office at (800) 334-8448.
- The dual-degree engineering program at Elon allows a student to earn two undergraduate degrees: a bachelor's degree from Elon and a bachelor's degree from an affiliated engineering school. A student spends the first three years at Elon and the final two years at an engineering school. Engineering scholarships are available for outstanding students. Finalists are invited to campus for faculty interviews and a preview of the dual-degree engineering program. Four scholarships valued at $3,000 annually will be awarded. The engineering scholarship is in addition to other merit-based monies the student has received. The engineering application must be submitted with two letters of recommendation no later than January 10. If you would like additional information about the program, please call the Admissions Office at (800) 334-8448.
What is the Fellows Program?
Elon's Fellows
programs are selective, four-year programs that offer
talented students advantages outside their normal coursework,
including internships, faculty mentoring, special courses,
grants for study abroad and scholarships. A separate
application is required, and the application deadline is
January 10. The following programs are available: Isabella
Cannon Leadership Fellows, Honors Fellows, Journalism and
Communications Fellows, Jefferson Pilot Business Fellows,
Elon College Fellows and North Carolina Teaching Fellows.
Finalists will be invited to Elon's campus to learn more
about the programs and be interviewed by a faculty member. If
you would like additional information about the Fellows
programs, please contact the Admissions Office at (800)
334-8448.
Where can I get information on financial aid?
Elon requires that the FAFSA form, the PROFILE form and the
Elon Aid form be submitted. The priority deadline for
financial aid is March 15. To get more information on
financial aid, please visit the Financial
Aid Web site or call the Financial Planning Office at
(800) 334-8448, ext. 2.
What percentage of Elon students are from North Carolina?
Thirty-two percent of Elon students are North Carolinians.
Elon students represent 46 states, the District of Columbia
and 45 other countries.
What is the retention rate at Elon?
Eighty-nine percent of students return to Elon following
their freshman year.
Do many Elon students live on campus?
Fifty-seven percent of Elon students live on campus in
residence halls and other housing. Some residence hall floors
are even organized by themes, such as creative arts or math
and science, allowing students to live with people who have
similar interests. The new Academic Village houses students,
faculty and classrooms. All Residence
Life policies and procedures for living on campus are
presented in the Housing Agreement, which the student
receives and acknowledges when applying for campus housing.
This agreement is a one-academic-year contract renewable each
academic year. Elon helps students find off-campus housing,
but the school does not serve as an intermediary in any way
between the student and his/her landlord.
Are freshmen
required to live on campus?
All first and second-year students must live in the
residence halls unless they are approved by the Residence
Life Office to live with their parents, relatives or spouse.
Transfers must live on campus until one year has passed since
their high school graduation. Provided on-campus housing
space is available, juniors and seniors are welcome to live
on campus.
How does Elon encourage safety on campus?
Campus safety is maintained by North Carolina Certified Law
Enforcement Officers and by professional security staff with
student support working under the direct supervision of the
Director of Campus Safety and Police. The system works in
close cooperation with the Elon Police and Fire Departments
and the staff of Student Life.
Campus safety is a partnership between the university, its
students, faculty, staff and guests. Students, faculty, staff
and guests are encouraged to practice sound safety practices.
In turn, the university attempts to provide facilities and
services that optimize safety and security. Emergency
telephones are located in strategic areas across campus. A
complete list is updated yearly in the
Student Handbook. The phones in the parking areas are
designed to be accessible from an automobile without leaving
one's vehicle.
The Office of Campus Safety and Police provides an escort
service 24 hours a day. Students on campus call extension
5555 for this service; those off-campus who need an escort
upon returning to campus should dial 278-5555.
In accordance with the Crime Awareness and Campus Security
Act of 1990, complete information regarding campus security
policies and programs and campus crime statistics is
available upon request from the Director of University
Relations, 2030 Campus Box.
Can I bring my own computer to campus?
Yes! About 95 percent of students bring their own computers
to campus. All academic buildings and residence halls are
wired for access to the Internet and Elon's library
system.
What if I don't have a computer?
Students have access to more than 620 workstations in 20
computer labs on campus, so bringing your own computer is not
required.
What types of student organizations are
available?
Getting involved in extracurricular activities is easy at
Elon because there's so much to choose from: More than
150 organizations and programs, from media and cultural
groups to student government, give students a chance to learn
through leading. Elon's clubs, service organizations and
spiritual groups are just a few examples of the many ways
students can make a difference in the community -- and make
new friends in the process.
Does Elon have fraternities and sororities?
Yes! Elon has 11 national fraternities and 11 national
sororities. About thirty-six percent of Elon's student
population belongs to a Greek
organization.
What are athletics like at Elon?
Elon competes in 16 intercollegiate men's and
women's sports in NCAA Division I (I-AA in football),
and is a member of the Southern Conference. Elon also offers
39 intramural and club sports for men and women. Koury
Center, Elon's athletics and physical education complex,
has something for every workout -- a large indoor pool, an
aerobics studio, weight-training rooms, an expanded fitness
center, racquetball courts and more. Visit the Campus
Recreation site for more information on club sports,
intramurals and facilities.
What do college guides say about Elon?
Elon's distinctive programs and learning style have
received extensive national recognition recently. Please
visit our national
rankings page for details.
What do Elon students say
about Elon?
The 2006 National
Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), the most
comprehensive assessment of effective practices in higher
education, finds that Elon University is performing among the
nation's top colleges and universities on five benchmarks
of academic excellence. Please visit our NSSE Web site for details.
