Post by elon_phan on Apr 15, 2007 15:40:09 GMT -5
Heart plays part in Elon admissions
By Brandee Hayhurst / Times-News
April 15, 2007 3:00 AM
Good grades alone aren’t enough to impress selective colleges anymore, and that includes Elon University.
Prospective students are now faced with the daunting prospect of trying to break into a freshman class with a grade-point average of 4.1.
The average GPA for the incoming class has surpassed a perfect score of 4.0 because it’s weighted for honors and advanced placement classes. The university also doesn’t include electives like music and shop in the calculation.
It’s easy to see why national reports are saying getting into a first choice for college is tougher than ever for the best of students. Nearby UNC-Chapel Hill has reported that 85 percent of its current freshman class had a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
With so many high-achieving students vying to get in, colleges can get creative in how they recruit. However, Elon doesn’t admit students by major, so admissions officials aren’t looking to stock specific degree programs.
“Whether they are a physics major or a business major, they have an equal opportunity,” said Dean of Admissions Greg Zaiser. He said the admissions office focuses on finding “who we believe our students are: the smart students with a good heart.”
Students involved in lots of activities — like athletics, Scouting, Habitat for Humanity and other community service — caught the eye of Elon University this year. Those students, in turn, are likely to appreciate Elon’s reputation for community service, internships, study abroad and other learning opportunities outside the classroom. It’s now something the university is nationally recognized for.
Personal essays also help the admissions office identify which students have heart.
“It’s a way to differentiate one strong student from another,” Zaiser said.
With 9,359 applications, more students than ever were knocking on Elon’s door this year. The university accepted 40 percent of applicants but is holding the line at allowing 1,275 students into the freshman class.
Still, only 2 percent more students applied than last year, Zaiser said. Mailboxes were really bursting a few years back, when Elon first started to get a lot of national recognition.
“We’re seeing a leveling off, which is about right,” Zaiser said. “I think because we’ve had so much growth over years prior.”
Zaiser said there are currently 1,112 students on the wait list. If space opens up in the freshman class, wait-listed students are chosen randomly.
By Brandee Hayhurst / Times-News
April 15, 2007 3:00 AM
Good grades alone aren’t enough to impress selective colleges anymore, and that includes Elon University.
Prospective students are now faced with the daunting prospect of trying to break into a freshman class with a grade-point average of 4.1.
The average GPA for the incoming class has surpassed a perfect score of 4.0 because it’s weighted for honors and advanced placement classes. The university also doesn’t include electives like music and shop in the calculation.
It’s easy to see why national reports are saying getting into a first choice for college is tougher than ever for the best of students. Nearby UNC-Chapel Hill has reported that 85 percent of its current freshman class had a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
With so many high-achieving students vying to get in, colleges can get creative in how they recruit. However, Elon doesn’t admit students by major, so admissions officials aren’t looking to stock specific degree programs.
“Whether they are a physics major or a business major, they have an equal opportunity,” said Dean of Admissions Greg Zaiser. He said the admissions office focuses on finding “who we believe our students are: the smart students with a good heart.”
Students involved in lots of activities — like athletics, Scouting, Habitat for Humanity and other community service — caught the eye of Elon University this year. Those students, in turn, are likely to appreciate Elon’s reputation for community service, internships, study abroad and other learning opportunities outside the classroom. It’s now something the university is nationally recognized for.
Personal essays also help the admissions office identify which students have heart.
“It’s a way to differentiate one strong student from another,” Zaiser said.
With 9,359 applications, more students than ever were knocking on Elon’s door this year. The university accepted 40 percent of applicants but is holding the line at allowing 1,275 students into the freshman class.
Still, only 2 percent more students applied than last year, Zaiser said. Mailboxes were really bursting a few years back, when Elon first started to get a lot of national recognition.
“We’re seeing a leveling off, which is about right,” Zaiser said. “I think because we’ve had so much growth over years prior.”
Zaiser said there are currently 1,112 students on the wait list. If space opens up in the freshman class, wait-listed students are chosen randomly.