The Princeton Review has named Elon to its 2003 “Best 345 Colleges” ranking. Elon was among only 14 schools that were added to the list this year. Read this note for detailsÉ
Schools are selected for the “Best 345 Colleges” list based on consultation with top educational consultants, admissions officers and college presidents from across the nation. They are asked for advice on choosing the “cream of the crop — comprising less than 10 percent of all colleges in the nation.”
“All of the colleges in this book are outstanding academic institutions,” says Robert Franek, editorial director of the publication.
Princeton Review gathers information for its publication through a survey of 100,000 students, an average of about 300 on each campus. Students are invited to fill out a questionnaire containing 70 questions about academics, campus life and the student body, as well as their study habits, politics and opinions. The survey was done on the Elon campus last December.
This qualitative and anecdotal approach provides Princeton Review with quotes and observations from individual students.
In its section featuring Elon, The Princeton Review says Elon “toes a tough academic line” in a region of the country noted for quality private and public higher education. The publication says Elon “goes above and beyond the call of duty in its commitment to provide each student with leadership training, internships, and study abroad opportunities.”
Results of the student survey noted the following results:
- Campus is beautiful
- Classes are small
- Students are happy
- Campus easy to get around
- Musical organizations are hot
- Athletic facilities are great
Elon students told The Princeton Review that Elon offers a learning environment in which professors “all give the students their phone numbers and e-mail addresses” and “are readily available outside of the classroom.” The Princeton Review notes that Elon professors tend to focus on hands-on and interactive learning, which means that “in the classroom, many professors do not lecture, but pose questions for the class to respond to.”
Students are quoted as saying there is “a feeling of camaraderie,” and describe their peers as “courteous, intelligent, caring and generous.”