Elizabethtown College

I went here from 05-09 and it was overall a very positive experience for me. The college department strengths are definitely their sciences, business, OT and education. Most professors get to know you as a person and it's a genuine connection. I am still in touch with some of my professors 4 years later and they still remember who I am. The friendships you forge here will be for life. The entertainment factor here is not for everyone. You have to be willing to make your own fun. There is a wide variety of campus clubs and activities to get involved in and meet people of all walks of life. One of the things I loved about this school was how there wasn't set groups you hung out with. Peer mentors were friends with theatre people who were friends with senate. If you're looking for a school in an area with a never-ending supply of places to go, then go to a city. If you're looking for a school with strong personal relationships that values you as an individual person, come here.

4th Year Female -- Class 2009

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: C+

I graduated from the 5 year program for OT at etown. Generally, OT, business, and education are the best majors at etown as far as quality.

Overall, elizabethtown is a good school; granted it is not for everyone.
Benefits include: Very nice library, good food, friendly professors who know your name and are very approachable and willing to help, good small class sizes, nice students, many opportunities for volunteer work or studying abroad, small enough to walk to class easily, and safe.

Drawbacks: Not much going on in the town itself, you need a car so you can go to Harrisburg, Hershey, Lancaster, mt. joy, etc., on the weekends. Also, it doesn't have the "best" reputation academically for programs other than the ones I listed above. That doesn't necessarily mean those programs aren't good, but the reputation just isn't there yet.

They are really trying to bring up the quality of the school. They bring in good guest lectures, they've redone a lot of the dorm areas and other buildings. They have improved the number of activities available for the weekends. Every year the school gets better.

My advice: If you want a small school where you will know almost everyone, have small campus, live on a pretty campus, you're interested in serving the community, and aren't a huge partier...this is a good school.If you're mostly concerned with having a city-like atmosphere with lots to do in the town and on campus, if you want larger classes/more people, or if you're a huge partier who wants to drink and go clubbing all the time, this isn't the school for you.

5th Year Female -- Class 2011

Scholastic Success: A+, Surrounding City: D+

Elizabethtown is an exceptional college if you have the intensions of learning and working hard to become successful. The business department is quite good and in international business department is one of the best in the country. Your experience is what you make it. There are many extremely challenging courses at the college in which you can learn a great deal. However it is also possible to go through your four years here being unmotivated, lazy, and taking only the easy courses. It is these people who have by far the most negative opinion of the college. Those who are expecting to get drunk and party every night, put no effort into their courses, and refuse to get involved in either sports or clubs will certainly not enjoy their time here.

Elizabethtown is an extremely good college that, unfortunately, is not recognized as such yet. It is for this reason that the college is forced to accept students who are "below the college". I have spoken with many business professionals and executives, and everyone of them felt that Elizabethtown College is equally as good, if not better than most of the big name universities as far as the international business program goes. The business program as well as the science programs are also quite good.

So, if you are an unmotivated, partying jock, do not come here. Not only will you not enjoy your time here, but you are bringing down the college's name and reputation. Get out and stay out.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2013

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: D-