Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Elizabethtown College is a selective, independent, residential, coeducational college located on 204-acres in south central Pennsylvania. Its approximately 1,600 undergraduates hail from 28 states and 15 countries.
The Elizabethtown College educational experience blends a high standard of scholarship with the commitment to educate its students in a relationship-centered learning community, foster international and cross-cultural perspectives, complement classroom instruction with experiential-learning opportunities, and prepare students for purposeful lives and meaningful work.
All Elizabethtown College students complete at least two Signature Learning Experiences (SLE) as part of their graduation requirements. Signature Learning Experiences are cataloged into five unique categories: supervised research; community-based learning; cross-cultural experiences; internships, field experiences or practicums; and capstone experiences. The Signature Learning Experiences challenge students to think beyond the classroom, traveling across borders and going behind the scenes.
As Elizabethtown College students are challenged to take responsibility for the direction of their education and embark on a journey of self-transformation, the specific Signature Learning Experiences are unique from one student to the next, helping to make the Elizabethtown experience distinctive.
Get to know Elizabethtown College
Benefits
Student Activities
- Campus Ministries
- Choral groups
- Concert band
- Dance
- Drama/theatre
- International Student Organization
- Jazz band
- Literary magazine
- Model UN
- Music ensembles
- Musical theatre
- Radio station
- Student government
- Student newspaper
- Symphony orchestra
- Television station
- Yearbook
High-Impact Practices
- First-Year Seminars and Experiences
- Common Intellectual Experiences
- Learning Communities
- Writing-Intensive Courses
- Collaborative Assignments and Projects
- Undergraduate Research
- Diversity/Global Learning
- Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
- Internships/Coops/Practicums
- Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
Campus Resources
- Career Services
- Writing Center
- Academic Advisors
- Library Services
- Faculty Mentors
- Disability Services
- Multicultural Engagement Center
- Health Services
- Academic Tutors
- Financial Aid Advisors
- Student Success Initiative
- Veteran Services
- Peer Mentors
- Counseling
College Highlights
MOMENTUM
Elizabethtown College offers the Momentum experience to first-generation college students whose families are unfamiliar with the transition to college. Momentum students arrive on campus a week prior to fall orientation, easing into the college lifestyle with plenty of time to adjust. Throughout this early week, the students attend workshops for academic and personal development and go on field trips that build camaraderie with their new peers.
THE SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP, CREATIVE ARTS, AND RESEARCH PROJECTS
All Elizabethtown College students are invited to take part in The Summer Scholarship, Creative Arts, and Research Projects (SCARP) program, which supports independent student research under the sponsorship of a faculty mentor. For participating students, the program is designed to enhance professional skills and provide a competitive advantage in the pursuit of career opportunities and graduate studies.
SCHOLARSHIP AND CREATIVE ARTS DAYS
Scholarship and Creative Arts Day (SCAD) is an annual conference in which select students present academic research in their respective disciplines; some showcase talents through recitals and a juried art exhibit. All Elizabethtown College students are encouraged to share their ideas and show their creativity during SCAD. Those interested in participating in SCAD find a faculty mentor who will sponsor the project and review a 250-word proposal that describes the student’s research and summarize his or her conclusions. Otherwise, performance and exhibit proposals list the musical pieces to be performed, the styles of dance, or the media used. Faculty approval and submission of the abstract constitutes acceptance into SCAD.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 1%
Hispanic/Latinx: 5%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 3%
White, non-Hispanic: 85%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 3%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 1%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 2%
FIRST-YEAR SEMINARS
First-Year Seminars are topical in nature, each with a unique focus that allows students to broaden their understanding of the world and what it means to learn. Seminars are especially helpful for developing skills in critical thinking and writing. No seminar is grounded in a particular major, as Elizabethtown College wants its students to become well-rounded scholars. Each seminar includes out-of-class learning experiences, such as attendance at theatrical performances on campus and field trips to museums in Washington, D.C. Students in each seminar also benefit from peer-mentor-led Roundtables devoted to navigation of campus electronic resources, discernment of Strengths, utilization of course registration software, and preparation for oral presentations.
CORE PROGRAM
The structure of the Core Program supports the academic goals expressed in Elizabethtown College’s mission statement and allows students to connect the dots across disciplines as they explore subjects beyond their intended majors. One of the most innovative aspects of the Core is the Interdisciplinary Colloquium pilot program, which features courses that are team-taught across two Core Areas of Understanding by faculty members from two different departments. These courses offer dynamic opportunities for teaching and learning as well as a distinct curricular advantage: students completing an Interdisciplinary Colloquium fulfill the requirements for two Areas of Understanding at once and thereby make room for a Core elective. Recent colloquia include Artistic Peacebuilding, Ecology in Short Fiction, and Disease and Disability: the Science and the Stories.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Exchange student program (domestic)
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
A TRADITION OF COMMUNITY
As a liberal arts college, Elizabethtown College is committed to educating the whole student within a relationship-centered learning community whose common goals are achieved through engagement in a rigorous academic curriculum and thoughtful co-curricular experiences. Elizabethtown College students are encouraged to develop and challenge their own values while seeking to understand and appreciate alternative perspectives.
Elizabethtown promotes the developmental, collaborative, and complex nature of learning within an ever-changing global context. It thrives on a sense of community by offering warm traditions, including the first-year Pledge of Integrity; the candle lighting ceremony that officially opens the academic year; the formal Thanksgiving Dinner served family style by faculty and staff members, alumni, and community volunteers; and a holiday tree lighting, complete with a story read by the College president.
WARE LECTURE ON PEACEMAKING
The Ware Lecture on Peacemaking, which takes place in the spring, has brought Nobel Peace Prize recipients, influential journalists, and political leaders from around the world to Elizabethtown College. Past speakers include Kim Phuc, the Vietnam War “Napalm Girl”; Nicholas Kristof, a Pulitzer Prize-Winning New York Times Columnist; Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and chair of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Global Initiative; and Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and founder of the Association for Support of Children’s Rights in Iran. The fall Leffler Lecture also features speakers of national and international renown including Michele Norris, former NPR host of All Things Considered and founder of the Race Card Project, and John Hunter, educator and inventor of the World Peace Game.
LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
The College offers Living-Learning Communities (LLCs), which mix the curricular, co-curricular, and residential components of a student’s college life. The LLCs focus on academics and activities related to specific courses, programs of study, or themes. Past LLCs have centered on eating disorder awareness, service and mentorship through jazz, developing activities for older citizens, simple living, and hunger and homelessness awareness. LLCs have a positive impact on academic performance and intellectual development, as they offer a sense of belonging and civic engagement. Service work is a requirement of all LLCs.
GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Elizabethtown College offers groups and organizations that bring students together in areas of interest such as Melica – a Capella Group, Stamps Scholars Society, Young Americans For Liberty, Ultimate Frisbee Club, Secular Student Alliance of Elizabethtown College, Sketch Comedy Club, Queer Student Union, Social Enterprise Club, and Ice Hockey Club.
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
The Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE) provides opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage and deepen their involvement in service in local, national, and international contexts. The center fosters opportunities for meaningful and reciprocal relationships between Elizabethtown College and the community.
SCHOOL LOCATION
Elizabethtown College, located on the East Coast in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, is a short drive from Hershey, Lancaster, and the Pennsylvania state capital of Harrisburg. Daytrippers can enjoy the vibrant offerings of Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York City, or they may go on outdoor adventures along the Susquehanna River, Appalachian Trail, Poconos, Chesapeake Bay, and Delaware Water Gap.
ATHLETICS
Building on a tradition of excellence that dates to 1928, the Elizabethtown College Blue Jays compete in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports, many as members of the Landmark Conference. The newest team, men’s volleyball, began its inaugural season as a member of the Continental Volleyball Conference for the 2019 season.
The men’s and women’s cross-country teams swept the Landmark Championships for the fifth time in as many seasons as members of the league. The women have won 12 consecutive conference crowns going back to 2007, while the men won their 18th conference title overall. Men’s lacrosse continued its run of dominance with a third straight Landmark title and third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The program won its first-ever NCAA game in 2018 with a 9-6 win in the First Round over John Carroll.
E-town’s traditionally strong men’s soccer program made its fourth consecutive appearance in the Landmark Conference Championship and won its first-ever league title with a 1-0 win over Catholic in the fall of 2018. They advanced to the NCAA Division III Second Round for the second time in three seasons, winning their First Round game against Williams, 2-1.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 94%
Undergraduates: 84%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for single students
Special housing for disabled students
Special housing for international students
Cooperative housing
Wellness housing
SIGNATURE LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Each Elizabethtown College student is guaranteed to complete at least two of five Signature Learning Experiences (SLEs)—real-world educational opportunities; internship, practicum, or field placement; supervised research; capstone course, project or development of a portfolio; cross-cultural experience; or community-based learning. Signature Learning Experiences are real-world educational opportunities that challenge students to think beyond their textbooks. The SLEs encourage students to peek behind the scenes and to travel across borders, physical and cultural, to expand their base of knowledge. The College calls them “signature” experiences because they are as unique as every student who participates. SLEs are what truly make the Elizabethtown experience unique from other colleges.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Elizabethtown College ranks among the country’s highest value-added higher education institutions, according to a study by the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program.
Notable alumni include:
- William Edwin Foster ’54 was head men’s basketball coach at Bloomsburg State (now Bloomsburg University), Rutgers University, University of Utah, Duke University, University of South Carolina and Northwestern University. He is best known for guiding Duke to the NCAA championship game in 1978. He also was named 1978 Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
- Dale High ’63 H’93 is an industrialist and chair emeritus of Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based High Industries Inc.
- Eugene (Gene) Garber ’69 was a major league baseball pitcher for 19 years for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves.
- Jeffrey B. Miller ’95 H’13 is the former commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, known for his handling of the Nickel Mines (Pennsylvania) School shooting, and former senior vice president of security for the National Football League. He is Vice President of Security for the Kansas City Chiefs. He previously served on Gov. Edward Rendell’s cabinet
- Martina White ’10 is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 170th District, elected in 2015.
- Wesley R. Bricker is Chief Accountant for U.S. Securities and Exchange Committee.
- Richard L. Bond is former President and CEO of Tyson Foods, Inc.
- Mark Heckler is President of Valparaiso University.
Admission
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Elizabethtown has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio in 50-plus majors and minors. Application is accepted via the Common App or the Elizabethtown College online application. Campus visits and overnight stays can be scheduled through the Admissions Office. Open House and Department Days events offer more focused experiences.
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record
Important
Class rank | Academic GPA | Standardized test scores
Application Essay | Recommendation(s) | Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities | Talent/ability | Character/personal qualities
First generation | Alumni/ae relation | Geographical residence
State residency | Religious affiliation/commitment | Racial/ethnic status
Volunteer work | Work experience | Level of applicant’s interest
TEST SCORES
Optional
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 540 | 75th Percentile: 640
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 540 | 75th Percentile: 640
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 20 | 75th Percentile: 26
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 26
ACT English
25th Percentile: 18 | 75th Percentile: 27
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $32,960
Room: $5,970
Board: $6,090
Aid
At Elizabethtown College, 97 percent of students receive financial aid directly from the College. The College offered $11 million in grants and scholarships to the first-year students, alone. About 65% of all aid comes from endowed scholarships, need-based aid or merit-based aid.
Contact Elizabethtown College
Contact Admissions
www.etown.edu/admissions
(717) 361-1400
admissons@etown.edu
Campus Location
One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298
(717) 361-1000