Hey there, I'm a high school junior trying to navigate through the college selection process. As I've been researching, I came across the Banner Elk colleges but couldn't find much info. Can someone provide any insight on these schools? Thanks!
Banner Elk, North Carolina, is home to two notable colleges: Lees-McRae College and Appalachian State University's Beech Mountain campus.
Lees-McRae College is a private college and has a student population of around 1,000 students. Known for its highly personalized approach to education, it boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio (14:1). Known for having a strong nursing program and performing arts, particularly its theater arts program. It also offers unique majors like Wildlife Biology and Wildlife Rehabilitation.
ASU's Beech Mountain campus is not a fully independent campus, but primarily focuses on research. As per ASU's official site, the ASU Beech Mountain campus is home to the Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research Facility and offers unparalleled opportunities for atmospheric and environmental research.
These colleges both offer unique academic and extracurricular opportunities thanks to their location in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Outdoor sports like hiking, biking, and skiing are very popular.
Remember, when you're choosing a college, it's essential to consider more than just academics. Think about what sort of campus culture, location, and extracurricular activities you'd enjoy. If the rural, outdoor-oriented lifestyle appeals to you, both of these Banner Elk colleges could be great choices.
Good luck with your college search!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.