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<p>I have a suggestion for you. Every time you say something negative about the Greeks imagine how you would feel if a fraternity or sorority member got on this website and something similar about non-Greeks. In 6 years I have never seen a post from a Greek member saying anything negative about about anything or anyone. And if one person did - everyone would attack the entire Greek population. </p>

<p>It just seems that while providing useful information the majority of current students who choose to post on these threads have some type of ax to grind with their school or their fellow students. </p>

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<p>OP, I am appreciative of your efforts to give another perspective as I try to find more information about Lehigh for my son who was recently accepted. Thank you for your candor. I hope you continue to voice your opinions. </p>

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<p>Thanks for sharing that article @thisismymingzi. People should understand that no campus is a utopia. They all have issues and areas where they need to improve. It’s good to understand what those are at any given school, so that if some schools particular issue would make that school an especially poor match, the student would know that up front. But it would be unrealistic to believe that one could find a school without issues such as these.</p>

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<p>@kikkydee</p>

<p>Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was referring to the Greek system in general, not any individual Greeks. There is a difference. There are more than enough friends and classmates who I can name off the top of my head who are awesome. However, the Greek system is not always all sunshine and rainbows, can bring out worse sides of people, and again and again it has been pinpointed by students and the administration as needing improvement. Because of the Greek system and its hazing and crazier parties at times, there actually have been sexual assaults, hospital visits and lives endangered from overdrinking. There are articles about this in the Brown and White, Morning Call, and other sources as well. Those could be considered the extreme though.</p>

<p>However, I’d also like to point out that the Greek system has also been a fantastic experience for its students. Two of my high school classmates’ lives have genuinely been enriched so much by their fraternity and sorority, and that’s just fantastic for them. When done well, a community can really be created. Each fraternity and sorority performs community service each year–Greek life is one of the main avenues to get involved in community service–and each year they are increasingly taking steps to expand their efforts even further. This year, particularly, I was amazed at their efforts, especially one sorority (I forget the name, but I can find out) that embarked on arguably one of the most comprehensive, thorough, creative, and well-done breast cancer awareness campaigns I have ever seen. I am not denying how quality Greek life can be.</p>

<p>I think the Greek system has potential, but as @mathmomvt has said, it is important to consider college campuses as utopia. It is a grave mistake to deny and brush over valid problems. If these problems are ignored, then it will only foster a more dangerous climate for students and your son. Like I said, there are good and bad aspects of Greek life, and it’s important to address both. Greek life can be more beneficial to the campus and its students, but only if its negatives are addressed. If an actual student would like to supply another perspective (after all, this is what this topic is about), then feel free to join in. I highly encourage it.</p>

<p>Also, I’d like to refer back to the original point of this topic. The point of this topic was to give an honest picture of Lehigh from another actual student’s perspective, a perspective that is often not mentioned until prospective students actually matriculate and experience it for themselves. As there are as many people who are happy here, there are also many people who are merely okay with it or do not like it.</p>

<p>To explain my perspective further, I was a prospective student two years ago and came to this forum to see if there were any honest viewpoints from current Lehigh students. I found only one. While I did appreciate him, he only offered one perspective and only contributed to my understanding of Lehigh a bit. And nearly every other topic had no answers or answers from parents, which any person would not take as seriously as those from an actual student unless if it was financial (let’s be real here–you go to students to hear about the student life).</p>

<p>So that’s why I created this topic, to counter the lack of authentic information about the student experience here and offer a different perspective. It was not for me to take out my frustrations on the school or students but rather to help students and their families see if this college is the right fit for them.</p>

<p>But again, please feel free to contribute and share your or your children’s experiences. It’ll really help make this topic be a place where many perspectives can be shared.</p>

<p>(On a side note, going along with the idea of sparsity of the topics in this forum, just because Greek students haven’t personally made any negative comments on non-Greek students here does not mean they haven’t in other places or in general. And they have plenty of times. So that’s not really a valid comparison because rarely anyone posts in the Lehigh forum.)</p>

<p>@Pepper17 and @mathmomvt</p>

<p>No problem! Happy to help. :)</p>

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<p>This is why I ask the “What do you like best” and “What do you wish was different” questions when I am talking to current students.</p>

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<p>“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was referring to the Greek system in general, not any individual Greeks. There is a difference.” </p>

<p>That is what bugs me. What if I generalized about any other group of students in a negative way? </p>

<p>Lehigh has taken an aggressive stance against misbehaving fraternities and sororities. Not too many schools have had the courage to stand up to their alumni/donors by removing many misbehaving houses. Lehigh expects the all the Greek houses to improve every year. Here is the link to the Accreditation Reports. <a href=“https://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/node/331”>https://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/node/331&lt;/a&gt; As you can see Lehigh has pretty high expectations for each fraternity and sorority. And year after year the Greeks have their shortcomings addressed by those with professionals hired by Lehigh to oversee the Greek system. -Something many schools do not have. And they publish it on the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs page for all to see. </p>

<p>When I started coming to this website all I ever read was Greek bashing and concerns about the drinking. I almost didn’t bring my son to look at the school. I am glad I didn’t listen to all that negativity. My son didn’t think he would join a fraternity. I was very nervous when he chose to join. But, I am amazed with how positive it has turned out to be. I have wanted to stay on this website and let parents/students know Greek life can be a very positive experience.</p>

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<p>It is unfortunate that LehighChemE’s thread is unavailable for potential students to read. His insight and help were invaluable–honest and impressive without any agenda or prejudice whatsoever. He gave the facts, and only the facts of his vast and extensive experiences at Lehigh. </p>

<p>Everything I’ve read in my paid subscription to “Brown and White” that has covered the Greek system has seemed either similar to or tamer than what I’ve read about other colleges and universities…even some high schools across the country. To me, it seems like Lehigh goes beyond–wayyyyy beyond–how most colleges and universities monitor and crack down on the Greek organizations compared to what I have seen in the news or heard from parents with students at other universities. The times I’ve been most concerned had nothing to do with the Greek system–i.e. unauthorized people getting into the gym, a football player attacking a fellow student off campus, etc. </p>

<p>Luckily, Lehigh has been a perfect match for my son, so far. He wanted to work hard and play hard. He is extremely sociable, likeable, and out-going. The main reason he chose Lehigh, though, was because of their engineering program and the beautiful campus. He wants to be outdoors enjoying nature and active. He works his butt off with the rigorous academics, but when he’s free, he’s going to be outdoors with friends. He found a great group of guys in a fraternity that are truly like brothers. There’s a reason why nearly every college has a Greek system and it is a catalyst for people to form rewarding life-long friendships.</p>

<p>Just because someone is a parent doesn’t mean they can’t know a lot about what goes on at Lehigh, or should be unable to help a potential student or parent. To the OP, I do respect your opinions and appreciate that you are open to discussion. I’d like to think we all want to help each other. </p>

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<p>Thanks again @thisismymingzi for your response and for making yourself available for others. I have messaged several current LU students with questions, and I’ve been impressed by how each has responded honestly and openly (and eloquently I might add), so I appreciate your unbiased insight. </p>

<p>Personally, I admire the fact that Lehigh has addressed its problems and seeks to fix them instead of turning a blind eye to them. I like the quote from the article too that mentioned how Lehigh has always had the potential to be great but has yet to realize it. I live 30 mins from campus, so I have become very familiar with it, and would love to see it develop a greater national presence and an even greater academic reputation.</p>

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<p>I’m an international student who is accepted from lehigh and i want to ask a few questions. I know it is dumb question, but is it easy or difficult to get good GPA in Lehigh university? Cause i have a plan to go to graduate school, so ‘GPA’ is important for me. And i’m also curious about are there many systems or programs for international students? such as writing center (1:1 tutoring system? i’m not sure)…etc… I heard that lehigh university is small, private school so i’m just wonder if international students are difficult to adjust to the lehigh’s community.</p>

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<p>GPA would depend on how hard you are willing to work. What is your intended major. My daughters roommate was in calc 3 where the average grade was 50. There was a lot of stress surrounding the class. A friend from our home town who was number 3 in her graduating class was kept from deans list due to some tough courses. The engineering curriculum can be hard but if you put the time in, you can do well. My daughters room mate is an international student with a double engineering major and she works her butt off. I suggest you search the blogs. I’m sure there are international students who are writing blogs who can answer your questions. Maybe contact the admissions rep too. I’m sure you will find the answers you need. This year, I think lehigh accepted 300 international students.</p>

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<p>@mathmomvt</p>

<p>Here is my input to the “What do you like best”, “What would you change” dichotomy:</p>

<p>“What do you like best?”
I can easily say that my favorite thing about Lehigh is the academics and the opportunities it entails. To be honest, I was never really challenged in high school–I can’t remember a time where the curriculum went above and beyond the state or AP requirements. However, when I came to Lehigh…well…I was in for an awakening. Classes here go beyond the baseline of “what you need to know”, and go into the territory of “what you should” know; they demand that you know how to apply what you’ve learned creatively and analytically. Every test I’ve had has been open-ended–I don’t think I’ve even seen a single multiple choice question here.<br>
Not only am I being challenged, but, for the first time, I’m actually struggling a bit. For me, I consider that a good thing. I’m finally learning to break out of the “memorize-this-to-get-an-A-to-get-ranked-higher” mentality, and am beginning to think for myself and learn about my own academic and creative capabilities. (Just as a side note, many, many professors are nice and approachable. I was able to get a research position in astrophysics just by talking to a professor I didn’t even have!).</p>

<p>“What would you change?”
Although the college is experience is often true to its cliche definition, I do wish that Lehigh did a little more to change things up–especially for freshmen. Rooming assignments for freshman were limited to asking whether or not you smoked, when you went to sleep, and what your favorite hobby was. Although this is is not a terrible means for assigning roommates and dorms, I did find it to be inconsistent and not as helpful to the social experience as it should and could be. Unfortunately, during my first semester, I was placed in a dorm where the people and environment were not to my suit, even though I filled in the rooming application in ways that described me best. Luckily, though, I was able to painlessly move to the CHOICE dorm, where I am now very happy.<br>
For sophomore through senior years, Lehigh provides students with the opportunity to live in themed community housing. For example, there is an engineering housing community, music appreciation housing community, outdoor adventure housing community, etc. I feel that if this were available to freshmen, the college transition period would much easier by placing students in places where they can meet people with common interests and participate in common activities. (This themed housing is not associated with Greek life).</p>

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<p>@luian217 - thanks for your replies. What year are you in now, and are you still in CHOICE housing, or have you moved elsewhere?</p>

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<p>Qustion : Are there are many international students? I’m international students from Asia, so i’m just worried about adjustment to Lehigh university. Because i heard that the portion of Asians is little bit lower in lehigh. In addition, how about social lifes? are there many clubs, sports , etc? Sorry for a lot of questions…</p>

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<p>Thanks for your perspectives, thisismymingzi! Kudos to you.</p>

<p>I’m a recent alum and I feel your commentary is pretty darn accurate…don’t let anyone deter you from an honest presentation of your views. Lehigh has issues just like all the others and sugar coating them just allows them to remain and fester…until there’s a major blowup. Nobody wants that.</p>

<p>That said, Lehigh offers impressive opportunities on a par with most any other first rate institution. Sure, the Ivies and a few others are the Elites, but Lehigh is not far behind and is probably a match for them in certain programs. I feel I was extremely well prepared for corporate life.</p>

<p>But it’s all up to the individual to take advantage of those opportunities…that’s the tough part sometimes.</p>

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<p>@mathmomvt</p>

<p>I am a second semester freshman. I am currently in CHOICE, and plan on living in CHOICE next year.</p>

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<p>Question :slight_smile: In the booklet for admitted student, freshmen usually live in traditional dormitory. It it true? and if i choose CHOICE as a dormitory, will it be difficult to fit in freshmen society? Because, i don’t like drinking and smoking, but i usually like hang out with many people around the campus.</p>

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<p>My daughter is also in choice and choosing choice again next year. She is having a great year. This is how she describes her first year. <a href=“THE MUPPETS - I've Got Everything I Need - Available on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD Now - YouTube”>THE MUPPETS - I've Got Everything I Need - Available on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD Now - YouTube;

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<p>@extremehappiness‌ </p>

<p>CHOICE students live in traditional freshman housing, and are integrated with other students. Next year, CHOICE will be in Dravo House, which will have a few floors dedicated to CHOICE. You will definitely have the opportunity to meet non-CHOICE students on campus–the only difference is that your hall will be a lot more “tame” :).</p>

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<p>I am closing this thread since the previous “Ask Questions” has been reopened.</p>