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161

<p>Hey tblue04,</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I know very little about South Mountain College. Even from their website, which I’ve posted for you below, it’s very vague to me. I appears to be the sort of program where you “design” your own curriculum and come to form your own approach to education. I don’t personally know anyone in SMC, so I’m afraid I can’t be of much help.</p>

<p>If you are considering SMC solely because you want to avoid Greek life, you’re going about it the wrong way. Greek life isn’t in your face at Lehigh. If you get involved in other things, likes clubs, activities, coursework, or even residential communities like CHOICE, you won’t be forced into the Greek system. I am personally too busy with everything I do to even think much about Greek life, and I’m sure that if you find a similar environment, you’ll be fine.</p>

<p>Here’s information regarding SMC housing:</p>

<p>[Lehigh</a> University: Housing: Residence Halls: South Mountain College](<a href=“http://www4.lehigh.edu/housing/residencehalls/az/southmountain.aspx#]Lehigh”>http://www4.lehigh.edu/housing/residencehalls/az/southmountain.aspx#)</p>

<p>And here’s SMC’s actual website:</p>

<p>[South</a> Mountain College](<a href=“http://cas.lehigh.edu/casweb/default.aspx?id=329]South”>http://cas.lehigh.edu/casweb/default.aspx?id=329)</p>

<p>Best,</p>

<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>

162

<p>Dear LehighChemE,</p>

<p>I received my acceptance letter from Lehigh! I plan on doing chemical engineering and Lehigh is where i will most likely go. I have a few questions on the program. First, how rigorous are the chem labs over your 4-year tenure? I know physics is important in engineering, but how much physics is there in chemE? How is the assistance from professors and students for academics? What is the hardest part about studying chemE at Lehigh? Do you have free time, or does the chemE degree take up all your time?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

163

<p>Hey RazSoon,</p>

<p>Congratulations on being accepted and welcome to chemical engineering! Let me go through each of your questions:</p>

<p>ChE’s at Lehigh are expected to take five chemistry courses: basic intro chem, aqueous chem, two semesters of organic chem, and some higher-level (300-level) chemistry course. Each of these 3-credit courses is matched with a weekly 3-hour lab. The intro chem lab is, frankly, really easy, but the aqueous and organic labs involve maintaining your own lab notebook and also some regular exams and quizzes. I love working in the lab and I found all of the chemistry labs I took to be great learning experiences. I have yet to take the advanced 300-level lab, and I don’t know much about it, but I expect it to be similar to what I’ve done.</p>

<p>In terms of physics, ChE’s have to take Intro Physics I and II (one semester of classical mechanics, and another of electromagnetism) with the accompanying labs, and that’s it. Honestly, I did not enjoy taking the EM physics - I saw little relation to chemical engineering in what we learned and I found it to be kind of difficult. In ChE overall, however, physics is extremely important. In fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, classical physics mechanics is always being used in derivations - so it is very important, I just haven’t seen much EM physics being used.</p>

<p>Lehigh’s ChE faculty is top notch. Our professors are always available for office hours, and they work closely with TAs to ensure we are never confused or without help. You’ll find here that some ChE professor can get to know you very well.</p>

<p>The hardest part about ChE is being able to predict what could come up on exams and how to tackle problems when they’re given. ChE problems on exams or in homeworks are vague in nature and require thoughtful planning and execution - much like those found in industry.</p>

<p>ChE is regarded as the hardest engineering major here at Lehigh. When I tell other people I’m a ChE, people ask me how I haven’t gone insane by now. But frankly, with the right planning, I have plenty of free time to enjoy myself here and stay involved on campus. I play alto sax in the Marching 97, I work for the Global Union, I’m a preLUsion leader, and I’m web editor for Lehigh’s political newspaper. So I’m able to stay involved and I also have some time just to blow off steam and relax. It’s all about staying organized and working hard.</p>

<p>Let me know if you have any other questions.</p>

<p>Best,</p>

<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>

164

<p>I know Lehigh is largely know for its engineering department and holds an extremely high reputation for that. How are the biological sciences at lehigh though? I havent heard much hype about their sciences as I do for engineering. Are the bio and science departments good? Is there a lot of research available for biology and science students? How is lehigh with preparing students for med school? Are there many mentors for students in these field? Do many lehigh students get into well-known medical schools?</p>

165

<p>Hey michellejx33,</p>

<p>You’re right in that Lehigh is a top engineering school. However, as I mentioned in previous posts, of the College of Arts and Sciences, I have the most respect for students majoring in the core sciences or going pre-med. They seem to be the most involved and driven students in their college. They share some courses with ChE’s like organic chemistry (which is very challenging), so I think those types of majors are more revered here.</p>

<p>The only exposure I’ve had to biology so far at Lehigh has been the Bio Core I course I’m taking - its a basic prerequisite for ChE’s, so basically there are a lot of sophomore ChE’s in a class of freshmen bio majors. The professor teaching the course routinely tells us about her research and often asks for students who may be interested in helping her. Sometimes she even brings in other bio professors who are looking for research assistants. So as far as I can tell, yes, many bio students get undergraduate research opportunities, which is great.</p>

<p>In terms of mentors, I’m sure there’s a great structure in the bio program where professors, TAs and upperclassmen are all willing to help you succeed - I know that’s the case for ChE’s so I’m sure that attitude transcribes into the bio department.</p>

<p>Pre-meds at Lehigh can absolutely move on to great med schools. I’ve heard Penn is popular med school destination since it’s so close and many Lehigh professors have connections with Penn professors.</p>

<p>Best,</p>

<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>

166

<p>Hi again!</p>

<p>I apologize if this may unintentionally be a personal question, but how are you paying for Lehigh, and are you worried at all about your economic situation at Lehigh?</p>

<p>I was accepted as a Dean’s Scholar with an annual $10,000 scholarship, but that was pretty much all the financial aid I received–everything else were loans–and I don’t think I can commit to Lehigh without a decent amount of financial strain. >$40,000 a year is too much, or at least that’s what I feel so far.</p>

<p>What about you, though? I read about how students paid for Lehigh on the Web and such, but it’d be helpful to hear some firsthand experience from current Lehigh students. :)</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

167

<p>^ How/when were you notified of that scholarship? S was just admitted, but letter mentioned nothing about scholarships.</p>

168

<p>@chardo</p>

<p>Same with me. Got my letter today but nothing about financial aid package. I sent my FAFSA and CSS back in January.</p>

169

<p>Hey thisismymingzi,</p>

<p>I don’t mind sharing my experiences with financial aid, especially if it helps parents or students like yourself on this thread.</p>

<p>Like I always tell people, Lehigh took good care of me with a nice combination of need-based aid and scholarships. I’m from a regular middle-class household, both my parents work, and they put me and my sister through private Catholic school. My sister is entering her senior year soon and has her eyes set on becoming a cardiologist - so obviously the financial strain on my family is about to become much greater. But, my parents did a great job saving for our educations - I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay them for that.</p>

<p>Since so many people have asked before and I’ve been reluctant, I might as well disclose what I’ve been given - no offense to anyone out there, I’m just trying to help everybody understand where I’m coming from. This is for this academic year:</p>

<p>$10k in scholarships (Kiefer and Stabler scholarships)
$2k in work-study (I work at the Global Union.)
$2k in PA state grants
$26k in Lehigh grants</p>

<h2>$4k in subsidized Stafford loans</h2>

<p>~$43k total award</p>

<p>So my contribution is modest, and it’s being paid directly out of the college plans my parents set up years ago. When I was comparing price tags when choosing where to go, Lehigh was less expensive then Penn State for me. I applied ED, visited often, and showed a lot of interest, and Lehigh took great care of me.</p>

<p>Let me say that there are people here that pay the full price each year - and I don’t know how they can do it. $40k a year in your case is quite the committment and will result in substantial debt after graduation. You’ll have to make that decision with your family and see what’s best for you.</p>

<p>Best,</p>

<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>

170

<p>Chardo and JennChen,</p>

<p>Here’s some clarification on how you’ll be notified. As an ED applicant, Lehigh sent me the acceptance letter and also included the aid package. That aid package included everything, work-study, scholarships, and need-based aid.</p>

<p>That being said, if you haven’t gotten a letter listing tuition and your aid package, don’t worry, you probably just haven’t gotten it yet. Also, there may be a way to view it online through the portal.</p>

<p>The financial aid letter is like a table with the award spread out over the two semesters. It’s fairly easy to understand, and you have to sign it to accept the award - unless they’ve changed it since I was a high school senior!</p>

<p>Best,</p>

<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>

171

<p>Will they award any merit scholarships if you did not apply for aid?</p>

172

<p>I believe you need to file the CSS Profile and FAFSA to be considered for merit as well.</p>

173

<p>Hi Chardo,</p>

<p>mumof2boyz is correct. You must apply using the FAFSA and CSS to be considered for ALL aid, whether merit or need-based.</p>

<p>Best,</p>

<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>

174

<p>Is it too late to file?</p>

175

<p>Hi again Chardo,</p>

<p>Unfortunately, it is too late to apply for aid for the next academic year. The deadlines were in January and February for the CSS and the FAFSA:</p>

<p>[Lehigh</a> University: Undergraduate Admissions: Tuition & Financial Aid: Apply for Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/tuition/apply.aspx#deadlines]Lehigh”>http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/tuition/apply.aspx#deadlines)</p>

<p>Sorry,</p>

<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>

176

<p>Are you sure that you actually have to file the FAFSA and CSS for merit aid? There is nothing online that indicates that, and it is not a standard procedure with most schools. Now I know there is a murky mixture of need based merit aid, but pure merit aid, it specifically says that you do not have to do anything but put in your application to be considered for that.</p>

177

<p>Hey busdriver11,</p>

<p>My error. By the sounds of Lehigh’s financial aid website - posted below - some merit-based awards appears to require the CSS and FAFSA - not necessarily all scholarships. It’s not worded very clearly.</p>

<p>Here’s the link - scroll down to see each type of scholarship/aid available and their requirements:</p>

<p>[Lehigh</a> University: Undergraduate Admissions: Tuition & Financial Aid: Types of Aid](<a href=“http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/tuition/aidtypes.aspx#scholarships]Lehigh”>http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/tuition/aidtypes.aspx#scholarships)</p>

<p>Sorry for the upset. In your case, Charo, scholarships might come through if the CSS and FAFSA weren’t filed.</p>

<p>Best,</p>

<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>

178

<p>im sorry if this seems really personal but it would really really help me out to know where i stand for lehigh financial aid. I havent received my aid package yet, but i have an efc of about 7500. Is your efc anywhere close or similar to mine? is it less, or more? Sorry, again, if this seems really personal but it would help me out so much to know where i stand! Id love to go to lehigh, but of course, if i cannot receive sufficient aid, theres no possibility of me attending. Im so anxious about my financial aid so your response to this questions would be greatly appreciated!</p>

179

<p>I was reading this thread and the financial aid thread and surprised at the lack of aid given. My daughter is a sophmore and got approx $30,000 in scholarships and grants plus $1800 work study and the stafford loans. The only school cheaper for us was Rutgers and she believed the extra cost was worth Lehigh. Drexel, UDEL, UMaryland were all more expensive.</p>

<p>Now we have a second daughter who applied to Lehigh and they gave her so much aid that it will only cost us the the stafford loans to send, basically 2 for the price of 1.</p>

<p>To answer the EFC question, ours was approx. $18,000.</p>

180

<p>michelle, do you think maybe you need to contact the financial aid office? Perhaps the letter accidentally didn’t get in with your acceptance package. Just ask them for help, it’s probably just a misunderstanding. That’s a pretty low EFC, so it seems like you would get alot of aid.</p>