<p>All things considered, which school (Boston College or Lehigh) does everyone think is better? Im having a tough time deciding. Costs for both schools are equal and I visited both and love them! can anyone tell me some pros and cons about each school or which one they think is better and why?</p>
<p>collegebound, first tell us what area you are intersted in and plan to study</p>
<p>and what your thoughts were about the campuses and atmosphere when you visited…</p>
<p>I am undecided still but both schools seemd very flexible to undecided students and gave them plenty of opportunity to decide.
I loved both of the campuses a lot. The architecture was very similar (old gothic buildings). However, I liked the small size of Lehigh better, but I loved BC’s location and school spirit.</p>
<p>Lehigh has a ton of school spirit. Not sure if you missed that or something, but it was way beyond evident to me when I visited. I’d almost say that every single student loves it there, but you know there’s always statistical outliers…</p>
<p>As far as location goes. You can have one big city that you’re always in with BU, or you can have your choice of two big (and one of those is one of the biggest and best known in the country) cities which are only a slight drive away at Lehigh :)</p>
<p>coughcoughgotolehighcoughcough</p>
<p>I have many family members who attended Lehigh or BC. At both schools you will find happy students and a quality education. Location is the big difference. Boston or Bethlehem?? There’s no comparison.</p>
<p>Lets see how happy Lehigh and Boston College alumni have been with their respective schools:</p>
<p>Alumni Giving Rates
Lehigh = 33% <a href=“17th%20highest%20among%20major%20universities%20ranked%20in%20USNWR%20top%2050”>I</a>*
BC = 21% <a href=“35th%20highest”>I</a>*</p>
<p>oops, it seems like Bethlehem is not a bad place after all eh?</p>
<p>The Lehigh undergraduate student body of 4,800 is 1/2 the size of BC’s and has a lower student:teacher ratio, 9:1 compared to 13:1</p>
<p>USNWR ranks BC and Lehigh about the same, #34 and #35, respectively.</p>
<p>BC’s CR SAT’s scores are higher, but the MATH SAT scores are about the same.</p>
<p>Lehigh’s endowment per student is higher, $128,000 to $95,000</p>
<p>BC’s acceptance rate is lower, 30% to 33%, but Lehigh’s yield is higher, 33% to 25%.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Alumni giving is based on much more than the physical location of a school. The major complaint family members (over 15 of them are Lehigh grads) have had about Lehigh is its location. The location has also hurt the school at times when they’re trying to attract faculty.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I disagree with this – at least, in recent times. The problem with faculty recruitment lies more with the low-profile graduate programs and Lehigh’s long-standing reputation as an engineering school, both very tough problems to overcome when recruiting Arts & Science faculty members and researchers.</p>
<p>But you’re right about the alumni giving not being based on the physical location of the school. It’s all about campus community and the loyalty it instills. I would argue that Lehigh’s location actually helps alumni giving because its students stay on campus or not far from campus for their social interactions, thus creating a close-knit student body.</p>
<p>I am familiar with both schools as my son’s high school is a feeder school for Boston College and many many kids we know go there each year. My son has chosen to attend Lehigh next fall.</p>
<p>I think at both schools you will receive a great education (if you want one) and have fun along the way. The huge difference for us is that my son in an Engineering major and does not like the city, so for him Lehigh is the obvious choice. In fact, he would not even look at BC - too many kids go there from his school, its in the city and too close to home and is not a strong engineering school.</p>
<p>If both are strong in your major, I think most likely the big difference is size and location and which environment is best for you. My son fell in love with the beauty of the Lehigh campus, enjoyed his excursions into Bethlehem and loved the friendly, supportive and happy attitude of the teachers and students. </p>
<p>Spend quality time at both - stay overnight in the dorms if possible, talk to and observe the students and teachers and go where you “fit.” Good luck! You are fortunate to have such great choices!</p>