<p>question for other parents…how does one compare AU vs. Bucknell vs. Lehigh. My daughter has been admitted to all 3, and has a particular interest in both International Relations and Dramatic Arts. Any advice appreciated on relative merits of these three quality schools!</p>
<p>all three schools were in the running for my son.</p>
<p>In the end, he chose to apply for ED I to bucknell, got accepted, and withdrew application from American.</p>
<p>If your D is dead set for IR, then American has advantages over both Bucknell and Lehigh: the location, location and location.</p>
<p>However, kids change their mind! If you are looking at overall quality of education, I think both Bucknell and Lehigh are far superior than American. Through two years worth of researching these schools, I came to the conclusion that if not for the fact that they are located in DC, schools like GWU and AU simply don’t hold a candle in terms of academic excellence and rigor. I heard of many stories of hit or miss educational quality at these schools.</p>
<p>Between Bucknell and Lehigh, the main consideration was the over the top frat life-run-amok reputation of Lehigh. Yes, Bucknell is also a Greek school, but it does not seem to be SO OVER THE TOP as it is in Lehigh. Plus, racial incidents stories that reported every so often did not help Lehigh either.</p>
<p>After S got accepted into ED at Bucknell, I became completely convinced that my son made a right decision. Even though S is a “captive audience” as an ED admit (meaning, they did not have to woo him to keep their yield high, since he is committed), there was constant communication from an admissions officer who was on his case to make sure that S does not take it easy the rest of the senior year. There was a lot of direct, individual attention. I figured, if they take academics this seriously even before S became their student, I can only imagine how serious they their their “education” business. I was VERY impressed.</p>
<p>I am very excited that S will be joining the Bucknell community this fall.</p>
<p>Of course, all this is just personal opinion and experience. Other people’s mileage may vary.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>thanks very kindly for this thoughtful response…im grateful for this website and people taking the time to offer their wisdom!</p>