<p>Hi all!
I'm currently a high school junior in the thick of his college search. </p>
<p>I intend to major most primarily in architecture, but I'm strongly considering applying to a dual-degree program in engineering/science after discovering that both of my top choices have them.
I visited both Lehigh and Carnegie Mellon in November 2013 and fell in love with both. </p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon has been my top choice since the seventh grade. I'm interested in the BXA program that would allow me to get a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Physics.
I really only discovered Lehigh last summer, but I fell in love when I visited. I'm interested in the Arts+Engineering program that would allow me to get a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. </p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon seems like the best choice, in part because of the prestige and the fact that it's B.Arch instead of B.A./B.S. in Arch. However, it seems that Lehigh has more of the college atmosphere, and I've heard their job placement rate is killer because of the campus career center. </p>
<p>Both of these schools are very selective, especially in their dual-degree programs, and have binding Early Decision. If I were to choose one to apply ED to, which do you think would be most beneficial, both in terms of career placement and college life? </p>
<p>*I'm attending the Pre-College Architecture Program at CMU this summer, so I'll get a better idea of what architecture at CMU is like, but I don't really have any insight regarding the Lehigh experience. </p>
<p>I have lots of friends in CMU architecture and they all love it. Taken a class in it at CMU and they are amazing. I have bias but I say go with CMU all the way. They’re always doing cutting edge stuff. </p>
<p>@mystateofmind thanks for the reply! one of the most drawing factors for CMU is its work in the real world – how every student involves themselves in career-based activities that really seem to impact the campus and the community. Are any of your friends in the BXA program? </p>
<p>I believe one or two is. Two of the architecture majors I know have other majors as well. Computer Science and Ethics and Public Policy respectively.</p>
<h1>1 is interning for IRobot</h1>
<h1>2 is going to UPenn for her MArch I</h1>
<p>@mystateofmind that’s fantastic! definitely taking that into consideration 
</p>
<p>I can’t speak much to the program, but the atmosphere and culture of the two schools are very different. CMU is also probably harder to get into than Lehigh and is probably more highly respected. One of my kids goes to Lehigh, so I’m not being critical of the place, just stating a fact.</p>
<p>@maggiedog I’ve heard that CMU is much more subdued socially than Lehigh. My concern is that, since architecture is usually a time-consuming study, would I find it difficult to fit in at a school like Lehigh that has a very prevalent social scene? </p>
<p>I don’t think there’s any pressure to be any more social than you would like. I know architecture takes a lot of time, but Lehigh students tend to take their work seriously, and since there are a lot of engineering majors, there is a lot of studying from what I am told. </p>
<p>@maggiedog that’s true…
I’m also torn in the sense that CMU offers an accredited B.Arch while Lehigh offers a B.A. Arch. However, I can achieve an engineering degree which seems more useful in the architecture field than a physics degree. Is this correct? I plan on pursuing my M.Arch afterwards so would the B.A. Arch even matter at that point? </p>
<p>I love lehigh! I’m going to be attending in the fall to major in civil engineering. If you visited the campus you know how stunning the architecture is. Lehigh is mostly known for its engineering and business programs. It is also known to be a rather big party school with about half of students in greek life (<a href=“10 Party Schools That Are Worth the Money”>10 Party Schools That Are Worth the Money). Financial Aid is rather good, Lehigh gave me the second most out of 9 colleges (idk if you qualify or not but in case you were wondering). They have the country’s longest rivalry with Lafayette College a few minutes away in Easton. This fall is the (I believe) 150th anniversary of the rivalry and the football game is at yankee’s stadium. Then again you’re a year younger than me so you wouldn’t be there for that. I think you’ll do great career wise at either school. Personally I would choose lehigh because well I love it and one of your degrees would be the one I’m getting. I’m just really bias. Go where your heart wants because as long as you have the drive you should be good either way.</p>
<p>@bman4jets It’s INSANELY beautiful, and as a Yankees fan, I love the idea of having a nemesis. </p>
<p>Hey so I was just at Lehigh yesterday and there was a student planning to do the civil engineering and architecture degrees and if he works hard enough his first 4 years ( i think you need a 3.75 gpa and this goes for all students) he can get the 5th one free. Just something else to think about</p>
<p>@bman4jets that’s awesome!! I’ll have to see if cmu has a similar condition… </p>