<p>Hi everyone, </p>
<p>I'm a high school senior from Bosnia and Herzegovina and I've applied for several universities for Fall 2012, but my two top choices are Connecticut College and Lehigh University. Could you tell me something more about these two universities? What do you think which one is better in terms of diversity, foreign students experiences, location, financial aid... whatever you think that could be of any help...</p>
<p>Thank you in advance very much! :)</p>
<p>OOooh…GREAT question! Well done! </p>
<p>Both are outstanding schools. Lehigh has a rich and long history as a superb engineering school, though it is also a Liberal Arts school. Its in the VERY prestigious Patriot League. A small Ivy. A gorgeous campus outside of Allentown Pennsylvania, about 90 minutes from New York City. Their history was producing graduates who went to work in the steel industry. But that is changing as our society changes. A very, very good school. Very competitive. Frats and Sororities. Sports…its all good. (And some fun too!)</p>
<p>Connecticut College is a very good Liberal Arts College that is often overlooked by people (those looking for elite schools). Its right up there with the best with academic quality. Lovely campus. Strong alumni connections and a very good reputation. </p>
<p>Honestly you can’t go wrong with either one. Superb academic schools where you will work very hard. Come prepared! But also lots of social activities and both of the close enough to New York for exciting things to do on breaks etc. Flip your coin on which one you like the best. </p>
<p>But you have picked two very good schools! </p>
<p>I dont have the stats on how many international students attend, but rest assured they are both very well connected and very worldy and you will not be alone! </p>
<p>Financial aid is a complex question for international students, that I cannot answer. You likely dont qualify for US government loans. But maybe university grants and perhaps some scholarships. </p>
<p>Congrats. Good luck.</p>
<p>If you have an idea of what you want to study, that might help you choose schools. For example, Connecticut College doesn’t have offer engineering degrees, but that is Lehigh’s strength. If you wanted to major in history however, Lehigh wouldn’t be as good a choice.
Lehigh is well regarded in the engineering and science fields.
I have never been to CC but did visit Lehigh and was not too impressed with its location. Allentown is pretty depressed.
Any of the guide books or college choice websites should be able to give you the statistics on international students.
It really depends on the factors that matter the most to you.</p>
<p>Oh, yes, I forgot to mention it, I’m applying for architecture major…</p>
<p>Compare programs and professors on the schools websites. Go to the thread for each individual schools on CC here (under alphabetical listings) and ask students there to comment on the strengths/weaknesses of the programs. </p>
<p>Email the schools and ask the Department heads for comments. </p>
<p>Its a fairly obscure major for most american students and you wont get much of an answer, I am afraid. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>My gut tells me Lehigh, but I could be wrong about that.</p>
<p>Lehigh is in Bethlehem, not Allentown. Its campus is quite unusual…it has many very interesting-looking buildings of the Gothic style, and is located on the side of a very steep hill.</p>
<p>I thought the Lehigh campus was quite lovely. We had lunch a few blocks off campus, but when driving out, a short distance from campus, we went through a neighborhood that looked a little sketchy. I’m sure the campus itself is quite safe.
My son looked at Lehigh for engineering, and he was a little put off by its reputation for partying and heavy emphasis on Greek life.
Academically, it has a very solid reputation for engineering and sciences. I don’t know anything about the architecture program, or architecture schools in general.
Never been to Conn.College but I do know a student there now who loves it. Location seems a little less urban than Lehigh.</p>