Hello!
I have received an early acceptance(likely) from both Lehigh and Cornell. My intended major is engineering (undecided @ Cornell, mechanical @ Lehigh) and am having a really tough time when it comparing these two schools.
Does anyone have any input on these two schools and how they compare in academics, job placement, etc. Both have beautiful campuses so that isn’t so much a concern as what the programs have to offer.
Thanks in advance!
Only someone who attended both schools would be able to evaluate comparative academics.
And few people have attempted to get jobs out of both institutions.
Based on stats, IIRC, Cornell has an academically more capable student body.
And Cornell is a larger, more diverse, and more well known institution.
Both overall and in engineering.
That of course does not make Lehigh “the village idiot”, by any means.
But I presume you’ve done your research and already know all that. So I’m not sure what else anyone can tell you.
Many would be able to establish a preference after visiting, and researching, both universities.
Lehigh is an excellent school, no question about it. Years ago, it mostly had a reputation as a ‘regional’ school, but it has developed or is developing a national reputation. Cornell has a reputation as being one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It’s school of engineering is ranked above Lehigh’s (if you think rankings mean anything).
You will have excellent educational opportunities at each, and excellent career opportunities at each.
Having said this, and without knocking Lehigh, most students accepted to both would choose Cornell and find it to be an easy choice.
@zephyr15 thanks for your input! I also understand what you mean about many people finding it as an easy choice. It is tough for me because during this whole process, Lehigh had been my #1 because i didnt even factor ivys into my list because they are such a longshot, especially for me (1990 SAT)
“… especially for me (1990 SAT)”
That may be something to think about. Getting in may have been an achievement, but if you’re not up to the challenge getting out might be no cakewalk. You are going to be in a decent number of curved classes with a lot of very bright fellow students. Hopefully that 1990 includes a math component that puts you firmly within the engineering college math 25%-75% range, and you had the math/ science grades in HS to go with it. If for some reason that’s not the case you might want to give that some thought.
I knew a number of people I went to school with there who just scraped by in the engineering school. It made their college lives miserable there. Though I have to admit, the one I keep in touch with has actually done great for himself, in the long run.
@monydad thanks for your input!, I had a 730 math score with a brutal curve. I also got a 770 on math2 subject test. In school, I have been able to easily maintain an A in AP Calculus BC (got a 5 on AB last year) and I am in AP Physics C, so i do believe my math and science grades in high school should allow me to have a solid foundation wherever I attend.
I am definitely up for the challenge of a tough school, i just want to make sure that my decision results in me being happy at the same time!
ok then, good.
My older daughter is at Cornell (engineering), and my younger daughter is a HS Senior deciding now. We visited and toured Lehigh for a day last fall. Both have beautiful campuses. Both are great academically though Cornell is higher ranked. Both will have cold climates if that matters.
In addition to the academic consideration, another factor is the location. Lehigh has Bethlahem, and that factor alone prevented my daughter from applying (we walked from Lehigh through the two sections of Bethlahem without seeing one student, and not too many others, and it wasn’t hard to see why). So it seemed like social life was more dorm/frat centric.
“C-town” next to Cornell is lively, day or night, and Ithaca is ranked as one of the best college towns in the US. If you can handle the work load, the social life is diverse and great there, and there are many things to do.