Current Lehigh Freshman, Answering Questions

<ol>
<li><p>This depends on how many credits you come in to Lehigh with, and whether you’re in a special program or on a sports team. If you have enough credits, you will be considered a Sophomore when registering for 2nd semester, which will make getting your Freshman courses very easy. If you’re in any kind of special program (IBE, for example) or on a sports team, you get to register ~10 minutes early, which makes a huge difference. Even without those things, you can still force your way into a class (more or less) by going to professors and getting overrides.</p></li>
<li><p>Tough. Lehigh suffers from terrible grade deflation. One of my friends took a BioMech (or BioE?) test recently. The lowest grade was a 16/114ish, and the highest was a 53/114ish. That means big curves but definitely prepare for some grade shock.</p></li>
<li><p>Depends on who they are and whether you can understand their accent. For the most part, professors are pretty cool.</p></li>
<li><p>Absolutely no worry about study space. There are 2 libraries and numerous academic buildings you can study in.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>What do you think my chances are at Lehigh University? I am applying EARLY DECISION.
I am also currently trying to put together a robotics club.
Also do you think attending the VIEW program would help? I was not accepted to the DAP program.
I am looking for pre-law or a creative writing school-
my stats:</p>

<p>SAT-
CR- 670;
Math- 740
W-670
GPA-
-3.57</p>

<p>School activities

  • math team- 1st place- captain 2 yrs
    -academic decathlon- 11 gold medals in all (including states and regional)- captain 3 yrs
  • marching band - section leader- 4 years
    -tennis
    -part of the school morning news
  • bunch of other crap (like in 10 other activities)</p>

<p>Outside school-

  • volunteer and work at public library
    -worked at kumon
    -babysat
    -individual tutor</p>

<p>other stuff
-i wrote a fiction book and now I’ m in the process of finding an agent</p>

<p>Classes-
-I took a LOAD of honors classes throughout high school
-AP chem exam- 3 ( =[ )</p>

<p>Maybe a chance to get accepted? haha
Thank you and please respond!</p>

<p>I’d say Lehigh is a match for you.</p>

<p>Show some interest and your chances will be higher.</p>

<p>Is your GPA unweighted? and I hope out of 4.0?</p>

<p>Certaintly out of four and it is weighted=[. How can I show interest of going there? I am already applying there early decision, i visited three times and will be visiting a fourth time for the VIEW program and hopefully a fifth time for a interview.</p>

<p>And also, with my stats, would you require me to take sats and do an interviewer? im not so much of a good talker but I have a lot to say and i don’t think i could have enough tmie to study for subject tests</p>

<p>I know the Greek scene is very popular as well as the “work hard party hard” mentality.</p>

<p>What about students who really don’t fit that. No interest in being part of a frat and prefer a more middle of the row style to both work and play. </p>

<p>Will they fit in at Lehigh or really is this school is not a match?</p>

<p>^Lakemom,</p>

<p>At Lehigh, you’ll definitely find your niche. Greek life is not a compulsion and neither is drinking or any such thing. Living on-campus can’t be exactly explained in terms of “fit”. People are different and so are their opinions and choices. And so is the case at Lehigh.
This year I’m in CHOICE housing and i’m loving it so far. We have social events excluding drinks and drinking is NOT the only key to having fun. So, one doesn’t need to drink or join a frat/sor to fit in, instead s/he should be social to fit in any kind of environment.</p>

<p>I have a lot of freshmen and upperclassmen friends who drink and who are in frat, and I’ve never felt as a social outcast. And drinking doesn’t really matter in your college life because, if you drink, you can get drunk, if you don’t then you can still do many things other than drinking. And you can still go to parties and not drink. So far, I haven’t had any pressure to drink. Its all your choice.
Remember: If you’re social, you’ll fit in at any college, if you’re not, you won’t fit in at any college.</p>

<p>Definitely consider Lehigh.</p>

<p>My son is a non drinker/partier and is thriving at Lehigh. There are a ton of threads here about the party reputation, substance free housing etc… Take a look and feel free to PM me with questions. I would not rule Lehigh out over drinking. Judging from how happy and involved my son is, there is certainly a large community of students who feel the same.</p>

<p>D is a recent college graduate (did not attend Lehigh). She likes to say that life is not an ABC afterschool special. When she was offered alcohol and declined, guess what? She was offered a soda!! No coercion, no being treated like an outcast, no big deal!!</p>

<p>Thanks you three that just replied. And mumof2boyz, I will probably email you after my husband and son go for a visit next month. </p>

<p>My feeling about the greek alcohol scene which is fairly common at all colleges really gets down to whether a student feel pressured to be a part of it or risk not having a social life. I know my son is not drawn to the Greek mentality. </p>

<p>I saw a little short video I think on ***** and the girl was regretting not rushing in freshman year to be in a sorority when asked about what she wishes she had done in her first year. </p>

<p>Lehigh has a section their website devoted to Greek pages which honestly, no other school I have looked at does. That sends a message how important it is which is why I am posting. I find that to be a bit much, I would like to have seen pages devoted to anything else about the school . </p>

<p>I’m sure when my husband and son come back from their visit, they will have impressions to share about the vibe there.</p>

<p>Greek life is close to 40% of all students, but please keep in mind that includes all greek organizations, some of which are academic or honors organizations My son, the non-drinker, was just inducted into the Chemistry fraternity. At Lehigh it is just a way of developing strong bonds, getting together in a social way, whatever your interest, networking etc… Not all fraternities and sororities involve moving up the hill and partying 24/7. His frat, which is co-ed, just returned from a R&D Tour of the Crayola Factory and have a ton of social events planned. They also go to the local schools and demonstrate experiements for the kids. </p>

<p>60% do not join Greek life and there is plenty to do if you do not.</p>

<p>Honestly, Lehigh is a pretty hard school, vast majority are engineering students and high achievers, so suffice to say, partying is limited if you wish to achieve in a competitive program. :)</p>

<p>See how it feels when your son visits and go from there!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Thanks for the clarification mumof2boyz. Will be in touch :)</p>

<p>For those interested, here is a short list of some of frats that are not centered around drinking or housing, but around a special interest (co-ed). Do some members drink, of course, is it the focus of their activiites in the fraternity, no):</p>

<p>Alpha Chi Sigma - Chemistry
Sigma Alpha Pi - Leadership
Alpha Phi Omega - community service
Chi Epsilon - Civil Eng
Kappa Kappa Psi - Band
Phi Sigma Pi - Honors and prof dev</p>

<p>There are more I am sure, but these are some I have heard about from my son and his friends.</p>

<p>could you give the rep’s of some of the frats on campus? the ones you think are the “best” ?</p>

<p>Hi- I am senior in NJ and made my first trip to Lehigh when i was a junior (year ago)- did the tour, info session etc. I really liked the school but have heard that Lehigh wants people to demonstrate that they really want to be in the school. Should I take another trip to the campus. I am not that far away (2 hour or so drive). And what do you think are my chances for admission? My stats are as follows-</p>

<p>GPA- 3.9W/3.7UW (after junior year); looks like all A’s senior year in first marking period. (taking 3 AP’s)
ACT- 34
AP Psych- 5/5
SAT II Math 800
EC- Fed Challenge Club, Wall Street Society. Decent community service work. Play soccer regularly (not varsity). Refereed soccer as well as started snow removal business. Really interested in math/markets. Took 4 week math camp last summer at Rutgers. Took 2 week math/stock market camp at Michigan this summer. Interned at hedge fund this summer as well for 4 weeks (paid internship). Am getting a great rec from partner at hedge fund. Essay on my three solo trips to France since the age of 10. I am half asian/half caucasian male. </p>

<p>THANKS A LOT!</p>

<p>By going to visit, you have shown interest. That’s all my son did and he was accepted.</p>

<p>@Chickenme :</p>

<p>The Short Answer Section on [Lehigh’s</a> Common App Supplement](<a href=“http://www4.lehigh.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/admissions/LU_admissions_class2014_supplement8.pdf]Lehigh’s”>http://www4.lehigh.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/admissions/LU_admissions_class2014_supplement8.pdf) is a good place to reflect on your visit and make your case for being a part of the Lehigh community:

</p>

<p>Lehigh likes you to show interest, but more importantly they want you to take full advantage of your visit and determine if Lehigh is a match for you and if you’re a match for Lehigh.</p>

<p>BTW, many only visit the lower campus and never make it to the [Murray</a> H. Goodman Campus](<a href=“http://www4.lehigh.edu/about/luevents/drivingdirections/goodmandirections.aspx]Murray”>Murray H. Goodman Stadium | Driving Directions | About Lehigh | Lehigh University) to see the excellent, picturesque athletic facilities.</p>

<p>Hey guys, I’ve been really busy this week with rescheduled exams due to SnowPocalypse and fraternity affairs (I am joining an org this semester, if I haven’t posted that yet).</p>

<p>Tomorrow and Friday look easier for me so definitely expect some responses coming up.</p>

<p>Spring Semester 2012 Registration-
can’t believe it is time to start planning for next semester.
Son will register for classes on 11/15 @ 7am.
Besides planning ahead with a list of courses (CRN) and back ups and have the alternate PIN number to register, do you have any tips?
Thank you!</p>

<p>@Copaman </p>

<p>Thanks, I’m sure you’ve got some good insights into the frats.</p>