<p>My son was admitted to the honors program at Delaware with a $7000 per year merit scholarship (total cost about $22,000). He's also been accepted to Lehigh with almost no financial aid offered (total cost about $50,000). He plans to study business. While Lehigh has perhaps the better reputation, Delaware clearly is the better value--fairly important to our family. We'd appreciate any sharing of opinions and experiences!</p>
<p>I know exactly the position you are in! Last year it was Villanova vs UDel Honors for my son. It came down to money and nothing else. He loved both schools and both had positives and negatives. However, UDel offered $5K merit money and Villanova offered $6K - first year only. After some lengthy research, I found that it gets harder each year (and most I spoke to received $0) to get any additional monies from Villanova - I'd look into the same at Lehigh. As long as the grades are there, it's a guaranteed $28,000 for your son - that's an entire year of college paid for... The extra $25K a year it would have cost to send my son to Villanova now allows our family to "breathe" and my son won't be saddled with a ton of student loans upon graduating - quite important these days. PS - my son loves UDel he's an engineering major that's found some great friends, had some very challenging classes & professors, pledged a fraternity and plays club lacrosse and is keeping up the GPA - doesn't regret the Villanova thing at all.</p>
<p>Keep in mind the gap of 28000 widens each year if an 50000$ college goes up 10% thats 5k if a 30000$ goes up 10% its 3k.</p>
<p>Thank you! Very helpful info!</p>
<p>I agree with the above. Last year Lehigh offered my S grants that made the coa equal to Udel honors(he received 9K/year merit from Udel). Although he wound up preferring Udel anyway, we were worried the grant $$$ may not of been there in subsequent years.</p>
<p>i am a student in the business program right now and i am possibly transferring to lehigh so i would definitely say GO TO LEHIGH! if your son got into lehigh, delaware will not be a challenge for him, and lehigh is a top 25 business school. in addition, lehigh is GREAT with financial aid and grants and in the end, your son will most likely be able to get into better graduate schools, and get a better job by going to lehigh. i absolutely HATE delaware, i feel like the other students in my classes do not try hard, and i wish i had gone to a better academic school earlier on.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply, Udelbluehens. Sorry you’re unhappy at Udel…sounds frustrating to be in classes with students who are not motivated. Are these honors classes? What year are you in?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we did not get any aid from Lehigh so it means $50,000 per year (with 2 more kids to put through college after son #1). My son is also considering Wm & Mary, another very good school, which is a little less expensive than Lehigh but certainly not a bargain like Delaware. It will be a tough decision for him.</p>
<p>Good luck to you. I hope you transfer if your dissatisfaction continues.</p>
<p>I guess I’m not sorry to see you go and maybe it’s time to change your name 
I’ve had an incredible experience here at UD in Honors and in the business program. Of course there are some unmotivated people - you’ll find them everywhere. I’ve been challenged by both my professors and my classmates. I was in a project group this year with someone who came from Lehigh. One thing I really respected about him was that unless really pressed, he didn’t get negative about Lehigh. It’s was funny in a way, that he left Lehigh for pretty much the same reasons you’re leaving UD. He said it’s good practice for the business world to be circumspect about what you say about a previous school or employer. Never burn bridges!</p>
<p>she asked for opinions and i gave her my honest one. im not burning any bridges this is an anonymous site. if you did not receive any financial aid, then delaware is a smart choice for your son. if he was accepted to lehigh, he will succeed at delaware. and popsicle, im not going to hold back from stating my opinion, and people like you is why im not sorry to leave delaware.</p>
<p>You missed the point. An opinion honestly given is fine. The fact that you “absolutely HATE” UD isn’t helpful to someone trying to make a decision. How much more professional/mature it would have been to say that UD wasn’t the place for you, that you weren’t challenged there, that you need a better party scene (read that in a previous post of yours) And if you’re leaving because of people like me who love the school, have great classes and classmates and are willing to express opinions in a mature manner, well, great!! Enjoy Lehigh (or Lafayette, annother transfer choice of yours)</p>
<p>I apologize, because my message was not clear. I meant that I hate the fact that the students that I have had class with, do not try, and I feel that the people that I have come across put their partying FIRST. That’s what I was saying I hated. I am the kind of person who puts my WORK first and that’s what I’ve been doing since i got to Delaware and as a result received grades good enough to go to Lehigh or Lafayette. And if you’re going to stalk my previous posts, you should probably not take them out of context. I never said that I needed a better party scene, I said that everything is very far, and that there are not enough NON-ALCOHOL related activities. And when I said I’m leaving because of people like you, I meant the attitude you gave me, because I too have good classes, regardless of the capabilities of the people in them, and you have no right to judge me as you have been. And I would appreciate it if you did not creepily read through all of my previous posts, well thanks!!! Enjoy Delaware.</p>
<p>UDBH, are you in the honors program? Are you finding these lazy people in those classes or your normal classes?</p>