<p>We recently visited Lehigh and came away with a real negative impression. First, when we arrived, there was no one in the admissions area. After using the WC, we came back and the reception had returned. She was very unfriendly and snapped at us with a "what do you want" attitude. When walking around campus, we walked through the engineering building and instead of being helpful found people unfriendly; one prof stood up and closed his door on us as we were walking through the corridor. This contrasted with Lafayette and Swarthmore were a prof gave us an impromptu tour of their lab.</p>
<p>Is Lehigh just an unfriendly kind of school?</p>
<p>LakeClouds -</p>
<p>Of course not. But you also must know what kind of answer you’re going to get by asking on this forum, so it seems a little odd to even ask it. I’ve never heard anyone say anything like what you said; normally, people return from their tours with a great feeling about Lehigh because of the friendly, almost family-like feel that it exudes. Personally, I found everyone to be helpful and warm, even the receptionist! </p>
<p>I’m sorry you had such a negative experience but I promise that it was out of the ordinary. The professor was probably very busy and had to close the door to keep out the noise; I’m sure it had nothing to do with him or her being rude or unwelcoming of prospective students. I’m assuming you will not consider Lehigh because of this abnormal experience, even though you’ll soon hear several glowing reviews, I urge you to reconsider and visit again! Try to go on an off day, like I did, and you may get a personal tour. This will allow you to see everything more intimately. </p>
<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>
<p>Lehigh isn’t unfriendly to me. I am a high school student taking a class there 3 times a week. The students are nice and helpful. My professor is nice too. Generally, when I walk around, there are many students who are laughing and talking. I wouldn’t use the experience you had as an indicator. Lehigh is a great school filled with committed faculty and has a great campus. I hope you are still considering it.</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T989 using CC</p>
<p>We are definitely a friendly university, LakeClouds.</p>
<p>I think you just stumbled into an unlikely series of stressed people. Everybody has a bad day every now and then - we’re all human and so are the people who work at Lehigh. I have never felt like any professor or any Lehigh employee treated me rudely or with disdain - I always feel welcomed as part of the Lehigh community.</p>
<p>As for your experiences, I could offer a few explanations. First, admissions is being inundated with ED applications, student tours, interviews, and email/phone questions about applications now that prospects like Lehigh2017 (above) start to send in their applications. Everybody in admissions is working hard to accomodate a lot of people.</p>
<p>Second, with regard to the professor who “closed the door on you”, maybe you were making some extra noise. Frankly, unlike Lafayette, Lehigh is a premier research university. Our professor work tirelessly to combine their classwork with their research. When oue professors are actually scheduled to speak or present their work to students and visitors, they are always very open and engaging. But when they have to do their work, what else would you expect them to do? Work, of course.</p>
<p>Third, think of the factors beyond everybody’s control. Did you visit during midterm exams? Everyone is stressed at that point. It’s not an excuse, but everyone at Lehigh has to work hard.</p>
<p>I echo the thoughts of everyone who answered before me. Don’t drop Lehigh as a potential college choice just because of a bad experience. I can tell you we’re a great university.</p>
<p>Best,</p>
<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>