<p>I was unable to schedule an interview at Lehigh because all of the spots were filled before I called to schedule. Also, my parents would not let me go to the final tour of Lehigh (Dec. 5) because it was a day before my last SATs. Therefore, are there any Lehigh Alumni, Professors, or Students willing to give this poor ol'chap a tour of Lehigh (common-app allows ten spots)?</p>
<p>Nevermind, I took a self-tour. </p>
<p>So tell us about your self tour!!! </p>
<p>@kikkydee To start off, my mom was in a rush because we just came back from a Lafayette college info meeting (it was also raining and 40 degrees cold), so the tour was very brief. I did sign-in first with the admissions desk lady and got a ton of info forms/papers. First, I liked the surrounding neighborhood around Lehigh because one impression of the college that I had before I visited was that I thought it was going to be prissy/fratty upper-class and poshy place…on the top of a hill looking over everyone. That was certainly not the case. I grew up one of the top 70 most dangerous cities in the country-it’s a moderately sized town that ended up being on a list with big cities- so I wanted a college that did not have that posh feel to it. Basically, I enjoyed the neighborhood a lot: it seemed like it had a lot to offer and I liked how the neighborhood was kind of on the hill with Lehigh. The neighborhood also makes the applicant pool seem like a place where down to earth, pragmatic people would go to, compared to Lafayette. The buildings on campus, however, looked very big, old, and intimidating. It gave a juxtapositioned feel to the surrounding neighborhood, but it gave the place a hint of prestige. The buildings were also very old, which gave the place an authentic, historical feel to it. Moving on, I liked how close the dorms were to the campus. There was also an abundance of technology in the admissions hall, which probably means that the university isn’t afraid to spend money on its students. I did not see a lot of the facilities, but I did see the lab (outside). I heard that it has about 12 massive electron microscopes, which is a major boost in me wanting to go there for molecular bio-minor in physics-to use those microscopes. The campus also felt very connected, despite its massive size. I did hear however that some bio classes are at the south mountain campus, which is a shame. Overall, Lehigh seemed prestigious yet pragmatic. It is the only non-liberal arts school that I’m applying to, so hopefully I can get in. It’ll be a nail biter for me, since my stats are hovering around the 30-50% of Lehigh’s applicant pool (applying ED2 might help).</p>
<p>Oh, thank you for sharing with us. I would agree with your descriptions and impressions. We live really far from the school. I was actually very intimidated by the idea of an “East coast private school”. There are kids from wealthy families but they just blend in with everyone else. We found the students and the staff to be friendly and welcoming. And the alumni take their role helping each other very seriously. We went to an away football game and I can’t tell you how many business cards we were given offering to help us anytime. Over the years I did call some of the alumni and I did get advice and help. The school is small enough to be a pretty close knot family but big enough to be a research university. Not too many schools out there like that. </p>
<p>Lehigh has bus system that takes kids up to the south mountain campus. Just a few minutes on a bus! You would probably enjoy a minute to sit down and rest. And a lot of kids have cars on campus. My son and his fraternity brothers lived in an apartment just 4 blocks from campus and they would all carpool to their fraternity house for dinner each night. </p>
<p>Okay, I have said this before. Have you watched the “Lehigh University Lipdub 2010” on Youtube? Would you say it gives a prospective student an idea of what the campus is like? </p>
<p>I am so glad you got to visit both schools. Good Luck! I will keep my fingers crossed for you!</p>
<p>@kikkydee are you an alumni? There is a question on commonapp that states, “How have you learned about Lehigh University? List in order of influence.” One of the choices is “interacted with alumni”, then “name, if known”. Could you (if possible) message me your name, or an abbreviated version of it?</p>
<p>Oh, the neighborhood around Lehigh is not that bad. It may seem a tad bit shady, but I would feel save walking down the shady parts in a large group. When I was talking about the neighborhood I meant that it wasn’t upper-class and posh, it’s more lower-middle class. </p>
<p>Dan - Sorry, I am just a mom of a recent graduate. </p>
<p>@kikkydee it’s fine, Merry Christmas!</p>
<p>If you come back, I’d be happy to give you a tour!</p>
<p>@lustudent2017 thank you, but it seems that there is a tour and information session in mid-January.</p>
@lustudent2017 is your offer still up? My midterms start just after the day of the Lehigh tour and meetings, and I need a lot of time for studying.
Dan,
When my son went to Lehigh midterms started right after we left. Our son had to work the studying in with our visit. While we were there I asked an administrator why it was scheduled that way. She said they expect the students to learn to manage their time accordingly. It will look better if you can make the tour and the meetings. The presentations were very good!
@kikkydee , thanks. I think I can manage it.
Did you apply early admission?
@kikkydee yes I have. Do you know if it makes a difference if I go to the Jan 19 vs Feb 2 campus tour/info meeting for ED2 (since decisions are out mid-feb)?
If it was me I would go to the earlier one - before the admissions office checks to see if you have visited. Just my opinion. Best of luck!
@IndubitableDan the offer does still stand!