<p>Hi all, i have a few questions. How is Lehigh's engineering program? How easy is it to secure a job after graduation and do students typically intern during their years? Is the engineering program hard to get into? How does it compare to UMD-CP or Rutgers University engineering? And how is its campus? Thank you so much </p>
<p>Hi there, My son was an engineering student. So I can share our experience. Also, I have many friends whose kids were in engineering programs elsewhere. Here are my impressions:
- Lehigh schedules the engineer’s classes so everyone gets into the classes they need to graduate when they need to take them. I have had friends whose kids couldn’t get into required classes at very expensive private universities. They were mad.
- Lehigh helps/likes the engineering kids to study other fields. My son went to summer school sophomore year and took classes and was able to get two minors and work in a lab for the summer. Awesome experience that helped him get a fantastic internship junior summer. They can even participate in the band or orchestra - that can be a great social outlet!
- Lehigh students and alumni passionately love their school. We went to an out of town football game and everyone was falling all over us giving us business cards and offering to help in anyway. I made lasting friendship with alumni. I would call them for advice and help from time to time - and they did help me.
- Lehigh is known for being a “social” school. Lehigh kids have terrific social skills. Engineering is all about working in teams and having the ability to work with many different types of people. There are lots of engineering fraternity and sorority kids. My son was in a fraternity. In the corporate world it is viewed as a plus. In my son’s internship interview with a large Fortune 500 company he was asked if he was interested in management. He got the internship junior summer and had his job offer by September.
- I can’t speak for how hard it is to get in. There are a certain number of spots for each major. The admission’s office has many things they take into account - diversity of gender, geography, socio economic, etc. If you can apply early decision.<br>
- The engineering kids I met took their studies very seriously. Our son became a much more serious student surrounded by all these hard working, serious kids - who happened to also be in fraternities and sororities! Haha.
- We looked at a lot of schools. We traveled to schools in 9 states while we looked. All the schools are good. It is just a matter of what feels right for your student. The summer trips were great but what sealed the deal was the overnight visit while school was in session. In the summer you are surrounded by over prospective students. During the school year your child can see if the kids on campus appeal to him.</p>
<p>Best of luck! College shopping was one of the happiest times our family had. Try not to make it so stressful for your child. If you let them follow their own instincts they will end up where they belong and they will be happy! And that is the most important part of college! It truly is the most special time of your life!</p>
<p>Did your son do the I.B.E. program or even consider it? What were his thoughts?</p>
<p>My son did not take any business classes in high school. So the IBE program wasn’t anything that interested him. But, once he got to Lehigh he became with a bunch of business students. So at the end of freshman year he applied to get a business minor. He was accepted into that program. And what he really like about that is you are guaranteed a spot in all the business classes you need for the minor. No hassles of classes being full. He also participated in the Lehigh Leadership program. </p>
<p>The IBE program is very well respected. He has friends that were in the program and they all have fantastic jobs now with the top corporations. If your son is interested certainly apply. I think it is the most distinguished degree you can get from Lehigh. </p>
<p>But, if you don’t make it Lehigh has lots of other options for students. My son was able to get 2 minors along with his engineering degree. After freshman year he was able to take Economics online. The class actually happened in real time. He liked in. Sophomore summer he stayed at Lehigh and took 4 courses and had a research position with a professor. He gave him a good project he was able to do all by himself. Then he was able to take credit for the project on his resume. That research experience got him a summer internship for junior summer. He had his job offer in September. It was a nice relaxing senior year with a job waiting waiting for him.</p>
<p>My husband and I are so amazed at how our son grew in so many ways from his time at Lehigh. We are from a small town. He is off in one of the largest cities in the US, connecting up with fellow Lehigh grads and having the time of his life. My husband asked the other day how he was able to so comfortably just jump from Lehigh into the big corporate world without really any kind of problem or stress. My reply, “You and I and Lehigh!” It has become our joke. Lehigh does more than academics they prepare their kids for the world! </p>
<p>I am currently a student a Rutgers University - New Brunswick in the School of Engineering. I absolutely hate it and am trying to transfer into Lehigh. The classes are huge, my engineering professors do NOT care about teaching and their students, and classes quickly close up so it’s hard to take what you need to take. Also, there is only room in your schedule for 4 social science/humanities electives that must come off of this awful, small, stupid list made by the engineering school. There is no flexibility with the program at all. I wish I had gone to community college instead of coming here. It may have delayed getting my degree by a year or two, but it would have been so worth it. I am absolutely dreading going back in the fall.</p>