Lehigh IBE program

Can someone describe there personal experiences here? Regarding social culture, Faculty interactions, career opportunities upon graduating…general satisfaction dissatisfaction with program?
Asking for my child …at the end its his choice…just looking for some insight to share with him ; )

My son is considering Lehigh for CSB. We have a family friend attending in Engineering and Arts. @j7thletter Did your child visit? My son did and loved the school. Still a big decision though. Watching this post for more info.

I’m in CSB and not IBE, but have many IBE friends, so I can comment a little bit.

The IBE kids are pretty social, moreso than the CSB kids. In IBE, the most popular degree combo is ISE and finance. Think of the classic social kid who wants to be an investment banker. That’s your most typical IBE student. However, that’s not to say there’s not a ton of other combinations going on.

The IBE is also smaller and closer than the CSB students. They have special IBE seminars every year (semester?), so they really get to know one another.

Faculty interactions will be completely dependent upon how willing your kid is to go and talk to the professors. They’re generally friendly, but not all are super outgoing. It’s just like anywhere else. They are, generally willing to help though.

I don’t know too much about statistics as to where they end up, but I do know that they make it into top companies: Google, Tesla, Lockheed, Goldman Sachs, ect.

Thank you LehighCSB! truly appreciate your insights…any other perspectives particularly with social activities outside fraternities and also advantages of being in dual degree program that might not be obvious.

Is your son going to the IBE accepted student day on Thursday? My son and I are going and hope to get a good perspective.

Yes

My son did IBE. Great program. It’s an honors program (means you need to keep your GPA at 3.3 or above I believe). Basically take same courses as other business/engineering students based on your major plus an IBE course each semester. You can major in any business or engineering discipline you want, but if you want to get an accredited engineering degree you need to get an actual B.S. in that engineering major. As @LehighCSB mentioned, most kids do an IBE Finance degree and stay an extra semester to a year to get a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, but some just do the IBE degree. They are generally considered (or consider themselves) the smartest kids on campus. They get to register before everyone else (means first pick of classes and profs). They do both freshman and junior/senior year capstone projects. Freshman year they invent/manufacture/market their own product, then present at end of year to “sharks” - invited businesspeople and profs who ask questions and critique. For the senior capstone they act as consultants to actual companies to solve specific problems, work on new products, etc. Phenomenal experience not too many college kids get to work on prior to graduation. They learn great collaboration, research, and presentation skills. Very well-rounded students, smart and sociable. Leaders on campus, involved in lots of clubs, activities, sports, and Greek Life. Most wind up employed in some type of consulting capacity after graduation, and some go to work for investment banks. Very highly sought after by employers. My son will be working in the business advisory practice at one of the big 4 firms upon graduation. Can’t say enough about the program. Congrats and best of luck to all accepted!

Thanks for your insights @yocco1. !

@j7thletter Lehigh’s experience with business internships of the type @Yocco1 mentioned runs deep. In the mid-80s, I participated in a smaller scale version of business consulting with companies local to the Lehigh Valley. I don’t think there are many colleges that are more pre-professional than Lehigh. It was a key reason I chose it back in the dark ages!

Thank you @1stTimeThruMom …I hope your very positive experience will extend to my son and others enrolling into Lehigh in this Fall!