<p>So i was recently accepted to both schools and I'm having trouble making a decision. Although Lehigh has always been my top pick Lafayette comes in at a close second. My main predicament is that with my financial aid package Lafayette is $4.25k cheaper than Lehigh. I look at that number at first and think its not a big deal but over 4 years that's $17k. Most of my family and friends are convinced Lehigh is the better choice even if its a tad more expensive but is it really worth it? and what pros and cons do you have about each school in regards to academics, social life, etc.</p>
<p>Did you get a chance to visit either/both? Both great schools…and after spending just a day on each camput I’d say they have more similarities than differences. While the student #s at Lehigh aren’t hugely larger than Lafayette, I would still consider it closer to a mid-size school. There was a thread going on about the size of Lafayette in the past week or so…maybe give that a glance. While I tend to bypass threads written by students who are transferring out of a school - sour grapes and all - there were some interesting perspectives in there…and I definitely agree that careful consideration should be given before a student picks a small school. On an absolutely personal level - I liked Lehigh’s campus alot better. I loved the STEPS building, the library, and the architecture in general. </p>
<p>Do you want to go Greek? Greeks heavily dominate the social scene at Lehigh, not as prevalent at Lafayette.
Both are 1h30 from NYC, which is good for internships. You need to like climbing at Lehigh, but the architecture is nice.
Have you visited already? If not, register for Admitted Students Days and ask your high school for days to attend.</p>
<p>I know both these schools. They are very similar. Without knowing your proposed major, I cannot know if one is better than the other for you. And even then…I’m only suggesting.</p>
<p>I am majoring in civil engineering. And I’ve been to Lafayette 3 times and lehigh 4 because I only live 45ish minutes away. I’m not really interested in Greek life but lehighs architecture is crazy beautiful.</p>
<p>If you’re not interested in Greek life, Lafayette may offer a better balance for your social life.
But they’re very similar. Go with gut feeling.</p>
<p>lol that’s what my parents tell me</p>
<p>I’ve been reading the Lafayette forum for months now, and one of the consistent complaints of the students is that the sports teams and Greeks are responsible for most of the parties at Lafayette. This leaves the non-frat guys alone on Saturday nights, and the non-Greek-interested women without any party to go to. And the word is that the administration is trying to crush the Greeks so as to reduce Lafayette’s rep as a party school and increase its academic credibility. I was a Greek back in the day when I partied at these two schools, so I don’t know if Lehigh presents the same kinds of problems for people not interested in Greek life. Both schools have more men than women, which probably doesn’t help.</p>
<p>Lafayette is a fine school based on my research and I’m more impressed with its academics than I am with Lehigh’s, but they’re both playing on the same field. I don’t think you can go wrong, but the social life will be a problem at both for some students.</p>
<p>I cud see why the administration is seeking to destroy it. A year or two ago someone got alcohol poisoning and died. (I’m pretty sure anyway lol) but idrk how much the Greek life stuff rly comes into play. I’m not like a crazy party person.</p>
<p>I decided to go to Lehigh. I was shown the civil engineering labs and met with marching band members and the combination (plus the still stunning campus) put it over the top.</p>
<p>Congratulations! It’s a fine school with a pretty campus and great old gray buildings. You’ll get a fine education there; thousands of engineers have before you.</p>