<p>So my son has narrowed his choices to Lehigh and Northeastern (Honors program). He will be majoring in mechanical engineering and wants to concentrate in nanotechnology. Which to choose?</p>
<p>He really loves the co-op program at NU and also loves the location in Boston. NU has a research program that they are currently heavily investing in for nanotech maunfacturing, exactly what son wants to do.</p>
<p>But, Lehigh has a better reputation(?) and has a large nanotech research center. Son really loves the campus and school.</p>
<p>Any insight from those with experience with these schools and especially their nanotech programs would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Some will argue passionately that academically one is better than the other, I’d call it a draw. </p>
<p>It may come down to what type of environment your son wants to be in for the next few years. Lehigh would provide more of the traditional college experience where the student’s life revolves around the campus. Lehigh also has a strong Greek system I believe. At Northeastern, or any urban university, the students will spend a fair amount of time off campus given the many opportunities that Boston offers. The Greek systen at NU is small. Neither school is known for collegiate athletics but Boston has major league sports etc.</p>
<p>You didn’t mention cost. If bottom line cost is significantly lower at one of the schools and cost is an issue for you, then that may be the deciding factor.</p>
<p>Edit: there is a CCer named “nanotechnology” who posts under the Northeastern threads, you may want to contact him/her.</p>
<p>Northeastern is one of nine federally funded universities in a consortium of Ceners for Nanotechnology Excellence ([CCNE</a> | Northeastern University](<a href=“http://www.northeastern.edu/ccne/]CCNE”>http://www.northeastern.edu/ccne/)) with a focus on translational cancer nanomedicine. I do not know how much emphasis or application involves aspects of mechanical engineering</p>
<p>I have already pm’d the cc’r named “nanotechnology”, no reply so far.</p>
<p>We have visited both campuses and son loved both even though they are very different. He does not have any interest in fraternities or sports at all. In fact, a good friend killed himself recently after a frat hazing incident, so I am afraid of the frat culture at Lehigh. Does anyone know how much of a factor this is on campus?</p>
<p>Waiting on FA from Lehigh and that might decide things.</p>
<p>Northeastern has the George J. Kostas Nanoscale Technology and Manufacturing Research Center:</p>
<p>They are focusing on developing ways to do high speed nano manufacturing. Does anyone have any experience with this center or Lehigh’s nanotech center?</p>
<p>Neither school is very research focused. If I had to classify them, I’d say Lehigh focuses of business/management (I’d least when I visited/applied I got that feel), and Northeastern focuses more on manufacturing/industry. I’m not certain what kind of opportunities there around around Bethlehem, but I know there’s tons of engineering firms in Boston, and I’m fairly certain are involved in nanotechnology manufacturing.</p>
<p>I was also under the impression that fraternities are extremely prevalent at Lehigh. You should check collegeboard for the stats, but I believe it was over 40% were Greek. Also many student have the motto/admire people who party a lot and still keep up their grades. Of course not all students are like that, but it’s a large portion.</p>