I am a current student at Lehigh University (Junior, IDEAS program, focusing on Electrical Engineering and Astrophysics). As per a request from the mods and a few other users, I am starting a new, fresh discussion thread for all things Lehigh. I am here as a resource, and will try to be as helpful and honest as possible, but please note that the purpose of this thread is to foster a positive, honest, and transparent environment for anyone to talk about Lehigh. I hope that this thread provides you all with the appropriate space to express your thoughts/concerns/opinions, and that you are encouraged to post here.
Much thanks to @luian217 for starting this new thread. As per usual CC policy, I just want to make it clear that anyone is open to answer questions that may be posted, share their observations and opinions, and/or ask their own questions. Of course, all posts must conform to CC Terms of Service, especially those that concern being civil and respectful towards other members and maintaining a welcoming, or at least a non-hostile, environment. - Fallenchemist, moderator
I would be interested to hear stories of what made past and present students and their parents choose Lehigh. And I guess since this is October is might be helpful to prospective students.
When I got accepted to Lehigh, there were a lot of positive things being offered, including great financial aid, a fantastic reputation, and a rigorous academic environment. Although I considered these attributes heavily, they were not the be all and end all of my decision. Every school on par with Lehigh, Lehigh included, will tell you why they are better than the others, citing grades, SAT scores, graduation rates etc. Naturally, students will be attracted to the “best” school they get into, as they feel it maximizes their potential. However, it was fundamentally important to me to choose a school based on the more intimate, everyday experience of the student. What set Lehigh apart for me was nothing that could be found in a brochure or set of numbers; it was its culture, its set of standards and beliefs held by students and professors alike. Lehigh’s culture is one that molds creativity and success. Put simply, the reason people are here is because they CARE. Students focus on their work not to advance to the next class, but because they genuinely care about what they are learning. Likewise, professors here teach not because they have to, but because they believe in this Lehigh culture, and want their students to succeed.
When I visited campus as a prospective student, I met with current students/professors, and the above is, without a doubt, the impression I received from Lehigh. I felt that there was a passion for learning at the most personal level, which is something I really connected with, and is why I ultimately chose this school.
Hi there-
I’m very new to this forum. My son is applying ED1 to CSB. We are from WA state.
My concern is the travel to/from the airport. Looks like we should land at Lehigh Valley International Airport (LVI) for convenience. Taxi most convenient to get to campus? Thank you to all.
A campus visit! How exciting!!! I would consider renting a car. It is nice to drive around the campus and the area.
Also, we loved staying at the Comfort Suites hotel that is just on the edge of campus. You are just 2 blocks from the bookstore! You can go to the bookstore, get a Starbucks and just watch the kids come and go. Also you are close to the Goosey Gander which is a really popular lunch place for the students.
When we visited our son we would always take him to The Promenade Mall, it has great restaurants and a movie theatre.
I am fairly certain that Lehigh has some form of shuttle service for major holidays/breaks. This is a great question to ask your regional admissions rep as they will be well versed in the travel logistics. Good Luck!
My son just took a taxi since the airport is only about 15 minutes away. When he was flying home for Thanksgiving and Christmas I had him make a reservation the day before. We never had a problem.
Uh! I want to attend so bad, it is my favorite university of all time alongside Colgate but my stats are too low >:(. Since my family member lives within 2 minute walking distance from the campus I am only going to enjoy Lehigh as a trespasser, haha. Will visit next month, hope a miracle happens with my application
Hamlin, Lehigh would never consider you a “trespasser”. Lehigh has very strong ties to the Bethlehem community. I have been to away football games and there is a huge number to Bethlehem community members who travel to attend the games. There was no distinction between the alumni and the community supporters! Anyone who loves Lehigh is always be welcome!!! xoxo
Hi, I’m very interested in Lehigh; its my top choice!! I am just super worried about my gpa….its a 3.4 weighted. I found out the beginning of this year that I have almost severe adhd/anxiety, which greatly hurt my performance in high school. I calculated my gpa for the first marking period of senior year, when I got my meds and its about a 4.4. Will admissions take this into consideration? BTW, my act is a 31…I took it again…hoping for a 33-34.
@immersed Hi! I am a student at Lehigh. Just wanted to chime in about your GPA worries. I was admitted with a 3.4 weighted GPA and similar test scores. The admissions team spends a great deal of time looking at a student as a whole rather than just a bunch of numbers and test scores.
My daughter applied to Lehigh and is interested in either Chemical Engineering or Computer Science. Based on Naviance, it is likely that she will be admitted.
How does the process work for selecting a major? If she is admitted, does she have to apply separately to major in Chem.E or Comp. Sci.? Or can she just select a major?
She will choose her major at end of freshman year. Lehigh accepts students into Lehigh, changing schools or majors is just paperwork, no additional applications needed.
I just got into lehigh ed and i was wondering what a sample schedule would be for a freshman in the college of arts and science and also what time do classes start everyday and what time do they end.
It’s amazing how quickly stuff leaves one’s brain, but I seem to recall my son getting admitted into the Rossin College of Engineering, but he definitely didn’t need to specify chemical versus computer science, etc. The business college is really rocking and rolling, along with education and A&S, from what I hear, so it’s probably equally tough to get into those colleges, too. I do recall my son saying in the beginning all of the engineering students had to take certain courses, including at the other colleges! This is awesome, I think, for the colleges to have a curriculum that will connect them with students from all four colleges.
Just wanted to add a tidbit of advice to be sure to check with someone at Lehigh about the ease of changing into other colleges on campus. It might be easier to get into one versus another. Since the business and other colleges are so strong, just about every single one of my student’s friends has added minor(s) or a second major at one of the other campuses.
I trust Lehighmother to know more about this than me, just thinking it couldn’t hurt to double-check how the process works and when. What has made this more cumbersome at OTHER colleges from what I heard a few years ago when my son was looking at colleges is that SOME colleges made it difficult because it would be easier to get into one particular college, say someone wanted to study BME at the most prestigious BME university and they put on their application that they wanted to study interpretive dance, just as an example. It’s probably easier to do at some colleges and harder to do at other colleges, but hoping it is as Lehighmother has said.
Yes, you do have to declare the college you are choosing and pick a major you want to study but that major is not declared until end of freshman year. There are courses that freshman in the engineering school need to take but it doesn’t mean you can’t change schools or majors after freshman year. It is not the norm that students change into the engineering school but it can be done. At public universities in NJ, you have to re-apply into a different schools if you want to change Accepted students to Lehigh are all smart and hard workers, it’s not the same as applicants being accepted in the Engineering program at a public university. There are special programs at Lehigh that required additional acceptance, like IBE or honors, but you can get accepted into the college but denied into a specific program.
We had this discussion with Lehigh when my older daughter applied and I don’t believe the policy changed. After two at Lehigh I’ve learned so much but don’t claim to know it all. My younger daughter is graduating in May and my son applied EDII for next year, so we are also waiting to hear. Good luck to everyone who applied.
Was deferring to you about this, Lehighmother. We don’t have any experience with this. Sending best wishes that your son gets in. I can understand why he wants to attend after seeing and hearing about Lehigh from his sister. I want to attend myself!
