<p>Hi, this is my first time posting. Looking for some help deciding on what college to attend. I do realize that there have been previous discussions on similar topics but they are a few years old and I figured I would start a new one for some up to date insight. Just a little background on me. I am currently in high school in Philadelphia. I do fairly well in school (4.0, NHS, etc.) I am decent at rowing and I am looking to get recruited at the collegiate level. I got an 1890 on my SATs and I am very interested in majoring in mechanical engineering. Now to the school stuff. I went for my official recruitment visit to lehigh and I really enjoyed it. Lehigh was the front-runner up until about a week ago when I visited bucknell. I guess what I really need from you guys here is any personal opinions that you can give about each school as a whole. I am also looking for a comparison between the engineering programs at each school ( academic difficultly, facilities, faculty, the likelihood of me getting a good job after graduation, etc.) basically anything that you can say about either college, negative or positive, would be very much appreciated. </p>
<p>Are you interested in fraternities and sororities, or do you wish to have a social life outside of fraternities and sororities?</p>
<p>Both schools have substantial fraternity and sorority presence (33% fraternity, 43% sorority at Lehigh; 59% fraternity and 56% sorority at Bucknell).</p>
<p><a href=“http://mylehigh.lehigh.edu/s/1127/interior-hybrid.aspx?sid=1127&gid=1&pgid=2038”>http://mylehigh.lehigh.edu/s/1127/interior-hybrid.aspx?sid=1127&gid=1&pgid=2038</a>
<a href=“Bucknell University Housing & Campus Life | CollegeData”>http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg05_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=179</a></p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am currently a freshmen at Lehigh University, and I am possibly going to major in computer science. Unfortunately, I cannot provide you with much information about Bucknell, but I hope I can give you more information about my Lehigh experience. </p>
<p>Concerning the academic perspective of Lehigh, the courses and curriculum are rigorous and challenging, but ultimately do-able. I think there’s a certain purpose to how Lehigh structures what courses are required and why. All of my professors this semester are very intellectual and friendly. Of course all professors are different, but so far all are willing to help me during office hours and lend assistance whenever they are available. I have heard that many seniors are offered jobs even before graduation. </p>
<p>The student-life at Lehigh University is also very exciting. Lehigh-after-dark events are held almost every Friday. During these events, there are different performances, movies, or activities at the gym. There are many different clubs that you can join. One of my friends is on the rowing team, and she says all the girls on the team are very friendly and supportive. </p>
<p>One of the best ways you can get to know more about lehigh is reading the Engineers’ blog. Even if you don’t plan on majoring in engineering, the First-year student blog give you a general overview. <a href=“First-Year Lehigh Engineers | Life as a Lehigh Engineer from the perspective of first-year students”>http://■■■■■■/1Hb6Sjw</a></p>
<p>Hope this helps! Good luck!</p>
<p>They are very similar schools academically and socially. Bucknell is a bit smaller. Go wherever you feel most comfortable.</p>
<p>Both are really good schools. I prefer Lehigh for its campus and library and because Bucknell is too rural for me (but Bethlehem is not very pretty). Both schools do a good job getting engineers jobs, and both have good alumni. Bucknell did have the best looking students I’ve ever seen on a campus: fit, athletic, happy. I don’t think Lehigh has a men’s crew team but there is a women’s crew team (I think the men have a club). Bucknell is the same way, I think.</p>
<p>These schools are not really similar where it counts. Lehigh is a small research university. Because of it’s size, Lehigh offers the opportunity to do research with top professors and graduate students. Also, there is an undergraduate focus to the university, so professors rely on undergraduates to participate in research. </p>
<p>Bucknell is a teaching college. In my opinion, it offers fewer and inferior opportunities to engage in cutting edge research. For an engineer, Lehigh would be the clear choice in terms of opportunity. </p>
<p>If you just want to get a degree and get a job, it probably doesn’t matter. </p>
<p>I am from the Lehigh Valley area. The above posters have summarized the differences well. I too would recommend Lehigh over Bucknell over for any of their engineering streams. As my D2 went off to study ChemE this year (she is at GTech) , we too discussed about these two schools with folks in the know.</p>
<p>1890 is a little low I would think for Lehigh engineering unless you are being recruited for your rowing. Have you considered Penn State for Mechanical Engg. ?</p>
I’m a sophomore at Lehigh in the Computer Science and Business Program (which is in both the engineering school and the business school). I applied RD into the engineering school, got accepted, and declared CSB in March of freshman year (when all freshman engineers declare). My courses are tough but doable. Professors and TAs are very accessible and are always willing to help if you come to office hours or send them an email. Lehigh also has an awesome tutoring program, where you could get free group or even individual tutoring in several courses once a week. I agree that your SAT score is arguably low for Lehigh engineering, but if your math scores are high then they’ll overlook the rest. Rowing will also help you. Lehigh has men’s and women’s rowing teams, however men’s is club and women’s is varsity (it’s actually like this at every school). I applied to Bucknell RD and got rejected, so I guess I’m biased. I’ve had an awesome time at Lehigh so far and my friends on the crew team love it here too!