Hi! I am a high school senior and am currently deciding whether to apply to Lehigh, Bucknell or Lafayette Early Decision 1. I visited the three schools this weekend and loved them all. I really would like to apply ED, but I can’t decide which one is best for me. My concern with Lehigh is that many of the facilities on campus seemed very out of date and that the campus is very spread apart. My concerns with Lafayette are that its student enrollment is too small and it does not have as good of a reputation as Lehigh. And with Buckell, my concerns are that it is very isolated from any cities and that they do not super score Acts. Could anyone address these concerns? Besides that, I like all of the schools equally, unfortunately, as it makes this decision so hard for me. As far as my high school record; I have a 4.3 weighted GPA, Class Rank 22/338, 29 Act super scored 28 Composite and many extracurriculars. Any help or insight would be appreciated on the schools. Thanks!
Are you interested in any particular major or academic program?
“I can’t decide which one is best for me.” This is the first decision you need to make for yourself on your road to becoming an adult.
We visited all three schools. Lehigh was so obviously my son’s choice he chose not to apply to LaFayette or Bucknell. But they are all excellent schools! We were impressed with all three of them. My son just preferred the vibe at Lehigh.
Most students that express interest in early decision have an absolute favorite school that they are desperate to attend. That does not sound like you. Maybe early decision isn’t the best choice for you - at least right now. I think you need to really evaluate why you think you want to enter into a binding early decision college application when you aren’t positive it is the school you want to attend!
You have a great application. What if you applied regular decision? Those financial aid packages can really change how you feel about a school!!!
You are a very talented, smart kid. I trust you will make the right decision for yourself! Best of luck! Keep us posted!!!
I am currently undecided, but may lean towards the sciences (biology).
And kiklydyee, thanks for your reply! You are absolutely correct about needing to make this important decision myself. I will keep you posted on my choices!
A few comments:
- Agree with kikkydee that you should not apply ED if you don't have a clear first choice school.
- Agree that Lehigh is much more "spread apart" than the other two schools. This is because (a) Lehigh has more students than Bucknell and Lafayette combined; (b) Lehigh is more research-oriented, and has more labs and other research facilities; and (c) Lehigh is located on the side of a mountain, which complicates the layout of the campus. For example, the Lehigh football stadium and other athletic facilities aren't even located on the main campus; they are located way over on the other side of the mountain, where there is more flat space.
- Lehigh has become more selective over the past few years. For the [Class of 2020,](http://www1.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/profile) the ACT range for admitted students was 30-33. So your ACT may be on the low side for Lehigh, although it may be more competitive at the other two schools.
- Agree that Bucknell is a long way from major cities. On the other hand, Bethlehem is a good 2 to 2.5 hours by bus from either NYC or Philadelphia, which is not exactly super convenient either. The reality is that you probably won't be visiting the "big city" regularly from any of these schools.
Also, would not choose between these three schools based on “reputation”. These schools are all in the same league when it comes to academic reputation (just as they are all in the same league for athletics). They will generally open similar doors in terms of future graduate schools or employment. Lehigh may have the most name recognition among the general public, just because it is the largest and has the most alumni – but by that standard, Penn State would be an even better choice.
Since your ACT is on the lower end of the range for these schools, ED can really help you.
I think your view that “Lafayette is not as good as Lehigh” is unfounded. They are peer schools and both offer excellent academics. Bucknell and Lafayette are liberal arts schools. Does that appeal to you? Lehigh is a research university. Lehigh and Bucknell are more Greek life oriented and have a bigger party scene. That may also factor into your decision. Lafayette is probably less homogenous than the others
I was thinking about this today. None of the three schools you mentioned seemed to have swept you off you feet. Are you determined to only consider schools in the Pennsylvania area? If you are thinking about majoring in Biology there are plenty of other schools that are very good.
When my son was deciding on a school he visited many schools. First he realized he didn’t want a large university. Then he realized he didn’t want a liberal arts school because he was interested in engineering. We did not think he would like a high pressure school so that gave us an upper limit of schools to choose from. Then we looked at schools in the eastern US.
Do you have a copy of the US News and World Report? Your math teacher can help you see in the rankings what are your reach schools, your match schools and your safety schools. I would take some weekends and go visit schools.
I hope you can find a school you are super excited about! Good Luck!!!
I too think these schools are about equal in rep. Their meaningful differences are going to include such things as social vibe, academic strengths and weaknesses (as you see them), environment, and possibly cost.
I would say that if you are looking for a smaller, tighter-knit community with a truer liberal arts experience, go Bucknell or Lafayette. If you are looking for more of a medium sized school where you never know everyone, but always see someone you know, with a bit more going on and a more pre-professional feel, consider Lehigh.
If you are interested in biology, Lehigh built an impressive new life sciences building just a few years ago. I also urge you to check out the Mountaintop Campus program which is a true differentiator between Lehigh and the other two schools. Think real world student innovation, exploration, entrepreneurship, collaboration.
Check out this ranking.
I think these are all on par with each other academically so you should pick the one where you most like the program and the culture. We visited all 3 and talked to recent grads from our school who were there, and DS felt like Lafayette was the least hard core in terms of partying and Lehigh the most. But he has friends at all 3 and they are all happy. Could you see yourself at one more than the others?
The bus to New York city takes 90 minutes from Bethlehem, and Philly is just over an hour. You can get tickets on the regular bus, or Lehigh runs bus trips several times a semester.
“Bethlehem is a good 2 to 2.5 hours by bus from either NYC or Philadelphia”
I drove from Penn in Philadelphia to Lehigh in Bethlehem last month and it took 1 hour and 15 minutes and I was just driving normally.
OK, let’s check the current [Transbridge Bus Schedule](http://transbridgelines.com/schedules/SouthBethEastDivided.pdf), from the South Bethlehem Terminal (a few blocks from the Lehigh campus) to Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Fastest scheduled run is 5:45 - 7:45 am on weekdays, so 2 hours. Slowest scheduled run is 3:15 - 6:30 pm on weekdays, so 3 hours and 15 minutes. Other runs are intermediate in time. So my previously suggested “2 to 2.5 hours by bus” seems reasonable for NYC.
OK, let’s check the current [Bieber Tourways Schedule](http://www.biebertourways.com/active/2016/schedules/PHIL.pdf?1479239827), from the South Bethlehem Terminal to Philadelphia 30th St Station. Fastest scheduled run is 9:05 - 10:20 am on weekends, so 1 hr and 15 mins. Slowest scheduled run is 6:30 - 8:20 am on weekdays, so 1 hour and 50 mins. Again, other runs are intermediate in time. I will admit my previously suggested “2 to 2.5 hours by bus” does seem too slow for Philly; a better estimate would have been roughly 1.5 hours.
If these times seem slow, remember that the buses have to make multiple stops along the way. A Lehigh student could likely reach NYC in 90 mins or Philly in 60 mins by driving non-stop – but that assumes either a car or a non-stop express bus, neither of which can be taken for granted.
Hey guys I just wanted to let you know that I ended up applying ED to Lehigh! I am super excited with my choice. In the end what made me chose Lehigh was the feeling I got when on campus (felt like I fit in with students) as well as the size of the student body, which is double that of Lafayette. Thank you all for your help! I will update you guys on what my decision is. -Ben
I am so glad you are excited about your choice! Hey, you could start the Early Decision Thread!!! Haha! That is such a fun day! Best of luck!
Ask any Lehigh student and they will tell you that they considered Lafayette to be one of their safety schools!