Hi,
I’m in a bit of a dilemma. I committed to Lehigh and was waitlisted at UCSB. I just got off of the waitlist today have a week to decide if I want to change and commit to UCSB. I’ve visited both and like them for different reasons. I didn’t picture myself at a big publics, but UCSB seems like a happy place. I feel like the new experience at a medium sized school would be good. I’d be an econ and accounting major at UCSB and a business major with a finance concentration at Lehigh. I’m not sure what I’d like to do, but if anyone has information and advice on the academics, social life, and feel of each school that would be great.
Thank you all!
Aren’t these the kind of things you looked into when picking where to apply for college?
Well I always argue that if you aren’t instate for a state school, don’t go. They give little aid (both financial aid and merit aid) and public schools often have trouble with funding.
If you are in state, I’d pick UC. If you are out of state, I’d pick Lehigh.
Assuming money isn’t an issue (including whatever aid they’ve given) I’d pick UCSB every time. The weather and campus at UCSB are great and it’s an overall fantastic school. I’ve spent a fair bit of time at Lehigh and Allentown, while nice, just doesn’t measure up to UCSB. Unless, of course, you love snow, then Lehigh has it all over UCSB.
If you are in-state and plan to work in-state after school, then yes, I would probably pick UCSB. The in-state tuition should be significantly less expensive, and Lehigh has no big advantage in terms of name recognition or alumni network in California.
The principal concern about UCSB would be the intense pressure that the UC system is currently under to squeeze more and more students into classrooms and dorms. Unfortunately, I don’t see this situation improving over the next few years – it’s not like some new UC campuses are going to suddenly pop up and relieve the pressure.
If you are in-state, but would ultimately like to work in business or finance on the East Coast (particularly NYC), then Lehigh would probably be the better investment, even if UCSB in-state tuition was cheaper. Lehigh has a strong brand and alumni network in the northeastern business/finance community.
Lehigh isn’t in Allentown. But it’s nonetheless true that you won’t confuse its location with Santa Barbara. For example, the off-campus housing is inexpensive.
Lehigh is in Bethlehem which is a beautiful little town. I would pick Lehigh > UCSB any day (all other things equal) if you’re trying to get into business-finance.
However, if UCSB is significantly cheaper and you/your family have to take out loans I would take UCSB.
Thank you guys for the advice! I’m instate at UCSB, but wouldn’t need to take any loans to pay for college if I went to lehigh.
They are very different, both very attractive in their own ways. The two caveats I can add are that off campus housing In SB is very expensive and recruiting tends to be local. I’d simply go with your gut. You really can’t go wrong either way. Those who tell you one is better than the other are doing it through their own priorities and biases. Only you know what really speaks to you. Good luck!