<p>I got accepted to both University of Virginia and Lehigh for engineering, but I'm leaning towards UVa. Is Lehigh engineering that great that I should think otherwise? I'm from Connecticut, and Lehigh is closer (that's a plus in my opinion), any input would be great.</p>
<p>Have you visited both campuses? That is one way to start to make your choice. I'm biased since my son is at Lehigh ;) but I've seen both schools and either one is a good choice. Congrats for your acceptances!</p>
<p>Since you are a prospective female engineering student, I'd be asking how women were treated in the engineering schools of both universities. Try to talk to students. As a parent who visited Lehigh yesterday, my first impression is that the female engineering students were very accomplished and treated equally but obviously that's just my impression and I have no real clue. I did think that if my daughter was considering engineering, it is an issue that I would look into. While gender should not be an issue, and maybe my perspective is dated (in my day, girls were not treated equally in school), engineering does have a male-oriented reputation. Lehigh is a pretty liberal place and my perception is that there is little gender bias there. That is not to imply that UVA is any different, I have no clue about it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I did visit Lehigh a few months ago, and I'm visiting UVa this Friday, so I guess that should help. Laxmom, you said your son goes to Lehigh, does he find engineering there to be particularly difficult?</p>
<p>UVa is a great school....but it really isn't that well known for engineering. IMO, Lehigh is a different league in that regard. Compare the engineering facilities and labs...and you will see...there isn't much comparison. Still, at the undergrad level, UVa would be a fine choice.</p>
<p>No, he doesn't find it particularly difficult, right now.<br>
I think this is only because he is a freshman and you take "core classes" your first year. Physics, Chem, Calc and the like. BUT, he had a good start coming in. The chem book he's using this semester, is the same one he used in his AP Chem class last year...at least we saved some $$ there and his roommate borrowed it the first semester. He is majoring in mechanical engineering but also has a work-study job in the Mat Sci department, which he loves.</p>
<p>I've found the women in the engineering department are regarded as equals - as long as they are willing to do the same work. I haven't seen any bias and haven't heard anything from my son, either.</p>
<p>Hope you have a good trip to UVa. If you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help.</p>
<p>Shoot any questions to me too. </p>
<p>(I'm taking some classes there right now)</p>
<p>Engineering is Lehigh's strongest point, definetley look into it. For anything else, I'm not sure. Its pretty good all around.</p>