Hello, this is my first post on college confidential because I’m very torn about this important decision. I was recently admitted to Lehigh for computer science and I was wondering if the school would be a good fit for me. I’m extremely nerdish in my opinion (I watch anime and all that crap) and I don’t really like big parties and I hate drinking. I also have zero plans of joining Greek life (I can’t get behind it) I am by no means anti-social. I’m a black girl seeking guidance because I don’t want to waste my parents money and feel like I don’t belong there. It would be great if any minority students or non Greek life students could tell me their experiences.
no, if you are not in greek houses, its very difficult to get the housing you want second year. My friends are currently struggling right now to find a decent place to live on campus. Go somewhere else.
I’m a part of greek life and I feel really bad for my friends because they cannot get decent housing for next year. Housing is very important
Is it really that bad that I should take Lehigh off my list? I thought half of the school was not in Greek life?
The Computer science program here is actually pretty decent surprisingly. Also don’t worry about greek life. I am not part of it either and I fit in just fine. It really depends on the friend group that you incorporate yourself into.
Housing is also guaranteed for first and second years at Lehigh. Most of the rising second years are just salty that they didn’t get a quad. You can still get triples, doubles, and singles.
@Wiggly52…You have a month to make another visit and interview real students on campus, which if possible, I would encourage you to do. The month of April is when accepted students perform their due diligence and a school’s “vibe” is best discovered by spending some time there.
I have a daughter who graduated in '13 (she’s a big anime fan and to this day still draws in that style!). I also have a son who’s in his third year (IBE, Industrial Systems, CS minor). So I have received a lot of positive Lehigh feedback over the years. I am tempted to describe Lehighstudent’s "advice as fake Lehigh news (I know…topical but overused!). But think about it, the University only offering “decent” housing to those who go Greek. On its face, that just doesn’t make sense. What business is going to alienate a large portion of their customers by providing inadequate housing alternatives for second year students?
When the May 1st rolls around, I’d love to hear back from you that Lehigh beckons and you’ve decided to enroll. You seem like a terrific candidate and a nice person. You will find loads of students at Lehigh with similar interests as your own.
Thank you for such a nice comment LehighDad! Lehigh has invited me to their Diversity Life Weekend and want to pay for my trip, so I probably will be visiting very soon. I’m going to try my best to pick up a vibe there.
Good advice from Lehighdad.
I would also offer to keep an open mind about Greek Life. I have seen quite a few posters here in the past who swore they had no interest in it, only to find later that they really liked it.
It can have both good points and bad…like anything else.
Best of luck to you, Wiggly! Let us know How you make out.
@Wiggly52…that’s a nice offer from the school and glad you’re taking them up on it. Best of luck and enjoy yourself. Remember, no one’s grading you. That comes later after you enroll. Right now, you’re grading them!
@Wiggly52… Lehighdad is giving you great advice!
My son lived in the dorms for two years and loved it.
Lehigh invited my son for Diversity Weekend and when he came back he knew it was the school for him. Get ready - they book you on flights that leave at the crack of dawn and it is a fun filled non-stop weekend. When my son showed up for freshman orientation he already had friends and phone numbers of his friends from Diversity Weekend! I was so amazed he was calling kids and making plans BEFORE he even moved into his dorm room! Please let us know how your weekend went! I’ll be thinking of you!!!
Lehigh is the 2017 Princeton Review’s #4 Top Party School and the #1 Private Party School in the U.S. Decide accordingly…these will be the best 4 - 5 years of your life. HAVE FUN!!!
@waitingdad. Can others comment on the “Party” environment at Lehigh. Lehigh is one of two top schools for our S. However he absolutely does not wish to be at a “Party” School. We tried to get him to apply to Boulder because of their excellent CS reputation, but he refused due to their “Party”…too much fun reputation. I actually think a little bit of a party atmosphere would be good to draw him out as he can be a little hard core Science/Math/Music focused, however, but too much is another matter. Can others comment if there a schism between "partiers’ and those that don’t wish to party hard. Are there Greek life groups that are not into the party scene? Again …he is not at all interested in Greek Life, but if there were a group that were more like minded then it could be a good experience for him.
@lehighstudent I am not sure what you are saying about second year housing. 2nd year Lehigh students are required to live in University housing and have a number of options. They can live in a residence hall, a Greek House, and apartment, or a suite in addition to other options.
It may be that your “friend” wanted an option that was full, but there are multiple options.
@chel17 There is a good amount of partying at Lehigh. However, it is less prevalent among engineering students. Also, Lehigh’s new President and his administration have been stepping up efforts to tamp down the partying a bit. This is causing some consternation among the more party oriented students, but many others appreciate the effort to further enhance campus safety.
I would suggest that your student should visit during admitted student days, to assess this. Also, please be sure to ask the Lehigh administrators the same questions when you visit, or just email your questions at admissions@lehigh.edu. You could also ask the Dean of Students. Her name is Katherine Lavinder, and her email is kwl211@lehigh.edu.
I hope that is helpful.
@ Much2learn Thanks much for the information and suggestion. He did just attend the admitted students day today (He is visiting from West Coast). I just heard from him and I guess during the student panel discussion there was much talk about parties and drinking on weekends (not sure if from the student panel or other admitted students and talked about more in a way of “isn’t this the best thing ever”). I have to say, it was a total turnoff for him. I am trying to convince him to go back tomorrow for the candidates day which is more focused on the engineering school students. Not sure if he will go. He visited earlier this week meeting with several of the academic staff and had Lehigh at the top of his list after that visit. The academic program is well aligned with his goals, but I am afraid the experience today may have just shut the door on his interest.
@chel17
I am glad he went to assess it for himself. Each student needs to find a place that feels right to them. Hopefully he will find that.
D2 is at Lehigh, and probably goes to parties once a week. Some students go a lot more, but D2 is an engineer and they keep the engineers very busy. She has too much homework/projects to go out all the time. Since engineering is 1/3 of the student body, there are a lot of students like that. They must be able to prioritize.
@chel17 Perhaps you can tell him that Candidates day will allow him to meet the students he will be most likely to study and socialize with. As @Much2learn says the engineering students really do have a different social experience driven by their demanding course load. Tell him tomorrow is where he will find his people… 
@Much2learn Really appreciate the perspective. I would love also to hear from some other parents/students whose kids are not into the big party/Greek life scene and what it is like for them at Lehigh. (BTW-not implying at all here that Much2learnD2 is over the top at all in her party life. In fact I think a little party time would do our S some good in moderation) Apparently however, also during the admitted student day today, S attended a CS class and sat next to an existing student who was focused on the fact that she has CUT so many classes to date that she is only a short step from disciplinary action. It really seems odd to me that Lehigh staff, would allow such a bleak picture to be painted of their student population during such an important day. I really don’t believe that the entire student body is just focused on parties and cutting class, but it is unfortunate and a little sad that this is the impression left with S.
@syralum Thanks, good advise.
@CHEL17 “Apparently however, also during the admitted student day today, S attended a CS class and sat next to an existing student who was focused on the fact that she has CUT so many classes to date that she is only a short step from disciplinary action. It really seems odd to me that Lehigh staff, would allow such a bleak picture to be painted of their student population during such an important day.”
Well, that is really poor. I am disappointed too. When we went to Lehigh’s admitted student days, we were only able to attend the second day, and she had a chance to talk with many engineering students that day.
I will say that I had experience worse. I visited Yale with D1, and she asked a student about the engineering program. The student told her that Yale is really a liberal arts school, and she should go elsewhere for engineering. She asked another student about safety in New Haven, and the student described a shooting that happened right outside her dorm room window. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. You can’t make this stuff up. lol She did not apply to Yale.