@chel17 - My S is also considering Lehigh, and also a prospective math and CS major. Their social goals also sound fairly similar. Because my S applied to math, he is in the school of Arts and Sciences. We went to Candidates Day Saturday, and it was OK, but not great. I think we probably missed “his people” because he fits better with the Engineering School kids. We also had someone at the CS table be very enthusiastic about a double major while the person at the math table was very discouraging about it. It’s so hard to gauge what any school will really be like based on these short interactions. I’m glad Candidate’s day was a reassuring experience for your S. Good luck to him in choosing a school!
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2017/04/lehigh_steps_up_police_patrols.html
here is a link to a recent article referencing what @SyrAlum posted about
@collegemom777 You should have your S speak to the math chair. Our S met with him while visiting this last week and he was very helpful and what helped to sell our S on the ability to accomplish a dual CS/Math major. May I ask what other schools your S in considering?
Also, perhaps others can comment, but my understanding is that changing majors/college on interest within Lehigh is very easy, so if your S is of a mind perhaps he can change to the College of Engineering?
My S and I attended last weekend’s Candidates’ Day, specifically for the IBE and engineering; it was our first visit to Lehigh. We were quite impressed with Lehigh’s offerings and students from IBE whom we met throughout the day. The professors appeared approachable and accessible; the IBE students were mature, bright, ambitious without air of ego, and had confident social skills. They were very well rounded; my son felt he can see himself being friends with them.
I specifically asked those students if they were in frats and they all said they chose not to because there are others clubs and activities that were more interesting. Though about 40% are in the greek system, the majority choose not to be in it and they found other outlets from academics. I also like that rushing is not until 2nd semester, so students have a semester to explore and find their people and activities.
In the IBE presentation, the advisor presented data about majors within in IBE and post graduate route students chose. Though many choose Finance/Industrial Engineering System, there are a diverse of students who choose EE, ME, Civil, etc. Concerning post graduate jobs, data showed that 35% go into finance 40% go into engineering, and 20% go into management consultant, and the remaining student go into graduate schools. My S was also pleased to hear that 50% stay additional semester or a full year to obtain a full engineer degree. I was pleased to hear that scholarship and aid awarded for the 4 years will also apply for 5th year. Concerning study abroad, which are encouraged by the school, every student we met said their study abroad was funded by scholarships.
To the Lehigh parents and students, can you discuss breadth and depth of Lehigh’s curriculum, specifically in IBE? Many engineering schools we visited often touted breadth and depth in their curriculum. I don’t recall specific discussion about it over the weekend. Thanks!
@chel17: Apparently he is not considering any other schools - he just told us he wants to go to Lehigh, so I guess our check will be in the mail soon! Thanks for the tip about the math chair.
As for Engineering vs Arts & Sciences, I also got the impression it would not be hard to switch. But I think that day to day life is not really that segregated at Lehigh - he’ll live and take classes with students from all schools. If he does go through with the double-major, he’ll kind of have one foot in each school, and it may not matter which one he is “officially” a part of.
Good luck to all who are still deciding!
@collegemom777 Congrat’s on your S’s decision!
My daughter is in the IBE program having a transformational experience. I think by its very nature as an integrated program it has great breadth, exposing students to the relationship between macro/micoeconomics, finance and banking, marketing, management, accounting… the entire spectrum of the business cycle… and how it relates to the world of technology and engineering, as chosen by the student. Most IBE kids will come in with enough AP credits to get 2 B.S. degrees, one in IBE and one in either a field of engineering or business… see link
https://ibe.lehigh.edu/students-alumni
…for what students have done in the past… so there is not much limit to depth either, especially if they stay a 5th year (which is free if they keep a 3.75 gpa)… they could even start on masters degree work.
@LehighHawkDad Thank you for your reply. My son committed to Lehigh 2 days ago and he’s really psyched about it. IBE and its student body and staff really impressed him. The 5th year option sound like a awesome opportunity and he wants to pursue it for the 2 degrees. We are thrilled with his decision!
@cag60093 Congratulations!!!
Oh, I am so happy for you! What I would do to be able to repeat the years of my son at Lehigh! When you go be sure to make reservations at restaurants - they can fill up! We loved staying at the Comfort Suites because it is so close to campus - just a half a block from the bookstore and Starbucks! You might want to reserve your hotel room now if you are going to drive in the night before move it.
Please keep us posted!!!
@kikkydee Thank you very much! My son is very excited and we are so happy because Lehigh is a terrific fit for him. He went to Candidates Day very skeptical because he already mentally committed to a different school. I’m grateful that so many engineering and IBE students were all on deck that day. Their interactions with admitted students, with professors and with each other left a positive impression.
Thanks for the restaurant tip. I made hotel reservations at Comfort Suites for the August orientation and family weekend earlier today since we’re in the midwest 
@cag60093 Oh, I am so glad you are going to family weekend! It is so heartwarming. The kids in the dorms work really hard to clean their rooms! Haha! The students were gathered in the student lounge on the dorm floor and they all introduced themselves and shook our hands! It was so heartwarming!!!
When we flew in for our first Parent’s Weekend we took on son to the Apollo Grill for our first meal together. When the owner discovered we lived far away from Lehigh he gave our son and us his business card with his personal phone numbers. He said we were to call if we ever needed anything! They have wonderful food and maybe you will be lucky enough to have the owner take you under his wing too!
I made so many friends at Lehigh. It is truly is a tight knit family and as a parent you are included too!!!
Here are some fun threads!!!
http://www1.lehigh.edu/about/traditions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rivalry_(Lehigh%E2%80%93Lafayette)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9Ji75Aaed4
My son is finishing up his first year at Lehigh. He just loves his school and is very happy with his decision to attend. He is studying to be an engineer and tells me that the work is hard but he makes the time to play too. At this time he has decided not to pledge a fraternity but knows that many kids decide to pledge later on at school and it is OK. He is by no means a big, party type of kid and seems to have made friends who think the same way. There are definitely kids at Lehigh who are not into the huge party scene. I am very happy that he chose Lehigh. I have been so pleased with his academic success so far and have enjoyed watching him mature into a responsible young adult. So far so good. The best of luck to all of you with HS seniors. We have no regrets about our decision.