Rising Sophomore at Lehigh: ASK ME ANYTHING!

@gmarie1112, judging the diversity is a tough question because it’s based significantly on perspective. Compared to my High School Lehigh is miles and miles better regarding diversity. I chose Lehigh over Boston colleges/universities because I felt that diversity was better. I do not know much about the Umoja house besides that it is a very nice residency, probably top 3 houses on the hill.

Looking for a social dorm, not too much of a loud and crazy dorm.

Also can you tell me about theme housing. I’m into running, rock climbing, outdoors and fitness.

Any Spartan Race groups?

Do you think minorities and POC are integrated within the community and are comfortable at Lehigh? I only ask because I come from the most diverse high school in my state and although Lehigh is my top choice right now, I fear I will feel excluded and out of place at a PWI. I have been accepted to multiple HBCUs but I want to step out of my comfort zone without feeling completely out of place. Also would you say that races are segregated in that black students only hang out with other black students and so forth? Thank you and I hope my question makes sense and doesn’t come out as offensive in any way. Also I am black and a woman.

What activities are available outside of campus? Does the school provide transportation to surrounding stores like Target or the mall?

@Luckyjade2024 The themed housing allows students to be housed with activity-oriented individuals. I would highly recommend one if you believe you fit or want to join one. Also, there is something called Outdoor (Outting) club. I am not a member but it is a group of individuals who do cool activities like camping, skydiving, climbing, and other “social activities”. I’m not sure about the Spartan Races.

@anonymous102938 I am not the perfect person to tell you about the diverse at Lehigh, but I will note few things. I have never seen any hate or racist remarks towards anyone. I can speak to the diversity of the party culture more. Greek life at almost any school does not typically reflect the diversity of the school. Greek life tends to be more white, but that is mainly because POC have their own party culture. I am biracial and can tell you both party cultures are great. But what you should note is that at least at Lehigh, Greek life does not discriminate. You can make Lehigh into anything you want. Sorry for the lackluster response, but as I said I am not the best judge on this topic.

@graduate2017 A few times a month Lehigh offers a free shuttle to Walmart and the Lehigh Valley Mall. There are also very cheep rent cars that freshman utilize a lot.

@amalehigh thanks for all the info. Do you know much about the college of health?

It sounds like you chose Lehigh over Boston College, why?

Thanks! Trying to decide between Lehigh, Northeastern and Vassar. Northeastern is the top choice, Lehigh second choice. Both have great academics but also want to factor in extracurricular activities and diversity.

@Luckyjade2024 All I know about the college of health is that it encompasses a lot of fields within the “health department”. This is a very good thing not only for “health” students but also for all Lehigh students. Lehigh is a very open campus, which means that even if you are a major in the business you can take almost any class in the other schools. The health school focuses on many different facets: business, technological, writing, pre-med, ect.

@throawaycc I wanted a school that did not follow the “liberal arts requirements”. While of course all students are required to take certain classes, as a business major we focus less on nonessential material. For example, there is a separate math class (081) that is taught just for business students. This class does not just teach calculus but also business applications. I think the main reason I chose Lehigh over BC was that Lehigh does not have a language requirement.

My choice is between Lehigh, WasH U, Case, Northeastern and U Rochester (waitlist Tufts) TO Cornell

I am leaning heavily toward Lehigh It was the last college I visited (on a whim) and loved it. Love the uniqueness of the College of Health.

Also like the proximity to home (NYC)

Only thing…I’m not a “partier” I’m outgoing, have tons of friends, play sports and music. Just into health and fitness…not getting “trashed”…but I am open minded and a bunch of my friends do party…my close friends don’t. I’m not into joining a frat.

@Luckyjade2024 Most people who attend Lehigh are not “partiers”, but almost everyone is looking to be social. I did not think I was going to join a fraternity but ended up doing so. A majority of individuals do not join Greek life, which is a great testament showing how great the other social opportunities on campus are. Getting to NYC is very easy. I go there every break, and it is a $10-20 bus ride the picks up nearish to campus.

Thanks for all the info.

Will there be a problem with housing due to the halt on construction of the new dorms? and Taylor STEM housing…I know is a combo of Fresh & Soph…is it an equal split. would like to be mostly with freshman.

Lehigh seems like a great fit for me. I made my choice late last night!

@Luckyjade2024 I am not sure about the construction timeline. I bet they will have it ready for the class of 2024. I know very little about the Taylor house. Congrats on your decision.

Thank you!

What do you think of the IBE program? How is it regarded on campus? Is IBE considered “prestigious,” or is it not that big of a deal? Do IBE kids typically have better job placement? Is it possible to balance IBE with a vivid social life (probably greek life)?

@throawaycc, IBE is definitely considered prestigious. Everyone knows that it is a rigorous course load but is also manageable. It depends on the person and what extracurricular they can manage with IBE. My fraternity has a few IBE students, it can be balanced with Greek life. Both IBE and CSB have better job placement than a traditional degree.

So, I’ve never been the type to go to college (minus the uncountable amounts of family members and friends saying I look like the college type) and so, these last few years I let my grades slip since I thought I had everything about my future figured out. Well I don’t.

Now, I’ve decided CC is best for me and the campus near me has dorms and looks like a great place to go to school. However, the thought of college makes me uneasy and I’d love if you could answer any of these questions I have?

  1. How heartbreaking is it to leave your parents (for dorming)? I grew up on a farm and was homeschooled so I'm extremely close with everyone in my family and I absolutely love it here. The thought of leaving breaks my heart and I'm scared I'm going to regret leaving. However, I really would love the 'real college' expirience and have that sense of freedom. I'm unsure if you dormed or not but if you did, do you regret it?
  2. I just have a bad feeling in my gut everytime I think about college. My intuition is usually correct when it comes to things like this, and I'm worried this isn't the right life path for me. I have this idea that I'd like to become an art teacher because art is something I love and I've been an assistant art teacher before and loved it. But making a career out of it leaves me uneasy. Is this for every student or do you think I'm making a mistake?
  3. Is college worth it? The money and effort and work? My plan was always just to work anywhere and not have 'a real career,' but the older I get, the less stable that path appears. But really is college worth it for a career in teaching if I were to pursue it? Am I wasting time and money?
  4. Dorms or home? I'd save upwards of 10k a year if I lived at home (only about a 45 minute drive) but my heart longs for the true college expirience. However, I guess the hardest part would be leaving my parents and my sister who I love so much. I also really love this farm I've grown up on and I know once I leave, it won't be the same not only for me, but for them as well.
  5. How hard is college? I'm not that great at school honestly, I barely manage a C in math and though I have A's and B's in my other courses, math concerns me. Is college super difficult or is it not much harder than High School?
  6. Do colleges have proms, picture week, clubs, etc.? I've always wanted that High School expirience and though I won't be able to have it, I wonder if there's something like that similar in college?

Thank you in advance for answering! I apologize for writing so much!