@calicash. I don’t want to argue. Actually I reread my post and I can see how you would assume that I was criticizing you for choosing “prestige” (by calling NU a “name” school). NU certainly has a reputation for its well regarded journalism program but I didn’t mean that you chose Northwestern for the “prestige” but that you chose a more expensive option (because of the program, I get it and don’t disagree with you). There might also be reasons to choose Lehigh other than “prestige” - that was my point and I found it strange that you would immediately jump to no way should she choose the more expensive option. For example, Lehigh is really, really well known for engineering. Of course, it’s a personal decision. Just like you made yours, the other family should make theirs without someone telling them that it’s the most stupid decision ever to go with the more expensive option (provided they can afford it). I know it wasn’t you who said it would be the “most stupid” decision. And I didn’t tell the OP to choose either one of the schools. I can see reasons to consider both. I just wanted to clarify my position and I apologize if I offended you. I just found it strange that you would immediately jump to telling the OP to go with the less expensive option (when presumably Lehigh was the reach school that her D originally wanted to attend).
I know a few students who started as spring admits at different schools and did just fine. If the OP wants to pursue the Lehigh option with her D I’d suggest that they arrange a meeting with admissions (or ask admissions who to speak with) when they visit the school and try to get a sense of how spring admits are integrated into the Lehigh community. For example, do they dorm with freshman or are they thrown in with upperclassmen? are there orientation type activities for the spring admits? how many spring admits are there? how/when do the schedule for the spring? if your D is an engineer how can she stay in synch with the program and graduate on time? Some schools do a very good job with spring admits, other schools may not. It should be certainly explored before making a decision to attend Lehigh.
@happy1 We’re not completely sure what OP’s D is going for. OP hasn’t specified; engineering just kinda popped in the convo because people were saying Lehigh is great for engineering.
@TheDidactic I understand that – hence the word “if” . The question I posed should be asked if the OP is interested in any major where the courses must be taken in sequence, engineering was just one example. Lehigh is excellent in other disciplines as well (ex. accounting).
Can she start one semester at BIng and switch? Take a gap year to avoid the Spring start? I disagree with some of the posts above. I don’t think Bing has a strong Business program or a strong engineering program.It is adequate for most. The bottom line is that private schools are more expensive than public ones for nearly everyone. Would you say it is always the worst decision to choose a private school? Whether paying for a private school makes sense is an individual choice. But, in contrast to SUNY"s PR sound bites, you are are not getting the same thing at a SUNY students get from elite private schools (and not even what they get from flagships from at least 20 other states). There will be plenty of posters saying otherwise. But why do so many people usually feel great about their kids’ decision to attend private or OOS flagships? They are usually more money yet many make the choice to forgo the less expensive option. They aren’t crazy. They are getting something different by spending more money.
There are some excellent public schools. I don’t think SUNY’s tend to be excellent. They are ok. NY students won’t feel a disconnect from high school to college like they may if they attend an elite school (public or private). Binghamton gets the job done. In 4 years a NY student at SUNY will move through the procession line as they moved through state assessments and regents exams. I’m sure that most know a ton of students attending SUNY from their high schools so it can less scary. In the end, most students at SUNY have a degree 4 years later. It is fine. For some, school is just something to finish. But let’s stop pretending there is any such thing as a “public Ivy” in the SUNY system.
Most people have limited funds. What is spent on one thing is often not available for another. So most people have to choose. I’ve never had a new car. I’ve never had a watch worth more than $40. I’m fiscally conservative so I save for retirement. I rarely eat in nice restaurants. Almost never travel outside of work. I have almost nothing of value around my home. Buy used everything. My kids’ colleges…private or OOS flagships. I stay away from debt but have no luxuries. I don’t particularly like luxuries except my kids. My kids are my luxuries. I am fortunate because I don’t have to incur huge debt. Some people struggle to afford their rent. Things are far more difficult when simply affording rent blows ones entire check. I’m lucky not to be in that situation. Others with similar salaries to mine wouldn’t give up luxuries so their children can attend private or OOS flagships because they feel SUNY is good enough. That is their choice. If I were in the OP’s place I would encourage my student to attend Lehigh. I’d also encourage my child to take a gap year and I would encourage the child to organize an amazing one.
I want to add one more point. People seem to be comparing the two schools by scores and deciding that if the scores are similar the schools can’t be that different. There are two embedded points. The first is that the schools differ on what they offer to the students. 2nd, SUNYs are filled with students from places like Long Island who had about as much prep for the tests as is available-groups, individual tutoring and more. The result of tons of prep-high scores. Those with high scores get into places like Binghamton. Elite schools like Tufts have many students who maxed out on the prep too. But place like Tufts know what high scores among Long Island students mean. Those high scores aren’t enough to get students into the elite schools. They need much more than high scores. Elite schools tend to select students who were active and involved students in hs. They often have significant ECs, leadership, unique skills and talents. When they don’t, they get into SUNYs but not Tufts. The scores of the student body’s may be the same but the students are not. (To anticipate the countering arguements-yes, there is overlap. Yes, some strong students go to Binghamton. No, most students who get into Cornell and Binghamton don’t choose Binghamton)
@trishella. My daughter will major in engineering at bing or Lehigh. She didn’t want to start in the spring so Binghamton it is. Thanks
Congrats on the decision. Best of luck to her.