<p>As a possible incoming freshman for next year, I was wondering what sort of experiences people have had as a freshman and beyond at Lehigh. I would appreciate any info on the social scene, intensity and quality of academics, campus life, what the people are like, etc.</p>
<p>I couldn't visit at all this year, (too expensive to travel), so I really need some insight.</p>
<p>I'm actually pretty much set on going to the University of Florida. But, I'm wondering what Lehigh has to offer.</p>
<p>Also, is this apparent recent crack down on partying/drinking having a toll on the social scene/quality of life?</p>
<p>I would suggest you read The Brown and White. Very interesting articles regarding the social scene. Lehigh is trying to become very diversified. They are also cracking down on drinking. The new president is not putting up with anything. The entire culture of Lehigh is changing. Form your own opinion.</p>
<p>Read the posts that are in the title 'Lehigh is not what it is cracked up to be.' The fact that Lehigh seems to be minimizing underage drinking, if true, will change the current Lehigh scene of a school that used to work hard, and party harder (taken from a student during admitted day April 2006). </p>
<p>My daughter thought long and hard about Lehigh last year. She loved the opportunities in the business school, the school's academic reputation, and the buildings are beautiful. But the fact that housing for juniors and seniors is off campus in a depressed little town was one deterrant, as well as the location of a campus built on the side of a hill. If you are admitted you really owe it to yourself to make the visit.</p>
<p>The Lehigh website says: Juniors and seniors who wish to live on campus compete in a lottery for limited on-campus housing in apartment housing. And I understand that very, very few junior or senior students are able to live on campus. You should definately take a look at those apartments, we did. When you see Lehigh's location on the side of the mountain, you will understand how building new dormitories would be difficult. The town of Bethlehem is quaint across the bridge from Lehigh, but I felt that the part of Bethlehem that abutts Lehigh is more tired looking and seedy.</p>
<p>From what I've been told by my DS, most Juniors and Seniors WANT to live off campus, but housing on campus is readily available. My DS's apartment is actually closer to his classes this year than when he lived "on campus". It's a nice place and much less expensive than living in the dorms.</p>
<p>Laxmom is right, most Lehigh junior and seniors don't seem to mind an apartment that is closer and not as steep of a climb to campus. The same can be said at Penn State. And you will probably not mind where you live if you are happy and have friends. If you are contemplating Lehigh though, you need to understand their housing policy and compare it to other private colleges that guarantee housing for all 4 years. The new trend by many colleges is to offer a suite or apartment style housing, as part of college housing, for the upperclassmen. Dickinson has one of the neatest programs by offering a housing arrangement that is more and more independent with each year, starting with a traditional dormitory.</p>
<p>Getting back to the heart of your question, the real Lehigh experience, I suggest that you call the campus and ask to talk to a student, possibly in your major. Then be sure to visit the campus on one of the admitted days, being there at night would really help you to form your opinion, too. Go to as many of the breakout sessions as you can, really observe the students, and take one of the classes that are offered. You should be able to get a pretty good feel for the campus and the Lehigh experience. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks :) I guess some of you are right--- Maybe off-campus housing is more favorable than non. Eh, I'm just not crazy about the town THAT much .... but Lehigh U is an amazing college and there are always going to be the positives and negatives about a place.</p>
<p>:) I'll just wait until March 30th for Juniors Open House @ Lehigh to get a true feel for the campus</p>
<p>Actually, a lot of upperclassmen juniors and seniors DO live on campus. According to USNews 69% of Lehigh students live in university-affiliated housing, which includes fraternities and sororities (all fraternity and sorority housing is owned by the university, except a select few). Even though housing is not guaranteed for juniors and seniors, there's a whole building (Campus Square... the newest, best dorms) reserved for juniors and seniors ONLY. Basically, if you want to live on campus you'll get housing. However, there's ample off campus housing available in the form of quaint little modest houses mostly.</p>
<p>80% of students live on campus all 4 years. Those who live off campus live in the surrounding area which is in the process of a HUGE renovation and revitalization process. Essentially the area around the base of campus is an extension of campus, and some students prefer to actually live off-campus. Most juniors stay on-campus, and seniors move off. I've never heard of anyone being refused housing on-campus if they chose to stay all 4 years.</p>