Why Lehigh?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Lehigh University
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<p>Lehigh is really a mixed bag, the most mixed we saw, that's why you're confused.</p>

<p>It's a beautiful campus--but the dorm they showed us was dark and dingy. I worried if the dorm they showed us looked like that, what did the dorms they didn't show us look like. The surrounding area really is as bad as people describe, and you have to shuttle to the gorgeous area where they have the athletic fields.</p>

<p>The business school is beautiful. The dining hall we saw was nice. The library is under construction and won't be available for at least part of 2006-2007, but at least it means there will be a nice library.</p>

<p>As a parent I came away worried a lot about the drinking scene at Lehigh, and I'm not one of those parents who thinks my kid is going to go to college and not drink. When I went to college the drinking age was 18 and I'm still here. I did some stupid things and he will too. But I really worry about Lehigh and drinking, don't have that same level of concern for anywhere else (although it's likely that maybe I should).</p>

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<p>It IS a beautiful campus, Tapeduey, and it DOES have a good engineering program.</p>

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<p>Lehigh is cracking down on fraternity misbehavior and underage drinking. Last fall during orientation, thirteen freshman were arrested for underage drinking and public drunkenness on the streets of Bethlehem. Needless to say, the university acted swiftly. Those thirteen were idiots, quite frankly, despite their high SAT scores. :-)</p>

<p>So, yes, drinking can be a problem. It's up to the students to curb it. The university does not turn a blind eye toward the problem the way it might have a few years ago. </p>

<p>South Bethlehem, the part of town where Lehigh is located, is not exactly beautiful, but it is safer than just off-campus at, say, JHU and Columbia. So much money is being poured into the city right now that every day, things look a little nicer.</p>

<p>Besides, students don't really go off-campus much except for a couple of blocks in either direction.</p>

<p>The library is going to be fantastic. The University Center, where you can get on-campus food, is also nice. The main campus gym has a high-tech work-out area with tons of machines. Most likely (but depending on what you study), you'll take classes in old, classic college buildings. Yes, things aren't shiny and modern, but some have marble lower walls. </p>

<p>Dorms? I've seen better, and I've seen worse. They seem fairly typical to me.</p>

<p>The most important thing are the students: bright and ambitious. Most Lehigh students are there to get an education specifically to get a job later. This differs from the attitude at an LAC, where academic exploration is the purpose, with the idea of a job coming second. Lehigh students tend to be focused. They know what they want, and they are determined to get it.</p>

<p>The best thing about Lehigh is an intangible: students and alumni love the university. It fosters a strong sense of community that lasts beyond graduation. </p>

<p>I suggest that admitted students visit the school during the Lehigh days. If you aren't far, then include not only the day set aside for your specific college but also attend one of the many days where you start off with breakfast with the president.</p>

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<p>Truthfully, the first time I visited Lehigh I really didn't like it... I visited again to have my on-campus interview and did a complete 180- I'm now seriously considering attending. It's actually a beautiful campus, though a little hilly ;) Overall, Lehigh seems to have great school spirit, good newspaper, well rounded kids... just keep an open mind towards the school, it took me a while to like it but now its on the top of my list. People on this list seem very quick to point out Lehigh's negatives, me included. Some of these things may be true to a certain extent, but not everything. Besides, every school has its pros and cons</p>

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<p>Sorry to resurrect a completely old, dead thread, but it’s the only one I could find that compares Lehigh to TCNJ. Can anyone speak to the comparison now in 2011? My son would be out of state, so the financial benefit of TCNJ is not as stark as for NJ residents. We like Lehigh and he will apply there, but we just discovered TCNJ. Is its rep still regional compared to nationally known Lehigh?</p>

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<p>TCNJ definitely regional compared to Lehigh. Great school, but a totally different college experience in many ways. Make no mistake, TCNJ is a suitcase college even though they try to convince you otherwise.</p>

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<p>Just read this entire thread - has things change much since? TIA</p>

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<p>Actually, quite a lot has changed in the 7 years since this forum was started. I see a lot of misconceptions I’d like to address. Here are a few comments that really irritated me:</p>

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<p>Maybe not 7 years ago, but Lehigh’s business college is quickly becoming well-known. Lots of Lehigh business grads work on Wall Street.</p>

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<p>“Renaissance” is a good word for it. I’d say Bethlehem declined in the 1990s and early 2000s after Bethlehem Steel collapsed. But now, things are on the rise. Lots of nice storefronts and restaurants. And the remnants of the steel mill now serve as a performing arts pavilion and part of the Sands casino.</p>

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<p>Wrong, it genuinely is a nice-looking small city. Most crimes committed on Lehigh students occur in the middle of the night when they’re wandering alone - it is preventable! Frankly, many Lehigh students are seeing lower to lower-middle class people for the first time in their lives and don’t know how to react. Want to see poverty? Come ride with me on my daily commute to my engineering co-op. I drive through Port Richmond and Kensington in Philly everyday. That’s real poverty.</p>

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<p>Let me end this post and continue in the next one with some more comments.</p>

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<p>Here’s my continuation:</p>

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<p>Renovations happen at every university - there’s no point in whining about them. The renovations on Linderman have made it a spectacular building. Money well spent! As for the caf</p>

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<p>Thanks for taking the time to respond.</p>

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<p>When we were considering Lehigh what really impressed me was how creative Lehigh encouraged students to be with their studies. English majors have the opportunity to get an additional major or minor in one of science programs. My son is an engineering student and by taking summer school classes he was able to earn 2 minors. </p>

<p>Lehigh has some really great online summer school courses. When you sign up for the course you choose a time. At the given time the whole class of 30 kids and the professor logs on. Everyone participates in the class - real time. I did not know an online course could be so interactive and with a real professor. </p>

<p>Also, I have been impressed with how helpful professors are in giving students a chance to participate in their research. I would encourage an English major to contact a professor in the sciences for project to work on. An English major with technical experience would have no problem getting a job in industry after graduation.</p>

<p>A English major who wants to use their writing skills in any technical field would have fantastic opportunities at Lehigh.</p>

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I kinda wanna ask how is everyone doing now after 10 years. Has anyone of you gotten into Lehigh? How was it? I just applied ED2 lol