<p>Probable economics major, from eastern Mass. 3 hour drive to Union, 5+ hours to Lafayette. Received $10k/year from Union, no $$ from Lafayette.
Likes both schools.</p>
<p>Opinion?</p>
<p>I'd say that they are a toss up from a "public opinion" perspective.</p>
<p>Union's trimester system might be a drawback for some.</p>
<p>The $$$ difference could easily overcome any locale differences, I think.</p>
<p>I doubt that few posters know more about these two colleges than your family does, having gone through the application process. If you are lucky enough to get imput from posters with first hand knowledge of either, the feedback would be anecdotal and of limited value. For every one who thinks Lafayette is great there will be another who thinks likewise of Union. For every one who had a bad experience at Union, there will be a poster with a similar Lafayette experience.</p>
<p>Yes listen to other posters, but make your choice primarily based on what you know of these two fine colleges.</p>
1 Like
<p>My junior son is looking into both these schools for engineering. </p>
<p>We really like what Union is doing with the Minerva House program.</p>
<p>As for the tirimester schedule, while it is different from what most schools do, there are lots of people who find it advantageous. It allows for a more intense focus and also more flexibility for a semester abroad (often a challenge with engineering).</p>
<p>We have visited Union but not yet gotten to Lafayette. Please let us know what you decide -- and then how it goes!</p>
<p>My d is looking at Union & Muhlenberg, right near Lafayette. She really disliked Schenectady and after her overnight felt that Union may be too small and confined, given that there's little to do in Schenectady. Her feelings about Allentown/Bethlehem are that it's more a "college town" with Muhlenberg, Dickenson, Lafayette, Lehigh and a couple of smaller schools all in the area, so it may be more interesting.</p>
<p>Dickinson is about 2 hours from the Lehigh Valley. The three other Lehigh Valley four year colleges are Moravian, DeSales and Cedar Crest. BTW, students can take a limited number of classes at these colleges when they are enrolled at one of them. <a href="http://www.lvaic.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.lvaic.org/</a> If weather is a concern, we are a tad warmer.</p>
<p>I actually know quite a bit about Lafayette, as hubby and I are alum (as are hubby's brother & sister in law). But I posted this blind just to get general reaction from "outsiders." I was afraid my enthusiasm for my alma mater might be clouding my view, as well as coloring the feedback I was giving my son. We want him to attend the school that's right for him now, not the school that was great for us 25 years ago. </p>
<p>We recently returned to both schools for accepted student days.</p>
<p>After I posted this, my son told us he is 90% sure he will go to Lafayette. He made a list of pros and cons for each school. Lafayette "won", in his opinion, 21 - 13. He liked Lafayette's campus better (which is saying something, as Union's campus is quite nice). He also likes the opportunity to watch Division I basketball & football, even if it is the Patriot league, and felt Lafayette's Economics department offerings were a better match for him (LC offers a concentration in Political Economy). </p>
<p>Jyber, the Minerva system at Union was a big draw for my son as well. I think it's a really intriguing system and I give Union a lot of credit for coming up with it and risking the wrath of the greek alumni. S couldn't decided if the trimesters would be a plus or a minus, as there are both advantages and disadvantes to that schedule. Also, if your son wants engineering, I think about a third of Lafayette's students are engineers, while only 15% of Union is engineers. Good luck with your decisions in the next year!</p>