Hi, I recently got accepted into both Boston College and Lehigh University, but I’m about halfway split between which one I want to choose. I plan to major in physics and possibly do a second major in music (theory or performance). I’m also very interested in study abroad and foreign languages. I’m slightly leaning towards Boston College simply because it’s located in a city, and as a rural student, city life is something I’ve always wanted to experience. The financial aid offers I received from them are practically the same, so finances aren’t much of a deciding factor. Could anybody tell me what the pros and cons of each school are, specifically about their physics and music departments along with anything else you think is important? Thank you.
You probably know that Lehigh has a much stronger STEM orientation than BC. So the options for physics-related study and research are probably going to be much broader at Lehigh, even though BC is about twice as large overall. For example, Lehigh offers undergraduate majors in physics, engineering physics, engineering mechanics, mechanical engineering, astrophysics, astronomy, and materials science & engineering. BC has a major in physics, and that’s it.
On the other hand, BC has a stronger humanities orientation. My guess is that the music and language programs will be significantly larger at BC. And there are probably better opportunities to attend concerts in the Boston area.
Do you think there would be a big difference if I only went for a general physics education? As of now, I think I’d like to specialize in astrophysics eventually, but I’m still very undecided about that.
Congrats on having two great options.
I’d give thought to which environment you’d prefer to spend the next four years. Both are fine schools. BC is a Jesuit school with a large liberal arts core curriculum, located outside of Boston, and with a bigger sports scene as part of the ACC, . Lehigh is a secular school that is not by a major city, is more Greek Life oriented etc.
If you can visit/re-visit both school before making a decision that would be ideal. If not see if you can read up on the two schools in some good college guide books such as Fiske, Insiders Guide, Princeton Review – which you may be able to find in your guidance counselor’s office or in a library.
BC has made a significant effort to upgrade its science offerings in the past few decades. Look over their physics classes & check out their faculty…I think you’ll find they would be enough to give a solid undergrad physics degree.
That’s a tough call and would likely be settled with a visit. Lehigh is the better STEM school, but Boston is the better town. Interestingly, when we visited the engineering program, the number one engineering minor is music. You’ll have no shortage a STEM brethren in music. This will really be about your gut reaction and neither choice will be wrong. Congrats!
I would expect that both schools would do a fine job of providing a general undergraduate physics education. However, Lehigh would offer more opportunities to discover and explore specialized branches of physics, which could be a plus if you were planning to eventually study physics at the graduate level. For example, if you did become interested in astrophysics specifically, it looks like BC offers only a single course in this field, while Lehigh offers a full astrophysics major (as well as an astronomy major).
http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/physics/courses.html
http://catalog.lehigh.edu/coursesprogramsandcurricula/artsandsciences/astronomyandastrophysics/#undergraduatetext
The flip side, as noted before, is that BC would likely be better for exploring the humanities, including music and languages. Lehigh certainly has music and language programs, and they are probably good; however, they will probably not be as extensive as those at BC, given Lehigh’s smaller overall size and greater STEM orientation. And the general arts/music/culture scene is obviously bigger in Boston than in the Lehigh Valley.
Well it turns out I won’t be able to visit either of the schools which makes this decision a lot harder. I will be able to go to an admitted student’s reception for BC but the nearest one for Lehigh is too distant. Instinct tells me that I’d enjoy BC more and I’m not sure I’d like Greek life, but I know that I’d benefit a lot from Lehigh’s STEM orientation and better physics program. I also found a very curt 1 star review on niche for BC saying “There are very limited resources for physics majors” which is a bit worrying. Could anybody who’s gone to either school tell me about your general experience and the campus culture? Also as a side note, I am non-religious, but I feel like I get along better with religious people in general. BC’s Jesuit affiliation is actually more of a plus for me and I don’t mind the required theology classes, but does anybody who’s gone there think I might be shunned for not being religious?
Campus wise they are both beautiful campuses but obviously BC has the city of Boston and all that offers. Stem is significantly stronger at Lehigh. I would go to Lehigh for physics over BC but Lehigh definately has more of a party school atmosphere than BC so you would have to be okay with that.
Did not attend, but BC and and other Jesuit colleges have a general reputation for religious tolerance (in fact, they are often criticized by conservative Catholics as too tolerant). According to the BC website, 70% of students identify as Catholic, which implies that 30% do not. BC recognizes Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist student organizations.
http://www.bc.edu/offices/pubaf/about/facts.html
http://www.bc.edu/offices/ministry/interfaith/StudentFaithOrganizations.html
Went there a while ago and brother sent 2 sons there. Religion is not a focus although the Formation program is one which helps students recognize that giving back to the community, raising funds for charities, etc is a part of the culture there. For example, second year both of them went to Costa Rica to build homes with Habitat for Humanity over Spring. They were required to raise at least half of the money needed. My nephews called each aunt and uncle and also went to a few local businesses to ask for money to support their trip. My brother said the feeling is, you need to teach students to be able to talk to others about supporting a cause you believe in as well as giving to charity as a lifelong commitment. One went to Notre Dame for MBA, the other to Cornell. ND grad working in Chicago where his wife is from and the other for a large consulting firm in Boston (after Cornell MBA).
Lehigh is stronger in terms of science, and BC is stronger in terms of social science such as economics and so on. But you are right, Lehigh is considerably smaller so you must figure out which life style you prefer. I would choose Lehigh if I am you, but if you wanna continue study graduate degree I think just follow your heart.
The vibe at these 2 schools will be more similar than different. Both have a very social reputation, it’s just that Lehigh does it with frats. Lehigh may have a tighter community due to location and campus layout. BC will have an emphasis on community service. There are a lot of cross applicants between the 2, so the student body is more similar than different. One is not stronger than the other for overall academics, but for STEM and Physics Lehigh wins. With 6,000 undergrads, it is smaller than BC, but not a small school.
They are comparable in SAT and ACT scores too, with an edge to BC though not enough to separate them much academically. BC is 1340-1510 and 30-33, while Lehigh is 1300-1480 and 29-32.
Could anybody who’s gone to Lehigh tell me what there is to do in your free time and what Bethlehem has to offer? I’m not the type for parties and drinking, and I’ve heard that pretty much dominates campus, so I’d like to know if there’s much to do there.
I didn’t go to Lehigh, but live not far away. Bethlehem isn’t a huge “city” in Boston-terms but would definitely have the basics- movies, bars, food, etc…
In addition to the activities available in Bethlehem and Allentown, it is common for students to visit Philly or NYC. Philly is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Lehigh. I think NYC is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
D spent one weekend in NYC with friends last semester, and also went to Philly for a weekend. She has attended a few athletic events and is involved in clubs and activities on campus. Plus, homework occupies a fair amount of her time.
Another thing you should be aware of if you can’t visit is the hilliness of each. Both are situated on hills. BC’s main campus is on 3 levels…There are dorms on a fairly flat level known as the “upper” campus, then u go down some stairs where the academic buildings are on the fairly flat "middle"campus. Then u go down a long staircase to the flat “lower” campus… apartments & athletic facilities.
Lehigh has a lot of buildings on the side of a fairly steep hill…Gives you the impression riding a bike there would be brutal. But there are more facilities at the top of hill.
Lehigh’s housing sucks for non greeks
Of all the colleges I’ve visited with 2 daughters, I would say Bethlehem is probably the worst college town I’ve seen, and so the social life there revolves around frats and drinking on campus. BC will not be as good for Physics, but there will be much more to do. Having more to do can also mean less drinking, etc…