My D has applied RD to Lehigh for fall of 2017. Assuming she is admitted (I know, that’s a big “if”), she would likely choose CHOICE housing as she isn’t interested in rushing a sorority.
My D isn’t completely against drinking/partying. However, she is not really a party-type and won’t want the greek lifestyle to be at the center of her college experience. Her idea of a party is a handful of friends hanging out together. She may on occasion go out to a party just to experience it but I would guess that will be a few nights a month if that.
So, I’m looking for more info about CHOICE housing, and in particular would be interested in the following:
What dorm(s) offer CHOICE housing? Are these dorms some of the nicer dorms?
Roughly, how many students are in CHOICE housing? Is there a decent sized community?
Are both freshmen and upperclassmen in the same CHOICE dorms?
What is the overall experience like? Is it a tight-knit group? Do they do activities together?
Do many freshmen decide to choose CHOICE for their sophomore year as well?
Also, I know there are strong opinions on greek life at Lehigh, both for and against. My intention isn’t to start yet another discussion on that topic… this is strictly meant to be about CHOICE.
Wow, Lehigh offers 9 themed residential communities for first years students!
ArtsAlive
CHOICE: A Substance Free Community
The Creative Commons: Innovation & Entrepreneurship
First Generation
Global Lehigh
Live.Learn.Serve.
Pride Community
Outdoor Adventure
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
UMOJA
“Students will have the opportunity to live with and learn alongside other first-year students with similar passions and interests.
*Each community is led by Faculty or Staff Advisors and a Gryphon student mentor to help students become better acquainted with the University and its resources.
*Each community will enjoy group meals, discussions, outside speakers, on-campus events, off-campus trips, and more in order to engage participants in their interests in fun and different ways outside of the traditional curriculum.
*Each community will encourage residents to grow and develop both as students and on-campus leaders in the context of their passions, interests, and hobbies.”
I don’t get the impression it is a divided community -either you are Greek or you aren’t. My son was in a fraternity and he had many close friends that weren’t.
I would really recommend that you contact the the CHOICE advisor Peter Costa and get accurate information directly from the source. I had several questions before my son started Lehigh and everyone I talked to was so friendly and helpful. Before my son even started school I felt I had made friends with many staff members. Whenever I would visit the campus I would stop in and visit my buddies! I hope you call and let us know what you find out!!!
My son has lived in CHOICE housing for three years so far and liked it. CHOICE housing for Freshman year was Dravo. He has lived in Brodhead for sophomore and Junior year. They basically sign a contract that there will be no alcohol or drugs in the dorm - they are choosing to live in an environment that is drug and alcohol free. He felt it was best for him. Every student has to decide what works best for them. Good luck to your daughter. It is a great school and it has a lot of opportunities for involvement. All classes are done by 4 pm each day to provide an opportunity to find sports or activities that interest them.
Lehigh requires freshmen and sophomores to live in university housing. However, a lot of Lehigh students (perhaps the majority) move off-campus during their junior or senior year. The neighborhoods adjacent to the campus consist predominantly of small row houses with inexpensive rents (at least by California standards).
Off-campus living can be a better value than the university housing, and can be a better experience if the house is shared by a group of like-minded individuals. It wouldn’t surprise me if there are “unofficial” substance-free houses off-campus, rented by groups of former CHOICE residents.
Thanks @kikkydee, @Tracey507 and @Corbett. That was helpful. I will have my D reach out to Peter Costa if she gets accepted. She would also likely consider the ArtsAlive community as well as she is artsy.