My son is deciding between Penn State UP and Lehigh. Got accepted into CSB(computer science/business honors) at Lehigh. We are not sure if it is a fit socially. Need some perspective from anyone who knows about the campus life. He is NOT interested in fraternities and is not a drinker. I have heard that it is largely greek and a lot of drinking. I know Penn State has this too, but with so much more to do, I feel like he would find more things to participate in. Plus, Penn State has THON and he was the finance chair for his high school and would participate in that. He likes lots of other things to do such as pick up games with friends, soccer, basketball, pickle ball, etc. He loves golf and was on the high school golf team. Are there golf courses near Lehigh U? He has many friends from high school going to PSU so would start with people he knows. I personally feel like PSU might be a much better fit for him socially because of there being more to do, however, being offered acceptance to CSB is causing us to take a closer look at Lehigh. Can anyone provide me more info on the social scene, campus life, and what it is like to live at Lehigh? I don’t know if it will be a fit despite having what I perceive as better academics and smaller classes. Plus Lehigh will be over double the price of Penn State. Is it worth it?
Can you afford Lehigh?
I think you posted a week or two ago - hopefully there was some useful info for you. It seems PSU is the right school except the student applied DUS so has no assured major. If he’s not 100% sold on a major and it sounds like he’s not, maybe it’s better than having one now - that’s an individual call.
I’m a fan of being assured to study what you want over the school but it doesn’t seem like the choice is 100% cemented - and I’m also a fan of no debt - not to say there will be any - but I can see it both ways.
Hopefully you’ll get more specifics to the Lehigh experience but if you have to talk yourself into it, maybe it’s not the right school for your student?
Mulvihill Golf Learning Center - Facilities - Lehigh University Athletics (lehighsports.com)
Lehigh Valley Golf Courses | Public, Private & Country Clubs (discoverlehighvalley.com)
Has he visited Lehigh? IMO that is a must. If he knows he isn’t going to join a frat, he has to talk to other men who have made that decision.
I would also have him ask about regular student access to the Mulvihill golf center that tsbna linked above. That is right on campus (top of the hill with other athletic facilities) but it’s primary use is for the varsity teams.
That’s not how it works at Penn State.
ALL students are premajor - DUS makes it easier to pivot and schedule whatever they want but DUS or officially premajor, they have the same pre-reqs. Basically, if you want to major in Engineering you MUST have a C or higher in Physics and Calculus. If you want to major in Communication, you need a C in English and Economics… etc, and if you can’t pass these 1st year courses the major probably isn’tfor you. Generally, you need to pass 4 or 5 courses considered basic for your future major. Then depending on what major you want, you may need to reach a certain GPA -3.25 for Public relations/Communication, 3.2 for supply chain management, 2.7 for ChemE…
DUS students are exactly the same as premajors wrt courses taken, access to the major, etc.
@SCressler : did he get into Schreyer?
If not, during his first year could he try to join the Paterno fellow aspirant cohort, which is for CLA students but is open to DUS students considering a CLA major among their different choixes -he could say he’s hesitating between SODA or LHR IN CLA, ETCHI in IST, or ?. Aspirants take classes with Schreyer students, ensuring small, dynamic classes with field trips and a high level of academic engagement.
I feel like the Greek scene at Lehigh is not what it used to be. I think less than 30% of students participate. My Lehigh student has no interest in Greek life or parties, and is having a great time there. Tons of clubs and activities. Plus CSB would provide a built in cohort. As a parent, I wouldn’t pay double for Lehigh though.
3.20 for CS: Computer Science, B.S. (Engineering) | Penn State
3.00-3.25 for various business majors: https://ugstudents.smeal.psu.edu/academics-advising/get-into-a-smeal-major/get-into-a-smeal-major/smeal-college-entrance-to-major-2023-24
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