<p>I got accepted to both University of Virginia and Lehigh for engineering, but I’m leaning towards UVa. Is Lehigh engineering that great that I should think otherwise? I’m from Connecticut, and Lehigh is closer (that’s a plus in my opinion), any input would be great.</p>
<p>Have you visited both campuses? That is one way to start to make your choice. I’m biased since my son is at Lehigh 
but I’ve seen both schools and either one is a good choice. Congrats for your acceptances!</p>
<p>Since you are a prospective female engineering student, I’d be asking how women were treated in the engineering schools of both universities. Try to talk to students. As a parent who visited Lehigh yesterday, my first impression is that the female engineering students were very accomplished and treated equally but obviously that’s just my impression and I have no real clue. I did think that if my daughter was considering engineering, it is an issue that I would look into. While gender should not be an issue, and maybe my perspective is dated (in my day, girls were not treated equally in school), engineering does have a male-oriented reputation. Lehigh is a pretty liberal place and my perception is that there is little gender bias there. That is not to imply that UVA is any different, I have no clue about it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I did visit Lehigh a few months ago, and I’m visiting UVa this Friday, so I guess that should help. Laxmom, you said your son goes to Lehigh, does he find engineering there to be particularly difficult?</p>
<p>UVa is a great school…but it really isn’t that well known for engineering. IMO, Lehigh is a different league in that regard. Compare the engineering facilities and labs…and you will see…there isn’t much comparison. Still, at the undergrad level, UVa would be a fine choice.</p>
<p>No, he doesn’t find it particularly difficult, right now.<br>
I think this is only because he is a freshman and you take “core classes” your first year. Physics, Chem, Calc and the like. BUT, he had a good start coming in. The chem book he’s using this semester, is the same one he used in his AP Chem class last year…at least we saved some $$ there and his roommate borrowed it the first semester. He is majoring in mechanical engineering but also has a work-study job in the Mat Sci department, which he loves.</p>
<p>I’ve found the women in the engineering department are regarded as equals - as long as they are willing to do the same work. I haven’t seen any bias and haven’t heard anything from my son, either.</p>
<p>Hope you have a good trip to UVa. If you have any other questions, I’d be glad to help.</p>
<p>Shoot any questions to me too. </p>
<p>(I’m taking some classes there right now)</p>
<p>Engineering is Lehigh’s strongest point, definetley look into it. For anything else, I’m not sure. Its pretty good all around.</p>