Can someone give me reviews on School of Business at LeHigh? My counselor’s telling me to apply for it in ED round to get as much financial aid as possible. Yet, I barely know about how’re the programs, life, activities, surrounding area there… ( And ppl keep saying it’s a “partying school” with much racism, drugs and alcohols - I’m asian btw - is this real???)
At Lehigh, which school you choose is not important, because unlike many other colleges, it is easy to switch.
Lehigh has excellent students, lots of activities, high graduation rates, and outstanding placement. It is only about an hour from New York City, or Philadelphia. The campus is largely contained and built on the side of a mountain, so there is a lot of up and down hill walking.
Lehigh has been working to improve its diversity numbers. They have made a lot of progress and the numbers are continuing to improve. I don’t think you will find the students to similar to its peer colleges.
There is a fairly significant percentage of students who participate in Greek Life. I believe that it is about 40%. I think the parties, alcohol, and drugs are often related to Greek life. The administration seems to want students to have a good time, but a safe time, and appears to be considering ways to manage this issue effectively.
I would say that I think you will like the school, but it definitely pays to ask a lot of questions about your concerns both online, and when you visit. Also keep in mind that there is a wide range of Greek organizations. Some are much more party oriented than others. The Greek organizations all publish grade averages for the organization and for recruits/pledges as well, so that may give you some insight.
I am attaching a link explaining what it means to apply early decision. Sometimes I think students do not understand what is involved to apply Early Decision.
“Our program is a binding Early Decision plan, meaning that the student who is admitted to Lehigh under this program must withdraw all other applications filed and must not initiate any new applications to other schools.”
“The Early Decision plan is not for everyone. It is for the student who has begun early and been active in his or her college search, and is sure that he or she wants to attend Lehigh. While pursuing admission under the Early Decision plan, students may apply to other institutions, but may only have one Early Decision application pending at any time. Additionally, Early Decision candidates forfeit the ability to compare financial aid offers from other schools.”
Please note the word “BINDING.” If you get accepted early decision you are contractually obligated to accept whatever financial offer Lehigh chooses to offer you. Even if they choose not to offer you any financial aid you have agreed to attend. This is not an option for someone who is not able to attend regardless of the financial package offered.
I should add that Lehigh is an academically rigorous college, so that constrains how much partying that students can do. You are correct that Lehigh seems to have a bit of a reputation as a “party school.” I have been told that there is a push to tamp that down a bit from alumni and parents, but others are resistant.
I have been told that there were some issues with pledging last year. I am hoping that the administration will be a little more proactive at heading off any issues this year. That type of thing is bad for everyone and the school.
Anybody have any knowledge regarding on-campus recruiting/alumni connections for Wall Street?
Lehigh has a fantastic reputation and great ties to Wall Street. The leader of Deloitte - part of the “Big Four” professional services firm in the United States is a woman graduate of Lehigh’s accounting department.
http://www1.lehigh.edu/news/alum-be-first-female-ceo-big-4-firm
http://giving.lehigh.edu/sarat-sethi-wall-street-council
Lehigh alums are famous for helping fellow alums. My husband and I went to an out of town Lehigh football game during my son’s freshman year. In one day I was given 10 business cards from alums telling me they would help in any way they could. I actually followed up with a couple and developed great friendships and received some help.
Also, when my son and his fraternity brother emailed their applicants for internships into a firm with a strong Lehigh connection they immediately were offered interviews. My son and his friend got the internships and job offers September of his senior year. He is still with the company and is very happy.
When my son and I visit New York City we have walked up and down Wall Street and he points to business and after business and says he knows someone working there. Until he walked down Wall Street he had no idea how many of his friends were actually working in that tiny community.
“If you get accepted early decision you are contractually obligated to accept whatever financial offer Lehigh chooses to offer you. Even if they choose not to offer you any financial aid you have agreed to attend.”
There is no contract, and you can decline admission if the financial aid offered is insufficient to support attendance, as at all other schools offering ED. Lehigh is not going to force you to show up and then expel you when you can’t pay the bill. The important point is that you likely can’t compare FA offers.