Lehigh University

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Students Say - Academics
The main thing students at Lehigh University in Bethelehem, Pennsylvania seem to share is a general love for the school and its entire way of life, as evidenced by the "amazing" alumni base that returns to the school frequently (and provides for good networking). Despite rigorous academics, Lehigh "maintains a substantial social scene," and "work hard, play hard is not just a saying here-it's the lifestyle." Students have "to work for grades, they are not just given out," and outside of the classroom, there's a strong emphasis on experimental learning and real-world applications. The engineering and business programs are particularly strong here, as are the international relations and biology departments. Though tuition is dear, new financial aid policies have been put into place and "the school lives up to its academic reputation...You definitely get your money's worth at the end of the day." The level of instruction here is "top-notch," and "the classes aren't necessarily a drag to go to." Teaching becomes better" as students begin to take more and more upper-level classes. Instructors "are always available and want to help you out," and they "really try to have a positive relationship with all of the students." Still a few professors seem to be more interested in their research than their teachings. "For my Folktales and Fairytales class, we were invited to the professor's house to tell stories around her fireplace," says a senior. The administration "does not take into account student opinion as well as it could," and many students wish it was more transparent in its reasoning for changes (especially concerning the recent crackdown on partying, the surest way to get a Lehigh student up in arms), but most students are satisfied with the level of accessibility.

Students Say - Campus Life
Unless you have a car, there really isn't much to do in the immediate surrounding area. The school does provide a shuttle to some common off-campus destinations and the town is home to many festivals throughout the year. On campus, studying takes up most weeknights, and though there are events "here and there," "drinking is king at Lehigh" and "Greek life is everything." "It's party hard, work hard. We have all the Ivy League rejects who are crazy competitive combined with crazy parties. What's better?" asks a sophomore. Though the jury is out as to how crucial drinking is to Lehigh social life, "the school provides a lot of alcohol-free activities such as game night, comedians, movie nights, etc.," and there is "plenty of socializing" through sports, student organizations, and plain old hanging out. "Even kids who are obsessed with video games won't just sit and play alone in their rooms. They'll find others with the same interest and do so together," says a student. "There are tons of ways to get involved on campus and have a good time, you just have to get creative," says another.

Students Say - Student Body
It's a "white and preppy" world at Lehigh, where most students come from the Northeast and the typical student's economic background can be described as "appreciates the finer things in life." People here "like to look good" and "tend to dress up for classes very often." There are still "a few splashes of ethnicity" here, and while there used to be a lot of pressure to fit that specific mold, now "there are a lot of different types of students. It's a friendlier campus." The school has actually seen a rise in enrollment by students from underrepresented backgrounds in recent years, and continues to try and build diversity. Socially, there are three types of students at Lehigh: "those who are Greek, those whose friends are Greek, and those who have no friends." The final group is in the extreme minority, as "it isn't hard to find a friend at Lehigh," and even the atypical students "usually just connect with each other." Ever the balanced bunch, Lehigh students "recognize the scholastic opportunity that Lehigh pro- vides but also thrive on the party scene."

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