When considering which college to attend one must contemplate many different factors. First of all, the school should provide a quality education that can later be reputable in different job searches. Lehigh is most certainly able to provide this in any major, but especially in engineering fields. Secondly, one should feel comfortable on the campus, which is all personal preference. In my opinion, Lehigh is a beautiful campus that has lots of social opportunities, but someone else may think otherwise. Find the school that has an atmosphere that you can see yourself living in for the next four years. With this, one must decide whether a big or small school is the right place for him or her. Personally, Lehigh is great for me because it is on the slightly smaller size of traditional institutions. Growing up, I wanted to attend a big school and be a part of the massive student sections that you see at collegiate sporting events on TV. Thankfully, I didn’t pursue this route and think others should consider smaller schools as well. My next few points will serve as possible incentives to choose smaller schools, but Lehigh more specifically..
- The freshman class, which I am a part of, is about 1,300 students which is the largest Lehigh has ever had. On average, it ranges from about 1,100-1,200 students. For me this is great because it is larger than most high schools, including mine. I do not feel like I am going through high school again, but also am able to get more one-on-one connections than most larger schools can provide. Socially, I see many people that I met in different classes or at different events which I like. At some larger schools, you may meet someone the first day and not see them for the rest of your four years on campus. Academically, it is much more beneficial. Lehigh still has lectures with large numbers of students, but it is easier to get to know the professors. Most of my professors already know me after only three weeks of classes which is something that may be difficult to find at other schools. These are just things to consider when looking for a college that best suits you.
- Specifically for engineering, Lehigh does very well with networking and job-placement opportunities. Most of the possible engineering fields have clubs in which students of these majors can all connect. I joined the American Society of Chemical Engineers and was able to meet many upper classmen who will hopefully be able to provide guidance over the next four years. The club is also hosting a job fair in which members are able to present their resumes to some of Lehigh’s leading partners in the chemical engineering department. Companies that will be attending include major groups such as Air Products and Exxon Mobile. These opportunities are incredible and a big benefit of attending Lehigh University.
Ultimately, I can only speak from my experiences. To me, Lehigh is an incredible school for many different reasons. It provides academic and social freedoms that may be difficult to encounter at some other schools. In this upcoming college search process, consider the schools that you feel will help you fulfill the “college experience,” as well as reach your goals for after school. These should be some of the bigger influences in your decision and they should hopefully lead you to the right place.
First-Year Lehigh Engineers 