Lehigh University Top Questions

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My advice to parents and students would be to those who are not sure what they want out of college. Many students know exactly what the want and are able to go through a book and decide based on college guide books and statistics. If you don't know what you want out of college, which I, along with many others did not know while applying, my biggest advice would be to visit schools. I have found that many times students and parents have a strange intution about schools once they visit them. I had no idea what I wanted from a school, and if i were to look at a college guide book right now, I probably still would not know. However, I visited Lehigh, I fell in love with it, and I am still in love. That's why I'm here.

Visit the campus and speak with the students. First impressions, in this case, are usually pretty accurate. Don't just go somewhere because you think you should. Take a look at the activities the school offers and what other things there are on campus. If you don't enjoy your weekends or your off time, studying and classes will drown you. Meet as many people as you can and don't think that your real friends are the ones you left behind. Get involved in your school. Develop a sense of pride in this new "culture" you're about to become a part of. Plus, it's never too late to transfer, this isn't a do or die decision. Make the most out of this second chance. Not many people get that opportunity.

Be open to new opportunites and experiences. The "College Experience" is a myth that parents like to hold on to. If a student does not like where he/she is at they can transfer. However, picking the right school needs to come from the students prespective, not the parents. Let the student choose which colleges they want to look at, but the parents obviously have some input. However, when the parents take control of the situation the student will resist looking at possibly great schools for them. The student needs to learn for his or her self what they like and do not like. The "College Experience" is not for everyone. Its an ideological view that college will be an eye opening experience for the student where they will find out who they are, what they will do with their life, and enjoy every moment. That is not the case for most students. The "College Experience" is the experience for students of being independent, making their own choices, recovering from their mistakes. Parents need to realize its a time of growth for their children and to help nurture that. Parents need to be open to ther child's new ideas.

Academics should be one of the most important factors in determining what college is right for you, but by no means should it be the only factor. Students and parents should take into account the kind of experience the student wants to have. Location (city/suburbs), size (large/small), distance (close/far from home), types of clubs and organizations offered, dining options, and most importantly, what kind of students attend the school. Make sure to take a tour of the school before your apply because there's a feeling you get by stepping on a college campus that you can't get from visiting the school online or by reading about it in a college magazine. Talk to students who attend the school to see if you could see yourself fitting in. Make the most out of your college experience by trying new things and getting involved. Use this time to discover who you are and who you want to become. Join a club you never would have in high school and try something that scares you. Now is the chance to grow as an individual and to hold nothing back.

Grace recalls the best decision and biggest mistake of her freshman year.

Make sure you talk to students in your major! I would be more than happy to tell any engineering student to stay as far away as possible, but if you are business, by all means, this is a great school for you!

I definately think that it is in your best interest to visit the schools, attend classes, and know what you are looking for. Get as much experience at the school you are choosing as you can, before you make a final decision. If you know what you want to study, go to the school with the best program. But above all, make sure you can be happy wherever you go.

When trying to choose a univeristy it is so important that students spend more time at the school than just a tour. Take time walking around campus, envision yourself spending four of the best years of your life there, and meet some students in clubs and organizations that you would join. Also, most students end up changing their majors, so unless you are completely sure about your career path, make sure that you choose a school that will give you a great education in any major and that has a wide variety of academic choices. If you do know what you'll be majoring in email a few professors and see if they'll let you sit in on one of their classes or meet with you while you're visiting campus. Most professors are eager to meet prospective students, and being able to hear them lecture and actually watch students interacting and learning in class will give you way more insight into the school than a brochure or statistics will.

Parents shouldn't pressure the kids and let the kids make their own decision.