Campus Closeup: Lehigh University

Lehigh University, located in Bethlehem PA, is a medium-sized institution, combining the best of both worlds – the resources, programs, and opportunities of a larger university with the smaller, more intimate feel of a liberal arts college.  Programs of study are organized into 3 undergraduate colleges: Business/Economics, Engineering, and Arts and Sciences.  The hilly campus provides beautiful views of the town of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley below. 

Lehigh University’s scenic campus is situated in the 3^rd largest metropolitan area of Pennsylvania, which comprises the towns of Bethlehem, Allentown, and Easton.  Once a thriving steel town, the area surrounding campus now shows some wear and tear, but a number of restaurants and shops can be found nearby.  Events like First Friday in Bethlehem draw students into town.  In any event, everything a student could possibly need can be found right on campus. 

Speaking of Lehigh’s campus, its Gothic architecture, meticulously maintained grounds, and church bells chiming in the background surely reduce the desire to ever leave.  Some prospective students fear those hills, but campus residents say they are easy to get used to, and actually prevent freshmen from gaining the dreaded 15.  For those who are still concerned, a shuttle is available to take students up or down the mountain.

The 4,766 undergraduate students at Lehigh appear to be fit, athletic, clean, and preppy. Over one-third of the student body participates in the Greek system, although many social opportunities abound.  For example, every Friday and Saturday evening, there is a Movie Night with free popcorn.  Typically, the featured film is a movie that is no longer appearing in theatres but not yet available on DVD.  Intramural, club, and varsity sports are popular.  The Lehigh Mountain Hawks compete at the Division I level in the Patriot League, and there is a long-standing rivalry with Lafayette College.  The school fields 20 varsity teams.  The wrestling team is usually nationally ranked, and the football and basketball teams have enjoyed much success in recent years.  Students come from all 50 states and 51 different countries.

Many Lehigh students are career-oriented, and Lehigh proudly boasts that the average earnings of its graduates is right up there with the Ivy League schools.  Graduates experience an 88% admission rate to medical school, and an 87% admission rate to law school.  96% of graduates are employed, attending graduate school, or enrolled in the military within 6 months of graduation.

Housing is guaranteed for freshmen and sophomores.  All freshmen live together in dormitories, mostly in double occupancy rooms. Fun Fact: At Lehigh, resident advisors are called “griffins” rather than RAs.  Most juniors and seniors choose to go off campus or live in fraternity/sorority houses.  Off-campus housing may be found within the 3-4 block radius surrounding campus. However, if an upperclassman really wants to live on campus, he or she is usually able to do so.

As far as academics, Lehigh offers 90 undergraduate programs and majors.  Students apply to a particular college, but can transfer within the university at a later date.  The engineering school is the most selective.  As a result, it is most difficult to transfer into engineering; therefore, students are advised to apply to engineering if there is any chance that is what they are interested in studying.

Lehigh offers a number of interesting programs that offer classes across different colleges.  The Integrated Degree in Business and Engineering (IBE) Honors College is a rigorous program that accepts about 50 students per year.  The Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts & Sciences (IDEAS) program is an interdisciplinary honors program that accepts about 25 students per year. The South Mountain College is a residential academic program in the College of Arts and Sciences.

At Lehigh, there are additional unique opportunities for interdisciplinary work:  the Integrated Product Development program (IPD) and the Computer Science and Business Program (CSB).  The IPD brings together students from a variety of disciplines including engineering, business, and the arts, to work on projects sponsored by outside companies.  The CSB Program enables students to receive a BS Degree in Computer Science and Business.  The Arts and Engineering program is a 5-year course of study which enables students to obtain dual degrees in engineering and another field.

Lehigh offers several opportunities for students to receive a graduate degree.  The Teacher Education program offers students the opportunity to obtain both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in 5 years of study at Lehigh.  In addition, students may apply to one of three accelerated programs:  BA/MD Drexel University, BA/DMD University of Pennsylvania, and a BA/DD SUNY.

The student:faculty ratio at Lehigh is 10:1, and 72% of the classes have less than 30 students.  All freshmen are required to take English 1 and English 2.  Engineering students take an introductory class that exposes them to all areas of engineering.  Business students are required to take Business 1 and Business 2 freshman year to introduce them to the various areas they might study. 

Lehigh University utilizes the Common Application, requires SAT or ACT test scores (which are both superscored), official high school transcript, a guidance counselor recommendation, and one teacher recommendation.  Interviews are recommended, especially to show a student’s interest in attending Lehigh, and are informative.  Subject Tests are not considered for purposes of admission, but a 790 or higher on Chemistry will result in course credit.  Admission is very selective with a 33% acceptance rate.  The median scores of admitted students are as follows: 610-710 (SAT Critical Reading), 660-750 (SAT Math), 29-32 (ACT).  Lehigh does not consider the writing portion of either the SAT or the ACT.  However, the application essay is considered very important. 

Both the FAFSA and CSS Profile are required in order to apply for financial aid.  The University meets 96% of financial need, with a larger proportion of aid given as grants than loans.  52% of students had 100% of their financial need met. 

With a freshmen retention rate of 96%, and a 6-year graduation rate of 88%, Lehigh students are happy and successful.  It’s no surprise, given the amazing facilities, picturesque campus, and numerous practical programs of study to choose from.

Understand Your Financial Award Letter

Many students are still trying to decide which college to attend, with the deposit deadline of May 1 fast approaching!  For many, one of the most important factors is the cost of college.  At this very moment, many families are evaluating the various financial aid offers they have received.  When you review a college’s financial aid offer, make sure you understand exactly what it means. 

Total Cost

Do you know what the total cost of attendance is?  Look closely at the figure listed on the financial aid letter.  Some schools only include tuition, room, and board, while others will also include other expenses such as books or lab fees.  However, there are additional costs that may not be reflected in the amount shown on the award letter, including personal expenses (such as toiletries, clothes, entertainment), transportation, parking, health insurance, fraternity/sorority fees, technology fees, recreation fees, club or other activity fees, orientation programs, and more. 

The Offer

When you evaluate the financial aid package itself, note how much is in the form of grants or scholarships and how much is in the form of loans.  Also be sure you understand what types of loans are included and what the terms are (when does repayment begin, how long is the repayment period, what is the interest rate).  Is work-study included as part of the package, and if so, will your student be able to work the number of hours necessary to receive the maximum work-study amount?

Other Financial Aid Considerations

If your student is receiving private scholarships, find out how that might affect the financial aid offer.  For example, some schools reduce grants by the amount of the private scholarship, while others will reduce the loan portion of the offer.  For some colleges, outside scholarships may have no effect on the financial aid package.

Also consider the fact that tuition and other education expenses are likely to go up each year.  In addition, the school may not offer the same financial aid package to your student after freshman year.  To determine whether a particular college or university typically reduces aid to upperclassmen, visit CollegeData.  Search for the school, and then compare the financial aid information for freshmen with the information for all undergraduates.

Don’t forget – you can always call the financial aid office to discuss your concerns. 

The Final Decision

Besides cost, there are other ways to make a college decision.  Compare graduation rates; you can find these at College Results Online.  Talk to students, and read reviews on Unigo and College Prowler.  Look at the list of majors/minors.  Does the school offer programs your student may be interested in?  How easy is it to switch between programs of study in the event your student changes his or her mind?  By examining these and other questions, you can make an informed choice!

What if Your Child Has Been Waitlisted?

Spring is in the air, the flowers are blooming, and we all know what that means (well at least those of us with high school seniors do) -- college decisions are arriving daily.  What if your student has been waitlisted at the school of his or her dreams?  Here are some tips for your teen:

• Find out if the wait list is ranked and if so, what your position is.

• Ask what percent of students have been accepted from the wait list in recent years. 

• Ask about the college’s policies regarding financial aid and housing for students admitted from the wait list.  Will these services be available later on?

• Try to find out what your application was lacking.

• If you want to remain active on the wait list, return the reply postcard indicating your intention.  (You should not be asked for a deposit at this time.)

• Write a letter to the dean of admissions affirming your desire to attend.  If it is your first choice, say so.

• Include any significant new information in your letter, such as grades, awards, activities, or anything else that addresses areas that might have been initially lacking.

• Ask your counselor to send a similar note conveying your enthusiasm and desire to attend.

• Consider sending an additional recommendation from someone who knows you well

• Don’t overdo it – restate your strong interest and provide relevant data, but don’t harass the admissions office.

• Send your end-of-year grades if the wait list has not yet been closed.

• Make sure you send a deposit to one of the colleges where you have been accepted to secure your spot. 

 

Typically, students are not notified that they have been accepted from the wait list until after May 1.  This is why you must send a deposit to another college or university.  This also means that if you are accepted from the wait list, you will most likely lose the deposit you already made to the other school.

Please note that the rate of acceptance from a wait list is often relatively low.  To see the wait list statistics for a particular school, visit CollegeBoard.  Search for the school, and click on the tab labeled “Applying.”

Remember, even if you are not admitted to your “dream” school, there are plenty of opportunities to have a great college experience!

Smart Phone Apps for College Bound Students

Are you or your student looking for college search or prep tools you can use on-the-go?!  If so, here are 3 mobile phone applications that will help you continue your progress even when you are away from your home computer or laptop.

ACT College Search App:  This smartphone app allows you to search over 2,000 colleges and universities. One of the features is a college search filter that enables you to create a college list based on such factors as location, type, major, size, admission requirements, and cost. Students can view basic information about each school, link to each school’s website, and save “matches” in a “favorites” file.

You Visit:  This smartphone app offers students and parents the opportunity to “visit” college campuses around the country without traveling.  In addition to virtual tours, you have the opportunity to learn about each school’s academic programs.

ACT Student App:  Much like their online test prep program, the ACT Student mobile app allows users to practice different portions of the ACT exam wherever they are.  Students can also view ACT registration and score information.

More and more colleges and universities are developing their own mobile apps to reach prospective students.  Some schools already have apps that allow students to contact the admissions office, get news, schedule campus visits, find other information, and even submit applications from their smartphones.  This is certainly a trend that is only likely to grow.

Spring Break is a Great Time to Visit Colleges

Does your teenager have a spring break coming up in March or April?  This is a great time to visit colleges and universities.  Your student doesn’t have to miss school, the weather is generally mild, and most colleges are still in session. You can incorporate some fun activities and excursions along the way, too.

To figure out where to begin, here are some tips on how to start developing a college list. 

College Search Engines

You can begin to identify potential schools with federal college search engines like College Navigator.  This is a massive database that allows you to search for schools based on certain criteria.  You can also look up information about a particular school, such as admission requirements, cost, financial aid, graduation rates, and more.  Other helpful search engines for creating a college list include CollegeData and CollegeBoard.

Special Lists of Colleges

Some colleges have been singled out for their ability to provide a unique approach to education.  Try Colleges That Change Lives and Colleges of Distinction for some ideas.  Inside College provides numerous lists based on a variety of characteristics. For a list of schools that provide a good value, check out Kiplinger’s Best College Values.

College Rankings

Although all rankings must be taken with a grain of salt, they do provide a starting point and can be used as one of many reference sources.  You have probably heard of the US News and World Report Rankings.  Another ranking list that uses a completely different methodology is Forbes’ list of America’s Top Colleges.

Student Reviews

You or your teen can get the inside scoop by reading reviews by actual students.  The two sites I recommend most are Unigo and College Prowler.

Searching by Major

 

If you or your teen want to know more about a particular major, or have a major in mind and want to find colleges and universities that offer a program of study for that major, try College Majors 101,  MyMajors, or CollegeBoard.  You can also consult the Book of Majors, published by CollegeBoard.

Guide Books

 A lot of great information can be found within standard reference guides such as the Fiske Guide to Colleges, Princeton Review’s Best 376 Colleges, and The College Handbook, which is published by CollegeBoard.  Your high school guidance office may have these books, or you can purchase them in bookstores or online.

About College Visits

Once you decide where you would like to visit, make sure to sign up in advance.  Some schools have limited spaces on any given day. Find out what visit options are available – information session, student-led tour, interview, open house, attend a class, or overnight stay with a student.  If you know someone who attends the school you are planning to visit, reach out for a personal tour or a conversation over coffee.   Think ahead about what questions you will ask.  If possible, look up the name of the admission representative for your high school and either introduce yourself when you are there or send a quick note after your visit.  And finally, have fun exploring the campus and surrounding community!

Going to College With a Learning Disability

Going to college is a rite of passage for many teenagers.  Years ago, students with learning differences were often excluded from this exciting journey.  Today, more and more students with learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism are pursuing higher education.  If you have a child with a learning difference, it is important to understand the variety of options that are available to your student and the factors that lead to success.

First of all, the disability laws governing college students are different from the laws that apply in K through 12.  In high school, all students have a right to receive an education, the school is obligated to identify and evaluate students with learning differences, teachers reach out to students, there is an IEP, educational requirements must be altered if necessary, services are free, and families have a right to due process.

In college, there are no IEPs, schools are not required to identify or test students with disabilities, services do not have to be provided free of charge, students are responsible for self-identifying and advocating for themselves, only necessary accommodations have to be provided, and admission, course, and graduation requirements do not have to be changed to accommodate students with disabilities.  However, some colleges and universities offer disability services above and beyond what is required by law.

For these reasons, it is key for students with learning differences who want to go to college to understand their disability, know their strengths and weaknesses, and be able to articulate what accommodations they need to achieve success.  If your student has an IEP, he or she should be participating in IEP meetings and have a Transition Plan in place by the age of 16.  The Transition Plan sets forth your child’s post-secondary goals and what steps need to be taken in order to achieve those goals.  In addition, when you and your child begin to investigate colleges, you should ask certain questions to determine whether his or her academic and social needs can be met.

Some colleges offer comprehensive, structured programs that support students with learning differences.  Typically, there is an additional fee for such programs but a few schools do not charge extra.  Sometimes, there is a separate application for the program, and sometimes there isn’t.  Some schools will consider students for admission through the learning disability program that might not otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for general admission.   One issue when applying to college with a learning disability is how and when to disclose it.

Depending on the school, your student may be eligible to receive a wide variety of services including tutoring, skills workshops, note-takers, oral exams, extended time for tests, a distraction-free environment, housing accommodations, priority registration, and special advising.  In addition, assistive technology may be available and training on how to use this technology might be included.

Two colleges that are dedicated exclusively to students with learning differences are Landmark College in Vermont and Beacon College in Florida.  Below is a partial list of colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive disability support program:

Adelphi University

American University

Barry University

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Gannon University

Hofstra University

Lynn University

Manhattanville College

Marist College

Marshall University

Marymount Manhattan College

Mercyhurst College

Mitchell College

Northeastern University

University of Arizona

University of Denver

In addition to these schools, there are many other colleges and universities that provide a level of coordinated services above and beyond what is required by law.  Contact Precision Admission for more information!