Best undergraduate experience

Introduction
The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone when looking at a school is to do your research. People don't put enough time and energy into where they are going to spend the next four years of their lives, and that's a hefty investment. People need to look at the big picture. Lehigh is very diverse, though some will try to tell you otherwise. There is something for everyone here, and if it doesn't exist, the University makes it easy to get something new going.

Campus Life and Social Life
People have to realize that going to a school like Lehigh means having that quintessential college experience with the majority of campus life focused around, well, the campus. Even though we aren't located in a big city, we're right between Philly and NYC, and people will go in some weekends - either on their own or with University-sponsored events. It's really great that Lehigh offers so much for so many different people, and yes, the Greek system is prevelent, but so are other aspects. Weekends start...sometime during the week I guess, and there's always something to do. Art shows on and off campus, concerts, plays, musicals, the new on-campus diner, and there are always plenty of parties to be found. When I was an undergrad I rarely made it off campus on the weekends because there was so much going on, and the same goes for most people I know. Overall I think it's a really good balance, and I wouldn't have had nearly the quality (and fun) experience had I gone somewhere else. Academics
I know people say it's work hard-party hard, and I guess that's true, but I would put Lehigh students up against any for how hard they work and study. I can't speak for other departments, but I was an International Relations major, and the professors are amazingly brilliant. I always felt challenged, and I worked hard because I wanted to and because I knew it was expected. By the end I was taking classes that I never would have thought I could handle, but they had prepared me enough along the way. My friends who studied in other departments similarly rave about their experiences - Lehigh prepares you to take on the real world. People should expect to study a lot here, but again, there is a good balance. I'd go from class to meetings to dinner to the library, and that's just the way it is. If you're studying, chances are everyone else is, too.

Student Body
Eh, typical, what does that even mean? I think it used to be known as engineering students from the northeast, but that description doesn't make sense anymore. I came to Lehigh from Northern California, and I hadn't even heard of Lehigh before I started applying to schools. I had friends from South America, Iraq, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe - all over. As Lehigh becomes better known across the country, it's diversifying more and more every year. There is no typical student at Lehigh - typical means they're active in many things, intelligent, forward-thinking, many are social - Lehigh likes unique and interesting people. Lots of people play sports, do community service, are involved in clubs and leadership activities, and the University gets students involved on every level. There are always incredible speakers coming to Lehigh, and those sessions draw a diverse crowd. Whenever changes are happening, students are brought in on discussions with faculty, staff, University administration, and alumni. I have also noticed that students have found their voice more recently and are more politically outspoken. We have to be in this day and age!

In Closing...
I read comments from people who say that hated their universities, and I think it's sad. To be honest, I wonder if they would be happy anywhere. There really is something for everyone at Lehigh. It was completely different than what I was used to growing up in Northern California, but I thrived and was encouraged to get involved and do great things. I have made a high quality group friends, been given a great job opportuniy, and have four years of wonderful memories. I only hope that, no matter where someone goes, they enjoy their experience as much as I did. Lehigh knows they won't be getting rid of me anytime soon. I'll be around and involved for a long time. Hey - I want a building with my name on it.