Work-study

There's a variety of job options you can explore while studying here. I'm currently working as a lab assistant, which aligns well with my major. But there are other roles too, like being an office assistant in a gym, where you handle some tasks and have plenty of time to catch up on your homework. Basically, you can find a job that suits your interests and personality, but it's best to start looking early in the year since positions tend to fill up quickly.

The salary can vary based on the level of responsibility the job entails. Jobs that are pretty straightforward might pay around $9/hour, which isn't much. More demanding roles like being a lab or research assistant usually pay around $12/hour. That might be lower than some other universities, but it's still a good deal.

Alternatively, you could consider being a research assistant in a research group. That gives you the opportunity to conduct independent research while getting paid, which is a great way to gain professional experience. You have the choice to opt for research for credits or get paid for your work. So, depending on your preferences, you can find something that works for you.

Arriving to the US

I had visited the US once before, so my experience with culture shock wasn't too intense. I pretty much knew what to expect. The international office at Lehigh is amazing, though. For instance, when I first arrived, my flight had been delayed by eight hours. Despite this, they had arranged for a driver to pick me up from New York, which is just a short drive away from here. I was really stressed about the delay and the border control procedures, but Patricia from the international office kept checking in to make sure I was okay. Having my own personal ride was such a comfort. I'm not sure if they offer this service every year, but it was super helpful for a newcomer like me.

We also had an international orientation, where they discussed things like culture shock and cultural differences. I remember them explaining the metaphor of coconuts and peaches, which compares Americans (the peaches) being very friendly on the outside but a bit tougher to get to know deeply, versus people from former Soviet countries (the coconuts) appearing reserved initially but being very warm once you get to know them better.

On top of that, they offered specialized English classes for international students. The instructors were trained specifically to teach international students, and they were really aware of cultural differences, which was helpful. It's great that there's a considerable number of international students here, making up more than 10% of the student population. The university's size is pretty balanced too, with around 7000 students — bigger than most liberal arts colleges but smaller than typical public universities.

Academics and workload at Lehigh

I'll need to see how my sophomore year pans out to get a better idea of the academic workload. The thing is, a lot of the classes I've taken so far covered material I was already somewhat familiar with, particularly during my first semester. For example, I had already done Calculus II back in my home country and took advanced placement exams here upon arrival. Basically, I just emailed the administration saying I was already up to speed on certain topics, which allowed me to opt out of a few basic courses like the first physics and computer science classes, English, and calculus. This made my first semester pretty relaxed.

However, the second semester was more intense. I took courses like vector calculus and multivariable calculus, which definitely upped the challenge level. So I guess the difficulty increases as you progress. And while it hasn't been a walk in the park – I've had a few B's on my transcripts – it's manageable. Lehigh isn't a place where you can easily get an A, but there are resources available to help you out, like tutoring and office hours.

I was also fortunate with my TA who was super supportive and even offered to hold individual meetings to help me understand the material better. Plus, there's a center for academic success that offers tutoring. I've never been there personally, but I've heard from others that it's quite useful.

In talking with some of my friends at liberal arts colleges, I found that their academic expectations seemed a bit lighter. For instance, instead of a final exam involving three hours of problem-solving, they had to prepare a presentation for their calculus class. It seems easier, but I guess every school has its own rigor.

Student life

Lehigh is located in Bethlehem, which, although referred to as a city, feels more like a town to me. I'm originally from Kyiv, Ukraine's largest city with over 3 million residents. Consequently, Bethlehem's small-town vibe feels dramatically different. If you're someone who enjoys being in a bustling city every weekend, Lehigh might not be the best fit for you. However, there's a vibrant social scene here if you're into parties. Lehigh has a significant Greek life presence with plenty of events.

Of course, there are also non-alcohol, non-Greek life activities available, such as the Lehigh After Dark events. These are fun nighttime activities hosted every weekend, like outdoor movies or plant therapy sessions.

Regarding clubs, I'm part of the women's wrestling club here. I even had my first competition this year. It's an inspiring experience because we're pioneering women's wrestling at Lehigh, and there's even talk of it becoming a Division I sport.

If you're more study-focused or don't mind being away from the hustle and bustle, Lehigh could be a great fit. Both New York and Philadelphia are about an hour's drive away, so you can easily plan weekend trips to these cities. But keep in mind that if you have a demanding major and need to study a lot, you might not have much time to go out. Bethlehem may not offer the excitement of a big city, but it does provide a peaceful environment with minimal distractions. There are still things to do, places to eat, and occasional summer concerts to enjoy, though not on the same scale as somewhere like New York.

However, for international students, there's an important caveat to consider. While it's often said that Lehigh's location between New York and Philadelphia is perfect for weekend getaways, this is largely applicable only if you have a car and can afford the travel expenses. A bus trip to New York, for instance, costs about $50, so a round trip would be roughly $100 – not exactly budget-friendly if you're a student relying on financial aid.

That said, the international office does organize annual free trips to New York and Philadelphia, as well as discounted outings to amusement parks. So, while there may be some constraints, they're definitely making an effort to provide exciting opportunities for students.

If you want to get into Lehigh…

Lehigh's acceptance rate might initially appear confusing, as it saw a substantial leap from around 20% to 50% one year. This sudden increase is primarily due to the opening of a new College of Health, which required an influx of students while the number of applicants remained the same. Now, however, the acceptance rate has adjusted and decreased to around 28%. It's expected to continue dropping in the coming years.

Lehigh, like many schools, places a great deal of emphasis on essays and demonstrating how well you align with the programs offered. With regard to SAT scores, while Lehigh claims to be test-optional, my advice would be to try and achieve a high SAT score if possible. From my experience, most international students I know who got accepted did submit their SAT scores, and they were typically high. Although I had a score of 1460, I know another international student from Kazakhstan who was accepted in the regular decision with a score of 1550. When I interacted with our college counseling team, they also suggested that applicants to Lehigh should ideally submit their SAT scores. I don't have the exact reasons, but I do not know any international student who applied here as a test-optional.

Keep in mind that the admission process is very challenging, particularly for international students who need full financial aid. Therefore, you should consider every school a reach and put significant effort into your application.