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supplemental essays for lehigh

How to Write the Lehigh University Essays 2023-2024

Lehigh University has 2 required supplemental essays, and then 3 optional essays for those students who may be looking to apply to some of Lehigh’s specialized programs.

As a small liberal arts university, Lehigh puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of writing, and so it’s important to write strong essays. In this post, we will be detailing how to answer all these questions, both those prompts for all applicants and those for any applicants wishing to apply to any of Lehigh’s specialized programs! 

Lehigh University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt 1 : How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (150 words)

Prompt 2: We believe the quality and richness of a Lehigh education lies in us being a community of individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas and viewpoints—a community where every individual is able to bring their full selves to every conversation and everything they do. We are committed to fostering a campus experience where everyone is empowered to share a broad range of perspectives in all of our campus learning environments.

With this in mind, choose one of the following prompts for your response: (100-300 words)

Option A: What would you want to be different in your own community (local, school, religious, academic, etc.) or the broader global community to further principles of equality or equity?

Option B: What factors have most shaped who you are and what you believe today? You might discuss an obstacle that you have overcome or an experience that has inspired you.

Option C: Share with us a part of your personal background, perspective, experience or academic interest that is important to you.

IBE Honors Program: What makes the Integrated Business & Engineering (IBE) Honors Program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals? (150 words)

CSB Program : What makes the Computer Science and Business (CSB) program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals? (150 words)

IDEAS Honors Program : What makes the Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts & Sciences (IDEAS) Honors Program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals? (150 words)

We know you’ve been writing what feels like thousands of essays, so you’ll probably be happy to hear that these essays are all 300 words or less. While that may be a relief, it should also raise a bit of a red flag – short word counts can actually be a bit more demanding since they require you to condense a lot of important information (like how great and qualified you are) into a very small space. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you don’t need to spend a lot of time on these essays just because they’re short. But don’t worry. We know – easier said than done. But rest assured that we’re here to help you write some brilliant essays!

How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (150 words)

This prompt probably doesn’t need much interpreting—it’s a straightforward “ why this college ” essay. This essay wants to know what prompted you to apply to Lehigh and how you first learned about their institution. You’ll notice that the word count here is pretty short, at a measly 150 words. That’s not a lot of space at all, so make sure to be concise and get straight to the point.

The most common mistake that people make with “why this college” essays is that they’re too general. They write an essay that any applicant could write because they list the aspects of Lehigh that anybody and everybody is excited about. This sends the message that the applicant didn’t do much research beyond a quick Google search. For this reason, admissions officers end up reading hundreds of practically identical essays. Instead of rattling off generalities, you want to make your essay unique and interesting!

So how do you find a unique aspect of Lehigh to talk about? Research! You can find a full list of ways to research for the “why this college” essay , but we’ll give you a quick breakdown now as well. 

  • Start by making a list of all the reasons that you want to go to Lehigh. You might realize looking at this list that it’s full of generic answers such as “great location,” “good price,” and “my test scores are in the competitive range.” It’s okay! Use those answers to guide your research. 
  • Look for more specific information about what Lehigh has to offer — like unique courses, an internship program, a club you’re interested in, or research projects. Now is a great time to head over to the university or department website or visit student social media groups. Or, even better, ask your guidance counselor to connect you to a current student to talk to! The more specific the information you include as your “why Lehigh,” the more you’ll stand out.

You may think that admissions officers are looking for a specific answer, but the truth is that they really just want to get to know you better! There are no wrong answers, and trying to give a “correct” answer is boring and overdone! Find something you’re genuinely passionate about and run with it.

You may find yourself getting so caught up in the “why Lehigh” part of the question that you totally forget to answer the part about how you first heard about Lehigh. Don’t fall into that trap! No matter how good your essay is, skipping part of the prompt will make you appear careless and you certainly do not want that. Think back to the first time Lehigh was on your radar. Did a friend mention it to you? Do you live nearby? Maybe a character in your favorite TV show went there or you read about it in a book.

A mistake a lot of students make with essays like this—especially with such low word counts—is that they spend too much time writing about all the amazing things about the college. I know what you’re thinking: But isn’t the prompt asking me to talk about what I like about Lehigh? Well, yes and no. Admissions officers want to know what you like about Lehigh, but frankly, they already know that it’s an incredible institution and they don’t need you to remind them. They’re much more interested in what parts of you match up with their values.

Sound confusing? Think of it this way. Let’s say you’re interested in Lehigh because of Professor Christopher Burke’s social psychology research on dealing with stress through partner support. Prof. Burke isn’t applying to Lehigh and the admissions committee already knows all about him, so spending 100 words talking about how great he is wastes time and words. Instead, introduce your interest in his research, and then frame it around your own research experience on the effect of marital status on hypertension. Also, discuss how this resource is related to your professional goals; maybe this student wants to become a marriage counselor and this research will help him better understand the science behind the therapies, and even come up with new ones. 

If you’re still stuck, try checking out these “ why this college ” essay examples. Just remember to make it your own and stay true to yourself!

Prompt 2 (General Tips)

We believe the quality and richness of a Lehigh education lies in us being a community of individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas and viewpoints—a community where every individual is able to bring their full selves to every conversation and everything they do. We are committed to fostering a campus experience where everyone is empowered to share a broad range of perspectives in all of our campus learning environments.

This question is an example of a diversity prompt, which asks you to think deeply about how you experience, think about, value, and support diversity in your life. Lehigh University wants to know what unique identities, experiences, or attitudes you’re going to bring to their campus. You can check out College Vine’s guide to writing the diversity essay for more general tips on how to think about this topic. 

We also want to note that while the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in June 2023 (you can learn more about how the end of affirmative action impacts college admissions in this College Vine post), many schools are now using diversity prompts to consider race on an individual basis in their admissions process. If your racial or ethnic background has impacted you significantly, this is your chance to tell Lehigh University.

As you develop your answer to one of these prompts, remember to think expansively about diversity. Diversity doesn’t just mean race, gender, sexuality, or socioeconomic status. You might also consider writing about your national or ethnic origin, disability, family structure, or even unique communities that you might be part of based on interests or hobbies. Remember, you want to highlight something that makes you stand out, so spend some time reflecting on how diversity shows up in your life, and what it means to you. 

Prompt 2, Option A

What would you want to be different in your own community (local, school, religious, academic, etc.) or the broader global community to further principles of equality or equity (100-300 words).

This prompt asks you to consider the communities that you’re a part of, and how you envision the best versions of those communities. If you are passionate about activism and enacting positive change in the communities you’re a part of, this is the prompt for you! Since the prompt talks in hypotheticals, you don’t need to have examples of a major change you’ve created. Of course, if you do have experience with advocacy in your communities, you should highlight that. 

First, you’ll want to pick the community you plan to write about. This could be one of the ideas listed in the prompt itself, but it could also refer to a club or hobby that allows you to showcase passions you haven’t gotten a chance to talk about yet. The prompt allows you to go as broad as you’d like to, even as far as the global community, but keep in mind that choosing a smaller, specific setting allows you to discuss more personal and specific ideas. 

Maybe you’re a button collector, a founder of the foraging society in your town, or an online participant in forums discussing queer representation in the media. Whatever you choose, you should establish the community you’re going to talk about and what it means to you in the first quarter of the essay, leaving plenty of room to talk about how you envision diversity improving in this space.

The real meat of this question is in the change it asks you to envision in your chosen community, so you should spend most of your essay discussing what that looks like. Here, you have the opportunity to think creatively about how to make your space a more equitable one. Rather than saying something generic, like wishing your group had more members of color, try to come up with specific ways that increased accessibility and equity could make this community stronger.

For example, you might write about how your baking club usually brings in treats that members make at home, and how you’ve noticed that this might limit students from participating if they don’t have the time or money to bring something in. Maybe you have a vision of raising money and securing a space where the club could meet to bake together, so that everyone can participate equally. 

It’s important to remember that this question focuses on growth, so while lack of equity may be a point of deep frustration, you want to avoid focusing on any negative qualities that may impede progress toward equality. It’s great to be realistic and acknowledge these barriers where they exist, but the focal point of this essay needs to be your ideas for progress. 

Prompt 2, Option B

What factors have most shaped who you are and what you believe today you might discuss an obstacle that you have overcome or an experience that has inspired you. (100-300 words).

Though you could write about factors that have shaped you and your beliefs directly, it’s hard to make this compelling and avoid writing a list of personality features. Choosing an obstacle or experience to illustrate your character and values is a stronger choice, making this an example of an Overcoming Challenges essay. You can check out College Vine’s guide for writing Overcoming Challenges essays for a good overview of this prompt. 

Since the overall prompt focuses on diversity, you may want to pick an obstacle, challenge, or experience that explores a diverse aspect of your identity or shows your engagement with and value for diversity. In choosing your challenge, try to pick something specific, unique, and meaningful to help distinguish you from other applicants. There are many ways to approach thinking about this. 

  • Has your identity changed over time? What prompted this change, and what did you learn about yourself through this process?
  • When is a time that you had to stand up for something you believed in?
  • Have you ever had a long-held belief that was challenged or changed? What was that like?
  • Have you ever had an experience that taught you something about who you are and what’s important to you?
  • Describe a time when you encountered a new situation that you had to figure out how to navigate. What did you do? How did you decide what to do? 

As you write, make sure to pick an anecdote that demonstrates the qualities you want to emphasize. The most exciting or dramatic challenge may not be the best fit if it doesn’t actually show the values that you want to display. That might look many different ways. Here are some examples of things a student might write about:

  • A Muslim student who had to work with her drama teacher to participate in a play while still being able to take a break to pray
  • A wrestler who noticed homophobic jokes being made in the locker room and sought to change the culture of his team
  • A student who participated in Debate Club and found ways to understand diverse perspectives in a case about reproductive rights 

With only 300 words to answer this prompt, you should define the obstacle or experience quickly, in the first quarter of your response. Make sure you describe why this experience was meaningful to you, and any relevant background details. The rest of your essay should focus on how you responded to the problem and what you learned from it, both about the world, and about yourself. Remember, the focus is on you and showing the Lehigh University admissions team the attributes and qualities that you possess, so the majority of your writing should be spent demonstrating a deep understanding of how this challenge and your response helped shape you into the person you are today.

Prompt 3, Option C

Share with us a part of your personal background, perspective, experience or academic interest that is important to you. (100-300 words).

This prompt is extremely broad and basically allows you to write about anything you want.

As you answer this prompt, beware of choosing a cliche or widely shared anecdote, like a sports injury, moving, or immigrating from one place to another. While this can be a very personal and deeply affecting story, there are many other prospective students that might choose to write about it. Make sure that your essay is particular to you and makes you stand out in the crowd of applicants.

This is another prompt that you might choose if you want to discuss a diverse identity feature, but one that can be equally effective with a non-identity focus. This is also a good opportunity to explore an attribute or interest that you haven’t yet had the chance to dive into in your application.

This should not be a list of everything that makes you unique, but should instead be a deep exploration of one thing you feel is important. Another mistake to avoid is only providing information about the interest or background you’ve chosen without explaining its connection to you. Lehigh University is interested in you, so what you write should focus on your engagement with the subject, its effect on you, and why you feel it is important in your life. 

Like the prompt discussed above, this is another prompt where an anecdote would be particularly compelling. Make sure your anecdotes are unique, richly detailed, and give insight into you and why your chosen subject is important to you. Consider this example excerpt of a student who chose to write about their engagement with the Deaf community:

Before the movie came out two years ago, most people had no idea what a “CODA” was, or why there would be a specific word for the child of Deaf adults. I grew up with people apologizing to me for living in a household that they thought lacked life and music, or explaining to my teachers why I had to interpret for parents who are white and look like they speak English. What these limited understandings of Deafness lacked was an appreciation of the warm, vibrant, and often very loud Deaf culture that has been my home for all my life. Whether it’s still being able to sign jokes to my dad with my mouth full, or being so attuned to facial expressions and body language that I can tell when people are lying, my parents’ Deafness has enriched my life in large and small ways that I wouldn’t trade for anything. 

Just like this student, you want to use detail to enrich your narrative, and rather than explaining the intricacies of the culture, group, or background you’ve chosen, let this be a way for Lehigh University to get to know you.

IBE Honors Program

What makes the integrated business & engineering (ibe) honors program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals (150 words).

This prompt is for students looking to enter the Integrated Business & Engineering Honors Program only. It’s a fairly straightforward question that wants to know your rationale for being in the program and hear about your professional goals and how you believe the program can help you advance them. This is not a typical honors program for all liberal arts majors, but rather only specifically for those interested in integrating a STEM-based engineering education with a business mindset. 

The first thing you’ll need to do is write a list of reasons why you feel like you are interested in this program. Think about your career aspirations and how they fit within this program. Generally, there are two kinds of students who will be applying to this program:

The Business Major: The IBE program stands out to business students who are looking to understand how products are designed and manufactured in order to have a better sense of the development process from start to finish. Additionally, business students will learn the qualitative and problem-solving skills of engineering that can only help them in their business endeavors. Perhaps you’re someone who is interested in finance, the IBE program would help teach you analytic skills in regards to specific products and show you how to make judgment calls based on the development process as a whole.

The Engineering Major: For those students who are looking to go into some area of engineering, learning business skills through IBE will help them understand the decision-making process behind products. In doing so, engineering students can learn how to make their products more effective and fill the needs of the consumer or client. Having a business-oriented mindset will also aid them in the workplace and allow them to not only design products, but make decisions regarding the product in terms of development, distribution, and marketing. For example, perhaps you’re interested in mechanical engineering and want to work in the construction industry, learning business skills through IBE would help you understand how mechanical engineering is an essential part of the daily business of our lives and how construction can be idealized to benefit the public.

Knowing this, match the list of reasons you have for IBE to the kind of student you want to be. While you can end up getting a dual degree through IBE in engineering and business, you will need to select a concentration when you start off. Do you feel like you want to be a business student with an engineering integration or an engineering student with a business integration? If you’re still unsure, you can read more about the IBE program on their website, attached here . The website includes information about curriculums, courses, and other main staples of the IBE program, which brings us to our next step: figuring out how the IBE program can help your professional goals.

You obviously don’t have to know what career you’d like to have when you graduate college – that’s what college is there to help you figure out. However, it can be helpful to set goals for yourself that will guide your path throughout the program. 

Perhaps you want to launch a business that can solve a problem in your community – maybe you live in a coastal town and want to design a home appliance to protect your house from floods. While you may not know how to engineer that, you can discuss how the IBE program would help you with both facets of the endeavor – the business and the engineering behind the product. 

The IBE program offers a two-semester Senior Project course in which teams work with a corporate sponsor to actually go through a product development process. You could write about how you would hope to pair with an environmental engineering start-up that could work with your team to design a sustainable product for these coastal communities. You can even go further and mention how participating in both the Sophomore and Junior Laboratory programs, which primarily focus on educating students on the business and engineering sides of project development, would prepare you to take on a task of this stature.

Regardless of how sure you are of your goal, be as specific as you can and showcase your ambition.

CSB Program

What makes the computer science and business (csb) program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals (150 words).

This prompt is for students looking to enter the Integrated Business & Engineering Honors Program only. It’s a fairly straightforward question that wants to know your rationale for being in the program and hear about your professional goals and how you believe the program can help you advance them. This is a four-year program that will award you a degree from both Lehigh’s College of Business and their College of Engineering and Applied Science and thus is a highly rigorous and specialized program. It requires full commitment and dedication, which is what admissions representatives will be looking for in your response.

The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out what makes you interested in this specific program. Do you have an interest in computer science but want to know more about how you can apply it in business? Are you more interested in business but already know more about computer science? Do you want to combine both of them to eventually work at a tech start-up of the future? Whatever your goal may be, remember it’s not just about the finish line, but what about integrating computer science and business appeals to you? And that includes what you hope to do in the program at Lehigh.

For example, one of the most important offerings of the CSB program is the senior Capstone project, in which students will conduct a highly intensive design project often with the backing of corporate sponsors. Students will work with these corporate sponsors to attend to the company’s needs, often programming or designing internal systems for the company such as websites, applications, modules, and more. Discussing a specific offering like Lehigh’s capstone project will showcase how you wish to apply your skills in the business world. 

Perhaps you hope to work with a sustainability company to help design ways to connect people with more environmentally friendly ways to live. Maybe something as simple as connecting people with the nearest public recycling bin. You could write about how a project of that size with the guidance of a corporate sponsor would give you the hands-on experience of client-based work to help you succeed in the business world.

Whatever your reason for wanting to be a part of the CSB program may be, remember to showcase your driven and determined nature. Even if you’re not sure of what specifics you wish to get out of the program, there’s bound to be something on the CSB website that sticks with you. Do research, brainstorm, and write what most encapsulates your interest.

IDEAS Honors Program

What makes the integrated degree in engineering, arts & sciences (ideas) honors program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals (150 words).

IDEAS, or the Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts, & Sciences, is an honors program at Lehigh University that is aimed at students who are interested in obtaining an education in both liberal arts and STEM. The IDEAS honors program will require students to take courses in mathematics and sciences, and then gives students the ability to select whether they’d rather pursue an Engineering concentration or an Arts & Science concentration. 

All in all, IDEAS is for students looking for a cross-disciplinary education that can give them a really strong sampling platter of various fields of study. It is a rigorous four-year program, but one that provides a rewarding all-around experience. While IDEAS may offer a comprehensive education in several disciplines, it is not for students who are just simply undecided in their major, rather the contrary – it’s for students who know they desire a holistic education that engages a variety of interests and allows them to forge their own path from those interests. 

One of the key distinctions between high school and college is that whereas in high school you’re splitting your time evenly between math, science, English, and other subjects, in college you will generally have control over how much time, if any, you spend with each. For example, if you are an English major, it doesn’t make much sense for you to take Organic Chemistry – that is, of course, unless you want to be an IDEAS student.

Think about how you’ve enjoyed your high school experience. Maybe you’re someone who has an astute interest in philosophy as well as computer science. The IDEAS program would not only give you the ability to take courses across Lehigh’s various colleges and give you access to all the philosophy and computer science courses but also allow you the ability to define your own major and eventual career path. 

Using this example, perhaps you’re interested in how computer science and ethics intersect. You can write about specific examples of this such as how self-driving cars may need to make snap decisions based on how they’re programmed with the principles of human ethics. You can write about how the IDEAS program would give you the ability to learn about the intersection between ethics and engineering, thus giving you a highly-specialized profile to obtain your eventual career goals.

If you’re unsure of what your career goals or specific interests may be exactly, write down various subjects that interest you and then try to find the intersection between them. Chances are you can establish a connection between most two subjects, and your ability to do so will display creativity and determination. Admissions representatives for the IDEAS program are looking for students who are hoping to carve out their own path at Lehigh, so the more specific you can get the better.

Where to Get Your Lehigh University Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Lehigh essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Lehigh University Supplemental Essay Prompts 

supplemental essays for lehigh

Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.

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supplemental essays for lehigh

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

supplemental essays for lehigh

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Lehigh University Supplemental Essay Prompts 

Lehigh University is a small private college located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Lehigh, known for rigorous academics and premiere research, opened its doors in 1865. With an array of study abroad options and a beautiful campus located within an hour and a half of both the Pocono Mountains and New York City, Lehigh offers students numerous ways to grow beyond academics. If this sounds like the place for you, let us help you put your best foot forward on the Lehigh supplemental essays!

The Lehigh University supplemental essay prompts

Lehigh requires two supplemental essays on their application. This means there’s a lot of writing to do, but also more than one chance to stand out .  Their application may take more time than some others, but that comes with advantages. Lehigh’s prompts offer you the opportunity to really show them who you are. Take your time and don’t get overwhelmed. Let’s jump in!

How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (150 words)

While the first Lehigh prompt looks like one simple question, it’s important to note that they want you to answer two things. First, how did you learn about Lehigh? Second, what pushed you to apply?

Let’s start with the first part, how you first heard about Lehigh. This part of the prompt shouldn’t be terribly difficult to answer. Colleges know that students may hear about them in a number of different ways, so there is no right or wrong answer, there’s simply the answer that gives them the most information about you. 

If you heard about the school through an alumnus, mention how you know that individual. If it was through multiple people that you heard about the school, tell them which interactions finally pushed you to look more seriously into the school.

The second half of the prompt is another straightforward question about you. Now that you’ve told them how you heard about them, they want to know what pushed you to the next step and actually apply. Show Lehigh that you “did your homework” here!

Here are a few questions to consider:

  • Is Lehigh well known for the major you want to pursue? 
  • Do they offer great athletic opportunities?
  • Is your mom or dad an alumnus and you want to follow in their footsteps? 

It can be easy to answer this half of the prompt with facts about the university, but Lehigh already knows that information. You might mention their clubs and organizations, certain research opportunities they offer, or travel abroad options, but that doesn’t tell them much about you unless you make the connection between their resources and your goals. Use the “why were you motivated to apply section” to give a glimpse into who you are and what you’ll bring to Lehigh University. 

Questions to consider:

  • Do you want to join a club or organization and try something totally new and outside your comfort zone? 
  • Why are you interested in a particular research subject? Do you know a person or situation that might be improved by that research?
  • What do you hope to gain by traveling abroad? Will you be the first person in your family to leave your country, state, or city in doing so?

If you’re still feeling stuck, take some more time to research Lehigh to see what you like about them. Remember, the goal of this question is to get to know you a little better. Don’t overthink it. Be honest and consider what you want them to know about you. 

Also see: What looks good on a college application?

“We believe the quality and richness of a Lehigh education lies in us being a community of individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas and viewpoints—a community where every individual is able to bring their full selves to every conversation and everything they do. We are committed to fostering a campus experience where everyone is empowered to share a broad range of perspectives in all of our campus learning environments.

With this in mind, choose one of the following prompts and respond:

1. What would you want to be different in your own community (local, school, religious, academic, etc.) or the broader global community to further principles of equality or equity?

2. What factors have most shaped who you are and what you believe today? You might discuss an obstacle that you have overcome or an experience that has inspired you.

3. Share with us a part of your personal background, perspective, experience or academic interest that has shaped you as a person and that would uniquely add to the Lehigh community” (Max 300 words)

If you’re feeling intimidated by this prompt, that’s okay. This question will definitely require more time and effort than the first one. So, let’s break it down!

Lehigh clearly states several of their values within the above statement. They want to see some of those same values reflected in your response. Again, the admissions officers are trying to get a good sense of “who you are” to see if their school is the best fit for you. If you don’t have the same, or similar, values, it might indicate that there is another school that may suit you better, which is okay. So, before we start writing, let’s examine their values and your own. 

Questions to consider

  • What values does Lehigh think are important?
  • Do you think those values are also important?
  • What other personal values or principles do you think are important?

The next step in this prompt is choosing which question to answer. Take a minute to read through your options and see if any stand out to you. If there is a question that makes you feel particularly passionate, go with that one! Showing passion is a great way to let people see who you are by showing what you value. 

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Your first option is fairly straightforward. Take an inventory of the communities you are involved in or a part of. It doesn’t matter if the community is small, or large, as long as it’s something that you are a part of in some way, or that you have a personal connection to. Think about how that community and their history. Is there anything that sticks out to you that they’ve unfairly had to deal with? If so, this is your place to talk about it! 

Before we move on, there’s just one more note we’d like to make about this first option. This question asks you to speak about something that you would like to be different, which means you don’t need to necessarily write out a plan for how that thing will change. You may propose some ideas, but the greater purpose of this prompt is to show that you pay attention in your communities and you have a desire to improve your community. 

Don’t miss: How to respond to the Common App essay prompts

Options two and three

The next two questions are similar in structure, though what they are asking are two separate questions. Each option asks you a question that begins with you and asks you to translate what you’ve said about yourself into something. Below we’ve written out in detail what we mean a bit more. Start at point A and slowly think through how your answer connects to point B.

Remember, the goal of these questions is for Lehigh to get a better understanding of who you are. So, take a deep breath and remember that goal. You’ve got this!

Don’t miss: How many schools should I apply to?

  • If you think Lehigh is the school for you, start thinking about and writing your application now
  • If possible, schedule a tour at the university to get to know more about it
  • Make sure you are aware of all the deadlines for your application period to be sure that you don’t miss any important deadlines
  • After you’ve applied, your final step is to wait and hear about the status of your acceptance, and regardless of the response, respond to Lehigh to acknowledge that status

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Lehigh University Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to respond to the Lehigh supplemental essays?  CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the Lehigh University supplemental essay questions will show you how to write strong Lehigh supplemental essays and increase your chances against the Lehigh University acceptance rate.

If you need help creating Lehigh supplemental essays, create your free account or schedule a no-cost advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

Lehigh Essay Guide Quick Facts:

  • The Lehigh University acceptance rate is 50% – U.S. News ranks Lehigh University as a more selective school. 
  • Lehigh University ranking is #49 in National Universities.

What is Lehigh University known for?

Lehigh is a leading research university with a beautiful campus. Lehigh University is known for its strong engineering programs. It provides hands-on learning with an emphasis on building student leaders. The Lehigh University acceptance rate is 50%, and the Lehigh University ranking is #49.  

Showing demonstrated interest can increase your chances against the Lehigh University acceptance rate. So, you should write Lehigh supplemental essays that include details about what programs at Lehigh interest you. This guide will help you write Lehigh supplemental essays that help you stand out from the crowd. 

What is the acceptance rate for Lehigh University?

The Lehigh University acceptance rate is 50%. Don’t let the Lehigh University acceptance rate discourage you, though.  

Since Lehigh admissions are competitive, you should consider attending a campus tour or special event to show your interest. If you show DI and write strong Lehigh supplemental essays, then you can overcome the Lehigh acceptance rate!

What is Lehigh University ranked?

The Lehigh University ranking is #49. According to US News, the Lehigh University ranking and Lehigh University acceptance rate make Lehigh a more selective school. 

Because of the Lehigh acceptance rate and its test-optional policy, well-written Lehigh supplemental essays can considerably increase your admissions odds. 

Does Lehigh have any supplemental essays?

Yes. All applicants must complete three Lehigh supplemental essays in addition to the required essay for the Common App or Coalition App .

We’ll discuss how to complete each Lehigh University supplemental essay in this Lehigh supplemental essays guide. 

Are the Lehigh essays important?

In a word: yes. Lehigh has moved to a test-optional policy for the next two years. Without test scores, your Lehigh supplemental essays matter even more. You should, therefore, do all you can to make your Lehigh essays count!

Since the Lehigh University acceptance rate is 50%, strong Lehigh University supplemental essays can heavily impact your admissions result. So, for your best shot against the Lehigh University acceptance rate, don’t discount your Lehigh supplemental essays.  

How do I write Lehigh University supplemental essays?

All applicants must complete three Lehigh University supplemental essay questions. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to address the Lehigh University essay prompts. 

Lehigh University Supplement Essay – Question 1 (Required)

With the understanding that some students will change colleges at Lehigh after the first year, please briefly describe why you chose to apply to the first-choice college or major that you listed above. (200-word limit)

The first Lehigh University supplemental essay prompts you to discuss your chosen college or major. This prompt lets you show why you care about your field, so make sure to highlight your passions and use specific details. 

Note that the term “college” refers to one of the five colleges at Lehigh University. Your major is housed within that college.

The terms “college” and “university” are often used interchangeably. However, the Lehigh University supplement essay question does NOT ask your reasons for choosing Lehigh.  

Choosing a college or major

At this point, you’ve likely chosen a college or major. However, if you’re feeling unsure, that’s okay! If you want help picking a field of study, check out our tips for choosing a college major.

This Leigh University essay prompt recognizes you may change your major after your first year. So, while you have listed a first choice, Lehigh knows that things may change.

Providing a reason

Next, the Lehigh University essay prompts you to explain your reasons for your choice. This is a great chance to share your passions. It’s also a perfect place to show your knowledge of Lehigh’s programs. 

Look at the following example:

My experiences as a student athletic trainer exposed me to the effects of concussions on the human brain and led me to an intrigue of how the human brain works. Studying in the College of Arts and Sciences to earn a BA in Behavioral Neuroscience…

Be sure to identify a specific college and major in your Lehigh supplemental essay. Also, share a story that shows your passion for your area of interest. While your readers know you may change your major, showing your commitment to a given field can really boost your essay! 

Remember, the Lehigh University acceptance rate is just 50%. So, you should do all you can to help your Lehigh essay stand out. 

Essay Draft Key Questions: 

  • Do you identify a specific college and major in your Lehigh University supplement essay?
  • Does your Lehigh University supplement essay provide a reason for your area of interest?
  • Have you demonstrated your passion for your field in your Lehigh University supplement essay? 

Lehigh University Supplement Essay – Question 2 (Required)

How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (150-word limit)

Lehigh University prompts like these, while seemingly simple, require care. So, don’t discount this Lehigh supplement essay. Your response should include where you first learned about Lehigh and why you applied.  

Tell the truth

Be honest in your response. If you learned about Lehigh University from a school counselor, share that. If you learned about Lehigh University from an alumnus’s visit to your school, share that. This Lehigh University essay prompts you to share what drew you toward Lehigh.  

Try to avoid a vague response such as “I heard about it from some friends,” since this doesn’t show your specific connection to Lehigh. This Lehigh University supplement essay question isn’t looking to trick you. Instead, your readers genuinely want to know where you first learned about Lehigh.  

Connect to your interest

Motivated applicants are usually successful students. So, show what motivated you to apply to Lehigh! Also, try to discuss specific aspects of Lehigh. While this Lehigh University supplement essay might seem simple, including details will help your essay stand out. 

Lehigh supplemental essays like these let you explore Lehigh’s programs, so use your essay to show why you love Lehigh. Additionally, showing DI in this Lehigh University supplement essay can help you stand out. Since the Lehigh acceptance rate is relatively low, you should approach your essay with attention and care. 

Think about the following questions:

  • Have you been able to visit the campus ? 
  • Have you spoken with an admissions officer ? 
  • Is there a particular program that excites you? 

In other words, what do you know about Lehigh that excites you? Is it their entrepreneurial mindset ? Their focus on creative inquiry ? Or, perhaps your passion lies in their methods more than a particular program.  

If you explain how you learned about Lehigh and why you want to attend, your response for this Leigh University supplement essay is sure to stand out!

  • Have you stated how you learned about Lehigh in your Lehigh University supplement essay? 
  • Does your Lehigh University supplement essay explain your why you want to attend Lehigh? 
  • Does your essay include details that show your knowledge of Lehigh’s programs? 

Lehigh University Supplement Essay – Question 3 (Required)

A compelling characteristic of Lehigh’s community is that our students want to be actively engaged in their learning, their community, and the world. Our students look to make a difference and have a real-world impact. We expect our community to challenge your viewpoint, your naturalized assumptions, and the way that you see the world around you. Lehigh University is committed to being an anti-racist institution. By this, we mean actively speaking out and addressing acts of racism, racist comments, racist practices, policies, and procedures. What would you want to be different in your own country or community to respond to issues of inequality, inequity, or injustice? (300-word limit)

The longest of the Lehigh University supplemental essays asks you to think about three things:

  • What is an injustice in your country or community that moves you?
  • Where do you see this injustice occurring?
  • What do you want to do to rectify it? 

I dentify an issue

This Lehigh University essay prompts you to consider Lehigh’s anti-racist stance. So, you may want to think about an example of injustice that relates to racism. 

If you need help choosing an issue, consider some of our tips for generating ideas. Additionally, you may think about any issue that you have read about or experienced that ignites your desire for justice.

If you’re struggling to come up with a topic, think about these questions:

  • Is there an injustice that you want to change? 
  • Has something happened at your school or in your hometown that demands justice? 
  • Is there a system or institution embedded with inequality that you want to transform? 
  • Is there an issue that fires you up to make change? 

Your Lehigh University supplement essay could relate to any of these questions. For the first part of your Lehigh University supplemental essay, you should explain your chosen injustice as it manifests in your country or community. Then, you should explain how you would remedy this injustice.

As you write your Lehigh supplement essay, be careful not to tell anyone else’s story. While your Lehigh supplemental essay can show your care for those from different backgrounds, your essay should also reveal how you relate to the world.

Create social change

After you’ve identified your injustice, your Lehigh University supplement essay must include what change could resolve this issue. Your Lehigh University supplemental essay should also explain how you can be a part of that change. 

For instance, let’s say that you want to change the representation of Latinx communities in the news media. First, identify and explain the issue. Then, express how your future goals would help you foster change: 

Ex. With my BA in Journalism and a minor in mass communications, I know that my education, partnered with the work of the Association of Latino Professionals of America at Lehigh empowers me to make changes in the representation of Latinx communities in the news….

You can also draw on previous activism in which you have taken part: 

Ex. During my senior year of high school, I used my experience on the yearbook staff to create a spread titled “Latinx Innovations” which highlighted specific contributions that Latinx members of our local communities had made to the history of our high school…I want to continue this activist journalism at Lehigh…

Additionally, try to be as personal, specific, and honest as possible. If you describe your issue and show how you’d help fix it, your Lehigh University supplemental essay is sure to shine! 

Essay Draft Key Questions:

  • Have you identified a specific injustice in your Lehigh University supplement essay? 
  • Does your Lehigh University supplement essay show your knowledge of how that injustice impacts your community or country?
  • Do you highlight your passion to be a change-maker in your Lehigh University supplement essay? 

Lehigh University Supplemental Essays – Final Thoughts

The Lehigh essay prompts may seem overwhelming, especially when you think about the Lehigh University ranking. However, don’t let that discourage you! With these tips, you can write a strong set of Lehigh supplemental essays and maximize your chances against the Lehigh University acceptance rate.

This 2021-2022 essay guide on Lehigh was written by Sasha Litzenberger . Want help crafting your Lehigh supplemental essays? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Create your personal checklist of the forms, reports, recommendations, scores, fees and applications that you’ll need to apply to Lehigh.

Application Checklist

Please use the interactive checklist below to customize your application experience. It contains all the necessary forms that Lehigh requires as well as specific instructions to guide you through the process.

For more details, including required courses, please review the FAQs as well as information on accreditation. Applicants with financial need should pay close attention to financial-aid requirements and deadlines .

First-Year Student Applications

  • First-Year Students
  • Not A United States Citizen
  • English Is Your Second Language
  • Early Decision Applicants
  • 7 Year BS/BA-DMD Program Applicants
  • Common Application or Coalition Application with Lehigh Questions and Writing Supplement Electronic submission through the Common Application website or Coalition Application website is required.
  • Recommendations and Reports
  • School Report (including counselor recommendation) and Official High School Transcript Electronic submission from your school through the Common Application website or Coalition Application website is accepted and encouraged. In special circumstances, high schools may submit transcripts through the LU FileSender .
  • Teacher Recommendation (one) Electronic submission from your school through the Common Application website or Coalition Application website is accepted and encouraged.
  • Mid-year School Report and Transcript Please ask your school to submit this once the first semester, second quarter or second trimester is completed.
  • Final School Report and Transcript Please submit after graduation. Transcripts must have the high school seal and/or official signature and be from a high school with a CEEB code.** Send final school reports and transcripts to the Enrollment Services Center, 218 West Packer Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18015. If a student submits a fraudulent transcript, the Office of Admissions reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission and withdraw the original application for admission at any time. Validation of a student's final official transcript will be coordinated with the office of financial aid. ** If a transcript is from a high school that lacks a CEEB code or seal/signature, the admissions office will investigate to confirm the school is recognized by the state department of education or home school association. The admissions office may request a copy of the student's diploma at any point in the admission process to verification process. If a diploma is determined invalid, a GED will be required for admission consideration.
  • $75 Application Fee Electronic payment through the Common Application website or Coalition Application website is required.
  • Official SAT or ACT scores - Optional Lehigh University has adopted a test-optional policy regarding submission of SAT or ACT scores indefinitely. With the exception of applicants to the accelerated program with SUNY Optometry, first-year and transfer applicants can choose whether or not to submit SAT/ACT test scores for consideration. Students who feel that test scores may accurately demonstrate their college readiness and as a result choose to report scores can request the College Board or ACT send the scores to Lehigh or self-report them via the Common Application, Coalition Application or email. However, official SAT or ACT scores ultimately must be submitted directly from the College Board or ACT prior to the first day of classes for the semester in which the student will enroll. Any discrepancy of any size may be cause to reverse admission. SAT Subject Tests are not required for admission, but are recommended as college credit may be awarded for scores of 700 or higher. Please read the Advanced Placement section of the course catalog at www.lehigh.edu/catalog for more details. The highest section scores across test dates, whether a superscored SAT or superscored ACT, submitted to Lehigh will be considered. We do not prefer one exam over the other. Results from the current redesigned SAT and/or the old SAT will be accepted; we will consider only the highest testing results reported from one version of the test, not by combining sections across both versions.
  • Lehigh University's Certificate of Finances form (PDF) All non-U.S. citizens who will need financial aid during any of their years enrolled at Lehigh are required to submit the Lehigh University Certificate of Finances form (PDF) filled out for all intended years of undergraduate enrollment and to submit it by the application deadline. This form can be uploaded through your checklist once you've submitted your application and established your applicant portal. To be considered for need based financial aid, you must also submit the CSS Profile through the College Board.
  • CSS/Financial Aid Profile All non-U.S. citizens who will need financial aid during any of their years enrolled at Lehigh are required to submit the CSS Profile through the College Board. If you are unable to submit the CSS Profile, please reach out to our office at [email protected] . Non-U.S.citizens who are not planning to apply for financial aid during any of their intended years of undergraduate enrollment do not need to submit the Lehigh Certificate of Finances form or CSS Profile. Please note that Lehigh’s tuition, room & board, fees, etc. can cost upwards of $87,000 USD per year. If your family cannot support this amount for all intended years of undergraduate enrollment, then you must submit the Lehigh Certificate of Finances and CSS Profile. Due to limited funding for non-citizens, Lehigh is need-aware in the admissions process. Please note that if admitted to Lehigh, there will not be additional funding awarded beyond the initial financial aid offer outside of adjustments made based on increases in cost of attendance. We are unable to provide additional financial aid due to changes in the value of your home country’s currency during your enrollment at Lehigh.
  • English Proficiency Requirement Lehigh requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Results from an English proficiency assessment must be submitted unless the applicant’s first language is English, or the last two full years (not including current year of study) of completed formal instruction have been in English. The TOEFL and IELTS are preferred, however TOEFL IBT Home Edition, and Duolingo English Test will be considered if those exams are not available to the student. Scores must be submitted directly from the testing/assessment agency and the most competitive candidates score above a 90 on the TOEFL, or 110 on Duolingo. SAT, SAT Subject Test, and ACT results cannot be used to meet the English proficiency requirement.
  • Early Decision Agreement Form (PDF) You may apply to Lehigh under one of our binding Early Decision Plans by completing the Early Decision I/II Agreement Form and following the appropriate application deadlines below. Students can email it to the LU FileSender or fax it to our office at (610) 758-4361. LU FileSender is the preferred method. Please note: Under the National Association of College Admissions Counselors Statement of Principles and Good Practices, students, parents, and guidance counselors make a commitment where, if admitted, the student will withdraw all other applications and enroll. Early Decision I deadline: November 1. Early Decision II deadline: January 1 (application). Students also applying for financial aid, please note: Early Decision I candidates must submit the CSS/Profile and send a copy of Federal Tax Forms, schedules and W-2 attachments by November 1. Early Decision II candidates must submit the CSS/Profile and send a copy of Federal Tax Forms, schedules and W-2 attachments by January 15. All candidates seeking financial aid must then submit the FAFSA and CSS/Profile (if not previously submitted) by February 1, and updated Federal Tax Forms, schedules and W-2 attachments by February 15.
  • Penn Supplement for the 7-year BA/DMD Bio-Dental program (PDF) Required for all students applying to Penn's Accelerated Dental program . Deadline: January 1. Please submit to: Via Fax: 610.758.4361 OR Via Mail: Lehigh University Office of Admissions 27 Memorial Dr. West Bethlehem, PA 18015 Attn: Bio-Dental Program To be considered, students must also submit the Common Application or Coalition Application and select the 7-Year Combined-Degree Program in Dentistry from the Intended College or Program drop-down list. If not accepted into the program, you may elect to be considered for another college if desired. Please note: This is not an early decision commitment; in fact, students applying to any accelerated program cannot simultaneously be an Early Decision applicant.

Transfer Student Applications

  • Transfer Students
  • Common Application or Coalition Application Electronic submission through the Common Application website or Coalition Application website is required.
  • Conduct Report Form (PDF) The Conduct Report Form collects information about your standing at your current institution. You may need to gather this information from more than one official at your institution, such as your advisor, dean or registrar, as all institutions operate differently. The Conduct Report Form cannot be submitted by the applicant, and must be submitted by the issuing institution via email directly to [email protected] or by mail to the Lehigh Enrollment Services Center at 27 Memorial Drive W, Bethlehem, PA, 18015.
  • College/University Transcript All students must be in good academic standing with their previous institution to be eligible for admission to Lehigh. For a transcript to be considered official, it must be sent directly from the granting institution. Official transcripts can be submitted electronically (e.g. Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse), or by mail to the Lehigh Enrollment Services Center at 27 Memorial Drive W, Bethlehem, PA, 18015. If using Parchment, please list Lehigh’s Enrollment Services Center ([email protected]) as the recipient.
  • Course Descriptions Lehigh University does not require course descriptions. However, if more information is needed to complete a credit evaluation, the Office of the Registrar will contact the applicant for further information.
  • Final High School Transcript For a high school transcript to be considered official, it must be sent directly from the granting institution. Official transcripts can be submitted electronically (via email to [email protected] or Parchment), or by mail to the Lehigh Enrollment Services Center at 27 Memorial Drive W, Bethlehem, PA, 18015. All transfer students must fulfill the same high school requirements as incoming first-year students, which can be found above.
  • Official SAT or ACT scores - Optional Lehigh University does not require SAT or ACT scores. First-year and transfer applicants can choose whether or not to submit test scores for consideration. Students who feel that test scores may accurately demonstrate their college readiness and as a result choose to report scores can request the College Board or ACT send the scores to Lehigh or self-report them via the Common Application, Coalition Application or via email at [email protected] . Official SAT or ACT scores ultimately must be submitted directly from the College Board or ACT prior to the first day of classes for the semester in which the student will enroll. Any discrepancy of any degree may be cause to reverse admission. The highest section scores across test dates, whether a superscored SAT or superscored ACT, submitted to Lehigh will be considered. Results from the current redesigned SAT and/or the former SAT will be accepted; the Office of Admissions will consider only the highest testing results reported from one version of the test, not by combining sections across both versions.
  • World Education Services Evaluation (WES) The World Education Services Evaluation is required of any transfer applicant who has attended an international academic institution where English is not the primary language of instruction. Please add Lehigh University to your WES profile so that the evaluation can be sent electronically. The WES enables the Lehigh Admissions Office to evaluate external transfer credits in a more equitable manner.
  • Lehigh University's Certificate of Finances form (PDF) All non-U.S. citizens who will need financial aid during any of their years enrolled at Lehigh are required to submit the Lehigh University Certificate of Finances form (PDF) filled out for all intended years of undergraduate enrollment and to submit it by the application deadline. This form can be uploaded through your checklist once you've submitted your application and established your applicant portal. To be considered for need based financial aid, you must also submit the CSS Profile through the College Board. Note: Since Lehigh University does not allocate institutional funding to international transfer students, all non-U.S. citizens are required to submit the Certification of Finances (PDF) with their application for transfer admission.
  • English Proficiency Requirement Lehigh requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Results from an English proficiency assessment must be submitted unless the applicant’s first language is English, or the last two full years (not including current year of study) of completed formal instruction have been in English. The TOEFL and IELTS are preferred, however TOEFL IBT Home Edition, and Duolingo English Test will be considered if those exams are not available to the student. Scores must be submitted directly from the testing/assessment agency and the most competitive candidates score above a 90 on the TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS or 110 on Duolingo. SAT, SAT Subject Test, and ACT results cannot be used to meet the English proficiency requirement.

Application Deadlines

Lehigh has two rounds of binding Early Decision, as well as Regular Decision and Transfer application opportunities. Take the next step to your future, apply now.

Early Decision I

Deadline: November 1

Decision Date: Mid December

Early Decision II

Deadline: January 1

Decision Date: Mid February

Regular Decision 

Decision Date: Late March

7-Yr BA/DMD-Bio-Dental

7-yr optometry.

Decision Date: Early April

Transfer Student (Fall)

Deadline: April 1

Decision Date: Mid May

Transfer Student (Spring)

Decision Date: Late December

Admissions Statistics

Class of 2027 profile.

View the stats on our first-year class, including application and admittance numbers, average SATs and ACTs and more.

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how to write lehigh supplemental essays 1

Crafting the Lehigh Supplemental Essays (Guide)

Are you struggling to write your Lehigh University supplemental essays? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. These essays are an essential part of your application and provide a unique opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you beyond your grades and test scores.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of writing effective Lehigh supplemental essays that showcase your personality, voice, and fit with the university.

Firstly, it’s crucial to understand Lehigh’s values and culture before starting on your essays. The university prides itself on its commitment to academic excellence, diversity, innovation, and community engagement.

As such, Lehigh is looking for students who share these values and contribute positively to their campus community. By understanding what makes Lehigh unique as an institution of higher learning, you can tailor your essays to reflect these values while highlighting your own strengths and interests.

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding Lehigh’s values and culture is crucial in order to showcase fit with the university and its community.
  • Brainstorming personal experiences and unique approaches is important to showcase who the applicant is beyond grades and test scores.
  • Being vulnerable and sharing personal stories can help reflect who the applicant is as a person and demonstrate their leadership skills.
  • Paying attention to details, writing style and tone, and using transitional phrases and a conversational tone are important in creating effective supplemental essays.

Understand the University’s Values and Culture

You’ll want to get a good grasp of Lehigh’s values and culture if you’re serious about acing those supplemental essays. To start, take some time to research the university’s campus traditions and student life. This will give you a better understanding of what makes Lehigh unique and how you can align your interests with those of the university.

Campus traditions at Lehigh include events like Mountain Hawk Madness, where students come together to celebrate the start of basketball season, and Founder’s Day, which honors Asa Packer, who founded the university in 1865. These traditions show that Lehigh values community spirit and taking pride in its history.

By learning about these traditions, you can show admissions officers that you’re passionate about becoming part of this community.

In addition to campus traditions, it’s important to understand what student life is like at Lehigh. The university offers a wide range of activities for students, from sports teams to clubs focused on everything from model UN to entrepreneurship.

By showing an interest in these activities in your supplemental essays, you can demonstrate that you’re excited about getting involved on campus and making the most out of your college experience at Lehigh.

Analyze the Prompts

So, you’re ready to tackle the Lehigh University supplemental essay prompts. Before diving into the actual writing process, it’s important to take a step back and analyze the prompts.

By breaking them down and identifying key themes, you can better understand what the admissions committee is looking for in your responses. This approach will help you craft thoughtful and effective essays that showcase your unique qualities and fit with Lehigh’s values and culture.

Break Down the Prompts

Let’s take a closer look at the Lehigh supplemental essay prompts and break them down to understand what the university is looking for in their applicants.

The first prompt asks you to describe why you’re interested in attending Lehigh University. This prompt is an opportunity for you to showcase your writing techniques and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the university. To do this, start by researching the school and identifying specific programs or resources that align with your academic or personal goals. Then, frame your response around these areas of interest and explain how they’ll help you achieve your future aspirations.

The second prompt asks you to reflect on a time when you faced a challenge or failure, and what lessons you learned from it. This prompt requires careful consideration of essay structure. Start by outlining the experience itself, including any relevant details about the situation and how it impacted you emotionally or mentally.

Next, focus on describing how you overcame the challenge or turned your failure into an opportunity for growth. Finally, reflect on what lessons you learned from this experience and how it has influenced your personal development since then. Remember that admissions officers aren’t only interested in hearing about achievements but also want to see evidence of resilience and self-awareness in their applicants’ responses.

Identify Key Themes

By identifying key themes in the Lehigh University essay prompts, you can structure your essays in a way that showcases your academic and personal goals.

One important theme to consider is community. Lehigh values collaboration and teamwork, so it’s important to highlight how you’ve contributed to or benefited from a community in your life. This could be a school club, sports team, or even your hometown. Showcasing your involvement in a community demonstrates that you’re capable of working well with others and value the importance of teamwork.

Another key theme to consider is leadership. Lehigh seeks students who can take initiative and make an impact on their communities. When writing about leadership experiences, focus on specific examples where you took charge and made a difference. It’s not enough to simply list positions held; instead, show how you went above and beyond in those roles and what impact you had on those around you.

By selecting topics that fit into these themes, you can structure your essays in a way that showcases your unique qualities while also aligning with what Lehigh values in its students.

Brainstorm Ideas

Start generating ideas by jotting down all your thoughts and inspirations for the Lehigh supplemental essays. You can begin by considering the creative approaches that you could take when answering the prompts. For example, instead of simply stating a personal experience, think about how you can make it unique or tie it into a larger theme. Perhaps there is an interesting story from your childhood that shaped your values or worldview, or maybe there was a particular challenge you faced that taught you an important lesson.

To help organize your thoughts, try creating a table with three columns: Prompts, Ideas/Themes, and Personal Experiences. In the first column, list each of the essay prompts provided by Lehigh University. In the second column, brainstorm ideas and themes that relate to each prompt – this could include anything from academic interests to extracurricular activities to family background. Finally, in the third column, identify specific personal experiences that support each idea/theme.

Remember that these essays are an opportunity for you to showcase who you are as a person beyond your grades and test scores. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and share personal stories or struggles – this will make your essays more authentic and memorable for admissions officers. By taking time to brainstorm and organize your ideas using this approach, you’ll be well on your way to crafting thoughtful and compelling responses to Lehigh’s supplemental essay prompts!

Craft Your Essay

Now that you’ve brainstormed some ideas for your Lehigh supplemental essays, it’s time to craft your essay.

The way you write your essay is just as important as the content itself. Your writing style and tone can make or break how well your essay is received by the admissions committee.

Make sure to consider both the structure of your content and the flow of your words. You want to create a compelling story that captures the attention of the reader from start to finish.

Consider using transitional phrases between paragraphs to guide the reader through different sections of your essay.

In addition, be mindful of the tone you use throughout your essay. Your writing should reflect who you are as a person and convey a sense of authenticity. Avoid using overly formal language or trying too hard to impress; instead, aim for a conversational tone that feels natural and easygoing.

By paying attention to these details, you can create an essay that showcases both your personality and writing abilities in their best light possible.

Showcase Your Personality and Voice

Let your personality shine through your essay by using your own unique voice and style. This is the perfect opportunity to showcase who you are as a person beyond what can be seen on paper. Use creative approaches to make your essay stand out and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

To start, consider incorporating personal anecdotes into your writing. These stories will add depth and dimension to your essay, allowing the reader to better understand who you are as an individual. Remember that these anecdotes don’t have to be life-changing events; they can be small moments that had a significant impact on you or shaped who you are today.

Another way to let your personality shine through is by using humor in your writing. A well-placed joke or witty comment can go a long way in making your essay memorable and enjoyable for the reader. However, it’s important not to force humor if it doesn’t come naturally – authenticity is key when showcasing your true self.

Don’t be afraid to take risks with your writing style. Whether it’s experimenting with sentence structure or playing with language, taking creative liberties can help bring out the unique qualities of your voice and ultimately make for a more compelling essay.

Just remember: above all else, stay true to yourself and let your personality shine through every word you write.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does lehigh university compare to other universities in terms of academic rigor and student life.

Lehigh University strikes a balance between academic rigor and social opportunities, offering campus resources to help students excel in both areas. Compared to other universities, Lehigh provides a unique environment for innovation and growth.

Can you provide examples of successful supplemental essays that have been submitted to Lehigh University in the past?

Looking for tips and examples of successful Lehigh supplemental essays? Look no further! Reading past submissions can give you a sense of what the admissions committee is looking for. Be innovative, thorough, and engage your audience.

Are there any specific characteristics or qualities that Lehigh University looks for in its applicants?

Lehigh University’s admissions criteria prioritize qualities like leadership, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to service. They seek applicants with unique perspectives who will contribute positively to the campus community.

How does Lehigh University support and engage with its local community?

Lehigh University values community partnerships and service initiatives. They collaborate with local organizations to make a positive impact, offering resources and support for students to engage in meaningful service projects.

What opportunities does Lehigh University offer for students to get involved in research or internships in their field of study?

Explore Lehigh’s research opportunities and internship programs to gain hands-on experience in your field of study. With faculty mentorship and industry connections, you’ll be well-equipped for success post-graduation.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to write Lehigh supplemental essays. By understanding the university’s values and culture, analyzing the prompts, brainstorming ideas, crafting your essay, and showcasing your personality and voice, you can create a compelling and unique application that sets you apart from other candidates.

Remember to be innovative in your writing style while maintaining a logical flow throughout your essay. Be thorough in answering each prompt question while ensuring that everything ties back to why you’re an excellent fit for Lehigh University.

With these tips in mind, go forth and conquer those essays – we believe in you!

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Supplemental Essay Guide 2024-25

What do the 2024-25 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down.

Acceptance Rate

Undergrad population.

  • Liberal Arts (52)

* Tuition filtering is based on out-of-state fees

Agnes Scott College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

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Alvernia University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide  

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2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, linfield university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, loyola marymount university (lmu) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide , lynn university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, macalester college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, malone university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, manchester university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, marist college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, mary baldwin university 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, massachusetts institute of technology (mit) 2023-24 essay prompt guide, meredith college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, monmouth college 2023-24 supplemental essay guide, moravian university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, morehouse college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, mount holyoke college 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, new york university (nyu) 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt guide, north park university 2023-24 supplemental essay prompt 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Visits & Campus Tours

Visit us virtually or in-person and see if Lehigh’s beautiful campus and thriving community is the place for you to call home—for the next four years and beyond.

Opportunities to Visit

We offer many opportunities to learn more about life at Lehigh from students, admissions counselors and faculty. Wherever you are in the process—whether you’re just starting your search or ready to apply—here are a few of our recommendations:

  • Attend an Information Session and Campus Tour ( On-campus or Virtually ): First you’ll want to hear from admissions counselors and current students to learn about academics, unique opportunities and student life at Lehigh. If you can't make it live, check out our on-demand Information Session and Campus Tour .  
  • Learn more at a College-Specific Session or Specialized Session : Next, look into the distinctive opportunities and curriculums within each of our colleges, and delve deeper into topics of interest. Check out our on-demand library of sessions if you can't make it live.  
  • Schedule an Interview or attend a Special Event : Finally, Lehigh interviews for rising seniors, and special events like Open Houses are a great way to connect and learn more.

On-Campus Visit Opportunities

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Visit our quintessential college campus and learn more about life at Lehigh directly from our admissions counselors and student tour guides.

As you are registering, please carefully review the On-Campus Admissions Events Calendar and the specific description for each event for important details. Most events consist of a group information session and a student-guided campus tour in order to provide well-rounded information from both admissions counselors and current students. However, you are welcome to attend just one of the two components—simply register for an event, inform us of your individual circumstances via email, and attend as you can. There are also times in the academic year where we are unable to offer student-guided campus tours and it will be clear in the description of those events that tours are not offered and that visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of campus on their own.

Staying in Bethlehem? Find a hotel near Lehigh and make a plan to explore Bethlehem while you're on campus!

Information Sessions  

In the Group Information Session, an Office of Admissions staff member will share stories about unique and exclusive academic and research experiences, our vibrant community, traditions, and life in PA’s third largest metro area. The supportive Lehigh family and strong career placement are also discussed. The session concludes with admissions and financial aid basics.

Financial Aid Sessions

Join us to learn more about the financial aid process at Lehigh, including deadlines, requirements, types of aid, merit aid vs need-based aid and the financial aid formula.

Campus Tours

Student guides share their perspective on residential life, dining on campus and in Bethlehem, extra-curricular activities, course workload, relationships with professors, and student support services while highlighting important facilities across campus.

Interviews are available to rising high school seniors who wish to ask specific questions about Lehigh or provide additional context for their application. On-campus interviews may take place with an admissions counselor or a current student who is part of our Admissions Fellows program. Depending on where you are in your application process, you can also request a virtual interview with an alumnus (details available in the Virtual Interview section ). Lehigh interviews are evaluative, but not required as part of the application process. An interview can be a useful tool for Lehigh prospective applicants to share more of their story and learn more about the institution. Interviews last approximately 30 minutes. Students can only interview with Lehigh once.

General Interviews

General interviews are available during the fall semester on campus to rising seniors who are considering applying, or have already submitted an application, to Lehigh. They are typically conducted by a current student who is a member of our Admissions Fellows program, or one of our admissions counselors. This is the most widely available interview option. Students can only interview with Lehigh once.

Alumni Interviews

Alumni interviews are available to current seniors who have already submitted their application and have not yet completed an interview with Lehigh in any capacity. Learn more >

Large Group Visits

Thank you for your interest in sharing Lehigh University with your students! Please see below for additional information about the group visit experience at Lehigh.

Scheduling Your Visit

  • Programming for groups 15 - 35 visitors (including chaperones) is offered on select weekdays and is available to Community-Based Organizations and schools with students enrolled in 9th-12th grade. For the spring semester, we prioritize groups containing 9th - 11th grade students.
  • During the spring semester, group visits will include a tour of our Asa Packer Campus as well as a Q + A with one of our admissions team members.
  • Our Asa Packer Campus tour is approximately 60 minutes in duration and includes moderate hills and steps.
  • Please submit a group visit request on our calendar .
  • Please note that selecting one of our time slots is not an approval of your request, and you should only request one visit date and time.  
  • We will respond to your request within 5 business days of its submission.

Visit Us Virtually or On Your Own

  • If our calendar of events does not meet the needs of your group, we would still love to welcome you to explore our campus through a self-guided tour or to visit us virtually .
  • Groups smaller than 15 students, or students interested in visiting our campus independently, are encouraged to register for an in-person information session on our  Admissions Calendar .  

Dining Information

  • Interested in dining while visiting Lehigh? You can choose to explore local Bethlehem eateries .  

Parking Information

  • Address: Alumni Memorial Building: 27 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015
  • If you are traveling by bus: Please have your driver take your bus into the circle directly in front of the Alumni Memorial Building - you will recognize it by the large fountain/water feature in the middle of the circle. This area can be used for dropping off and picking up your students. 
  • Due to campus parking regulations, buses cannot wait on the Asa Packer Campus.  We recommend parking your bus at our Goodman Campus during the visit.  View directions to Goodman Campus >

COVID-19 Guidelines for Visiting Campus

All visitors to campus agree to adhere to the University’s safety policies and protocols. Failure to do so will result in an immediate request to leave the campus. Please review the information shared below about the expectations and policies in place for visitors prior to registering for an event or visiting campus.

All visitors to campus should adhere to the following safety protocols:

  • they have tested positive for COVID-19
  • are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
  • they have come in close contact with a person who has symptoms of or has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days  
  • Masks are optional indoors and outdoors on Lehigh campuses, with the exception of the Health and Wellness Center and in specific contexts where masking is required by event organizers or instructors. In these situations signage and/or other means will be used to communicate this requirement. Each member of your party should have a mask on hand at all times and must abide by the mask requirements of a particular location, facility, or event if applicable, regardless of their vaccination status. Our office reserves the right to institute a masking requirement at our discretion and for any particular portion or the whole duration of the visit, without prior notification. Some visitors or members of our community will choose to voluntarily wear a mask for personal safety, medical or other reasons. We encourage visitors to support one another in those decisions.  
  • Visitors are welcome to enter most academic buildings and can dine in on-campus eateries on weekdays during the day.

Failure to follow these safety requirements will result in immediate request to leave campus.

Please find other Lehigh updates regarding COVID-19 >

  • A limited number of free visitor parking spaces are available on a first-come-first-serve basis in the designated spaces on the lower levels of the Alumni Memorial Parking Garage, adjacent to the Alumni Memorial Building.
  • Additional parking is available at the metered spaces on level 1 of the Alumni Memorial Parking Garage, on adjacent city side streets, and in public parking garages. Please note, some parking may require a fee or meter payment.
  • In addition to the limited free visitor parking in the designated spaces on the lower levels of the Alumni Memorial Parking Garage, spaces on levels 2-6 of the garage are available, at a cost. If you park on levels 2-6, parking must be paid at the start of your visit. Parking rates are $1/hour plus a one time $.25 service fee per parking session. If you extend your time, there will be no additional service fee.
  • Text LU11 to 25023. You will receive a link to enter your license plate number, amount of time you want to park and payment information. You will receive a text message 15 minutes before your time expires with a link to add more time. Alternatively, you can reopen the webpage where you originally paid to add more time as well.
  • Scan the QR code on the signs located near the stairs and elevator in the garage or visit t2p.mobi/LU11 . Enter your license plate number, amount of time you want to park and payment information. If you would like to receive a text message 15 minutes before your time expires, you must create an account and add your phone number.
  • Parking in any other area on campus will result in your vehicle being ticketed.

Office of Admissions Inclement Weather & Emergency Closing Policy

Lehigh University’s Office of Admissions strives to honor scheduled campus visits while keeping safety in mind. In the event that the University closes due to inclement weather or an emergency, all scheduled campus visits will also be canceled. Information regarding any changes to the University’s opening will be posted on the top of each page of Lehigh’s website. Students and families should check this page prior to traveling to Lehigh University if hazardous weather conditions are forecast.

Visiting students and their families are encouraged to exercise caution when determining whether to travel in inclement weather. Please use good judgment and put safety first when traveling and navigating campus. If a student or the University cancels an interview, information session, campus tour or other appointment due to inclement weather, it will not reflect negatively on the student’s application. We request that the student notifies the Office of Admissions of the reason for cancellation in a timely manner. The Office of Admissions cannot guarantee a rescheduled interview or other event if one is cancelled due to inclement weather or an emergency.

The three potential situations are outlined below: 

  • University Closed (Full Day): Information sessions, tours, interviews and other events are canceled.  
  • Delayed Opening: Information sessions, tours, and interviews scheduled during the delayed opening will be canceled.  Once the University reopens, information sessions and tours will continue at their scheduled times. If a student is already on campus for a cancelled interview, we will attempt to reschedule the interview for a time later that day.  
  • Early Close: Information sessions, tours and interviews scheduled for a time after the University closes will be canceled. If a student is already on campus when the University closure announcement is made and their scheduled interview is canceled, we will work with the student to reschedule an in-person or online interview with the student for a later date but cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a mutually convenient time.

Virtual Visit Opportunities

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Join us virtually to discover more about Lehigh University! Sessions with admissions counselors, current students and faculty will help you learn more about Lehigh from wherever you are.

We encourage you to check out  Hawktober , our virtual Open House that features sessions on various aspects of our Lehigh community throughout the entire month of October. 

Virtual Information Sessions

We encourage you to attend a live session if available, but if you are unable to please feel free to watch this on-demand session .

Virtual Financial Aid Sessions

Virtual Campus Tour

Live Virtual Student-Guided Campus Tours

Join our current-student tour guides as they virtually take you across Lehigh's campus and share their experiences. Many topics and facilities that are particularly important to first-year students and their parents are included in the Live Virtual Student-Guided Tour, including residence life, dining, extra-curricular activities, course workload, relationships with professors, and student support services.

Virtual Tour

Our virtual tour is the next best thing to an in-person visit. You’ll follow the route of the undergraduate admissions tour to see academic and student life buildings while learning about life at Lehigh along the way.

YouTube and Instagram Live Tours

Follow our tour guides as they show you around campus on YouTube. You can watch the whole playlist or skip ahead to buildings you’re particularly interested in.

View a live-streamed tour from Instagram featuring our current student tour guides. Follow us on Instagram for more live-streamed events, Instagram Story Q&As and more.

Virtual Interviews

Interviews are available in the summer to rising high school seniors who wish to ask specific questions about Lehigh or provide additional context for their application. Interviews may take place with an admissions counselor, a current student who is part of our Admissions Fellows program, or an alumnus depending on where you are in your application process. Lehigh interviews are evaluative, but not required as part of the application process. All virtual interviews will be held via Zoom. An interview can be a useful tool for Lehigh prospective applicants to share more of their story and learn more about the institution. Interviews last approximately 30 minutes. Students can only interview with Lehigh once.

General interviews are available during the summer virtually to rising seniors who are considering applying, or have already submitted an application, to Lehigh. They are typically conducted by a current student who is a member of our Admissions Fellows program, or one of our admissions counselors. This is the most widely available interview option. Students can only interview with Lehigh once.

Alumni interviews are available to current seniors who have already submitted their application and have not yet completed an interview with Lehigh in any capacity. Applicants will have the opportunity to determine how they would like to be matched up with alumni interviewers based on a variety of factors such as geographic location, identity group or future career. Once a student has submitted their application and created their applicant portal, they will find the registration link in the bottom right hand side of the main portal page. The opportunity for an applicant to request an alumni interview is only available until the first week of January.

Virtual Student Panels

In these student panels, four to five current Lehigh students will share their stories about life on campus and answer questions from prospective students and families. Join us to learn more about Lehigh directly from our students, and bring your questions for the Q&A segment. All student panelists will be Lehigh juniors and seniors.

Advanced registration is required, no less than 24 hours before the event, and we will email a Zoom link for the event the day of or the evening prior.

Recording of Virtual International Student Panel

In this undergraduate student panel, current Lehigh international students shared their stories about life on campus, and answered questions from prospective students and families. View to learn more about life as an international undergraduate student at Lehigh from students and staff members from the Office of Admissions and the Office of International Students and Scholars.

View on-demand session >

Virtual Large Group Visits

Virtual programming for groups of 15 or more is offered on select weekdays and is available to Community-Based Organizations and schools with students enrolled in 9th-12th grade. Groups should make arrangements by completing the online registration form at least three weeks prior to their desired date for the virtual programming. Completion of this form is not a guarantee that we will be able to accommodate your group for a virtual event.

Our aim is to provide the best event experience to any student or group. On days when we anticipate a high volume of events or when our students are on break, we are unable to confirm any large group visits as we do not want to provide an experience that is less than our best. Please reach out if you have questions about dates our office may not be open.

Specialized Sessions & Events

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Join us for sessions that take a deep dive into topics like our colleges, special programs, student life opportunities and more.

Special Events

Special events include Open House, our Diversity Achievers Program and more.

Spotlight Sessions

Spotlight Sessions are unique events that each highlight a specific topic like the application process, academic experience, campus life and more. View upcoming sessions >

College-Specific Sessions

We offer several college- and program-specific virtual information sessions that delve deeper into areas of study. It is recommended, if possible, that students attend a general Virtual or On-Campus  Admissions Information Session for an introduction to Lehigh prior to attending a college and program-specific information session. If you are unable to attend a Virtual or On-Campus Admissions Information Session, you are still welcome to register for a college or program-specific information session.

Learn more about college- and program-specific sessions >

Lehigh University Campus

Class of 2028

Welcome to the lehigh family.

Find out if Lehigh is the right fit for you by exploring our campus and community, in-person and virtually. Between our Lehigh Fest (our on-campus Admitted Student Day), on-campus sessions and tours and a variety of specialized virtual sessions, there are many ways to engage and learn more.

Upcoming Special Visit Opportunities

Description

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) often comment that international opportunities, research with faculty, and hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom are the best parts of their Lehigh experience. Please join a group of CAS students and faculty in a panel discussion as they talk about the unique learning experiences they've engaged in. This event will offer a college overview and an opportunity to ask questions to CAS faculty and students.

On-Demand Events

Join admissions counselors to learn more about academics and student life, while hearing how Lehigh is built for tomorrow and prepares you for post-graduate success.

Please join us for a panel highlighting Lehigh University alumni from a variety of academic backgrounds and disciplines. They will share insight into their journeys following graduation, and highlight how their experiences at Lehigh aided in their current success.

Our Director of Admissions, Bruce Bunnick, wants to answer all questions you have about college admissions and what the process looks like here at Lehigh! This is a Q&A session, so please come with questions.

This Spotlight Session is a conversation with the Associate Deans from each of our four undergraduate colleges moderated by our Director of Admissions, Bruce Bunnick. For this session, the Associate Deans engage in discussions around the academic experiences on campus and answer questions from prospective students and parents.

Lehigh’s Virtual Spotlight Sessions are unique events that highlight a specific topic like the application process, academic experience, campus life, and more. This Athletic Recruitment Virtual Spotlight Session is on athletic recruitment. Hear from our athletics liaisons as they share important information about the athletic recruitment process.

Learn about the holistic application process at Lehigh.

Did you know that at Lehigh you can get the best of both coasts? Join us to learn more about Lehigh's Western Regional Office and Lehigh@NasdaqCenter located in our west coast home of San Francisco. Here students can engage in immersive experiences, internships, job placement and more!

Join current-student tour guides on a tour across campus, learning more about academic and student life spaces.

Join the Center for Career and Professional Development to learn more about internships, corporate relationships and alumni networking connections for Lehigh undergraduates. Hear how the CCPD is supporting students in our current virtual world.

Join the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) to learn more about internships, co-ops, alumni networking connections for Lehigh undergraduates and support for students who want to pursue pre-professional careers. Hear how the CCPD supports students in developing skills, gaining experience and building the connections for life-long career development.

Learn about Impact Fellowship programs, a Office of Creative Inquiry program that provides hands-on experience working on large-scale, impact-focused projects locally and/or globally, throughout the academic year and in the summer. Students who have gone through the IF programs will talk about their project work and how they made an impact in the world.

Learn about the Mountaintop Summer Experience and the Data for Impact Summer Institute. Program directors will highlight how the programs work and how students get involved, and students who have participated in these programs will talk about their experiences and accomplishments.

Learn about Lehigh's efforts to diversify its undergraduate population and opportunities for students to to understand and recognize the value of diversity and inclusion, and discuss the university's commitment to an anti-racist campus community.

Lehigh is committed to providing support for all students from First+ to underrepresented backgrounds. In this session you will hear from our Affinity Centers—the Pride Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Center for Gender Equity, and Student Access and Success—to learn about the resources they provide.

In this Virtual Spotlight Session we will discuss what to look for when exploring engineering programs, finding the right fit, and how to apply to them.

The application process can be challenging, especially when you're the first person in your family to go through it. In this session, staff members discuss navigating the application process as a first generation college student.

This session will highlight the Global Citizenship Program at Lehigh, an interdisciplinary four-year cohort-based program in which students cultivate a committed mode of intervening in a world populated by others who we may not know but with whom we must co-create a viable future.

With eleven dining options, two food trucks, and even a smart market, there's something for everyone when it comes to food on campus. The same can be said about our housing—your options range from traditional residence halls all the way through to themed housing and suite- and apartment- style living. Join staff members from our Dining Services, Residential Services and Housing offices to learn more about Dining and Housing at Lehigh University.

Lehigh’s Virtual Spotlight Sessions are unique events that highlight a specific topic like the application process, academic experience, campus life, and more. This Virtual Spotlight Session is on interviewing. In this session you will hear from one of our admissions counselors as they share information about the interview process.

Explore the Iacocca Institute's global leadership programs, including the Iacocca Global Village, a unique leadership experience with both an intensive summer residency and extended virtual community for students and young professionals from all over the world.

The Iacocca International Internship Program (IIIP) is a fully funded internship opportunity for Lehigh students to work or do research overseas during the summer. When COVID-19 impacted students’ ability to travel, IIIP pivoted to provide virtual internships for students. Join this session to learn more about global internship opportunities for students in 2021 and beyond.

Lehigh’s Virtual Spotlight Sessions are unique events that highlight a specific topic like the application process, academic experience, campus life, and more. This Virtual Spotlight Session is on International Admission. In this session you will hear from some of our international admissions counselors as they share tips on how to navigate the college admissions process as an international student.

Hear from international student alumni and learn about their experiences on campus, and their post-graduate success.

This Virtual Spotlight Session is on international financial aid. In this session you will hear from one of our admissions counselors as they share information about the process of applying for international financial aid.

Join us to learn about Lehigh Launch Semester, our first-semester experiential learning opportunity that takes place in Ecuador. Lehigh Launch is for students with intellectual curiosity and a global perspective. Learn about the classroom- and field-based learning in Quito, the Amazon, and the Galapagos Islands.

Join us to learn more about Lehigh Launch, our first-semester experiential learning opportunity in Lander, WY and Taos, NM. Hear from the program director, a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) instructor, about the classroom- and field-based learning, as well as backpacking and canoeing expeditions. Current Lehigh Launch students will join to discuss the COVID-19-modified Lehigh program this year.

Learn about Lehigh Launch Semester, our first-semester study-away experiential learning opportunity that takes place in the American West, or Ecuador and the Galapagos. Lehigh Launch is for students with intellectual curiosity and leadership potential. Learn about the classroom- and field-based learning in Wyoming and New Mexico, and in Quito, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

Hear from the Office of First-Year Experience (OFYE) and the Office of Registration & Academic Services (RAS) to learn about the support they provided to new transfer students at Lehigh. Stefanie Burke, the Director of First-Year Experience, will speak about support and resources to help students transition to campus. Learn about what happens over the summer before your arrival on campus, orientation, and the support you will receive throughout your first year at Lehigh. The Office of Registration & Academic Services (RAS) plays a key role in facilitating the academic experience of students. Alison Valish from RAS will cover topics like course registration and transfer credits.

Lehigh’s Application Launch Sessions are a series of workshops designed to prepare students to apply for college admission. These workshops will each focus on a specific area of the application and its review process.

Most applications have one main essay and some institutions will require or have optional supplemental essays. This session will cover ways that essays are reviewed and provide tips on writing your essay.

This session will provide an overview of the sections of the application and discuss how to best represent your activities on your application.

This session will provide an overview of holistic admissions and how that process is applied when reviewing applications. It will go into more detail on ways that institutions identify academic and social fit through a holistic process.

This session will discuss how the transcript and letters of recommendation are reviewed as part of the holistic process. It will also provide tips on choosing recommenders.

This Spotlight Session features the Office of Admissions and F1RST (First-Generation Initiative Represented by Students and Teachers). Hear from a student panel of first generation students at Lehigh, followed by first generation trivia.

In this session we will share tips on how to prepare for Admissions Interviews.

In this session, we will share tips and insight on how to go through the application process as a first generation college student.

Hear from our Interim Director of the Pride Center for Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, Scott Burden, as he shares resources and tips to use for as you search to find the best college fit for you.

As soon as you commit to Lehigh, 85,000 alumni around the world become part of your community. What does that mean for you? What makes Lehigh's network unique? How can you take advantage of it as a student? How can you benefit from it right after graduation, and then 5, 10, 70 years later?

This Spotlight Session is about the Pre-Health track at Lehigh. Hear from our Pre-Health advisor, Mary Ellen Raposa, about advising, resources, and support offered at Lehigh. In addition, hear from current Pre-Health students, who serve as Med Mentors, about their experiences.

Safety and security on Lehigh's campus will be addressed by Jason Shiffer, Chief of the Lehigh University Police Department, including ways that undergraduates play a key partnership role in the mission of the LUPD.

Is being involved in clubs and organizations something you know will absolutely be a part of your college experience? If yes, then Lehigh is the place for you as 93% of students are involved in at least one activity! Join members of Student Senate as they talk about student involvement at Lehigh, the different clubs and organizations we have, and the vast amount of university-wide programming that takes place. This is a Q&A session, so please come with questions. You will receive an invitation from Zoom with the link to access the event the day of or the evening prior.

This session will help students to appreciate the opportunities for personal growth through involvement in original research, both with the faculty and independently, and regardless of what subject areas interest them.

Our admissions counselor will share insight on what makes a great supplemental essay and other tips.

Join us to learn more about sustainability at Lehigh in a fun and interactive session. Hear from sustainability officer, Katharine Targett Gross and sustainability program manager, Audrey McSain, about Lehigh's 2030 Sustainability Plan, Climate Action Strategy, and how you can get involved in sustainability on campus. A panel of current Lehigh students will join us to discuss their sustainability story and what their involvement in campus sustainability has meant to them.

In this Live Virtual Spotlight Session you’ll learn more about how to write a college essay and to hear tips from one of our admissions counselors.

Transition and change can be both exciting and challenging. The Office of First-Year Experience provides support and resources for the academic and social transition of new students and their families. In this session, hear from the Director of First-Year Experience and learn about everything from Orientation to continued support at Lehigh during a critical transition from high school to college.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an NGO Youth Representative at the United Nations, to explore your entrepreneurial side, to complete an internship abroad, or to spend a semester harnessing your leadership skills while exploring the world? These are just some of the many opportunities that make Lehigh unique. In this session you will learn more about our UN Partnership, Baker Institute, Iacocca International Internship and the first-semester Lehigh Launch Program.

Learn about Lehigh's relationship with the United Nations, including our NGO status, opportunities for undergrads to intern at the UN, and the chance to hear from global leaders.

This Live Virtual Spotlight Session is on Lehigh's Affinity Centers. In this session you will hear about Lehigh's Affinity Centers and have the opportunity to chat with current students involved in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Center for Gender Equity and Pride Center.

This Virtual Spotlight Session is on our Western Regional Office. Lehigh established the Western Regional Office (WRO) to extend opportunities for students, faculty and alumni through curricular and research partnerships with dynamic enterprises in key western cities. Join us to learn more about the WRO, Lehigh@Nasdaq Center partnership and the ways in which we educate, connect and inspire the next generation of global entrepreneurial leaders.

This Live Virtual Spotlight Session is featuring women in STEM. Join us to hear from a panel of female Lehigh alum who are all pursuing STEM related careers after their time in undergrad. Please come with questions!

Admissions 101 Brochure

Admissions Materials

Get an overview of Lehigh as you explore digital versions of the same print brochures found in our lobby for in-person visitors.

supplemental essays for lehigh

Introducing a new and improved Connect Lehigh

Chat with us.

Library and Technology Services (LTS) is pleased to announce the launch of a new and vastly improved Connect Lehigh , a central hub that consolidates and organizes frequently-used campus applications and information, allowing you to get work done in a more streamlined and efficient manner.

Connect Lehigh, built on the Ellucian Experience cloud-based platform, will provide the campus community with a customizable dashboard and responsive design allowing for quick and easy access to information important to you, all in one place.

The Connect Lehigh Dashboard: Make it your own

When you first log into Connect Lehigh, introductory help screens will show you how to get started. Next, you’ll see your Dashboard, based on your role at the university showing you related content cards. By default, all users will see cards such as Google Mail, Calendar, and Drive, Lehigh News, 25 Live room scheduling, Lehigh Events Calendar, Bus Tracker, Banner Self-Service, and links/content to popular campus resources like Dining and Athletics.

It’s easy to personalize Connect Lehigh! Add new cards through keyword search and discovery (or remove and reposition cards) to create a highly customized Dashboard with real-time data at a glance. Some cards you might choose:

  • For students : Classes, schedules, advising, athletics, dining, fitness, Brown and White, Lehigh News, etc.
  • For faculty : Course schedule, RAS and Provost related info, Brown and White, dining, athletics, etc.
  • For staff : Human Resources links, athletics, food options, Lehigh News, etc.

Get a sneak peek!

Preview the Connect Lehigh Dashboard and learn how to customize your experience.

Effective July 3, 2023, when you go to Connect Lehigh you will be directed to your new Connect Lehigh dashboard where you will find all of the content from the old Connect and much more.

LTS will continue to add new cards for core Banner functions to Connect Lehigh as they are released by Ellucian, including Workflow, Insights and Degree Works. LTS will be developing custom cards that integrate to other common Lehigh applications, such as DocuSign and Jira, as well as continually adding content cards related to other areas of Lehigh.

For any inquiries, comments, or suggestions about Connect Lehigh tell us what you think via the Feedback card in your Connect Lehigh dashboard!

Library and Technology Services

Lehigh University

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Go: The Campaign for Lehigh

  • Students, Faculty & Staff

Two men sitting at a broadcast desk

Writing for Lehigh’s Student Newspaper & Online Site

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As an incoming first-year student, I knew I wanted to be a journalism major, as my academic strengths have always been in writing, editing and reading. What I didn’t know was that I would be required to write for Lehigh University’s student-run publication,  The Brown & White , for four semesters.

The first semester I registered to be a staff reporter was in the spring of my first year, and I was thrown into the deep end. 

My first assignment after being evaluated and placed on the sports beat was to watch a live-streamed men’s basketball game against Rutgers University and write a “gamer,” or a play-by-play story.  It had to be completed within an hour or two after the game’s conclusion and had to include three interviews. This would have been intimidating even if I attended the game in person and was able to ask questions to people around me, but, with the COVID-19 restrictions still in place in January 2021, no student reporters were allowed at university sporting events. Plus, I’m not even a basketball fan nor did I know the sporty jargon used in other sports articles. I felt I was in over my head.

Luckily, I had a very supportive editor and deputy editor who connected me with a staff member physically at the game who would be able to not only answer my questions and be a source but would speak to certain well-performing players after the game and ask them questions on my behalf, too.

The article was completed, and while it may not have been my best work and required significant editing by the managing editors, seeing my byline for the first time on a printed story was a feeling that still has not gotten old, four semesters and more than 20 published pieces later.

Since then, I have served as associate audience editor and reported bi-weekly story engagement statistics on the online posts to the entire reporting staff, and as the deputy sports editor, working alongside the sports editor and editor-in-chief in proposing, assigning and editing articles for more than 10 reporters and associates. 

Being a deputy editor was my favorite Brown & White experience, and I would recommend working in a position of administration to any reporter who finds pleasure in organizing, delegating and the periodic chasing down of a reporter who did not appropriately attribute information or a quote in a story.

My final semester as a reporter is coming to an end, along with my college career. I find myself reflecting back on my time at Lehigh very frequently. Each time, I wind up ruminating on how important being a writer for our school-run newspaper and website has been to me and how much I’ll cherish the memories, connections, skills and confidence I’ve gained since that January night I was sweating it out in front of a Lehigh vs. Rutgers live stream on my laptop.

IMAGES

  1. Lehigh Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

    supplemental essays for lehigh

  2. Crafting the Lehigh Supplemental Essays (Guide)

    supplemental essays for lehigh

  3. College Supplemental Essay Examples for a Successful Paper

    supplemental essays for lehigh

  4. 2020-21 Lehigh University Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

    supplemental essays for lehigh

  5. Getting To Know You: The Purpose of Each College Application Essay

    supplemental essays for lehigh

  6. Lehigh Supplemental Essays 2023

    supplemental essays for lehigh

VIDEO

  1. Supplemental Essays 2023

  2. How does Lehigh's Strategic Plan Address Diversity and Inclusion?

  3. HOW I GOT INTO UIUC

  4. Supplemental ESSAYS that got me deferred from CORNELL (Engineering)

  5. The Secrets to Writing and Editing Compelling Supplemental and "Why Us" Essays

  6. What You Need to Know About the College Essay 👀

COMMENTS

  1. How to Write the Lehigh University Essays 2023-2024

    Lehigh University has 2 required supplemental essays, and then 3 optional essays for those students who may be looking to apply to some of Lehigh's specialized programs. As a small liberal arts university, Lehigh puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of writing, and so it's important to write strong essays.

  2. How to Write the Lehigh University Supplemental Essays: Examples

    How to write each prompt for Lehigh University. Prompt #1: Program-specific essay. Prompt #2: "Why us" essay. Prompt #3: Multiple options essay. Lehigh's supplemental essays are pretty short, so it's kinda' useful to think of them as Polaroid pictures. They're simple snapshots that speak to memories and moments that meant enough for ...

  3. Lehigh University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

    Lehigh University 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations. The Requirements: 1 essay of 150 words; 1 essay of 200 words; 1 essay of 300 words Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Community, Diversity Please Note: All suggestions for answering the following questions are reflective of the opinion of CEA, and do not represent the views of the Admissions Department at Lehigh University.

  4. Our Application Process, Tips and Deadlines

    View Application Requirements and Application Deadlines. All required supplemental application documents must be submitted through Common Application or Coalition Application. If you run into any issues or have questions, please check our below FAQs first and then reach out to the Office of Admissions at [email protected] or (610) 758-3100 ...

  5. Lehigh Supplemental Essays

    Lehigh supplemental essays have specific word limits, so every word must serve a purpose. Clear and concise writing not only respects the reader's time but also showcases your ability to effectively convey your ideas. Proofread. Proofreading is a key step in the essay process. After crafting your Lehigh essays, meticulously review them for ...

  6. How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Lehigh University Supplemental Essay

    The Lehigh University supplemental essay prompts. Lehigh requires two supplemental essays on their application. This means there's a lot of writing to do, but also more than one chance to stand out. Their application may take more time than some others, but that comes with advantages. Lehigh's prompts offer you the opportunity to really ...

  7. Lehigh Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

    The Lehigh University acceptance rate is 50%, and the Lehigh University ranking is #49. Showing demonstrated interest can increase your chances against the Lehigh University acceptance rate. So, you should write Lehigh supplemental essays that include details about what programs at Lehigh interest you. This guide will help you write Lehigh ...

  8. How to Write the Lehigh Supplement 2023-2024

    The average class size is 28, and Lehigh leans into emerging technology, even encouraging professors to come up with class ideas that incorporate Artificial Intelligence technologies into students' creative processes. Students appreciate this, and they receive 15,000 applications annually. The acceptance rate is 37%.

  9. Essay Prompts: Lehigh University

    For your second essay, Lehigh actually gives you a choice: Please select one of the following prompts and respond with 150 to 250 words. As you look through the options, keep one important thing in mind: the goal of these supplemental essays, whether for Lehigh or any other school, is to share important information about you that will help the ...

  10. How to Write the Lehigh Supplement 2022-2023

    A compelling characteristic of Lehigh's community is that our students want to be actively engaged in their learning, their community, and the world. Our students look to make a difference and have a real-world impact. We expect our community to challenge your viewpoint, your naturalized assumptions, and the way that you see the world around you.

  11. Admissions Requirements

    Application Checklist. Please use the interactive checklist below to customize your application experience. It contains all the necessary forms that Lehigh requires as well as specific instructions to guide you through the process. For more details, including required courses, please review the FAQs as well as information on accreditation.

  12. How to Write the Lehigh Supplement 2021-2022

    How to Write the Lehigh Supplement 2021-2022. Lehigh is a private university located in rural Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. There are about 5,100 undergrads and an acceptance rate of 32%. Lehigh offers a wide array of academics and popular majors include Finance and Mechanical Engineering. Below are some tips for tackling the Lehigh supplement:

  13. Lehigh University Supplemental Essay Prompts Writing Guide ️ Free Essay

    As you will see in our Lehigh supplemental essays examples, the essays are pretty short so it would be helpful to think of them as simple snapshots that speak to memories that are important to you. 1. Be clear and precise. While writing your Lehigh University supplemental essay, you need to clearly state why you wish to join LU, and what ticks ...

  14. Crafting the Lehigh Supplemental Essays (Guide)

    In this article, we'll guide you through the process of writing effective Lehigh supplemental essays that showcase your personality, voice, and fit with the university. Firstly, it's crucial to understand Lehigh's values and culture before starting on your essays. The university prides itself on its commitment to academic excellence ...

  15. Supplemental Essay Guide 2024-25

    Read more ». Centre College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide. Read more ». Chapman University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide. Read more ». Claremont McKenna College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Guide. Read more ». Clark University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide. Read more ».

  16. Learn How to Write Great Supplemental College Essays

    This is a must read for anybody writing the Stanford roommate essay: included is an example essay, a detailed breakdown, helpful tips along the way, and a section on how to revise your essay too. Write supplemental essays for hundreds of the most competitive colleges. Follow our step-by-step guides and read our supplemental essay examples that ...

  17. How to Write the Lehigh University Supplement 2019-2020

    We help students write exceptional applications. Lehigh University is a small research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. There are 5,047 undergraduate students and 1,802 graduate students, placing it on the larger side of small. Lehigh is recognized as an NGO by the United Nations and has 56 UN-related programs every year.

  18. Visits & Campus Tours

    P.C. Rossin College of Engineering Asa Packer Campus Building Tour. Friday, May 10, 12:00 PM - 2:15 PM EST. Join us for a special tour and get the engineering scoop on Lehigh University. Meet one of the Academic Deans of the Rossin College and tour some of our "off the beaten path" spaces on campus.

  19. Introducing a new and improved Connect Lehigh

    Library and Technology Services (LTS) is pleased to announce the launch of a new and vastly improved Connect Lehigh, a central hub that consolidates and organizes frequently-used campus applications and information, allowing you to get work done in a more streamlined and efficient manner.. Connect Lehigh, built on the Ellucian Experience cloud-based platform, will provide the campus community ...

  20. Writing for Lehigh's Student Newspaper & Online Site

    As an incoming first-year student, I knew I wanted to be a journalism major, as my academic strengths have always been in writing, editing and reading. What I didn't know was that I would be required to write for Lehigh University's student-run publication, The Brown & White , for four semesters.