lehigh supplemental essays 2023

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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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Lehigh University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short response.

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:

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?

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.

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

IBE Honors Program Short Response

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

CSB Program Short Response

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

IDEAS Honors Program Short Response

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

Why This College Short Response

How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

How to Write the Lehigh University Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2023/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What are the Lehigh University essay prompts?
• 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 you to want to capture them.

And remember, just like Polaroid pictures, the Lehigh supplementals can take a little time to develop. Waiting can be frustrating, but when the photo fully emerges, it’s a reminder of where you’ve been and what you value.

Want to get a better sense of what Lehigh is looking for? You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set . For deep insights into how this private research university envisions student success (and how it wants to grow and evolve), read its strategic priorities . Reading through this will give you a strong idea of Lehigh’s values.

What are the Lehigh University supplemental essay prompts?

Lehigh university supplemental essay prompt #1.

For applicants to the 5-year dual degree Arts-Engineering program: With the understanding that you are able to change Colleges at Lehigh after one year, why did you select the 5-year dual degree Arts-Engineering program, which requires a major in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering? (150 words)

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

For applicants to the Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts & Sciences 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)

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

Lehigh University Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

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

Lehigh University Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

A compelling characteristic of Lehigh’s community is that our sWe 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 (300 word limit): 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? 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. 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.

How to Write Each Supplemental Essay Prompt for Lehigh University

How to write lehigh supplemental essay prompt #1.

For applicants to the 5-year dual degree Arts-Engineering program: With the understanding that you are able to change Colleges at Lehigh after one year, why did you select the 5-year dual degree Arts-Engineering program, which requires a major in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering? (150 words) OR For applicants to the Computer Science & Business program: What makes the Computer Science and Business (CSB) program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals? (150 words) OR For applicants to the Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts & Sciences 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) OR For applicants to the Integrated Business & Engineering (IBE) Honors program: What makes the Integrated Business & Engineering (IBE) Honors Program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals? (150 words)

Arts-Engineering, IDEAS, IBE, and CSB applicants, this one’s for you! (Not applying to these programs? Head down to Prompt 2. )

Think of both of these as primarily “ Why us? ” prompts, with an option to sprinkle in a bit of “ Why Major? ” background and detail, but strictly for the program you’ve chosen, not Lehigh as a whole (save that for Prompt 2). A lot of the same principles will apply here, so we’ve taken the “Why us?” prompt advice and tweaked it for these, and the shorter word budgets:

Spend 1 hr+ researching 5-7  reasons why the program you’re applying to might be a great fit for you (ideally 3-4 of the reasons will be unique to that program and connect back to you).

Make a copy of this chart to map out your research.

Create an outline for your essays based on either Approach 1, 2 (recommended), or 3 in the full guide above.

Write a first draft!

We don’t have an example essay for this prompt yet, but if you’re applying to either program, check out the “Why us?” and “Why Major?” guides linked above for guidance, examples, and analysis .

how to write Lehigh Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

This is a short “Why us?” essay. 

Because it’s so short, the key here is to find 2-3 things that set Lehigh apart from all the other schools you’re applying to.

Here’s the “Why us?” essay guide —in this case, the Cornell example is probably the best to check out. We talk a bit about how to tackle the shorter version of the “Why us?,” and the Tufts essay is a great example of that. Here’s the short version of the guide:

Spend 1 hr+ researching 10+ reasons why [University] might be a great fit for you (ideally 3-5 of the reasons will be unique to [University] and connect back to you).

Make a copy of this chart to map out your college research.

As you write, try to avoid these common mistakes:

Mistake #1 : Writing about the school's size, location, reputation, weather, or ranking.

Mistake #2 : Simply using emotional language to demonstrate fit.

Mistake #3 : Screwing up the mascot, stadium, team colors or names of any important people or places on campus.

Mistake #4 : Parroting the brochures or website language.

Mistake #5 : Describing traditions the school is well-known for.

Mistake #6 : Thinking of this as only a "Why them" essay.

A word about the essay below: We know what this student did sounds super-impressive, but you don’t have to start a non-profit or produce your own eyewear to stand out in this essay. In fact, we believe this makes a great example not for the details he writes about but how he writes about them. Check out the Tips + Analysis section to see what we mean.

I intend to major in mechanical engineering with a minor in entrepreneurship. I’m in the early stages of designing a portable optical machine to produce durable eyeglass frames through my non-profit. The resources and opportunities at Lehigh--from the Baker Institute to the Hatchery, LehighSiliconValley program, Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, and faculty mentorship--will help me make my optical device a reality. At Lehigh’s full-day VIEW program, I learned about the TE Capstone program that follows the IPD process created at Lehigh. This program offers the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team on real-world, industry-sponsored projects, such as medical devices or electric motor brakes, and allows students to put theory into practice. In addition to academics, Lehigh offers many clubs that interest me, including Formula SAE and ASME. Fitness and competitive sports will always play a central role in my life, so I plan to join club soccer and golf. (148 words) — — —

Tips + Analysis

Be as specific as possible in your intro. Notice how this student isn’t just direct by getting right to the meat of the essay; they’re specific. They zoom in on a unique, interdisciplinary combination—a mechanical engineering major and a minor in entrepreneurship—then detail just how those offerings would help them design the device they’re working on. Your interests may not be so granular—in fact, you may still be undecided as to your major or career path. That’s okay too. The key is leading with that one special thing that Lehigh offers that you can’t find most anywhere else. Being direct and specific, as exemplified here, can have the added benefit of expressing a clear-eyed understanding of why you and Lehigh are a perfect match. Speaking of specifics ...

Use as many Lehigh specifics as you can. Because of the tight word budget, we recommend above that you research 2-3 examples of Lehigh opportunities that interest you, but this essay is a great example of how you can fit in even more details and not make it sound like a droll recitation of the course directory. In fact, we count 11 aspects of Lehigh’s academics and campus life that this student is excited about. You don’t have to have that many, of course—the key is to find those you’re truly jazzed about, and connect at least a couple of them back to things you’ve done or plan to do.

Don’t forget about the first part of the prompt. The prompt doesn’t just ask, “Why us?” It also wants to know how you “first learned about Lehigh.” This student attended its “full-day VIEW program,” which is great, but don’t think you have to have had a similar intensive experience on its campus. That’s not too realistic in the COVID era anyway. Maybe you have a friend who goes there and raves about the place, or maybe Lehigh came up in your research on “best colleges in X major.” Whatever your answer is, use this as another chance to explain why you’re excited about being a Mountain Hawk.

Try to show variety in your interests. College is about more than academics, and Lehigh has some robust out-of-the-classroom opportunities that can make for a well-rounded, fulfilling college experience. By broadening your “Why Lehigh” reasons to clubs, organizations and activities—as this student does with the Formula SAE and ASME clubs and plans to join the club soccer and golf teams—you can show Lehigh that you plan to play an active role in its campus community.

If you have to choose, pick substance over style. With a pretty tight word limit, you want every character to count. If you feel like you can be poetic and coherently convey why Lehigh is the school for you, go for it. If that seems impossible, it’s okay to prioritize content over poetry, as this author does.

how to write Lehigh Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

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 (300 word limit):

• 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?
• 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.
• 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.

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? (300 words)

To write this essay, you’ll want to think about issues that you’d want to engage with (or ideally already have engaged with in some way) that can demonstrate your values and show how your values align with Lehigh’s. So if you haven’t yet, check out our Values Exercise and reflect on how they have or might guide you to take action on the political, social, or cultural scene. 

It’s easy to get intimidated by such heady topics, but know going in that Lehigh doesn’t expect you to save the world at 17ish, so don’t overthink this or convince yourself you don’t have a big enough “issue” to be a worthy applicant. You don’t have to find the formula to world peace for your reader to care. Something local can be just as powerful as something global here. Start with a topic you’re genuinely interested in, and go from there. 

Still stuck? Here are some ways to brainstorm for this prompt ...

Think about general issues you care about or challenges you feel you can improve through some kind of action. Past students, for example, have written about climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, access to water, the criminal justice system, and the gender wage gap. Think of topics that inspire you to want to take action. Even better, think about why that issue means something to you. Does it connect to your identity in some way? Has it affected your life or your friends’ or family's? Was it something you were passionate about in high school? 

Narrow the topic down to a specific aspect that seems extra important. If you were writing about climate change, that could be something like fast fashion or toxic rain runoff. Basically, get into the nitty gritty.

After you’ve identified a more specific issue you care about and you’ve connected it to yourself in some way, research its history. Think about what you’d want changed about the issue. The world is as wide as your imagination. Think big, but also don’t be afraid to think small and local.

Again, ideally connect the issue back to you. It could be about how countering anti-Asian discrimination speaks to your values or life experiences. Perhaps you identify as Asian, or you're from a family of immigrants. Or perhaps you’re a community-oriented person who’s benefitted from your involvement in organizations with lots of different perspectives, teaching you to value diversity in problem-solving. 

Here’s an example essay written for a very similar prompt from a different school, to illustrate how you can approach this prompt:

Growing up, I was fascinated by Robin Hood. Yeah, I guess he did the wrong thing for the right reason, but what if we could apply that framework to guarantee food security to millions of people around the world? During a discussion on GMOs, I was introduced to the relationship between food security and poverty. The connection between the two fascinated me. And, after witnessing the plight of migrant workers in Saudia Arabia, I found my calling as an advocate: laborers left at sunrise in date farms, forced to sow earth that can’t provide them with basic necessities.  Capitalism and its allies are exploiting the Global South, undermining its development and hurting vulnerable bread and butter workers. These tenets, which are heavily rooted in slavery, colonization, and forced labor, have equipped multinational corporations to stand as new colonizers who exacerbate poverty globally.  Rolling back the corporate monopolization of biodiversity and giving farmers seed freedom are key to eradicating poverty in developing countries. If I had the power to change the course of history, I would regulate the privatization of seeds. By returning native seeds to their rightful owners and equipping individuals with resources to farm independently, we can generate local sources of income, feed millions of families, and take one step forward towards a more equitable world. And some day, in addition to holding corporations accountable Robin Hood-style, I hope to become the first hijabi U. (236 words) — — —

Read the entire prompt! We know, this seems like basic advice, but there is some really important language in the prompt that you don’t want to miss. Lehigh wants to know how you would change your community, but that’s not all. They also want to know how the changes you would make could contribute to equity and equality, so make sure you’re thinking through this lens. This student wants to help create access to food (that comes through loud and clear), but they also see this access as a way to fight poverty, and that is definitely an issue of equality/equity. This response checks all the boxes the prompt asks for.

Think creatively about “community.” When we hear this term, we often think of our immediate communities (family, friends, school, teams, neighborhood), but as the prompt reminds us, you are also part of many other kinds of communities, ranging all the way up to a global community, so you can think big or small when answering this prompt. Does your cultural background somehow connect you to a global issue? Do you have family living in another part of the world experiencing challenges you want to help resolve? Do you volunteer for a local organization working towards equity and equality in some way? These are also your communities, and you have every right to claim that relationship in your response, just as this student has.

Show your complex understanding. This student demonstrates an understanding of the complexities around food scarcity—for example, how economic systems are built to (whether intentional or not) exploit poor laborers in ways that perpetuate poverty. There can be a tricky line to walk here—be careful of assuming your reader feels the same as you do about whatever it is you’re focusing on in your essay. But offering clear, detailed information on complex causal chains around the issue can highlight the level of work you’ve put into understanding it. 

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. (300 words)

You’ve got a lot of options for how you approach this prompt.

You could treat it as a “community” prompt, or possibly an “ extracurricular activity ” prompt focusing on how experiences have shaped your values and beliefs. You could focus on aspects of identity. You can treat it as a short challenge-based narrative .

For a “community” approach (which also tends to overlap with “identity”), here’s a step-by-step guide that offers a short exercise to help you think through which communities you are a part of that might make a good topic for this essay.

Here’s the short version:

Step 1: Create a “communities” chart by listing as many of your communities as you can think of. Keep in mind that communities can be defined in a variety of ways, including place, culture, interests, political beliefs, hobbies, and even favorite sports team. Get creative.

Step 2: Use the BEABIES exercise to generate your essay content for 2-3 of these communities. Simply ask yourself and jot down notes to these questions:

What kinds of problems did you solve or work to solve (personally, locally, or globally) in that community?

What specific impact did you have?

What did you learn (skills, qualities, values)? 

How did you apply the lessons you learned inside and outside of that community?

Step 3: Pick a structure for writing this essay and focus on the community that you feel is most compelling and reveals the most about you. You don’t have to, but you have the option to connect those experiences to how you will impact the college’s community (for more on how to do this, check our “Why this College” guide .

Here’s an example essay written for another college’s similar prompt:

When I was five, I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. While I did fairly well academically, I struggled to pay attention in class, express my feelings, and make friends.  Noticing my challenges, my fourth grade teacher decided to help me. After school one day, he gave me a small rock that would supposedly help me focus. I looked at it: it was just a smooth, grayish-reddish rock. How could this possibly help? After a few days of keeping it on my desk, I decided to use it during a lesson, holding it firmly to remind myself to focus. As I used it more, I saw my focus improve, and I would run my fingers over the rock whenever I caught myself staring off into space. It served as a reminder to be present and concentrate. Using this tool, I have become empowered to improve myself and take on new challenges, such as taking more difficult classes, giving longer performances in music, learning new skills like coding, and growing more comfortable in being open with others about my feelings, especially when I feel angry or unhappy. By expressing myself, I am able to build stronger relationships. I have also become more aware of how society perceives people like me differently. As a result, I have become more understanding of ways that I can support them. My rock symbolizes all of the progress that I have made, and I hope I take even more strides in the future to grow and improve.  — — —

Jump right in. You have limited word space to answer these supplemental essays, so sometimes the best strategy is to get to the point right away, immediately letting your reader know where your essay is headed and providing a clear framework for the rest of your response. By identifying their autism in the very first sentence, this student also identifies their challenge right off the bat. Additionally, they set a tone of vulnerability in the first words of their essay, which invites the reader in. There are times when it makes sense to ease your way into your essay (like maybe when you have a larger word count to work with) and times when it doesn’t, and this writer just jumps right in in a way that is effective and engaging.

Remember to move beyond the challenge. Answering this prompt obviously requires you to identify factors/experiences/challenges that have somehow impacted who you are, but it’s important to extend beyond just naming these experiences. Lehigh wants to know how these experiences have shown up in your life in other ways (how have they impacted how you see the world around you, how you interact with family and friends, what you’ve learned about yourself?) This student engages in very thoughtful self-reflection about how they’ve grown and how they’re living with their autism instead of seeing it as an obstacle. Even better, they look outside of themselves to talk about how they use their own experiences to help others. This prompt is really trying to get at how you see yourself, if you’re able to learn from the things you’ve encountered, and how those will help you fit into their school community, and this essay does an amazing job of addressing each of these.

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. (300 words)

This is a fairly standard “how will you contribute” prompt.

Essentially, a way to think of this kind of prompt is that it’s a combo of “community / identity / background” and “why us” prompts: use some of your response to show how you’ve become who you are, and then show how those experiences shape what you will bring to the college through linking to specific opportunities/groups/details. Connect your unique upbringing, in a very broad sense of the word, with what the school offers and how you will make a great team.

While there are many things outside of “community” that might fit this prompt, if you’re looking for a way to brainstorm ideas, that’s a good place to start. (But keep in mind that you’ll want to include some “how will you contribute” details in your essay—this isn’t just a “tell us about a community” prompt.)

For a full guide to “community” essays , head there, but here’s the short version, plus how to add “how will you contribute” elements:

STEP 1: DECIDE WHAT COMMUNITY YOU WANT TO WRITE ABOUT

Create a “communities” chart by listing all the communities you’re a part of. Keep in mind that communities can be defined by...

Place: groups of people who live/work/play near one another

Action: groups of people who create change in the world by building, doing, or solving something together (Examples: Black Lives Matter, Girls Who Code, March for Our Lives)

Interest: groups of people coming together based on shared interest, experience, or expertise

Circumstance: groups of people brought together either by chance or external events/situations

STEP 2: USE THE BEABIES EXERCISE TO GENERATE YOUR ESSAY CONTENT

You’ll find detail on the BEABIES Exercise + a chart you can use at that link.

STEP 3: DO SOME “HOW WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE” RESEARCH

You’ll want to offer a few specific ways that show how the experience/s you’re discussing in your essay will allow you to contribute to the college. The easiest way to do this is to do some “Why Us”-like research and find ways you’ll engage with and contribute to the school’s community. 

STEP 4: PICK A STRUCTURE (NARRATIVE OR MONTAGE)

STEP 5: WRITE A FIRST DRAFT!

I embody both a young Muslim woman passionate about civil liberty and a global citizen whose identity transcends her nationality. After witnessing migrant workers in the Middle East left at sunrise in desert mountains with only a broom and a single meal to last the day, I found my calling as an advocate.  At Fordham, I want to pursue these human rights questions in courses like Professor Durkin’s Development and Globalization, where I can delve into discussions about reproductive rights, genocide prevention, and prison reform. By joining the Humanitarian Student Union, I can work alongside my peers to directly engage with social justice issues. And as an Indian classical dance enthusiast, I look forward to joining Fordham Falak. And some day, in addition to being a world voyager, I will become the first hijabi United  States Ambassador to the United Nations, a journey I embarked on at Fordham. (148 words) — — —

Show them how you can be a teacher and a student. You can think of this prompt as asking both about how you’ve learned and grown, and how you’ll use that growth to influence others. The prompt wants you to think about who you are as a “learner” AND a “leader,” as someone who can guide others and can be guided by others. Dig into your background and experiences to find moments in which you got to be both. This writer positions herself as an advocate (leader) and also lets her readers know the specific environments in which she hopes to learn more (learner). She is clear, specific, and detailed.

Let them know you work well with others. In essence, readers want to learn the ways in which you’ll contribute to their school community, and this student addresses this question head-on (“I can work alongside my peers to directly engage with social justice issues”). This concise but impactful statement lets the college know she plans to use the strength that comes from collaboration to further her advocacy work. Who wouldn’t appreciate that in a prospective student?

Demonstrate impact. Many students might worry that they had an impact on only one person, or that the impact on their community wasn’t important enough. To that, we say: Give yourself more credit. If you can say you made an impact—big or small, one person or one nation—then you made an impact. Embrace it. And, by all means, write about it. This student begins to explore what she’ll do with her college education—engage with social justice issues and be the first hijabi U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations—but we would’ve loved to have seen her also state the impact she’ll make on her issues of interest and in her communities.

Want advice on dozens of other supplemental essays? Click here

Special thanks to Jessica B. for contributing to this post.

Jessica has a Ph.D in English from the University of Southern California and teaches English at a Los Angeles-area independent school, where she has also been English department chair and a class dean.  Sandra Cisneros is her hero, and she loves books, her awesomely-sarcastic family, the beach, cozy sweaters, and more books. Oh, and her sweet pitbull/lab mix named Ruby. 

Top values: Curiosity, equity, wonder

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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. 

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

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. 

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

Frequently asked questions about Lehigh University 

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How to Write the Lehigh Supplement 2022-2023

Lehigh is a private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The rural campus is home to 7,000 students. The acceptance rate is about 49%. Here is our advice for tackling the Lehigh supplement:

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

Don’t stress so much about this one. We think it’s likely a question for Lehigh’s marketing team to understand how their reach is. (Much like if you buy something online and a survey pops up asking you where you heard about the product of service.) Just answer truthfully. It’s nbd.

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 further principles of equality, equity, or social justice? (300-word limit)*

Okay, now for the real question. The first thing to know about this supplement is that every school’s supplement is a reflection of that university’s culture and vibe. If you’re not interested in writing the supplement, you might want to reconsider applying to that school. Lehigh is no different. They’re telling you right out of the gate what they value and what kind of student they’re hoping to attract. Clearly, it’s someone who cares about social justice issues and politics .

We recommend starting out with a real-world solution. Begin your essay by saying that you understand there are many issues out there, but you think [insert specific solution here] could make an impact. Start with a very specific issue. Don’t just talk about racism or bigotry broadly. Talk about racism in medicine, housing discrimination, or a similarly narrow issue.   

Now, land on a specific solution. This could be anything. The answer could be an expansion of voter registration efforts, the federal decriminalization of marijuana, the codification of abortion protections,  whatever makes sense as a legitimate remedy to the issue you’re discussing. You do need to do your research here. Don’t just pontificate about why discrimination is bad. Show that you’ve done your homework. And most importantly, pick something you care about.

Lehigh ultimately wants to build a class of freshmen who are a great fit for the school’s culture. They want to know that you’re passionate about social issues and equity. But you also have to do your research and make a sound argument for something. The key here (as with many components of the application) is specificity.

Need help with your supplement? Call us . We’re experts at helping students match with their top choice schools.  

Supplemental Essay Guide 2023-24

What do the 2023-24 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 (51)

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

Agnes Scott College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Alvernia University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide  

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Admissions Requirements

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 either be submitted through your applicant portal or by using the LU FileSender . 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 College Report 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 advisor, dean, or registrar. The College Report cannot be submitted online, please mail to Lehigh Enrollment Services Center, 218 West Packer Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18015.
• College/University Transcript All students must be in good academic standing with their previous college to be eligible for admission to Lehigh. We strongly encourage students to submit the transcript electronically when available. To be considered official, a College/University's Registrar's Office must submit these directly to our office. If using Parchment, please use [email protected] for the Enrollment Services Center, the office that processes admissions and financial aid materials.
• Course Descriptions Lehigh University no longer requires course descriptions. However, if more information is needed to complete a credit evaluation, the Office of Registration and Academic Services will contact the applicant for further information.
• 4 units (years) English
• 3 units (years) math (including trigonometry)
• 2 units (years) of a foreign language
• 6 units (years) of electives (history, science, etc.)
• Official SAT or ACT scores - Optional Lehigh University will not require SAT or ACT scores for applicants for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years. First-year and transfer applicants for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years 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 admissions, 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 either be submitted through your applicant portal or by using the LU FileSender . 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

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The CSS Profile, Lehigh’s Essay Prompts, and How to Choose a Major

Written by College Coach Guest Author on November 9th, 2017

Bright Horizons College Coach occasionally features blog posts written by guest authors. You’ll find more information about each guest author in the About the Author section on the blog post.

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• What about Lehigh piques your intellectual curiosity?
• What does the idea of the “Lehigh Family” mean to you?
• Lehigh values inclusive leadership, where students make decisions, take action, and contribute positively to their communities in ways that are purposeful, socially just, and built on integrity. What does this mean to you?

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