Thoughts on 'Chances'

StitchInTime · 08-13-2009, 04:42 PM

The following are a few thoughts from a Lehigh parent's point of view on what Lehigh is looking for in an applicant. Take it for what it's worth as you consider applying to Lehigh.

Like most very selective and academically rigorous institutions, academic success at the high school level help you make the first cut-off. Also, showing a genuine interest in learning about Lehigh's philosophy, by visiting and reviewing the publicly available information, is important. The Alumni Bulletin is a good source for insight into Lehigh's overall philosophy and how it's practiced outside of Lehigh.

In my judgment, the Lehigh application process involves more than just extending an invitation to academically capable students. Lehigh is building a community of students. Ideally, this community will take full advantage of the sports, clubs (both social and academic) and complement Lehigh -- the student body, faculty and adminstrators. The supplment question reinforces this observation:

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As you researched and visited colleges and universities, why did you decide to apply to Lehigh? Please give specific reasons. What contributions will you make during your time at Lehigh?

Take time to learn what students do outside the classroom at Lehigh. If you're interested in an activity, find out what students are currently involved in and send them a quick email. Ask them what they like about the club and how they balance that activity with the demanding academics.

The concept of leadership is important to Lehigh. They say as much in their recently published Strategic Plan. From page 13 of the plan:

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...We excel in leadership development and intend to build upon that platform of success over the next decade...

page 14:

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...Interpersonal Development, Equity, Community, and Global Engagement. Students learn how to identify, understand, and implement the skills they need to build relationships in life; to interact and collaborate with others who are different from them; to learn leadership; and to engage with society at the campus, community, and global levels.

Achievement of the core competencies is a community effort requiring everyone’s participation. The core competencies provide a framework for our hallmark programs in leadership, residential education, and community service, and they inform activities in our undergraduate research, arts, and athletic programs...

...Enhancing and modernizing our campus center would create a catalyst for the community by providing a setting for learning via leadership, community service, student organizations, social interaction, and self-directed activities.

page 23:

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...We take as givens that today at Lehigh we share a common set of core values: integrity and honesty, equitable community, academic freedom, intellectual curiosity, collaboration, commitment to excellence, and leadership. These core values drive our decisions about our priorities...

Applicants that have had an opportunity to develop leadership skills in high school should consider highlighting this as part of their application; particularly if the skills were developed over several years. For example: starting off in a junior position in a team/club and working your way up the ranks by mentoring and leading junior students.

Full/dedicated participation in an activity that truly enriched your high-school experience (as well as that of your colleagues) and that gave you an opportunity to interact with a mentor (faculty member or community leader) will probably carry more weight than an application full to the brim with a lot of application-padding activities. In short, less may be more.

Momwaitingfornew · 08-15-2009, 08:26 AM

Great post, Stitch.

I'd like to add that I've heard Lehigh admissions reps say (multiple times) that the essay is extremely important. They want to get a feel for the person you are. Formulaic or impersonal essays, while not necessarily working against you, will not help. One rep actually said that they accepted a student who was otherwise borderline based on an inventive and mature essay. Know your strengths (creativity, social activism, scientific mind, empathy, leadership, etc.) and highlight them in an interesting context.

Lehigh uses the same kind of admissions evaluation that the Ivies do -- that is, they look for ECs that demonstrate passion and leadership that go beyond academic performance. They want distinctive individuals. You don't have to be a leader in the traditional sense as long as you show initiative by creating your own opportunities. For example, perhaps you are shy and not the type to run for class president, but you are a science geek who contacted a nearby college to work in their biology lab over the summer. There, you learned the importance of scientific rigor, of analyzing results, of working as a team to achieve a single goal, etc. Or perhaps you are a creative writer who has taught herself about the publishing business/procedure, and now you have a story due to be published in the coming year.

Lehigh also seems to use SAT scores the way the Ivies do: they are qualifiers, but they are not going to gain you admission. Get the highest scores you can, but don't worry if you feel they aren't high enough. Lehigh is looking for more than high test scores.

Whatever you do, don't underestimate Lehigh's selectivity. Some high school guidance counselors seem to be lagging behind the times by suggesting that Ivy-qualifiers use Lehigh as a safety. Lehigh can no longer be considered a safety, for anyone. A match, yes, but not a safety. All you have to do is read last year's waitlist and acceptance threads to see that many highly qualified applicants don't make it in.