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.