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: How will 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, allow you to achieve your educational or professional goals?*
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)
OR
For Applicants to the College of Arts and Science program: How will the unique combination of college, program, major and/or 4+1 program that you selected above allow you to achieve your educational or professional goals? (200 words)
OR
For Applicants to the College of Business program: How will the unique combination of college, program, major and/or 4+1 program that you selected above allow you to achieve your educational or professional goals? (200 words)
OR
For Applicants to the Integrated Business and Health Programs (IBH): What makes the Integrated Business & Health (IBH) Program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals?
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
Our 10-year strategic plan, Inspiring the Future Makers, outlines three goals that articulate a vision for how we innovate, make an impact and do that work together—because together, we do better work.
Reflect on how your personal background—be it academic, cultural, extracurricular, family, gender, racial, religious, or another aspect—will contribute to Lehigh's aim to make it new, make a difference, (and/or) make it together. (300 words max)
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: How will 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, allow you to achieve your educational or professional goals?*
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)
OR
For Applicants to the College of Arts and Science program: How will the unique combination of college, program, major and/or 4+1 program that you selected above allow you to achieve your educational or professional goals? (200 words)
OR
For Applicants to the College of Business program: How will the unique combination of college, program, major and/or 4+1 program that you selected above allow you to achieve your educational or professional goals? (200 words)
OR
For Applicants to the Integrated Business and Health Programs (IBH):What makes the Integrated Business & Health (IBH) Program the best fit for your academic and/or professional goals?
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 a Lehigh-specific 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—your approach here will be the same.
how to write Lehigh Supplemental Essay Prompt #2
How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (150 words)
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.
Create an outline for your essays based on either Approach 1, 2 (recommended), or 3 in the full guide above.
Write a first draft!
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.
Example:
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
This is a pretty standard “How will you contribute…” prompt—for a full guide to those prompts (and other kinds of “diversity” prompts), head here. Here’s a shorter version: In this essay prompt, Lehigh wants to understand how your life experiences have prepared you to contribute to their diverse student community. Let's break down the key components of the prompt to guide your approach.
- Which of your life experiences have had the most impact on your personal development? This essay offers the opportunity to delve into specific experiences that have shaped your perspective on life, education, and more.
- How will you contribute? Make sure your answer to this question is clear. How have these experiences positioned you to make an impact at Lehigh? What do you bring to the school and community (in ways that maybe others don’t)? While it doesn’t have to be truly unique, it’s great to aim in that direction: the best response will highlight a contribution that only you (or maybe you plus a few other applicants) would think to make.
Again, one important aspect with this prompt is its focus on your contribution to the Lehigh community.
Another detail to note is Lehigh’s encouragement to show where you come from—the people, places, and things that have shaped who you are today. This is your chance to connect your unique upbringing, in a very broad sense of the word, with what has helped make you unstoppable. So take it.
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. (Especially since “community” and “identity” tend to overlap a lot. 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.
Here’s how to brainstorm possible essays:
Step 1: Brainstorm (all about you).
Do the “If You Really, Really Knew Me” Exercise.
Step 2: Research the college (learn all about them).
Make a copy of the “Why us” Essay Chart 2.0, research the school you’re writing your essay for, and fill in the first two columns.
Once you’ve done these exercises, you’ll have a better sense of:
YOU: A bunch of different talents/skills/identities/qualities that you’ll bring to a college campus, and
THEM: A variety of programs/courses/clubs/affinity groups that your college offers.
Step 3: Connect you… to them (i.e., the college you’re applying to).
Make connections between what the school offers and what you’re interested in.
Here’s an example essay (written for MIT’s version of this prompt) with analysis:
Example:
“I don’t have a mommy – and no, I was not adopted.” This was an early attempt, (albeit from a five-year old’s perspective), to proudly explain to my classmates that I had two dads (yes they are gay!) and was conceived via invitro-fertilization. Looking back, this statement undoubtedly triggered several conversations around my classmates’ dinner tables. Years later, I learned how my simple declaration broadened many family’s perspectives.
I was raised as part of a community that proudly celebrates diversity and encourages change through personal interaction. My parents and I are not the kind to go to protests. While we greatly respect those loud voices, we find influencing others on a personal level can be a more effective way of instigating change. Throughout my formative years, being part of one-on-one personal interactions within a predominately heterosexual community allowed me to witness the dismantling of stereotypes one person at a time.
At MIT, I aspire to perform similar roles, broadening perspectives and strengthening the LGBTQ+ climate through personal relationships. By being open with my gender identity, having a great sense of humor, and embracing my peers and professors in thoughtful, relaxed one-on-one conversations, I hope to develop strong bonds founded in mutual respect. Just as MIT can be considered the home of science, MIT should be a home for the LGBTQ+ community. My dream is to form relationships that have a cascading effect at MIT through developing new champions and strengthening the climate for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. (247 words)
Tips & Analysis:
Share (a core part of) your world view. We’d recommend thinking about everything that Lehigh is getting elsewhere, through your personal statement, activities list, and additional info section. Then assess: what aren’t they seeing yet? Remember, your essays’ primary function is to help a reader see who you are, what you value, what you bring to their campus and community. This essay uses the prompt as an opportunity to share a core part of their growing up, and how that shaped their values (celebrating diversity, encouraging change, personal engagement)
Half for you, half for them. Give or take—it doesn’t have to be a perfect 50/50 split. But notice that about 60% of the word count here is used to share specific details and insight gained from the student’s background. Then, about 40% is used to connect to specific aspects of the college community that the student wants to engage with, and how they want to do so (using specific examples and verb phrases) in order to show how they’ll contribute to the school. Be sure you’re including a decent amount of word count that gets really specific with how whatever aspects of background/identity you’ve discussed in the first half will allow you to add to the lives, perspectives, and understanding of other students in the second half. (And for more on how to mostly show, but probably tell a little in college essays, head there.)
And here’s a nice example essay written for a similar prompt from Colgate University:Aside from my inherent love for bagels, my Jewish background has led me to become more embedded in my community, joining Jewish activists and building a website on Holocaust education.
In the 1930s, 36 members of my family were lost to the Holocaust, and that fact has led me to carry on the memory of my ancestors through tradition—with my Bar Mitzvah—as well as with an educational lens—teaching others about the Holocaust and about specific stories of survivors.
Feeling disconnected from Jewish activism, I decided to become an educator on the Student Leadership Board of the Seattle-based Holocaust Center for Humanity last year. Each week, we met to discuss present-day instances of oppression and discrimination across the world, and finished the year by building a website to share the story of a Holocaust survivor.
Being on the board connected me to a network of other passionate Jewish activists, and helped me to channel the pride for my culture and ancestors into visual media that reaches many viewers. At Colgate, I hope to find myself surrounded not only by like-minded Jewish students, but by a diverse group of people with whom I can learn and make connections. (196 words)
Tips & Analysis
Highlight a core identity. In the example essay, the applicant highlights their Jewish heritage and the profound impact it has had on their life choices and commitments. This is a great way to approach this prompt—think of communities/identities that you claim, pick one that Lehigh isn’t seeing elsewhere, and show how that aspect of you + your experiences will allow you to contribute to the Lehigh community. Similarly, for the Lehigh prompt, ensure you shed light on the aspects of your background that have shaped your identity. This could be cultural, familial, or personal attributes that have molded you into the individual you are today.
Provide concrete examples of impact. Just as the sample essay vividly narrates the applicant's journey in Jewish activism, so you’ll want to offer specific instances that exemplify the impact your background has had on your decisions and pursuits. Whether through personal experiences, engagements, or projects, share specific moments where your background has led you to initiate meaningful actions. In short, show us.
Connect to the college's community. The sample essay could be stronger if the writer reflected even more on how they might continue to nurture their identity at Lehigh. How can you do that? Address how your background, values, and commitments align with Lehigh's vision and how you intend to extend these connections on campus to foster learning and shared growth. For example, perhaps you plan on joining (or creating?) relevant student clubs, volunteering at a local museum, or finding innovative ways to connect with students who share a similar background.
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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