Lehigh / Essays
Lehigh supplemental essays
All 3 required prompts for 2025-2026, each with its own deep guide: what it is really asking, annotated examples, and what to avoid.
Treat the three prompts as a portfolio, not three versions of the same essay. Map them before you draft: the academic-fit answer carries your intellectual and career direction, the "why Lehigh" answer carries your authentic connection to the place, and the "celebrate the good" answer carries personality and warmth. If two of your drafts could be swapped between schools without changing a word, you are leaving the easiest points on the table.
The "celebrate the good" prompt is where most applicants either shine or stumble. Lehigh is signaling that it values culture and well-being, so resist the urge to turn it into a humble-brag about an award. The strongest answers pick something genuinely current and a little ordinary, then show why it matters to you. That sincerity is the whole point, and it is rare enough that it stands out.
Mistakes that sink Lehigh essays
The academic prompt asks specifically about the program and major you selected. If your answer would fit any university with a business or engineering school, rewrite it with a named course, professor, lab, or Lehigh-specific program like Mountaintop or IBE.
Lehigh is asking what is genuinely great in your life, not your single most impressive accomplishment. A small, current, real moment beats a polished award story. Sincerity is the trait being measured.
At 200 words, an opening like 'Ever since I was young' burns a tenth of your space. Start inside the moment, the lab, or the memory and let the reader catch up.
Three short answers can blur together if they all circle the same activity. Deliberately spread your strengths so each essay shows a different dimension of who you are.
Lehigh essay FAQ
How many essays does Lehigh University require for 2025-26?
Three supplemental essays, each capped at 200 words, plus the 650-word Common App personal statement. The three supplements cover academic fit, why Lehigh, and a 'celebrate the good' prompt about what is going well in your life.
What are the Lehigh supplemental essay prompts for 2025-26?
One asks how the specific college, program, or major you selected will help you reach your goals. One asks how you first learned about Lehigh and what motivated you to apply. The third asks what is something great happening in your life right now. Each is 200 words, though some programs like CSB, IDEAS, and IBE see a 150-word version of the academic-fit question.
How long should each Lehigh supplemental essay be?
Two hundred words is the limit for each of the three supplements. That is roughly one tight paragraph, so aim to land well under the cap with specific, concrete writing rather than filling the space.
Is Lehigh test-optional for 2025-26?
Yes. Lehigh is test-optional, and fewer than 40% of enrolled first-years in the most recent class submitted test scores. Among submitters, the mid-50% SAT range was about 1380-1490.
What are Lehigh's application deadlines?
Early Decision I is November 1, Early Decision II is January 1, and Regular Decision is January 1. ED is binding and carries a much higher acceptance rate (around 45% versus about 26% overall), so it is the strongest option if Lehigh is your clear first choice.
What is Lehigh's acceptance rate?
Roughly 26% overall in the most recent cycle, from about 20,400 applications. Early Decision admits at a notably higher rate, close to 45%.
Prompts and facts verified against Lehigh University Admissions (How to Apply), Lehigh Admissions Requirements, College Essay Advisors: Lehigh Prompt Guide 2025-26, CollegeVine: How to Write the Lehigh Essays 2025-2026, CollegeEssayGuy: Lehigh Supplemental Essays 2025-2026 and College Transitions: How to Get Into Lehigh (Lehigh University, 2025-2026 cycle). Supplements change yearly, re-verify each cycle.
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