Though Lehigh University is a large research institution, it has only 1,800 undergraduate students, meaning that admits get the best of both worlds: the resources of a university, but the small community of a liberal arts college. 

If you’re here now reading this, you’re likely wondering whether your child can get into Lehigh. We’re going to get into all of that below, but first, let’s review what separates Lehigh from other schools. 

About Lehigh University 

Lehigh is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a vibrant small town just a ninety-minute drive from New York City and an hour to Philadelphia. It shares the town with Moravian University, so there is a big college town feel alive in Bethlehem, which has a Main Street teeming with galleries. 

Lehigh is comprised of five colleges: Arts & Sciences; Business; Engineering & Applied Science; Education; and Health. For the Class of 2029, Lehigh admitted only 27.46% of applicants. That’s nothing to scoff at. 

Obviously, getting into Lehigh is no walk in the park. Getting in will require strategic planning  (and the help of Ivy Coach’s college admissions experts certainly wouldn’t hurt!). 

Lehigh University Admissions Requirements

There is no copy-and-paste format for a successful application to Lehigh, or to any college for that matter.  It won’t come as a surprise to you that strong grades, high test scores, and notable extracurricular achievements form the trifecta of a good college application. But admissions officers look at each student in his or her own context. Let’s look at what some of the common denominators among admits to Lehigh are. 

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Lehigh University?

Lehigh has not yet released the numbers for its most recently admitted class (the Class of 2029), but they claim, in their self-reporting to the Common Data Set initiative, that 60% of enrolled students graduated high school in the top tenth of their class. Further, 86% graduated in the top quarter. This lets us know that Lehigh students are arriving in Bethlehem with some pretty strong grades. 

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into Lehigh? 

The average SAT score for the Lehigh Class of 2029 was a 1430, and the average ACT score was a 33. While these numbers aren’t on par with the Ivy League, they’re still pretty good. Lehigh is test-optional, and only 43% of applicants to the Class of 2029 submitted test scores.  For more information about the fable of test-optional admissions, and why we strongly recommend applicants submit their scores, please refer to our blog post here. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Lehigh?

Though Lehigh does not list any official minimum high school course preparation, we at Ivy Coach would make a very educated guess that admissions officers at Lehigh want to see students excelling in each core subject (English, history, math, science, and foreign language) all four years of high school. In fact, they expect to see five years for foreign language since most students begin their first level of foreign language in eighth grade.

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does Lehigh Like To See?

We’re going to clear up a common misunderstanding: highly selective colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for a well-rounded student body comprised of students who are each singularly talented. 

In terms of extracurriculars, that means Lehigh is looking for depth over breadth. If you’re a member of the debate team, the robotics team, the field hockey team, and the drama department…well, then, you’re merely a member of those groups. You don’t stand out in any of these pursuits. Lehigh would much rather accept a nationally ranked debate champ than a kid who spent an hour or two on debate a week because he spent the rest forgetting Shakespeare lines and fumbling the ball in football practice.

Lehigh Application Requirements

Lehigh accepts The Common Application. Additionally, they ask for two letters of recommendation, and they ask two supplemental questions: 

1. How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (200 words)
2. At Lehigh, we believe in pausing to celebrate the good—meaningful moments that bring joy, pride or motivation. What’s something great happening in your life right now? It could be an accomplishment, a personal win (big or small) or something you’re genuinely excited about. If it matters to you, we’d love to hear about it. (200 words)  

You can read our blog for more information about how to write a supplemental essay explaining why you want to attend a university. 

Who Should Students Ask For Letters of Recommendation For Lehigh University? 

Lehigh applicants should ask two teachers, ideally two junior year teachers in core subjects. Obviously, the applicant should have a good relationship with the teacher or at least have performed well in their class. In addition, at least one of the recommenders’ subject area should be related to the student’s hook: if a student’s singular hook is studying fruit fly DNA, it wouldn’t make sense if their recommenders were their History and English teachers. 

Does Lehigh Require An Interview? 

Lehigh does not require an interview, but they do offer interviews. 

What Are Lehigh’s Application Deadlines? 

Early Decision I applications are due on Nov. 1. Early Decision II and Regular Decision applications are due Jan. 1. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Lehigh

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into Lehigh, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Lehigh, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.