<p>Hey, everyone. My name's Mike, and I'm a sophomore chemical engineering major here at Lehigh. I developed this thread to answer some of your questions. I'm involved on campus and I'm an active student here, so feel free to ask anything. Whether its on getting in to Lehigh, dealing with financial aid and scholarships, social life, or academics, I'll answer your questions honestly and candidly.</p>
<p>MODERATOR'S NOTE: Anyone is free to ask or answer questions in this thread.</p>
<p>Hi Mike!
I applied to Lehigh this year! I went for an interview, and I think it went well! My stats are:
SAT:
M-600
CR-690
W-710
ACT-29
GPA (UW) 3.8
I have a decent amount of volunteer work, and extra curriculars, and I’ve worked on a research project for the past year or so. I would like to apply to the college of arts and science, and I want to major in bio (premed). I know my SAT math is low, but do you think I have a shot at getting in? Lehigh is my 2nd choice!</p>
<p>Hi Mdesharnais32,
Your SAT and ACT grades (totals) are almost exactly what mine were, and if your interview also went well, then I’d say you’re in great shape. I know several pre-meds here at Lehigh, and I can say for sure that it’s a good program. Even though Lehigh is your second choice, I encourage you to come back for tours and candidates events if you’re accepted, and to explore your options fully. If you’ve got anymore questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
<p>Hi </p>
<p>Is it important to include a 3rd recommendation letter? My S had 2 sent one from counselor and one from teacher already, but the common app supplement asks if he is going to send a 3rd. </p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>hi im a prospective chemical engineering student from ma and ill be applying regular action to lehigh. In terms of getting involved in research is it relatively easy or do you generally have to apply for the spots. Is it based more on stats or on interest in the subject? In your honest opinion what do you think about lehighs chemical engineering program. i went for a campus visit and actually talked to a few chemical engineering student but obviously the more perspectives i hear from the better.(the opinions were all positicve) I really like everything ive seen about lehigh so far and would just like some more information. thanks</p>
<p>Hey bandgy,</p>
<p>Lehigh places a very low priority on letters of recommendation. It’s one of the least important factors in the application process. If you have a third letter, I would include it. But if it’s not the kind of letter that would make or break your application, then I wouldn’t stress over it.</p>
<p>Best,</p>
<p>Mike</p>
<p>Hi amartiniglass1,</p>
<p>I’m glad to hear you’re interested in chem e at Lehigh. Let’s start off with the program. Lehigh is one of the best engineering schools in the country, and our chemical engineering program is superior. It is commonly regarded among Lehigh students to be the toughest academic program on campus, but with the greatest reward in terms of starting salaries, job placement, and other oppurtunities.</p>
<p>Research is available for undergrads as a sort of “course” that students can sign up for. Most research doesn’t take place until junior and senior year, however, you might get a taste of it early on. In general, if you show interest (not just academic ability), you’ll be able to take on research. Some intro engineering courses allow you to take on mini-projects with certain engineering departments. When I was a freshman, I did a project in the chem e labs studying the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells.</p>
<p>Although our research is good, our co-op program is even better. I’m in the process of working towards a co-op position right now. I know for a fact that major companies like Air Products and Exxon-Mobil seek out Lehigh chem e’s. I encourage you to look into this program, too. I know some seniors who already have jobs waiting for them right now.</p>
<p>Let me know if you’ve got anymore quesitons. Best of luck moving forward.</p>
<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>
<p>Hey Mike,</p>
<p>I was wondering if you knew how much weight the interview process carried towards getting into Lehigh. I applied ED1 to Lehigh and visited the campus but wasn’t able to schedule an interview. I really want to show as much interest as I can to Lehigh, and If the interview is considered an important part to the application, it might be worth it to visit the campus again and schedule an interview. What do you know about the interview, and the weight it carries to the application process.</p>
<p>Hey lehigh123,</p>
<p>I also applied ED1 but I did NOT schedule an interview. Interviews aren’t required, and Lehigh doesn’t really stress getting interviews. I’ve posted a link for you to check out. If you look at Lehigh’s website for this information, it sounds like the Group Info Sessions are more important than interviews.</p>
<p>Bottom line, if you’re a solid, well-rounded student and you also visited campus and attended every kind of Lehigh event you could have, then don’t worry. If it’s not a major inconvenience, then just go ahead and schedule an interview. It can’t hurt your chances. The link I posted below has some more info on how to do it.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any more questions.</p>
<p>[Lehigh</a> University: Undergraduate Admissions: Events & Visiting: Interviews](<a href=“http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/visit/interviews.aspx]Lehigh”>http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/visit/interviews.aspx)</p>
<p>Good luck,</p>
<p>Mike</p>
<p>Thank you got the quick response,</p>
<p>I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it to the campus the next two weekends, so I’ll just have to settle with what I have. I attended a Group Info Session so that should be okay. Thanks again for the help and answering my question.</p>
<p>Lehigh123;</p>
<p>Send your admissions councilor an email, and thank them for the wonderful experience(s) you had at all the prior Lehigh events you have been to.</p>
<p>I believe that they note these kinds of emails - while I was considering Lehigh, I actually had a great back-and-forth email conversation with my admissions councilor at the time. When my councilor changed, I made sure to email him too, and then I met him the last time I visited campus. I was the first person he gave his new Lehigh business cards to on campus, and I made sure to note that to him in the next email I sent him.</p>
<p>Small things like a thank-you email to the admissions councilor show interest above and beyond the interest shown by typical Lehigh applicants.</p>
<p>Is this good? I feel like it comes across as being almost needy to the representative. Thanks for the idea LehighChemE, and Copaman</p>
<p>Dear. Ms. (College Admissions Rep),</p>
<p>I wanted to thank you for all of the wonderful experiences I’ve had when visiting Lehigh this year. The first time I visited, I fell in love with the campus, and it became my number one choice. After seeing the campus, I knew that I loved Lehigh, and I would be happy to spend my four years there. I visited again to attend the open house, and for an overnight with a colleague of mine from my high school. I had a great experience at both the campus tour, the information session, and the open house. Thank you for making this possible.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
(My Name)</p>
<p>HI,</p>
<p>Is the ACT required if I have already taken the SAT? If yes, then what advantage does it give you?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Hey Jerseyshor,</p>
<p>You only need to submit SAT OR ACT scores - not both. The writing sections on both tests are NOT looked at by admissions.</p>
<p>If you’re a prospective engineer or planning on majoring in a scientific field, the ACT may help highlight your knowledge of science because the ACT has a science section. It also demonstrates your higher math ability because the ACT’s math sections are more advanced, too. Also, if your SAT scores aren’t as high as you hoped, you might get a high score in the ACT, which would stand out to admissions.</p>
<p>I took both tests, and I recommend you take both if you’ve got the time and money. Good luck.</p>
<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>
<p>Hi again Lehigh123,</p>
<p>Copaman gave you some good advice. Your letter draft is also pretty good. Make sure it’s sincere, give specific experiences to make you stand out as a unique applicant. Showing interest and enthusiasm is what gets kids admitted here, not just grades.</p>
<ul>
<li>Mike</li>
</ul>
<p>@All applicants:</p>
<p>Put yourself in the shoes of the admissions committee with the challenge of having only a fixed number of spots to offer, reading your application, and comparing it to that of an equally qualified candidate.</p>
<p>It stands to reason that the [supplemental</a> application question](<a href=“http://www4.lehigh.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/admissions/LU_admissions_class2016_supplement.pdf"]supplemental”>http://www4.lehigh.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/admissions/LU_admissions_class2016_supplement.pdf)…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>…is one of the best opportunities an applicant has to make his/her case as to why an invitation to the Lehigh community should be extended. It’s also an opportunity to make your case on what you will contribute to the Lehigh community as well. [Last</a> year’s supplemental](<a href=“http://www4.lehigh.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/admissions/LU_admissions_class2014_supplement8.pdf"]Last”>http://www4.lehigh.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/admissions/LU_admissions_class2014_supplement8.pdf) asked this question directly:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>(Also, see this post on the admissions blog: [The</a> 411 on Lehigh File Reading…The Inside Scoop!](<a href=“http://lehighadmissions1.blogspot.com/2010/12/411-on-lehigh-file-readingthe-inside.html]The”>http://lehighadmissions1.blogspot.com/2010/12/411-on-lehigh-file-readingthe-inside.html):</p>
<p>
)</p>
<p>Those that have visited Lehigh should leverage the experience to address these questions. </p>
<p>That being said, offers are extended to applicants that haven’t visited. However, you should use all the resources at your disposal (local visits by an admissions counselor, online class videos, alumni, etc.) to learn as much as you can about the Lehigh community and reflect on your possible contributions to it. </p>
<p>Lehigh wants more than just students that will keep a seat warm. It wants [engaged</a> leaders of tomorrow](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/lehigh-university/763789-thoughts-chances.html]engaged”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/lehigh-university/763789-thoughts-chances.html).</p>
<p>thanks for the info lehighchemE</p>
<p>I just applied to Lehigh a few days ago, and my SAT scores were lower than the ones you had posted, but my GPA is a 3.9 on a 4.0 weighted scale. </p>
<p>Will my SAT scores totally ruin my chances? I tried to compensate it by writing killer supplements, do you know if they place a lot of emphasis on them?</p>
<p>@chunkyscarf, SAT scores do not totally ruin your chances. if you’ve demonstrated enough interest in Lehigh like visiting multiple times, interviews, email exchange with adcoms, etc. you should be fine. SAT and high school GPA and extracurricular are considered equally. So just having a low SAT score wont hurt your chances.and yes, supplements do matter a LOT.
good luck.</p>
<p>Hi LehighChemE,</p>
<p>I am a junior with the following stats. can you tell me what else I should be doing to secure a spot in the engg program. I absolutely love Lehigh and want to do everything I can to get in.:</p>
<p>SAT: 2120
SAT II: MATH - 740
6 HONORS CLASSES
3 AP CLASSES (so far - AP Physics C & Calc BC and Bus org. Plan to take AP Chem, AP ECo & AP Physc in senior)
2 years of marching band
JSA
100+hrs of volunteering work
National Honor society</p>