Hi all,
First, the 2 disadvantages I mentioned are : I’m an Asian female, international student applying for substantial amount of financial aid. (my family can only pay 20k). And since Lehigh places a lot of importance on demonstrated interest, I made a lethal mistake. In August, I sent UAlabama an email about the TOEFL requirement, then edit that email to ask Lehigh also. I changed most of the UA names in the email to Lehigh, but I left out one … I wonder if Lehigh keeps track of applicants’ email and think that my email means I don’t care much about the school. Admittedly, I was still forming my college lists in August, and I didn’t know which school would suit me back then. However, after these past months, I researched more about the schools on my list and realized that Lehigh would be a great fit. I want to get into Lehigh, but Idk if they will reject me outright because of that email. I couldn’t afford to visit the campus too, so that’s not an option 
Now here’s my stats:
-
- Rank: 1/270
- APs (School offers like 8 APs to juniors/ seniors only, and I only skipped AP US His and AP Govt - not strong at social sciences lol):
Junior: AP Cal(5), AP Physics, AP Bio(4), Advanced Chem, AP Psychology (self-studied, 5)
Senior: AP Lit, AP Stats, AP CS, Cal III at local college
- SAT: 1570/ 2310 superscored ( M: 800, CR: 690/ 770; W: 740/ 650. Will the 650 W raise a flag?)
SAT II: Math II (800), Chem (780)
ACT: 35 on both times (first time it was without writing)
- ECs/ Volunteer: This part is the weakest on my app, I think. Nothing stands out, pretty cookie-cutter.
Founded and leader of Science Bowl, Math Club, Leader of Art team, Soccer Team, Built an educational website over the summer, Key Club, Calligraphy (performed at a big event in front of officials once, but in my hometown, over the summer)
Volunteer: Mostly tutoring (English/Art to poor children in Vietnam, Math tutor at school, etc.)
- Awards: Second place at a hackathon in southern Vietnam, I was the youngest participant.
. Placed third in a state math contest, team placed second in that event. We placed third place in another state math team competition, and first in an individual competition also at that event. Placed third in a state stock market competition, out of 60 teams. AP Scholar. School winner of AMC 10, Second Place school winner of AMC 12. (but not AIME qualifier, sadly) The rest are school awards.
- Recs: decent --> good
- Essays: great.
Thank you!
- Since colleges receive tons of emails every day, there is no way they could save all emails for reviewing your applications. You did not mess up on your common app, didn’t you? I would not worry about it. 2) Lehigh has only 8% Asian population, not overwhelming so you are all right. See link https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=lehigh&s=all&id=213543#enrolmt
Your only problem is that Lehigh has a very limit financial support for international students, though hopefully you may qualify because of your impressive stats. Do more research and apply to other colleges that have liberal financial aids for international students.
Here is the list of 10 colleges that offer the most money to international students. Any more question, feel free to pm me. Good luck.
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/2015/09/24/10-universities-that-offer-international-students-the-most-aid?int=981408
@frank6215 Thank you really much for your helpful advice!!! Yeah I did not mess up on my supplemental essays lol 
I’m aware of the limited financial support, so I applied to plenty of LACs school that are generous toward int’ students. Thanks for that link tho 
Colleges won’t penalize a 17-year-old for typos in emails. They would not have any applicants left if they were that harsh. My son’s friend, an exchange student from Korea and class 2018, applied and was accepted to Lehigh with about 65K scholarship for four years. His GPA, SAT was about 3.7, 2200, respectively. He, however, chose to take a full discount with Temple University. Another of my son’s classmate received full ride and stipend at U of Alabama, though he is US citizen. Hope you get it too.
At first, I misread it as 65k/ year lol. But yeah, I do apply to UAlabama, (international students are eligible for the scholarships) so I can have at least a full tuition there. Thank you 
Email the admissions rep. who covers international student. If you explain that Lehigh is your first choice school and that you will attend if the FA package comes close to making it feasible, you have a very good chance. Lehigh gives both merit and need aid and someone with your stats could get in if they interest is there.
I don’t suggest applying to Lehigh, you deserve better. At least top 30
@LehighHawkDad Thanks for your advice! Yeah I’ll try contacting them to express my interest in Lehigh. Well, actually I like painting, and I’m decent at it. Do you think it’s too gimmicky if I attach to my email like my painting of a Lehigh campus scene? It will take like only a night to finish the painting, and I’ll be free after Jan 15 anyways.
@Allenzhang777 I actually do apply to several top schools. But I got rejected by Stanford REA, and well, some of my friends also got rejected by their ED schools. And I read a lot of CC posts about int’ students rejected at most of the schools they applied to. That changed my perspectives a bit. Now I decided that ranking doesn’t matter that much anymore, as long as I got into a good program with enough FA. Thanks though And congrats on getting into Lehigh ED!!! (sorry I read your previous posts, hope you don’t mind)
nangkhieu – You are wise to be circumspect about ‘the rankings,’ by which most mean USNWP. It is not a scientific ranking and rewards schools for large endowments and excellent graduate schools more than the quality of the undergraduate experience. As for a painting, applying ED 2 would be enough demonstrated interest; however, a painting of the campus could appear as genuine interest, depending on the reader. I think direct contact with admissions rep. is your best bet…Lehigh truly is a school that looks for fit, so spelling that fit out in your supplement is a good move.
With all due respect to @LehighHawkDad, let the fish bites first before you, @nangkhieu, negotiates financial aid, assumed you applied RD. And bite it will because your stats improves Lehigh SAT, and GPA averages. The ability to pay is a factor in deciding your admission. It may prefer a less impressive candidate who can pay the bill in full.
Yeah, thanks for you guys advice!! I’m realistic about my chances as an international student applying for financial aid, so I will just show my interest in the school and then hope for the best. If things don’t work out the way I want, I still have safety schools that give me full tuition/ full rides, so it’s not too bad/