chances and question about IR

Colleges & Universities A-Z Lehigh University
1

<p>hispanic female from greater los angeles area, low- income, first generation
attending a parochial all- girls school</p>

<p>GPA 3.7 UW and 4.3 W (taking the toughest courseload possible)
SAT 2030
RANK: School doesn’t rank, but in the top 12%
interested in IR and poli sci double major w/ a minor in international economics</p>

<p>ECs
<em>POLITICS ORIENTED</em>
Speech and Debate (10-12) treasurer, vp
-NFL National Qualifier 2006
Junior State of America (11-12) co-founder, secretary, vp
Created my own political conference thing (11) co-founder/ organizer [conference designed by a friend and myself to bring local high
school students in contact w/ state officials and reps; included several student speakers and an open panel discussion b/t
students and officials/ reps]
Harvard Model Congress (11-12), house of reps and national security council
School Magazine (11-12) co- founder, editor, writer (non- partisan political pieces)
<em>ACADEMIC</em>
NHS (10-12) record keeper & treasurer, pres
<em>MUSIC</em>
Cello (11 years)
-Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (7-12)
<em>SERVICE</em>
Campus Ministry (9-12) liturgy coordinator, lector, eucharistic minister, freshman retreat leader (11, 12), sophomore retreat leader (10),
junior retreat leader (11), KAIROS retreat leader (12), junior high retreat leader (10, 11), freshman orientation leader (11, 12) </p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE
-Church Youth Group (9-12) youth minister—leading and preparing weekly teen discussion group (2000+ hours)
-Brothers of the Missionaries of Charity (8-12)--- feeding the homeless of Los Angeles (500+ hours)
-Organized two “30 Hour Famines”--- raise youth awareness about world huger and generate donations for an international charity based in Peru working toward eliminating hunger in 3rd world countries (1st “famine” $4300; 2nd “famine” $5700) (10, 11) (550 hours each time)
-Organized a Darfur Awareness campaign w/ my JSA club—writing letters, selling pins, guest speaker, etc. (raised about $2000) (11) (400 hours)</p>

<p>INTERNSHIPS
Senator (sum 06)
Local law firm (sum-winter 06)</p>

<p>SUMMER ACTIVITIES
2004 (after freshman year)- volunteer with Rock the Vote campaign, JSA California Summer Symposium, student in special international relations lecture course (one of 20 high school students selected)—not for credit even though it was at a local college
2005 (after sophomore year)- traveled to El Salvador where I worked w/ NGOs and various government officials to help bring about a plan to help the country rise out of poverty (went w/ one of those travel companies)
2006 (after junior year)- internship with Senator, attended NFL (Debate) nationals in Texas, internship w/ local law firm</p>

<p>Question: How is the IR department @ Lehigh? Lots of resources? Opportunities for research? Strong faculty?</p>

2

<p>-The IR department is very strong at Lehigh. At most schools, the IR major is taught as part of the political science department. Lehigh is one of the few schools in the US that has a separate department for IR exclusively.</p>

3

<p>I think you have a solid chance, based on what you say about yourself. </p>

<p>A recurring comment is that Lehigh puts a lot of emphasis on demonstrated interest. You say you come from a low income family -- does this mean it's impossible to attend an open house or visit to have an interview? If I were you, I'd contact the southern CA Admissions Coordinator. His name is Majed Dergham and his e-mail address is <a href="mailto:mad305@lehigh.edu">mad305@lehigh.edu</a>. He will be in LA on Oct 8. See Lehigh website -- from the home page click on "Visit Lehigh Today". From that page, click on the "Evening Programs" link on the right side of the page.</p>

<p>As far as need based finacial aid goes, Lehigh doesn't claim to "meet 100% of need based aid", but they don't give a lot of merit aid to have more money for need based aid.</p>

4

<p>thanks for your responses.
LWMD- yes, i come from a low income family and it is seriously impossible for me to visit lehigh, and as for going to the lehigh presentation in LA yesterday, i couldnt since i went to the wesleyan diversity weekend thing. will this really hurt my chances of getting accepted? also, would you say that i have a solid chance, so would it be safe for me to say that lehigh is a match, or even a safety?
thanks so much!</p>

5

<p>are you really saying that you have over 4,000 hours of community service? i realize that is for a period of 4 years, but 1,000 hours of community service a year is like 42 days worth... i don't believe it for a second</p>

6

<p>lylbeachbabee, i dont want to start anything, but believe it. ya i know ~4,000 hours is a lot, but it is possible. i mean, when you spend ON AVERAGE like 3 hours PER DAY organizing or planning an event, or actually running an event, (like i do) then yes its possible.</p>

7

<p>It seems Lehigh could be a match for you as long as you spend some time on the "Why Lehigh" essay. Lehigh is too competitive to be a safety for anybody (even for Harvard cred students). This is because Lehigh cares deeply about student interest. Make sure to contact Majed D. about your interest because that will definitely help with your chances. Remember, Lehigh has a yield of 29% percent (last year), and they want to only admit those who are serious about attending.</p>

8

<p>damn, only a 29% yeild? which other schools does lehigh share (and im assuming lose) students to?</p>

9

<p>I don't think that information is available officially through Lehigh, but from what I've heard from current students a lot of them were turned down from the Ivys - UPenn and Cornell seem to be the most popular rejections... however, Lehigh does seem to have some success converting kids accepted to Cornell into Lehigh students, because Lehigh is considered more "fun" between the two. Lehigh also competes with the other members of the Patriot League, such as Bucknell and Colgate especially. A lot of kids mention Lehigh as an "Ivy Reject" school, but admission is still competitive (39%, even as the yield is 29%).</p>