<p>Rodney: you have to look at Lehigh’s 2009 Common Data Set, found here:</p>
<p>[Common</a> Data Set](<a href=“http://www.lehigh.edu/~oir/cds.htm]Common”>http://www.lehigh.edu/~oir/cds.htm)</p>
<p>I couldn’t get more than one page to work via HTML, so I downloaded in Excel. Lehigh does not list ACT scores, probably because there are too few of them to be statistically meaningful. </p>
<p>Not having looked at the CDS before, I found several things interesting:</p>
<p>The “most important” admissions factors were rigor of high school record and recommendations. Next, the “important” factors were standardized scores, application essay, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, volunteer work, and level of applicant’s interest. “Considered” factors were class rank, GPA (this was a surprise, down this low), first-generation applicant, alumni/ae relation, geographical residence, racial/ethnic status, and work experience. Not considered were interview (although note that level of interest is important, so the content of an interview might not count, but the fact you had one may), state residency (meaning, in PA), and religious affiliation. </p>
<p>So . . . your course load and what your recommenders think of you are more important than SAT scores. In fact, your SAT scores are on the same level as extracurricular activities, demonstrated interest, and your essay. Although GPA is even less important than that, I suspect that your grades are important in context of rigor, but that the raw GPA, weighted or not, is not important; getting a high GPA through easy courses won’t fly.</p>
<p>For Trinitian: SAT scores in the middle 50% range from CR 590 to 630, and math from 630-710. Of entered freshman, a third have math scores over 700, probably because of the strength of the engineering school. But also a quarter of freshman have CR scores in the 500-599 range, where you fall. These are not international number but freshman class numbers. The reason that CR is so low is again because of the engineering school. I know of several past and current students who scored 800 on the math section and in the low 500s for verbal – they applied to the engineering school. </p>
<p>Lehigh has two semester of mandatory English/writing for freshmen who don’t score high on the CR/AP English tests. Non-native speakers are placed in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes to help them adjust to the rigors of Lehigh. The real question is how you stack up against other internationals who need aid. Lehigh’s resources are limited, so admissions must make tough decisions how to allocate FA aid for internationals. (The CDS lists 62 enrolled “nonresident aliens” or international students in a 2009 freshman class of approximately 1200.)</p>
<p>Yikes. My head is spinning.</p>