Hey!
So I already know that Lehigh is a reach, but I have a special circumstance. I’m a Legacy applicant and they also worked for Lehigh as well.
Not going to lie, my stats are pretty low considering:
SAT: 1260/1600
GPA: 3.6 UW (School doesn’t provide weighted)
APs: English Lang, USH, English Lit, World History (My school doesn’t offer certain APs)
Honors: Biology, Eng I, World History, Eng II, US History, Alg II, Pre-Calculus, Italian IV, Italian V
ECs:
Girl Scouts- 13 years, Silver Award
Childhood Leukemia Foundation- 2 years
St. Gregory’s Food Pantry- 4 years
Ocean Medical Center- 6 months
Competition Marching Band- 4 years, won 2014 Group 4A NJ State Championship, 2013 Group 4A Nationals Best Music
Pep Band- 4 years
Concert Band- 4 years
Pit orchestra- 3 years
Softball- JV 1 year, 8 years Rec
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards- 2 Silver Keys
Italian Club- 2 years, chair
National Honor Society- 2 years
If I’m missing any other info let me know. I just need info to prepare myself.
You seem pretty involved in music and your ECs seem solid for a Lehigh Applicant.
As to the information you’re missing, Lehigh doesn’t require SAT Subject Tests so not gonna mention that, and your school doesn’t report weighted GPA so there’s that. Any reference for your rank though? Just to see how you measure up with your school.
Lehigh’s average is around 1370/1380, so it’s safe to say you’re a little below their 25th percentile.
However, your GPA is right around the average, maybe a little less. College Data reported that so far for the Class of 2021, the average GPA is 3.68, with students as low as a GPA 2.7 getting accepted.
Lehigh is not an easy school for you, but it’s not a reach either. You can do it. Good luck!
@jinxorchestra My class rank is top 10%. Again, not given exact numbers, those are only given to schools.
Thank you for your input. Much appreciated!
Does anyone know how much having legacy can help at Lehigh?
collegemomjam: I am no expert, but just a thought…When a legacy comes up for admission, I’ve got to think the Admission officer assigned to that application “probably” peeks at, not necessarily the level of giving of the parent alum, but more at the consistency of his/her support over the years. Consistent giving shows a level of affection for the old Alma Mater that a lump sum made close to the application’s arrival does not. But don’t get me wrong…the clearly political but “generous” sum ponied up in that manner can still win the day! (I immediately think of the circumstances leading up to Jared Kushner’s somewhat controversial admittance to Harvard.)
@Lehighdad
Thanks so much for the reply. I have a college advising background and I’m trying to help a friend’s son. The mom is an alum so he has legacy from her, but I’m not sure if she has been a consistent donor. I agree with your logic by the way and LOL Kushner.
The applicant while in range for Lehigh is on the lower end of the range for both gpa and ACT. He’s extremely well rounded (starting QB on the football team AND very accomplished musician in the band…nice combo!), but he also has legacy (no other hooks). We are trying to figure out if Lehigh is a realistic reach or not and if his only shot is one of the ED’s.