My nephew recently applied to Lehigh for engineering. Here are some stats:
GPA 4.24 weighted; 3.89 unweighted
7/320 class rank
SAT (new) 1310 (690 math 620 reading)-bombed the essay
Various honors and dual college-enrollment classes (his school does not offer AP classes)
Extracurriculars:
Wrestling: 4 years
Marching band: 3 years
Soccer: 2 years
Swimming: 1 year
Tutoring: one stint over summer (2 weeks/50 hours)
Mathlete: 1 year
Work: approx 19 hours per week lifeguarding (his mom’s a single mom so he needs to contribute to the family finances)
Essays: pretty good essay about influences on his life (autistic brother, incarcerated dad) and how he’s grown through his family situation
I know the SATs are low for Lehigh-do you think they are holistic in their admissions? Will his family situation and the fact he’s thrived despite it help him? He’s already been admitted to his two safety schools, but I’d love for him to get out of rural Missouri…
with a 1310 sat and a 3.89/4 gpa,you have a 24% chance. Currently Lehigh has an SAT range of probability (25-75 percentile) of 1280-1480 so it’s within range but on the low end. A 690 is great and what they are looking for in math for Engineering. I think the concern here might be finances. Cost of Attendance is about $64k, only about 65% of students that apply get financial aid. And of those that get FA only 50% was fully met. The average award was $40k which leaves the student’s parent with $24k. Since you explained the single parent and part-time work situation, I would think that eventhough he get accepted, that he should perhaps not apply unless the single mom can convince the office to reconsider the price.
His activities and the fact that he works part-time, as well as the fact that he is from Missouri are all attractive to Lehigh so my guess is that he is definitely in.
Good luck!
@Emsmom1 I’m curious what other schools did he apply?
Lehigh meets 100% of demonstrated need…
My impression is that Lehigh favors students who seem enthusiastic about attending and will be good fits at the school. Superficially, your nephew seems like he might “fit”, given that wrestling and marching band happen to be prominent features of the campus culture. Don’t know if he plans to pursue these things in college; he would have to be very good to wrestle at Lehigh, and very motivated to play in the band.
Lehigh is located in an old steel town, within view of the idled blast furnaces, and has traditionally enrolled many students from blue-collar backgrounds. Most of their students come from the PA/NJ/NY area, but they would like to get more students from other parts of the country. So they might be sympathetic to a student coming from a tough family situation in rural Missouri.
As you know, however, the test scores aren’t particularly high for Lehigh (although I don’t think Lehigh uses the SAT writing portion, so if he bombed the essay it may not matter). My guess is that your nephew has a shot, but it may be a reach.
Thanks everyone! Reformedman- he also applied to Bucknell, Washington & Lee (long shot, I know), U Missouri (already accepted), Drury U (already accepted), Bates, Boston College, Connecticut College, Franklin & Marshall, College of the Holy Cross, Hamilton, Colgate, Occidental, USC- I know most of them are long shots- as I mentioned in another post, I’m worried I encouraged him to aim too high. I’m glad he has two acceptances before he hears from the other schools even though he is really hoping to go out of state. As for wrestling, he’s having a great season but he’s not at Lehigh’s level.
I think it is good to apply to a couple reach schools. Your nephew has a wonderful application. My opinion is he could be on the edge. I don’t think anyone can really tell you what his chances are. I think you did the right thing having him apply to a wide range of schools. He is very lucky to have an aunt that is so supportive! Please let us know what happens!!!
Thanks, kikkydee. I will let everyone know what happens. The waiting…ugh!