I read about the merit scholarships on the Lehigh website but there doesn’t seem to be many statistics or information about them available. How many do they give out? What is the average gpa/sat score? Also, would applying early decision hurt my chances at getting one? I’m a junior and I have a 4.0 UW and a 1510 SAT that I’m planning on retaking for a higher score (that was my first try).
Current student here:
Merit scholarships are generally for students in the top 3% of the applicant pool. I had a 4.0 and 33 ACT and didn’t get one. However, I appealed and was awarded 12k/year. There are some really sharp kids here with these scholarships, yet somehow there are a few total idiots who also hold these scholarships.
Hope this helps!
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Wow! That is really nice of Lehigh to give you a Merit scholarship of $12,000/year when you appealed.
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Your gpa and SAT are excellent and certainly acceptable for merit. Getting merit will depend on other aspects of your application… showing interest above and beyond, essays, letters of rec, etc. You will need to show them that you love Lehigh and why.
My daughter received a half tuition scholarship and another small award. She attends a different school. Good luck!
Lehigh gives 1/4, 1/2, and full tuition scholarship to the very top single digit percentage applicants. I think institutional interests also plays a role in these – e.g. recruiting females into engineering. My daughter was admitted to Ivy schools and other super selectives, 35 ACT, high gpa, AP’s and advanced math beyond AP Calc BC…engineering student and got the full tuition…also from the midwest.
OP - I have a freshman at Lehigh who was awarded full tuition merit scholarship too. Like @LehighHawkDad’s D, my S had similar stats and is in the IBE program. We were genuinely surprised with the award and extremely grateful. I have no idea how many are awarded each year though.
@ninjakiwi Just curious, what was the process to appeal?
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My son just received acceptance letter in mail today only including financial aid package. No merit scholarship award letter. Does it come separately?
@Mdavid78 - I don’t believe it comes separately. What was your son’s stats? It seems near perfect SATs, more than a dozen APs, absolutely straight As, leadership roles, etc being left out if you have a high EFC. To be honest, it’ll make the decision easier if your son has full-ride(s) from other (equivalent) school(s).
What is the process for appealing for a merit scholarship?
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Accepted to Industrial and Systems Engineering but not IBE program. National Merit Finalist, 1540, 34, 9 APs, lots of community service and ECs.
The financial aid package was very disappointing, even with loans, they didn’t even come close to FAFSA EFC! Looks like my son is going elsewhere!
@GaelRacer my s very similar stats as your s and he has gotten in to all 10/10 schools he applied to. all gave merit- EXCEPT Lehigh. It was my favorite school but it is easily crossed off the list to follow similar caliber schools with merit opportunities.
Thank you! Just emailed admissions and they said this year merit scholarship was only awarded to 8% of applicants. Not sure if we want to appeal at this point. Lehigh was really at the top of our list, he even went to Diversity weekend.