<p>on the lehigh common app supplement (<a href="http://www3.lehigh.edu/admissions/uadmdownloadapp.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www3.lehigh.edu/admissions/uadmdownloadapp.asp</a>) it gives you 5 essay topics to write a 500 word essay. It then says that the common application essay can substitute for this essay. I dont understand whats going on here? Why would they bother to give you additional topics and then say that the common app essay will substitute. isnt that the point of the common app? To write only one big essay.</p>