I’m applying to Lehigh this year, and it is by far my number one choice. I already visited the school in april, and I am interviewing at the school friday. I am a student from Maine. My intended major is Environmental Engineering. My high school GPA through my first 3 years is a 93.47 (unweighted). Last springs SAT’s, I scored a 690 on the Reading and Writing and a 680 on the Math, 1370 overall. I am retaking the SAT October 1st. Throughout high school I have taken all advanced (honors) english classes and math classes (4 english credits, 4.5 math credits). I will graduate with 7 credits in Science (Advanced Earth Space Science, Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Chemistry, Advanced Physics, AP Biology). I will graduate with Calculus as well. I will graduate with 2 years of Spanish, 3 years of Social Studies (including AP US History). I scored a 4 on both AP Environmental Science and AP US History. I will also have a .5 credit pre-engineering course as well. I have worked as a waiter at my local residential home for over a year now. I volunteered for 40 hours at the Maine Audubon Society on a salt marsh this summer, studying biodiversity of insects, plants, and birds. I participated in baseball my first 3 years, Spanish club my last two years, Key club my senior year, and I will be accepted into National Honor Society this fall. I’m very anxious to get into Lehigh and attend next fall, however I am not sure if I should apply Early Decision or not to improve my chances of being accepted. My family is worried that I won’t receive much financial aid as my parents are divorced but make around 100,000 each per year. What are my chances of being accepted Early Decision? What are my chances of being accepted Regular Decision? Any Input is much appreciated!
At ED, your chances are very good. At RD, as long as you show a lot of interest, you also have a good chance. Did you run their NPC? Did think ed or rd is going to change your aid, and since income is high, it’s likely to be little to none
I would focus on improving your SAT score. For engineering, I would especially focus on improving the math section. If you could get your score from 1370 up into the 1400’s, and hopefully 1450 plus, your odds would be significantly improved. jmho
With the new FAFSA, would my aid come back with the Early Decision in mid December? Would it give me time to decide if the financial package from both the FAFSA and Lehigh fits my needs before the deadlines of other regular decision colleges in January? All input appreciated.
Also any helpful information on how to go about my interview would be great!
Just remember that ED is binding and doesn’t permit you to compare competing aid offers from other institutions.
and @Peoples28 RE#3 That is a question to ask Lehigh’s Financial Aid office – not an anonymous message board.
Okay thank you for your input @higheredmom