Lehigh University, located in Bethelehem, PA, is a private research institution with a 10:1 faculty-to-student ratio. Valuing interdisciplinary studies, entrepreneurship and innovation, and creative inquiry, Lehigh has attracted nearly 20,000 applicants in recent years. Their accomplished alumni include Stephanie Ruhle, CJ McCollum, Martin Baron, and Cathy Engelbert, among others. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your Lehigh supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.
Lehigh’s 2025-2026 Prompts
- How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (200 words or fewer)
- What’s something great happening in your life right now? It could be an accomplishment, a personal win (big or small) or something you’re genuinely excited about. If it matters to you, we’d love to hear about it. (200 words or fewer)
General Tips
Let’s talk about the introduction to a college essay. Although the Lehigh supplemental essays are short, a lot can be done in just a few paragraphs. In fact, these essays will probably end up around the length of one page double-spaced. In other words, you have room for an introduction, a couple body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
The introduction is a crucial opportunity for you to set the tone of the essay and signal what’s to come. Whatever writing style or tone you adopt in the introduction should carry throughout the essay. For example, if you start out very casually, it would be jarring if the latter half of the essay suddenly became very formal. Consistency of style will help your essay feel cohesive, instead of the reader feeling like they’re reading multiple essays or hearing from different voices.
You should also sign-post the content of the rest of your essay in your introduction. Whatever the topics of your body paragraphs are going to be, consider hinting at or even directly referencing them in your introduction. If you choose to write an in media res introduction—you open the essay with a moment in the middle of your story—then consider sign-posting in the paragraph after your opening paragraph. Like the kind of essay you might write for school, the college essay benefits from having a structure. Structure lends an essay credence and flow.
Now, let’s break down the prompts for the Lehigh supplemental essays.
Lehigh Short Essay Questions
How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (200 words or fewer)
This is a fairly standard college essay prompt that asks you to explain why you have decided to apply. However, there is an extra twist on this prompt, which is that the admissions team seeks to also understand how you first learned about Lehigh. Therefore, if you have a personal or other connection to Lehigh, then you should discuss it here. This might be an alumni connection, knowing someone who attended in your community, or having a connection to someone who has worked at Lehigh, for instance. This information will help the admissions team contextualize your motivations for applying.
Research is key to nailing this essay. Before you begin writing, read everything you can about Lehigh. Understand the opportunities available to students and alumni, and then identify which opportunities are of interest to you. Then, name those opportunities in your essay and explain to the reader why they interest you. For instance, will taking a particular class help you get closer to your career goals? Does a particular club or team at Lehigh engage with one of your academic interests or hobbies? Be specific in your answers and let your excitement for Lehigh shine through.
What’s something great happening in your life right now? It could be an accomplishment, a personal win (big or small) or something you’re genuinely excited about. If it matters to you, we’d love to hear about it. (200 words or fewer)
Start with something that genuinely excites you. The beauty of this prompt is that it can be anything: a recent breakthrough in a subject you’re passionate about, a creative project that’s taking shape, a meaningful relationship that’s deepened, or even a small daily habit that’s making you happier. The key is authenticity! There’s no need to guess what admissions officers want to hear since they’re genuinely interested in what brings you joy and excitement right now.
Rather than simply stating facts, help the reader experience your excitement by including specific details. If you’re writing about learning to cook, don’t just say you enjoy it. Describe the satisfaction of perfecting your grandmother’s recipe or the joy of bringing friends together over a meal you prepared. If it’s about academic growth, explain the specific moment when a challenging concept finally clicked, or how you’re applying new knowledge in unexpected ways.
Lastly, let your personality shine through your voice. Compared to the earlier essay, the writing doesn’t have to be as academic or formal. This prompt is designed to reveal who you are as a person, so write in a way that feels natural to you. Your enthusiasm should be contagious! And your unique perspective should come through clearly.
If you need help polishing up your Lehigh supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.
