Lehigh University 2025-26 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Lehigh University 2025-26 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: Two essays of 200 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Misc.

How did you first learn about Lehigh University and what motivated you to apply? (200 words)

The first part of this question should not be rushed through. Really think back and try to pinpoint the moment that Lehigh appeared on your radar. Maybe a family member went there, and you’ve known about it since you were a kid. Perhaps it’s a popular college for students in your city. Write your truth. And don’t forget to answer the second part of the question: What motivated you to apply? Did the campus tour blow your mind? Does Lehigh have a major that few other schools in your region offer? No matter your story, invite the reader into your mind and take them on your journey from exploring options to applying. Overachievers will include a sentence or two about their vision for the next four years as well! 

At Lehigh, we believe in pausing to celebrate the good—meaningful moments that bring joy, pride or motivation. 

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)  

This prompt is about creativity, personality, and (like most supplemental questions) sharing something about yourself that doesn’t appear elsewhere on your application. Think about what really gets you excited: Is it your weekly figure drawing class? Your Minecraft cities? Your fab lab creations? While this question could refer to an external award or a personal achievement, what you choose to write about should be something that means a lot to you regardless of how others might perceive it. Maybe you recently won third place in a school math competition, which was an extra big win since math doesn’t come easily to you, and you worked really hard to improve your grades. Perhaps your grandma takes you and your cousins thrifting every Sunday afternoon, a cherished tradition that you look forward to each week. Maybe you were always told you were tone deaf but, after working hard with your high school choir director, you sang a solo at the spring concert. Perhaps you just ran a 12-minute mile, which might not seem fast to others, but was a huge milestone after a year recovering from injury. Get the idea? Comparison is the thief of joy, so feel free to think about personal victories that matter to you despite anyone else’s standards. Whether you choose to write about awards and accomplishments or personal wins, make sure you focus on something that genuinely excites you.