Lehigh University 2026-27 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Lehigh University 2026-27 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.

How will the unique combination of college, program, major and/or 4+1 program that you selected above allow you to achieve your educational or professional goals?* (200 words)

Here is your Why Essay; admissions wants to know how you foresee your Lehigh education helping you achieve your goals. Your answer should be mostly focused on academic offerings: what you want to study, what subjects interest you, and how you will use the resources at your disposal to pursue your professional goals. This is where you prove to Lehigh that they are a good fit for you and vice versa. Getting this essay right requires a lot of research, so you’re going to want to dig deep into the programs that you’re interested in to find classes, professors, and even extracurricular activities related to your desired major that excite you. The more specific you can get, the better. Even if you have a wide array of interests, consider explaining how two or three departments might cross-pollinate with each other or foster your interest in a larger theme. Finally, make sure you describe how all of these things will help you achieve your goals. What do you envision for yourself post-college? Do you see yourself working for your city as a mechanical engineer? Are you hoping to pursue an MBA and think Lehigh’s Finance major is the perfect preparation? Are you interested in the 4+1 program so you can dive into public health work as soon as possible? Whatever your interests and future plans, your ultimate goal here is to show that you’re the perfect fit for Lehigh, and their programs are a perfect fit for you.