Application Requirements, Deadlines & Process
Lehigh is a partner of the Common Application and Coalition Application.
Once your application is submitted, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address you designated on your application.
View Application Requirements and Application Deadlines.
All required supplemental application documents must be submitted through Common Application or Coalition Application.
If you run into any issues or have questions, please check our below FAQs first and then reach out to the Office of Admissions at admissions@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-3100.
If it has been more than seven business days since you submitted your application and you have not received a confirmation email, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-3100. In your email, please include your full name, address and date of birth as provided in your application.
Test Optional Policy
Lehigh will extend the test optional policy for admission indefinitely while continuing to evaluate its impact. This allows first-year applicants and transfer applicants to choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT test scores for consideration.
We urge students to consider how they can best demonstrate their college readiness and academic strengths. For some students standardized tests will reflect their ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment, so we encourage prospective students to take the SAT or ACT and determine if the score reflects an accurate picture of their college readiness. However, other students may instead choose to provide evidence of their capabilities through other ways including curriculum choices, classroom performance, extracurricular involvement and teacher recommendations.
Results from an English proficiency assessment must be submitted for non-US citizens unless the applicant’s first language is English, or the last two full years (not including current year of study) of completed formal instruction have been in English.
The Lehigh Approach
The Office of Admissions reviews applications holistically based upon the information we receive for each individual student. Each year we seek to enroll students who will thrive in Lehigh’s rigorous academic environment, and will contribute to our vibrant community in different ways. A diverse educational community benefits all, and so we value students who represent a variety of academic interests, different backgrounds, life experiences, perspectives and talents.
Our holistic review recognizes the individual’s characteristics and achievements—which can be found in the school transcript, recommendations, essays, extracurricular accomplishments, leadership experiences, and other factors which might be unique to the applicant. We also take into consideration the influence of the environments in which a student lives and learns has on the individual—noted in the school profile, student’s personal background and more.
Flexibility for COVID-19 Circ*mstances
As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, Lehigh understands that students have experienced a variety of challenges - from changes in the educational systems and AP exam policies, to financial and personal losses for families. Please keep in mind that the following measures are in place and should assure you of our commitment to students:
- We will utilize a test optional policy for the SAT or ACT indefinitely.
- Flexibility with alternative grading methods: Lehigh’s Office of Admissions will continue to review transcripts based on the individual school’s practices and policies during our review process. Alternative grading methods being utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic will be honored in the same manner as the school’s traditional grading scale.
- Scores from the new online format for AP exams will be honored according to our existing policies.
Lehigh will continue to act with sensitivity as schools and families make decisions that best suit their students. You can find continued updates on the COVID-19 Information Center.
Application Tips
- Start early
to give yourself ample time to get through the college selection and application process. - Consider all that you want us to know about you
and then make sure that each is reflected somewhere in your application. - Authenticity is the key
to submitting an application that stands out. Focus less on fitting in a box and more on sharing who you are. - Check application for accuracy and completeness
and ensure that all required items have been submitted. - Be aware of deadlines
and consider submitting your application days or even weeks before the due date.
After You've Applied
First, Save that Confirmation Email
Once your application is submitted, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address you designated in the application platform. This email contains instructions on how to open your Applicant Portal. If more than seven business days have passed since you submitted your application and you have not received an email, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-3100. Please provide your full name, address and date of birth as provided to us on your application.
Next, Access the Applicant Portal
Visit the Applicant Portal to make sure we are not missing any of your documents. If you have not yet opened your Applicant Portal, please refer to the instructions on your confirmation email. If we are missing any of your documents, submit those forms through the Document Upload Center. We do not accept missing documents attached to an email. Please note that, due to the significant surge in applications and materials from December 25 to January 8, it may take 5-7 days for items to appear as received on your checklist.
Look for Emails, Letters and Applicant Portal Announcements
We send important information regarding applications for admissions and financial aid, from incomplete notifications to final decisions. If we extend an offer for you to join the Lehigh community, it will include instructions for accessing the Admitted Student Portal, where you can pay your deposit, learn about upcoming events and more.
Applicant and Admitted Student Questions
As with any process, you might find you have some questions along the way. Check out our FAQs below for answers before giving the Office of Admissions a call.
