The Alumni-Admissions connection

Admissions are the lifeblood of our university. For most of us, we can be thankful that we attended Lehigh when we did, because most of us wouldn’t get in now! Well, at least I couldn’t. I don’t want to speak for everyone else. But you will be proud to know that offer letters went out on March 26, to the most competitive group of applicants in Lehigh’s history.
We received nearly 10,000 applications for the 1,130 spots we have in the class of 2008. Most importantly, it is not just the number of prospective students competing for those spots, it is the quality that is so remarkable. Lehigh is becoming a “hot” school to attend and the numbers are there to prove it: average SATs in the 1350 range, an un-weighted average GPA in the 3.5 range, and a class rank in the top 10 to 15 percent of their graduating classes. This group of students will be the best and brightest to set foot on South Mountain.
What does all of this mean to you and me as alumni? In short, our stock has gone up! The more competitive the admissions process, the higher the value of each degree from Lehigh—past, present, and future. The only downside is that many children of our alumni (legacies) who want to go to Lehigh will also have to meet the same, higher admissions standards to get accepted. For those who have kids of college age, my one piece of advice is: Apply for early decision!
How can you get involved? More than 700 alumni already participate in the Alumni Admissions Outreach (AAO) program and help identify, recruit, and matriculate prospective students from around the country and around the world. If you are interested in getting involved with the admissions process, you can learn more by visiting the AAO online.
The future of Lehigh is strengthened with each incoming class and we should all feel good about the caliber of these students. Be a part of the continued success of your university!
Chris Marshall ‘88
Alumni Director