Lehigh University Admissions

Celebrating the Holiday Season with Early Decision!

2011-12-13T13:58:00.006-05:00

Winter can be a time of great anticipation in a high school senior’s life – half of the final year in a familiar environment is over, which is stressful in and of itself. Cold weather (for many of us) and anticipation of snow days are yet another thing to pile on top. Add to that the excitement of teams and organization awards ceremonies, winter holidays (what will the awful gift from your crazy Aunt Judy be THIS year?), and of course, the college application process? When it rains, it pours.

For some, the stress will be because many colleges – like Lehigh! – have a January 1^st deadline and for others, because they’ll receive an Early Decision notice from their first choice school. The Admission staff here in Bethlehem were busy this fall, and all told, read nearly 10% more Early Decision I applications compared to last year! We started on November 15^th, and currently, applicants are being passed through our Office of Financial Aid for review.

This year, we’ll be mailing all of our Early Decision I applicants their official notification on Friday, December 16^th. This means that these students should have a decision in hand by Tuesday, December 20^th, even as Early Decision II and Regular Decision applications arrive in hopes of joining the class of 2016.

If you’re working on applications, hang in there… we’re excited to read them!

Some of the most noteworthy words and phrases so far:

perspicacious

milieu

“prodigious intellect”

“foursquare assiduity”

“oozes integrity”

mellifluous

besotted

“…made leap-and-bounce progress.”

inimitable

“…accustomed prosaic life”

assiduously

temerity

elucidate

colluding

Have a cookie (I don’t care what holiday you celebrate, cookies are delicious) and a happy, healthy and hopefully relaxing break!

Sarah Knechel

Senior Assistant Director of Admissions

sck7@lehigh.edu

The South Mountain College Learning Experience

2011-12-09T09:12:00.005-05:00

Lehigh University offers various types of inter-disciplinary programs that allow students to work on different academic disciplines that they are passionate about. One of those programs, South Mountain College (SMC) is an integrated residential academic program dedicated to the exploration of ideas across disciplines. Situated within the College of Arts and Sciences, SMC allows students of all majors to cross explore many of their intellectual curiosities.

Each semester, students are given an overarching theme on which to focus and the options are endless from there. Students are actively involved in structuring the courses and designing their own paths of study. Students receive a strong foundation in the liberal arts as the topics they chose are conducted in small discussion-based seminars, working closely with faculty.

Below you'll find a blog entry from Madeleine, a current South Mountain College student here at Lehigh. Read below to find out what Madeleine is up to this semester!

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My freshman year at Lehigh has been a whirlwind, to say the least. The new friends, teams, ideas, styles, and locations far from home have changed my life more in the past couple of months than I could have ever imagined. Before I dive in too deep though, a little background about myself will help you understand my perspective. My name is Madeleine Smith, and I am from all the way out west in Colorado. I was looking for a school that could meet my unique interests, Cognitive Science and Scientific Writing, in which I plan on double-majoring, as well as serve the ideal purpose of a well-rounded college experience. I am a varsity swimmer, and so far the season has been great, although balancing athletics and school definitely takes a lot of time management. One of the main reasons I am so pleased with my education thus far though is due to the South Mountain College Program, which allows me to explore and untangle boggling, cross-disciplinary subjects, formulating connections from my own unique perspective. Through this blog I hope to give you an inside look on the busy freshman lifestyle and the innovative program that I have found to suit me so well.

I take two SMC courses per semester—Seminar and Investigations. Seminar will change every semester (this semester, for instance, I am taking an environmental seminar) with different, devoted faculty members who volunteer to teach SMC courses. Investigations, on the other hand, provides a year-long opportunity to explore a pre-determined common theme, which we as students decide at the beginning of the year. This year we decided to study the famous modern Japanese writer Yukio Mishima. Mishima serves as the “common backdrop,” so to speak, of our year in SMC. Each of the members of the course eventually branch off to pursue related interests and formulate connections highlighting the individual perspective of each and every student. Though honestly I knew absolutely nothing about Mishima before we started this investigation, I have now read quite a few of his books and have decided to study Japanese history as my final, individualized project. The project is still in the works, but I am thinking of writing a final paper or thesis and accompanying it with a creative piece. I will keep you updated, but for now it is time to go swim!

Closer to Home...

2011-12-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

For many years, I was the West coast recruiter for Lehigh. I spent my recent fall seasons traveling around what have become some of my favorite cities to visit, like Los Angeles, San Diego, Anchorage, Seattle, Las Vegas and my most favorite city to travel to, San Francisco (fantastic seafood!). Spending up to 8 weeks in the fall roaming the left coast was a lot of fun. I tried to take advantage of all the sites these fair cities, especially the food!

As much fun as I had on the West coast, it was finally time to move my travels closer to home and not be away from my family for such long periods of time. I was surely going to miss visiting the West coast, the great meals, the sunny, warm climates but was grateful to be able to get home on a more regular basis. I even got a few surprisingly good meals this year. One was at the Stoney Brook Grill in North Branch, NJ. Very god crab cakes and fantastic waffle fries (I’m a bit obsessed with french fries in general).

It was also interesting visiting schools on the East coast, especially in places like New Jersey and Philadelphia where Lehigh is very well known as a great school. On the West coast, my job really was to educate students and counselors about all the amazing programs and opportunities the university has to offer its students. Conversely, I found this year in my travels closer to campus that students and counselors already knew a lot of the basic information about Lehigh. Therefore, it led to many specific questions about specific/obscure programs or activities or research opportunities. It was quite a change of pace but still interesting to experience.

I thought I would be disappointed not working with and traveling to the West coast. Surprisingly, I genuinely enjoyed being on the east coast for travel season. I think I forgot how nice it was to be on the East coast for Fall. It really is beautiful. The West coast will always have a warm place in my heart but it really was nice to be closer to home.

-Majed Dergham

Director of Diversity Recruitment

mad305@lehigh.edu

Experiencing the Fall (and Summer?) in New England

2011-11-30T11:54:00.008-05:00

Wow! Where did the time go this fall? Before I knew it September had turned into October, which quickly became November. With my region in New England I could not have been in a more beautiful region of the country during these months. The foliage in Vermont was breath taking before the colors changed elsewhere. The apple orchards in New Hampshire and Maine were as tasty as ever, but the wild weather this year may have taken a toll on the poor trees. One early October morning in New Hampshire I found frost on the car. Two days later the temperature soared to 80 degrees in Maine! Each day was another surprise weather-wise. The week following Halloween forced me to read with the widespread power outages from New Hampshire all the way down the east coast to Pennsylvania.

I was pleased with the area I was able to cover in the seven weeks I was gone, ranging from the Berkshires, MA to Newport, RI to Manchester, NH, to the home of the both loved and hated Boston Red Sox. I even made it to the gigantic L.L. Bean boot in Freeport, Maine and witnessed floating hands at one school (pictured below). Even so, I always wish I could meet with more students during this time. I love offering off campus interviews to meet one-on-one with prospective students. Many of my high school visits were small groups of two to ten students, which I also enjoy very much. I had the opportunity to see many of the remarkable New England private schools that previously I had only heard about with their college campus-esque appearance and atmosphere. A fantastic fall with much anticipation to soon select a fantastic class of 2016.

Kate McAuliff

Assistant Director of Admissions

kcm210@lehigh.edu

Georgetown Cupcakes, Ben's Chili Bowl, and the Pentagon -- Lehigh Adventures in the "DMV"

2011-11-28T09:13:00.008-05:00

Hello World,

“How you doin?” (in my best Wendy Williams voice). It’s your trusty Lehigh admissions representative Angelo Lee here and I’ve dusted off my blogging keyboard to give you the 4-1-1 about my adventurous fall travels. So sit back, relax, grab a cup of your favorite brand of hot chocolate (my favorite application reading drink by the way), and enjoy this brief snippet from my travels to the DMW (cue the orchestra…ready…and here we go…)

Now for those of you who may not be as familiar, I’m not referring to the place where you go and sit for hours on end to get a learners permit or license (hours might I add that you’ll never be able to get back…insert sad face here), but I’m talking about the area where I was born and raised – the DMV better known as the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.

Now as a graduate of a DC public school named School Without Walls (and yes, we do have walls), I always love coming back to the DMV area because not only is Lehigh a quick three hour drive down the I-95 corridor (well two and a half if you have a lead foot like mine), but I also get to experience things in DC, Maryland and Virginia that I can only find and experience in this region. Eatonsville, for example, is by far one of my new favorite DC restaurants and the crab cakes in Baltimore at the Inner Harbor are among Maryland’s best. I’m not sure if I am more of a fan of DC’s go-go music or Baltimore’s house music, but certainly neither city lacks in culture nor in musical talent.

I had some of my favorite interviews this fall while drinking hot chocolate in a Barnes & Noble in the heart of Annapolis, Maryland and the view from my hotel in Arlington, Virginia was simply amazing. I could see the city of Arlington, the Pentagon, and the entire region for as far as the eye could see. The junk food addict in me simply loves Georgetown Cupcake as well as Ben’s Chili Bowl in the District and I always make time to shop at the Fair Oaks Shopping Mall (after all of my high school visits of course) in Fairfax, Virginia where interestingly enough I participated in one of the largest and most intense college fairs that I’ve ever experienced in all of my years in college admissions (this is my seventh recruitment cycle). It’s estimated that there were more than 13,000 students and their families who attended the Fair Oaks college fair this October and I had a great Lehigh alumnus, Dan L. – Class of 1977, to keep me company. Side note, but I am always in awe of the great careers of Lehigh alumni (Dan is an engineer that works on projects for the federal government) and what’s nice is that our Career Services center can certainly assist you if you’re looking for career opportunities and internships.

(With the orchestra still playing in the background and leading up to a crescendo to the finale)…I was also able to see the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. monument in DC and contrasted to the historical juxtaposition yet beauty of the Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia, there certainly was no lapse in me seeing the sights and monuments of the DMV this travel season. What’s most important though and my absolute favorite aspect of fall travel this year is that I got to spend time with family AND I was able to get a few home cooked meals prepared by mom as well as a few loads of laundry done too, lol. It’s crazy the little things that you miss once you move away from home.

The DMV is certainly home sweet home and if you give it the opportunity, you’ll be able to say the same about Lehigh. We have information sessions twice a day (at 9:45am and 2:00pm Monday through Friday) and we would certainly welcome you to the Lehigh Valley with open arms. (End music, dramatic pause…annnnd insert applause, hahaha)

Angelo Lee

Director of Transfer Admissions

Senior Associate Director of Admissions

acl209@lehigh.edu

2011-11-22T09:40:00.006-05:00

One of the best parts about working at Lehigh University is the opportunity that we get as staff members to interact with current students. It's amazing to see their involvement on campus and sometimes I am truly taken aback when I hear that they are not only doing great in their classes, but are also involved in a myriad of other organizations. As Admissions counselors, we love to tell prospective students about all the amazing opportunities here at Lehigh. It makes our job so much easier when we are able to specifically talk about current students' experience here on campus. One student in particular that I've had the pleasure of working with these past few months is Samantha Soto '13. She currently holds a leadership position within our Admissions Ambassador student group. Below, you'll find out what Sam is up to this Fall semester...
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Hello! I'm Sam Soto and I'm a Junior in the College of Business and Economics here at Lehigh double majoring in Marketing and Human Resource Mangement with a minor in Psychology. After 3 years here at Lehigh I have learned that this is never a boring moment, there is always something you can be doing when you're not busy studying. To relax my friends and I always enjoy taking the free shuttle that Lehigh provides on Friday and Saturdays to the movie theater at an outdoor shopping mall nearby. The shopping mall also has some popular clothing stores and really good gourmet restaurants so sometimes we'll take the first bus and shop and have dinner before we go to the movie. It's a great way to have some time to get away from thinking about classes and any assignments you have due!

I've actually been really lucky this semester as far as classes go. A lot of my homework is reading-based and some of it involves real-world applications that I can actually use once I graduate. For example, in my HR management class we recently had an exercise where we had to read bios on four applicants to a job that we were hiring for. Each person had very unique qualifications that would help them for the position by my team and I had to choose which one we believed would be the best. Once we made our decision we had to defend it by using what we had learned about class about trends in the job market or legalities that you must follow in the recruiting process. This was an amazing exercise that I know will help me out in the future.

This past weekend was perhaps one of the most fun campus, as we celebrated our school pride. Lehigh has one of the most played college rivalries with this little college in Easton, PA (not even worth typing their name!). Overall the event was so much fun, as alumni from decades ago come back to watch the game and mingle with current students. The week before is pretty much a major school spirit week as we have tons of fun events like Bed Races going on throughout the campus. During bed races student teams of 5, 4 runners and 1 rider, race down the University Walkway on beds with wheels that are decorated to represent their organization. Tons of people showed up to cheer their organizations and groups on, and celebrate Lehigh history. And of course, we won the big game!

There are also a ton of special events that happen before and after Lehigh-Laf. Not only were there tons of Halloween events that took place on campus and off but the South Bethlehem community, where Lehigh is located, also had a "Just Desserts" event. The Just Desserts event is when different community shops create different types of desserts for ticket-holders to try. I heard that it is dangerously delicious and I have a major sweet-tooth so that is something I always look forward to! Like I said, there is always something to do in the Lehigh community and encourage anyone reading this to come and visit and see what there is to do for yourself!

Excerpts from the Road: The Milkwaukee Custard Taste-Off!

2011-11-13T10:29:00.001-05:00

Wherever I go, I try to get the local flavor, sometimes literally. Ok, always literally. I decided that this year was the year I’d do the great Milwaukee Custard Taste-Off!

I visited Kopp’s and Leon’s, both regarded as top custard spots in the city. Although it was tempting to make sure the custard was consistent across all three Kopp’s locations, I settled for sampling just one. Each stand has standard vanilla, and rotating special flavors. On the day that I visited, Leon’s was offering chocolate and butter pecan. I tend to be a custard purist, so I went with the basic vanilla in a cone. Leon’s vanilla custard was almost a solid chuck of custard, like hard ice cream, and very tasty. It almost pulled itself off the cone because it was so incredibly thick.

Kopp’s vanilla was smoother, but by no means runny or soupy. It was also quite tasty, but then I saw the special menu. The “Peanut Butter Kopp’s” and Red Velvet cake special flavors were unbelievable! Normally, my preference is to go with the thicker, creamier frozen custard, but it’s pretty hard to beat the unique taste paired with just-slightly-less-thick custard. I might be a little biased because the special flavors were so appealing to me – had their flavor of the day been something else, Leon’s might have won.

For this trip, I’m siding with Kopp’s. But, in the spirit of the Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry, I’ll be glad to continue the challenge year after year.

Sarah Knechel '06 '08G

Senior Assistant Director

sck7@lehigh.edu

Trains, Planes, Automobiles...and Boats!

2011-11-02T08:09:00.001-04:00

In my 8th year in the Office of Admissions at Lehigh, I experienced something new today. I took a boat to a high school visit.

As I travel internationally and often can't rent a car, I have long been reliant on public transportation to bring me to schools to meet students. I have taken planes, buses, taxis, subways, railways, motorcycles and even tuk-tuks. Today was the first time a ferry was part of the routine. I am traveling in Istanbul which is a city divided between two continents: Europe and Asia. My hotel is on the European side and my appointments for the day are on the Asian side. Rather than sitting in traffic to cross the car bridge to Asia, my taxi driver quickly veered to the right to line up for the car ferry to Asia. Perfect! Rather than sitting in traffic for an hour, we took a 15 minute ferry, sat outside on the deck and had a cup of tea. How lovely! Now, if only my commute were like this everyday!

Laura Severin
Director of International Recruitment
las204@lehigh.edu

Admissions Counselors Hit the Road

2011-10-31T10:10:00.000-04:00

It's that time of the year! Admissions counselors spend weeks traveling to different parts of the nation and the world meeting with prospective Lehigh students. This is a very fun time of the year for us, as we are able to meet one-to-one with students interested in being members of the Class of 2016. It's great when we are thousands of miles away from Bethlehem and yet I am able to meet a prospective student at a high school visit and talk about our beautiful Linderman library or about Chicken Finger Fridays. As we enter the thick of travel season, stay tuned to read about all of our wonderful stories from the road. Also, if you have seen us out at a college fair or at your high school, let us know! We love hearing from you.

Maria Asayag
Assistant Director of Diversity Recruitment
mga210@lehigh.edu

Many Reasons to Celebrate

2011-09-06T17:47:00.004-04:00

September 1 this year was cause for celebration for many reasons. Our students returned earlier in the week for classes, which always energizes us. We love it when the kids are on campus - they truly make this the vibrant place that it is.

Additionally, September 1 marked the return of Krista from her maternity leave. While we are thrilled that she was able to spend quality time with her little one, we couldn't be happier that Krista is back in the office every day.

September 1 also marked the start of our travel season for the staff. It was Barrett Frankel's last day in the office before she headed out on the road - one of our road-warriors, Barre covers the most of the South for several months. We wish her all the best and a safe return. One departure, though, means that many more in the coming week or two. During this time the office becomes quite quiet, despite the volume of visitors.

For these reasons, we decided to get together for a pot-luck lunch, which had an international theme. We have quite the cooks and bakers in this office (which extends to spouses). Check out our spread!

Among the many options (including the very worldly tortilla chips!) was Spanish tortilla, Thai spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce, and homemade baba ghanoush.

Seriously, we have too many fantastic bakers associated with this office....

The celebration didn't end there, though. We decided to throw Maj, who will become a father in the next month or so, a baby shower! Capping off the pot-luck lunch (where we stuffed ourselves silly), we enjoyed watching Maj open gifts. ("This is...........a blanket!," he would say proudly after reading the label.)

We had a great time coming together for this pot-luck and baby shower - reminds us of the great people we have working here.

I hope that you'll get to meet some of us while we travel this fall!

Jessica DeSantis '03 - jed305@lehigh.edu

Lehigh Goes to PACAC

2011-06-30T11:30:00.003-04:00

One of the greatest resources for admission counselors are our colleagues and peers. PACAC held its 40th annual conference this year at the Seven Springs Ski Resort in Champion, PA. Maria and I were lucky enough to not only attend, but present a session with other counselors from Bryn Mawr college and Bucknell University. This is my fourth PACAC, and I think that my favorite part of the conference is just getting to know other counselors, and check in with old friends. All of the extra activities are a blast, too. As a runner, I was initially disappointed to miss the annual 5K, but after a 7.11 mile run where the elevation change was over 1155 feet, I'm not as chagrined.

Having educational sessions and great conversation surrounded by beautiful scenery and great food doesn't hurt, either!!

-Sarah Knechel '06, 08G
sck7@lehigh.edu

Meet one of our Summer Tour Guides!

2011-06-21T17:09:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone,

My name is Ekom Uko. I am an International student from Nigeria and I am currently a rising sophomore at Lehigh University. I am majoring in Electrical Engineering and would also love to possibly minor in Public Affairs. I am a Diversity Delegate at Lehigh and also a Lehigh Student Ambassador, so I work a lot with the Office of Admissions and prospective students during the school year. I am presently working at Lehigh during the summer as a summer tour guide and also as a Computer Lab Monitor.

I chose to become a summer tour guide because I planned to stay here at Lehigh over the summer. I love working with prospective students and I am also totally in love with Lehigh’s beautiful campus and as a tour guide, I get to do both of those things at once. I get the opportunity to help prospective students and to also show them around this amazing campus. I have been able to answer some of the questions prospective students have concerning Lehigh or college life in general and it has been very satisfying to give these students and their parents a tour of our magnificent campus.

It always pleases me when I see them fall in love with Lehigh as well. I usually get asked the question, “So how did you choose Lehigh?” from at least one member in my tour group, and I go on to tell them how much I fell in love with the programs Lehigh offers, the people, and the campus without even one visit. Weird isn’t it? However, by the end of the tour, most of them agree with me. So just a warning to future visitors: It is extremely difficult to NOT fall in love with Lehigh after a tour. Lehigh University is a great a school, and I enjoy every second I spend here as a student.

If you would like to ask me any questions about our campus, feel free to post a comment below!

Get Insider Perspective from a Lehigh Student!

2011-05-20T09:24:00.003-04:00

Hi eveyone!

I hope you are enjoying the month of May! I know things are winding down in the school year but make sure you finish out strong. Summer is just around the corner!

I wanted to let you know of one of our current student's blog site. She is the newly elected President of our Association of Student Alumni and an amazing addition to our campus community. Make sure you follow Victoria Herrmann '12 at:
http://prospectivestudentsvs.blogspot.com/

Happy Friday everyone!

:-)

Maria Asayag

Check Us Out on Facebook!

2011-05-10T17:06:00.003-04:00

Hi prospective students!

Please be sure to "Like" our Lehigh University Admissions Facebook page for the latest updates about the admissions process including tips, links and interesting facts about Lehigh.

Hope you're having a great Spring!

-Maria Asayag

Welcoming the Class of 2015

2011-05-05T17:10:00.004-04:00

A few days have passed since our deposit deadline of May 1st. We couldn't be happier to see all of the enrollment cards come in to our office! It must be an exhilarating feeling to see all of your hard work throughout your high school career finally pay off as you officially enroll in Lehigh's Class of 2015. We are beyond thrilled to have our class and once again, we congratulate all of our accepted students.
We've met some of you at our admitted student receptions, we've chatted with you during our online chats, and we've also had you on campus for our Lehigh Life Days and Candidate's Day. We hope all of these special programs reinforced your decision to make Lehigh your home for the next four years.

It's been a very busy month of April for all of us here in Admissions. We've worked tirelessly to ensure that admitted student programs, such as Diversity Life Weekend and others mentioned above, flow smoothly and have a positive result.

I hope you are all excited for the fall! Orientation and Move-In day will come before you know it. Remember to finish out the year strong and enjoy your summer.

Congratulations once again, Class of 2015. Welcome to the Lehigh Family.

-Maria G. Asayag
mga210@lehigh.edu

The Lehigh Family

2011-04-09T16:52:00.006-04:00

Today, I’m attending two college fairs in New Jersey. Since one was
mid-day and the other is in the evening, I found a warm seat next to
the fireplace in a local library. It’s rainy and, while not cold,
certainly damp. I put down my LU bag and took out my laptop, mentally
preparing for the “unread” count of my email (30, if you care). After
a few minutes of deleting spam and answering student and parent
questions, the older gentleman sitting across from me glances over- he
inquires if there’s internet available, and I tell him there is. He
comments that nowadays, everything is on computers, and I certainly
can’t disagree. The rest is paraphrased as best as I can recall:

“When I was in the service,” he began, “I took a flight from Paris to
London, and was sitting next to an Air Force officer. He asked me what
I was going to do after I got home, and I told him I didn’t know. He
told me to get a job with computers.” At this point, I’m thinking
about the scene in The Graduate- “PLASTICS!”

He didn’t think anything else of it, but after a while the company he
worked for hired “a bunch of bright guys, from MIT…Lehigh…” HOLD ON A
MINUTE! Small world! I smiled, and let him continue. These gentlemen
were some of the first computer engineers, and the hardware was “the
size of a room and couldn’t do much more than that computer there” (he
gestures to my laptop). “Or, a calculator!” I said.

After another mention of Lehigh, I have to stop him – I looked down at
my bag, which is hidden by the table that’s separating us. “Did you
see my bag?” I get a strange look. “I WENT to Lehigh. I WORK for
Lehigh!” Now, I’m holding up my bag in a triumphant manner. “Oh, I
have two daughters that went to Lehigh. It’s a great place!” His
oldest was a Computer Science major, married another Lehigh grad, and
is still involved as an active alum. The youngest was in Materials
Science and lives in Virginia. During her time there, they were able
to have a few meetings with the then-president, Peter Likins, who
recognized them by sight afterwards, and always said hello. “I always
tell people to go to Lehigh…the people there like a good education and
good classes. “

Ten minutes later, we end our conversation and shake hands. Don’t
believe the rumors about the Lehigh Family? It’s real. I hope you’ll
experience it for yourself!
-Sarah Knechel '06 '08G
sck7@lehigh.edu

Find Your Decision Online

2011-03-24T16:04:00.005-04:00

It's what thousands of students and parents like you have waited for over the past few months: we mailed our admissions notifications today. However, you won't have to wait until it arrives in the mail to learn our decision - they are posted in the applicant's portal (the place where you have checked to see what admissions documents we have received). www.lehigh.edu/applicantportal

However, some don't know what I'm talking about or have forgotten how to log in. So, for those of you who are anxiously awaiting the results, here's some help.

IF YOU ARE LOGGED IN BUT GET AN ERROR MESSAGE, log out and then back in again. Thousands of students are trying to login right now.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PORTAL IS (because you have not previously opened your account), check out your email's (the email address you put on your Common Application) inbox, spam, junk, and/or trash for email from within 2 days of when you submitted your application (not your supplement or transcript, etc. - but your Common Application). You should have an email from "Lehigh University Admissions"@lehigh.edu. There, will you find a confirmation that we received your Common Application, along with a code you will need to open your portal account. If you cannot find the email or run into problems, please contact Johnnie Whisner at jlw306@lehigh.edu. She will get back to students in the order the emails are received beginning on Friday and continuing on Monday.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY OPEN YOUR PORTAL ACCOUNT but are having problems logging in: Please use the email you used on your Common Application. Your password is something you selected, so if you cannot remember, please contact Johnnie Whisner at jlw306@lehigh.edu. She will get back to students in the order the emails are received beginning on Friday and continuing on Monday.

And lastly, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE ADMITTED (Congratulations!) AND WANT TO DEPOSIT OR LEARN ABOUT ADMITTED STUDENT EVENTS: You will receive information in the mail on how to access the Admitted Student Portal. Please be patient!

Best wishes to all of you!

Office of Admissions
admissions@lehigh.edu

Open House Attendees and Participants

2011-03-23T09:30:00.005-04:00

Junior Open House was held on Monday - on a cold, rainy day that made it difficult to want to be outside. I love the dedication of those who attended, though! A large majority braved the weather and took tours that day, despite the fact that many were visiting campus for their second or third time. So, a big shout out to all of our Open House attendees!

I must also send an enthusiastic THANK YOU to all of the faculty, staff, and students who were so willing to share the Lehigh experience and opportunities with prospective students and their families!

If you weren't able to attend this Open House, be sure to check out our visit calendar to see when we are offering tours and information sessions. In October, we'll host Senior Open Houses - information for that will go up by September 1.

Hope to see you on campus soon!

Jessica DeSantis '03 - jed305@lehigh.edu
http://lehighadmissionsjessica.blogspot.com

Lovely Day at Lehigh

2011-03-18T17:01:00.007-04:00

Our favorite time of the year is finally here! We are currently enjoying a beautiful day here on Lehigh's campus. Today was perfect for studying or reading outside...or simply sitting on one of the chairs out in the UC front lawn. Happy Friday!

-Sarah Knechel '06 '08G
sck7@Lehigh.edu

Closing in on the Class of 2015...

2011-02-23T09:26:00.004-05:00

Whoosh --- did you hear that? Yes, that was the sound of application reading season flying by this past year. Believe it or not, but the first round of reading has concluded and all completed applications have been reviewed by at least one admissions counselor thus far. Now it's time for what we in the biz call "auditing."

On the plus side of things, we read the very first file the exact same way we read the 500th or 10,000th file here at Lehigh. What that means though is that at the end of round one (which concluded this past weekend), we have roughly 2200 too many offers on our system. Year after year it amazes me how impressive the applicants are, and this year followed suit. We want too many of our applicants to be a part of the Lehigh community. Now comes the daunting task of going back in our pile of preliminary offers and hand selecting who we will ultimately extend offers to next month.

The first half of the process is bearable, but by the end of the auditing process, it is nearly gut-wrenching to remove students from the class who will undoubtedly be wonderful assets no matter where they attend college. The truth of it is that over 80% of the applicants who apply to Lehigh are completely admissible, so it isn't just about a solid academic profile, but it comes down to character, and the intangible pieces that come across in a well compiled application. We don't want to admit just one type of student to Lehigh; we must admit a well-rounded class as a whole instead. We also take a look at the interest factor - we certainly don't want to extend an offer to someone who seemingly does not have much interest in Lehigh.

So as you can tell, the stress level is high, emotions are amping up, and the excitement level is rising as the final decision day approaches. Hold on folks, the next few weeks are going to be bumpy, but in the end, we will undoubtedly be admitting an extraordinary and diverse group of students and welcoming them into the Lehigh family.

Barre E. Frankel '02, '03
bef2@lehigh.edu

The Essay Isn't Easy...

2011-02-01T18:18:00.003-05:00

This time of year, counselors are reading applications at a feverish pace. Lehigh is enjoying a 14% increase in early decision applications, which means a little more reading for every counselor in our office: at least six pages of Common Application, four pages of supplement, two letters of recommendation, school profile, transcript, and extra attachments…each!

Typically, the most insight-giving part of an application is the part you create and submit yourself- the common application with a short answer, activity, and essay section. The dreaded essay is always a hot topic for discussion, with both applicants and other admission and university professionals.

While reading your essays, we hope to learn a little more about you- your personality, experiences, and writing skills. Where some students respond better to prompts with short, to-the-point, expository pieces, others explore the recesses of their thesauruses (or just hold shift+F7). After reading almost as many essays in my time at Lehigh as there are students, here are some of my favorite words to ever appear in an essay. Are bigger words better? Not always- and never, if they’re used incorrectly!

escarpment

foibles

inestimable

Sisyphean

pernicious

peripatetic

fiendish hellions

anagnorisis

vituperative

jocose

biotic

virulent

banalities

derision

perspicacity

rostrum

rapacious

stentorian

I’d love to hear some of your favorites- what’s a word that’s always good to spice up a piece of writing? Do you have a signature adjective, or vocab word that speaks to you?

-Sarah Knechel '06
sck7@lehigh.edu

Calling all Future Doctors and Dentists!

2011-01-19T10:55:00.002-05:00

Lehigh is one of a select number of colleges and universities that offers high school seniors with serious aspirations of being an MD or DMD the opportunity to apply directly out of high school. Called Accelerated Medical Programs, these programs combine 3 years of intense undergraduate study with 4 years of Medical School, thereby shaving one year off of the typical medical school career.

At Lehigh, these programs are called Accelerated Health Programs. We offer three opportunities within our Accelerated Health Programs: A joint BA/MD with Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, a joint BA/DMD with the University of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine also in Philadelphia, and a joint BA/OD with State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry in New York City. For all of these programs, students complete 3 years of study at Lehigh, majoring in Pre-Medical or Pre-Dental sciences and also prepare for the MCAT, DAT, or OAT exams respectively.

Our BA/MD program with Drexel is our largest program and has a deadline of November 15th. While this program has an earlier deadline, I must stress that applicants who apply to this program are NOT considered Early Decision, but Regular Decision candidates. Applicants for this program must apply by this deadline because of the submission deadline set forth by Drexel. We must give ourselves enough time to read all of the applications and forward eligible candidates. Drexel also requires an additional supplement which must be filled out and sent to us in order for the application to be considered complete. This supplement can be found on the “Applying to Lehigh – Forms & Supplements” section of the Lehigh Admissions website. Drexel contacts the students who have moved on in the process for interviews around late January to Early February. Students who are accepted into the program get acceptance letters from both Lehigh and Drexel.

The BA/DMD and BA/OD programs have a deadline of January 1st, which is the Regular Decision deadline. There are no additional supplements required for these programs; however, you must elect that you wish to be considered for the specific program on the Lehigh Supplement and submit proof of interest/experience. Applications are reviewed starting in January, and in February eligible candidates are contacted by the medical school directly for interviews and next steps.

Now that I’ve talked about each program, I want to provide some words of wisdom to all students who wish to apply for one of these accelerated or combined programs, whether at Lehigh or at another institution.

1. Keep in mind that these programs are VERY competitive

2. Make sure to research all of the admissions requirements for the program. Here are some questions you may want to consider:

a. Is there a minimum required SAT/ACT/GPA?
b. Do I have to take specific SAT Subject Tests?
c. Is there an additional application?
d. Do I have to maintain a certain GPA once in the program?
e. Do I have to take the MCAT? (DAT, OAT, or other entrance exam)
f. If so, what score is expected or required?

3. Make sure to have some type of experience in the field. (Yes, during high school!) Schools are very interested in students who volunteer at hospitals, shadow professionals in the field, or conduct some type of research. Get recommendations from someone who can vouch for your experience!

4. Make sure that the undergraduate school is one where you will be happy and successful! These years will be an important 3 years, as they set the tone for the rest of your career! Here are some questions that you should consider:

a. Is there any flexibility in my undergraduate major?
b. Can I study abroad?
c. Does the school have the extracurricular activities and organizations that I wish to become a part of?

5. Likewise, make sure that the medical school is a good fit as well. Visit it! Spend a day with a medical student. Seek out a combined program student if you can.

The key to applying to Accelerated Medical Programs, as with applying to any school, is to be informed. You will be entering a program that will take seven years, so it is important to make sure that it is the right fit for you!

Should the accelerated degree path not be for you, you are more than welcome to apply to Lehigh as a typical 4 year student. Over 90% of our four year students who apply to medical school go on to leading medical programs throughout the country, so Lehigh does a great job of preparing you for your career in medicine.

To all future MDs and DMDs out there, I wish you the best of luck and hope that you find the program that best suits your needs!

-Nneka M. Fritz
nneka.fritz@lehigh.edu

It's The Most Wonderful Time ...To Read Applications!

2010-12-21T18:24:00.006-05:00

After spending 10 weeks, 78 nights in 42 hotels in 12 states, flying on 39 planes and driving 16 rental cars thousands of miles, I have settled back into life in the "Christmas City." Making the shift from life on the road to life back home has taken some time and some adjustment. Just the mere task of sitting at my desk for hours versus jumping from place to place sort of makes me want to scream, but it is great to be surrounded by familiar faces and new friends, as we added four new staff members while I was away this past fall. People often ask me which I prefer - life on the road, or life in the office...I really want to ask them if they think I'd spend 10 weeks away from home if I didn't truly love being out and about, but I usually just smile and respond politely. I have the travel bug and love to be anywhere and everywhere. There is so much to see and experience, so many cultures to explore, and so many people to meet and swap stories with.

I returned home just in time to begin and finish reading Early Decision 1 files. The ED1 process has come to a close, so now we are all diving head-first into the Early Decision 2 and Regular Decision applications. Reading season has arrived! One of the great things about my territory (aside from the gracious people, good food and warm weather) is that it's one of the smaller regions in terms of applicants. That means that many of the applications that I read belong to students I've met throughout my travels. It makes it a bit more personal for me, but it also makes it all the more agonizing when I feel connected to a student who just may not make the cut.

I am also responsible for overseeing the Legacy admissions process. At Lehigh, we have a very broad definition of what it means to be a Lehigh Legacy, and because we have so many loyal alums who spread the Lehigh love to their loved ones, we have enough Lehigh Legacy applicants to fill the entire first-year class and still have some left over! One of the hardest messages to convey to alums is that as Lehigh has changed over the years, so has the selectivity and the admissions process as a whole. With winter blowing in from all directions and the temperature dropping, the upcoming home reading season will be a cozy welcome. During home reading season, the professional staff only spends 2 days per week in the office, meaning that if it's cold and blustery out on one of my home read days, I can stay in my pjs all day and read applications from the comfort of my living room if I so desire. I'll check in next time with a blog written from my cozy and warm living room on one of my home read days. Until then...

Barrett Ellyn Frankel '02, '03
bef2@lehigh.edu

Bringing "Clutch" Along for the Ride

2010-12-13T15:44:00.023-05:00

I traveled to the Twin Cities to attend the Minnesota session of NACAC college fairs fair, which is actually the largest college fair of any kind in the country. The response was above and beyond what I had expected, so thanks to all of you who came out to learn more about Lehigh! An estimated 25,000 people attended, and almost all of them walked by the Lehigh booth, featuring a great poster of campus, everyone’s favorite Clutch stuffed animal, and yours truly…arguably listed in order of
importance.

In St. Paul, I took in the sights and smells of the Sunday morning Farmer’s Market. Clutch and I made friends with the SPFD, who were parked suspiciously close to the sausage cart.

“Some of St. Paul’s Finest with Lehigh’s Finest Mascot”

Sports fans will appreciate that I was in town during the Twins’ (ultimately unsuccessful) playoff bids. The team spirit and support was overwhelming, and the city was covered in flags and pennants. We made some more bronze friends, and ended the day with a trip to the Target flagship store at Nicolet Mall. The spirit of the Minnesotans for the baseball games reminded me of the spirit you’ll find at Lehigh for our athletic teams. The Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry gets a lot of good press (146th game this year!), but all of our other sports have great fan bases and student support. Our varsity athletes also have some of the highest GPAs and graduation rates in the nation, so they’re just as talented in the classroom as they are in the court/on the field/on the grass/in the pool…

Downtown, Clutch and I took a walk before conducting interviews. He seems to be attracted to those in Bronze, though he’s too young to have seen the Mary Tyler Moore show on its original run.

“Clutch supports non-avian teams as well”

This trip, I even met up with a cohort of local alums
for some tapas in Calhoun Square. One of the alums is planning to open a restaurant, where we hope to meet again next year during my visit! The idea of the “Lehigh Family” is one you might have heard before. One of the best parts of being a student at Lehigh is the feeling of community, and that doesn’t stop after your four years in Bethlehem.

I’d bet that any student or alum has a story of someone reaching out to them, just because they were spotted wearing a Lehigh shirt or hat, or driving a car with a Lehigh sticker. We’re a small enough school where it feels like you’re in on a secret (no handshakes yet, to my knowledge). Alums love to connect with one another and share stories of their great experiences. Because Lehigh students aren’t a dime a dozen, seeing one “in the wild,” just walking down the street or anywhere away from campus, is a special event. I’ve personally been approached in Chicago, California, Wisconsin and closer to home, just because I was wearing the Lehigh Hoodie! Lehigh is a special place that sticks with you well after graduation, and our awesome alumni networks and clubs are a testament to that.

“The Lehigh family extends to the Midwest and beyond"

-Sarah C. Knechel '06
sck7@lehigh.edu

The 411 on Lehigh File Reading…The Inside Scoop!

2010-12-01T16:26:00.003-05:00

Hello, world! Angelo here offering you, the inquisitive Lehigh prospective, the low down on what’s up so that the side to side of the low down can get you up and excited with what’s down here at Lehigh so that you know what’s good! Now if you can understand what the heck I was trying to say there, then you deserve free tuition to Lehigh because I’m struggling to understand that myself. However, what might be easier to understand after reading this blog are a few of the nuances behind the Lehigh reading process. As a result, sit back and relax as you get the inside scoop into how we read and evaluate applications.

I guess I should start off by noting that although the application components are generally the same for every applicant who applies to Lehigh, the order in which these items are evaluated is up to each individual admissions counselor who evaluates applications. As a result, here is some insight into how I will read and evaluate the applications for students from OH, MD, upstate NY, and from DC public schools.

Ahem, Ahem…now that I have your attention, you should know that one of the most exciting things about the Lehigh application process (at least for the 16 Lehigh admission representatives who evaluate applications) is that all files are read online. So this means for people like myself who like to read applications between 11:00pm and 4:00am, I have the ability to focus at home, sit in my Bugs Bunny onesie, and sip on my favorite cup of tea. (Okay, so I don’t have a BB onesie, but it made you pay attention, right?)

When I begin to evaluate a student’s application, the very first thing that I will generally see is an online summary sheet, which just like it sounds is a summation of several of the facts found within a student’s application. This includes information like your name, high school, GPA, test scores, if you’ve communicated with Lehigh in the past, and a myriad of other facts. This information is helpful because it allows me the opportunity to build the foundation for my review of the student’s application.

I immediately follow-up my review of the student’s summary sheet by evaluating the student’s transcript. This is by far the most important piece of paper that I will look at in the student’s application and I am looking for a myriad of factors, but most importantly I’m checking to see if the student has gone above the minimum academic requirements within their high school community. I’m looking for academic rigor in AP, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment courses as well as successful coursework that reflects a solid fit for the Lehigh undergraduate college that the student is applying to. For example, I might look for a calculus course for an engineering applicant or an economics course for business applicant. There is no cut and dry method to evaluate a transcript, but I’m essentially trying to discover academic strength and fit for Lehigh by looking at the high school transcript. It’s also worth noting that students are evaluated based on the academic offerings available within their own high school communities and not compared to students from other schools.

The next few items that I check out are the Secondary School Report and the Counselor’s Recommendation. These items help to give me an idea of the student within the context of his or her high school community and offers a bit of depth to the student as an applicant. For example, the rank in class, strength of curriculum, percentage of students who go on to a four-year college, and the overall impact that the student makes on a daily basis within his/her high school community are just a few of the tidbits of information that I’m looking for as I evaluate these items.

With my metaphoric academic hat still in place, the next item that I read is the Teacher Recommendation to get a sense of how the student might contribute to the academic environment here at Lehigh via classroom discussions, past research and internship opportunities, and any additional information that the teacher provides affording me insight into a student’s academic fortitude. The point of it all is to get a feel for the student’s current intellectual capital and how he/she might continue the strong academic atmosphere here at Lehigh. Because teachers have first-hand experience in working with students in academic settings, there is no one better to receive this information from than a high school teacher.

My FAVORITE component of the application comes next and this is my review of the essay and short answer questions. These are my favorite components of a student’s application because the responses to these questions are really the only aspect of the application that students have control over. As a result, these responses allow me the opportunity to understand the student a bit more deeply. The topics that students choose to write about are amazing. Some essays are hilarious, others make me tear up, and then there are those that could have used a little more work. I received a comic book last year as a college essay, which was really cool…and a few of my absolute favorite college essays include one student who was afraid of the Chuck-E-Cheese mouse that chased him through the restaurant, and another student who went to his middle school prom without a tie. There is no particular topic that we’re looking for as essay readers and as long as you’re using your authentic voice in your write-ups and talking about yourself in some way, then you should be good to go with your essay.

After a quick glance through the Common Application and through the extracurricular activities, I have all the information I need to jot down a few comments about what I read in the application and then to I offer my recommended decision on a student’s application. Some applicants will be recommended for admissions because I absolutely loved their college essay. Others might be recommended for admission because of the strength of their recommendations, because of the rigor found within their transcripts, or because they are a great tester. No one thing in particular will make or break a student’s application and we really do complete a holistic evaluation on your application prior to making a final decision.

It is important to note that every application is read at least twice by two different individuals in the Admissions Office where many applicants will be admitted, however others unfortunately will not. When all is said and done though, you can be rest assured that as your advocate, I have done everything in my power to ensure that your application was evaluated fairly and given the strongest consideration possible for admission to Lehigh.

Now that you know how it’s done…it’s time for me to get back to work and pull out my Bugs Bunny onesie, lol. (I promise, I really don’t have one.)
Good luck!

Angelo C. Lee
acl209@Lehigh.edu

Admissions Travel Around the Globe

2010-11-29T10:23:00.003-05:00

50,000 miles = pretzel roll!
I am sitting in the Swiss Air Lounge in Zurich having just arrived from JFK and waiting for a connection to Nice to attend the Council of International Schools annual forum in Monaco. One of the perks of my job is traveling around the globe to meet students interested in studying in the United States and, hopefully, at Lehigh. Along with this job comes a lot of early mornings, late nights and many hours spent in airports and on planes. I am wrapping up my seventh season of travel for Lehigh and have accumulated quite a collection of frequent flyer miles along the way. One of the benefits of flying 50,000+ miles per year on Star Alliance airlines is access to their business class lounges worldwide even while flying economy class as I do.
People worldwide love having access to the airline lounges for a variety of reasons. Some flock to the lounges for the quiet and calm that rarely exists in an airport. Some use small meeting rooms and wifi to stay connected to work and meet with colleagues. Some come for the abundance of electrical outlets to recharge computers, phones, cameras, etc. Some come to try to convince (plead) with airline employees to upgrade their seat to business class. (Ok, I admit it – I have tried this and failed everytime.)
While I enjoy all of these benefits, there are smaller, often overlooked features of airline lounges that put a smile on my face in the midst of long travel days…
The Turkish Airlines lounge in Istanbul has a hidden secret called the “Quiet Room”. It is a very dark room with a door to keep the noise out. Inside the room are four lounge chairs that recline practically into a flat bed. The trick is to arrive when one of the four highly coveted chairs is available and then it’s nap time while waiting for your flight. Just be sure to set an alarm so you don’t sleep through your next flight!
The Lufthansa lounge at the Frankfurt airport has an endless supply of gummy bears. I have been known to eat gummy bears in place of a meal at times, thanks to Lufthansa.
Singapore Airlines lounge in Singapore serves dim sum for breakfast. What’s not to love about tiny, delicious dumplings for breakfast? You can buy a similar meal in the airport but thanks to Singapore Airlines, I can have a free all-you-can-eat dim sum fest before catching a flight. Yum!
This morning’s arrival in Zurich brought an unexpected treat at the Swiss Air lounge…pretzel rolls! What is a pretzel roll you might ask? Simply a roll made from the dough of a soft pretzel and it is one of my favorite foods. Pretzel rolls are great as a sandwich but equally delicious on their own.
My journey to the CIS Forum consists of a 3 hour drive from Philadelphia to New York’s JFK airport, 3 hours waiting at the airport, 7 hour flight from New York to Zurich, 2 ½ hours waiting in Zurich, 1 ½ hour flight from Zurich to Nice and a bus ride from Nice to Monaco. However, that entire journey is absolutely worth it for the pretzel roll I just ate (and the one I’m going to put in my pocket for later!).
las204@lehigh.edu

Bienvenue a l’Europe!

2010-11-22T10:15:00.009-05:00

Other than getting to work with great people and students, my favorite part of working as an Admissions Counselor at Lehigh has been the opportunity to travel and see new places. Lehigh has sent me all over the United States including Alaska, California, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington. However this past recruiting season was the first time I was sent outside of the U.S. on a recruiting trip.

I spent a total of ten days traveling through Europe and had a blast! I visited London, England, Paris, France and Geneva, Switzerland. It was my first time traveling to any of these cities, so I was a little nervous, but very excited.

My first stop across the pond took me to jolly-ole London, England. I wanted to stay in an area where I knew it would be easy to get around and have things to do. So I stayed near Oxford Circus and trust me, it was plenty busy with lots to do. Of course I made sure to see the usual tourist stops like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus. However, most importantly, I made sure to get a big plate of fish and chips. You may laugh at me, but it was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. Such a good meal!

While in London, I attended a college fair hosted by the Fulbright Commission. There were hundreds of universities and colleges present and over four thousand students present. It was so busy, I felt like I spoke to a ton of students interested in attending Lehigh. One good tip to keep in mind when attending a college fair is to be prepared and have a set of questions you would like answered. Also, try not to ask questions like what are your best programs? Most schools will tell you that all of their programs are fantastic. It’s always wise to do your homework before hand and ask specific and thoughtful questions.

Immediately after the college fair, I made my way to the St. Pancras train station to take the Eurostar train to Paris, France for another college fair. Of the three European cities I visited, Paris was probably my favorite. I visited a lot of great places, but one of the coolest was the Louvre. I really enjoyed the exhibits and the sheer greatness of it all. There was a special exhibit about the history of the Middle East which was awesome. The museum itself was very impressive inside and out. I love historic architecture, so it was really a treat to visit the Louvre.

Another train, another city, another college fair. From Paris, my next stop was Geneva, Switzerland. I was in Geneva for less than 24 hours but it still left an impression on me. The city is great and very walk-able actually. It has some of the most breathtaking views of the Alps. I arrived in the afternoon, checked into the hotel, left immediately for a college fair, came back to the hotel, slept like a baby until my alarm awoke me at 4am for a 6am flight back home.

What a whirlwind trip! This picture is from the airplane after we took off. You can see the Alps in the background. Overall, my first trip to Europe was very exciting but also very tiring. While I enjoyed my time, it’s always great to come home!!

Majed A. Dergham

mad305@lehigh.edu

Finding the Right Fit

2010-11-18T14:16:00.003-05:00

This weekend, I participated in a panel discussion called “Stompin’ the Yard: Real Life Talk about the College Experience” at New York Urban League’s College Fair in Harlem. I talked about my own experience in finding a college and I wanted to share some of the tips that my fellow panelists highlighted during the session.

• Academic Programs
If you have no clue about your intended major, that is perfectly okay. There is nothing wrong with being an undecided student! Find schools that offer a variety of majors and programs that interest you. However, if you have an idea of what you wish to study, find the schools that specialize in that area or offer special opportunities. Most schools match students with advisors to assist in this process.

• Size
Do you want to be a part of a large student community, or is individual attention important to you? In looking at the size of a college or university, it is important to look beyond just the number of students. Look at the number of majors offered, the size of a department within a school, the number of faculty, and how accessible the faculty is to students.

• Location
Do you want to be away from home, or would you prefer to be a commuter student? Urban, suburban, or rural campus? What are the various methods of transportation?

• Campus Life
What is life like outside of the classroom? What are the popular clubs and organizations? Is it the type of campus where you can start a club if it isn’t already offered? How are the sports teams? Is the campus diverse? How’s the school’s spirit?

• Campus Resources
What types of facilities (dorms, dining halls, labs, libraries, computer labs) are on campus? Find out what types of support services are offered. Some offices to consider include internship/career services, study abroad, academic support, and community service.

• Cost
Although cost is a very important factor when considering college, don’t limit yourself just because a college has a high price tag. Look at the various scholarships that a college offers. Does it offer merit-based awards in addition to need based? Is it affiliated with national scholarship programs or organizations? Virtually all colleges work to ensure that academically qualified students from every economic circumstance can find financial aid that allows them to attend. When considering the cost of college, it is important to look beyond the price tag to the assistance available.

Finding a college is a very daunting task. While it is important to seek advice from your parents, other family members, counselors and friends, the ultimate decision rests on you. You will be the one attending classes and getting involved on campus, so you want to make a decision that will best serve YOU!

This process entails a great deal of research, so I advise starting as soon as possible. It’s never too early to begin finding the right fit! Hopefully, you’ll find the above list helpful.
Good Luck!
Nneka M. Fritz
nmf210@lehigh.edu

6,034 Miles of Traveling Across New England

2010-11-15T09:05:00.008-05:00

Hi everyone! I’m Kate McAuliff and one of the newest members in admissions at Lehigh. Although I have been here only two months, I find myself already broadcasting my affinity for everything Lehigh. I have loved speaking with people who share the same sentiment throughout my travel season, and I have met some very wonderful students – perhaps soon-to-be Lehigh freshmen!

Somehow November crept up unbelievably quickly. When I consider the many miles I’ve covered along the east coast this fall (6,034!!), a couple of things stand out in my mind. I inadvertently gathered some interesting, albeit anecdotal, data about life in different states of a relatively confined portion of the country. The areas I visited were southern New Jersey, Long Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.

What I’ve learned: Fifty minutes of “driving” at 7:15 AM in New Jersey may land you approximately 3.8 miles from where you started, while in New Hampshire you can average around 55 miles in that same time period. This really occurred. The traffic I experienced before my first high school visit of the season was unlike anything I had ever seen. Luckily, my excessive paranoia with time got me there only two minutes late. To those students at Cranford High School who tolerate that commute each day – your saintly patience is quite admirable to me. The number of country radio stations increases exponentially the farther north you go. I admit, however, my favorite station while I drove the distance equivalent to back and forth across the United States was on satellite radio – a station called “Doctors.” I promise, the content really is fascinating.

Another pattern found as you travel toward the Canadian border is the number of cars on the road, the speed of those cars, and number of highway lanes decrease significantly. Speaking of lanes, the number of, what I will call, “spatially gifted” people in New York who to no avail find ways to create invisible pathways through traffic is amazing! In Massachusetts, the number of Dunkin’ Donuts far exceeds the number of Starbucks. I know this because the latter establishment with wi-fi is definitely my go-to-do-work spot on the road during the afternoons. I think my taste for Starbucks coffee has significantly taken a turn for the worst.

Every day of travel for me was filled with new sights, people, and places. One entirely new setting I stumbled upon was after an afternoon fair in Southampton High School. I wanted to see the coastline while I was on Long Island, and I plugged into my GPS the address of a nearby beach. Little did I know that the neighborhoods I would pass through to get to the beach had some of the largest, most extravagant and luxurious, and I would guess most expensive houses I ever seen in-person. I have seen few like these on television. I traveled at about seven miles-per-hour as I gaped at the homes and tried not to drive into a ditch. I was house-struck.

After traveling to so many new places I was shocked to see a familiar face on TV when I was in Dedham, MA. The local news anchor I had watched for four years at college felt like an old pal of whom I had lost communication with over the year. I had similar feelings in Maine when I visited Mt. Ararat and Brunswick high schools, both of which I competed against in soccer, swim team, and tennis in high school. Familiarity is a strange sensation when unfamiliarity has been all you’ve known for a month and a half.

Like the geographic and way-of-life differences across my region, high school visits I conducted similarly varied state-by-state. As expected due to proximity, turn out on Long Island and New Jersey was enormous. I saw as many as 35 or 40 students per school. I think Hunterdon Central won the award with the most students in attendance. Massachusetts visits averaged five or ten prospective students, and New Hampshire and Maine were usually one to four. Regardless of where I was geographically, I met many great people with fantastic enthusiasm and questions. One question that I often was asked: “What was your favorite part about Lehigh when you were a student?” Well, surprise! I didn’t go to Lehigh -- but I will keep you updated if I ever find anything that isn’t my favorite.

Thanks for reading about my travel season and time with Lehigh thus far, and good luck with those applications.

Kate McAuliff
kcm210@lehigh.edu

Tips on Writing Your College Essay

2010-11-12T14:24:00.003-05:00

“What do I write about?” “How do I make myself stand out?” “Which topics should I avoid?”

During fall travel this year, I was invited to speak at a high school college night, specifically about the college essay. While most of my recruitment focuses on sharing Lehigh’s message, I found this to be a really helpful session and one where I could share specific insights with students stressed about this important application component.

In this post, I hope to share with you some helpful tips, some do’s and don’ts, and give you my perspective after reading hundreds of essays over the past 11 years here at Lehigh. Forgive me David Letterman, but here’s a top ten list:

1. Start early. The more time you have, the less stress you will have. You’ll want time to critique your essay, have others read it for you, and maybe even scratch it and start over.

2. Be yourself. Think about what interests you, what you’re really passionate about, and how you love to spend your time. Write about it. One of the biggest mistakes students make is writing about what they think admissions counselors want to hear. If it’s not genuine, we’ll know.

3. Stay focused on your topic and don’t stray from it. This is a pitfall for many students. They begin discussing one topic, then go off on a tangent and lose sight of the message they’re trying to deliver. Don’t let this happen to you.

4. You’re writing a personal essay, not a shopping list. Some students use the essay to list every extra-curricular accomplishment they’ve ever experienced throughout high school. We already have that list in another section of your application.

5. Too much of a good thing…..can be bad. Don’t make your essay too long. Remember, you’re writing a succinct personal statement, not an English paper. If your essay is 5 pages, it’s too long. You should be able to share your ideas in 2 pages or less.

6. Answer the question. If a school is asking you why you’d like to attend that institution, make sure you give clear reasons why. Also, make sure you write about the correct institution! You wouldn’t believe how many essays we read of students telling us they’d love to attend Villanova or Lafayette!

7. Get a second opinion. Bounce ideas off of your friends when considering topics, and have a family member or teacher give input as well.

8. Remember your audience. The person that reads your essay will not be 18. Don’t write as if you’re writing to your friends. Don’t use slang. Things like “BTW” and “thanx” are not appropriate. Most admissions counselors are in their 20’s and 30’s, but remember your essay might also be read by a Dean or Director. This person could be in their 40’s, 50’s or 60’s. Try to select a topic that will appeal to the masses.

9. Spell-check AND proofread. Really easy thing to say…..definitely not something all students do. A student a few years ago wrote about going hunting with his grandfather. Great topic – it was something that was important to him. He wrote throughout the entire essay that they went hunting peasants. WE THINK HE MEANT PHEASANTS!

10. Don’t expect too much from the essay. The essay is important, but it’s not the only thing considered. Admissions counselors are going to spend far more time on your high school transcript, and a great essay will not make up for a weak academic record. Do the best you can, present your best work, and the essay will compliment all the other components to your file.

-Krista D. Evans
kde4@lehigh.edu

Enjoying Admissions Travel in Milwaukee

2010-11-05T14:25:00.009-04:00

What do we do?
After the last high school visit of the day, counselors will often stay busy by attending local or national college fairs, or offering off-campus interviews. However, there’s rarely a program every night that we’re on the road. These free nights are the time we get to explore your hometowns and see the sights! Each Lehigh counselor is able to learn a bit more about the territory by getting out on the road (and out of the heels, ties, dresses or suits) in a fun and exploratory way. This year, I spent many more weekends away than I typically do. While I was sad to miss out on some tailgating, I found some great ways to keep busy. I hope you’ll follow the installments of my travel this year. First stop, the Midwest!

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Clutch and I took advantage of some downtime to take the Miller Brewery tour. A little different than your average college campus tour, our awesome guide Aaron led us around the factory floor and plant grounds.

Photo souvenir! “Don’t tell them that Clutch is only about 15 – he’s mature beyond his years.”

The facilities are huge, as is the amount of cans and bottled produced daily. Lehigh has its own brewery connection, thanks to alum Jeff Fegley ‘98, who is master brewer and co-owner of the Brew Works restaurants in Bethlehem and Allentown with sister-in-law and fellow alum Nicole Kieler Fegley ‘98. Bethlehem Brew Works is an award winning craft brewery and a great place to grab lunch if you’re in town!

I offered interviews in the historic Milwaukee Hilton, and I was able to explore the city sights while downtown. I walked along the RiverWalk, but didn’t have time for a Clutch/”Bronze Fonz” photo op.
I did stop into the Usinger’s Sausage shop, and walked past the reported Home of the Giant Pretzel.

“Mader's German Restaurant and their claim to fame”

After a delicious farm-to-table dinner with friends at the Roots (http://www.rootsmilwaukee.com/) restaurant, I was ready to head back to the East Coast. My total time in Wisconsin was only a few days, but each year I get to learn more about the area and students there. I’d love suggestions for highlights to see on my next trip to The Good Land (the Algonquin translation of Milwaukee- thanks, Wayne’s World!).

-Sarah Knechel
sck7@lehigh.edu

Bearing the Heat: Admissions Adventures in Texas

2010-11-01T11:08:00.000-04:00

Hello folks!

I have survived my first travel season relatively uneventfully, save for the occasional car overheating en route from Houston to Austin—and still having to drive it to the airport upon arrival. I had my emergency flashers on as I was driving 40mph on the 290 freeway, which was terrifying in itself. To make matters worse, the silly car kept making a loud chiming noise every two seconds (as if I didn’t already know there was something wrong) and the engine sounded like a boiling teapot the whole way to the airport. To top it all off, I had to drive with my windows open and my heater on full-blast in Texas summer weather that is as hot as it is humid.

Other than this slight mishap, I had an amazing first time in Texas. Being a native of Southern California, one tends not to leave that general vicinity other than to go to Las Vegas or to go on vacation somewhere. Every school that I visited in Texas was very hospitable and kind; I got goodie bags everywhere I went. High school guidance counselors—you are angels. There was many a time when I couldn’t grab lunch, didn’t wake up early enough for breakfast, or had a three-hour drive ahead of me, and those goodie bags really kept me fueled, well-hydrated, and functional.

I really enjoyed my visit to Austin. Austin has a lot of character, and is the perfect amalgamation of historic charm and modern sophistication. I visited the Modern Art Museum, the Mexican History Museum, and walked along Congress Avenue. I even took an afternoon stroll along the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, which provided me with a gorgeous sight of the lake. I considered staying for the mass bat migration that happens every evening underneath the Congress Avenue bridge (apparently the largest urban bat colony in the country), but I have an irrational and unbridled fear of rodents, creepy-crawly things, and anything with wings so I decided against it.

During my visits, I got many questions from eager students ranging from financial aid to the application process to “what is Lehigh?” I thought I would address one of the most common questions here:

• What is the average GPA of admitted students?
Lehigh does not give out average GPAs, just because they vary so widely from school to school (some schools calculate their GPAs on a 4-point scale, some do it on a 10-point scale, some do weighted GPAs and others don’t…you catch my drift). Therefore, an “average GPA” is meaningless and is not really a part of our admissions process. Instead, we are looking for a B+/A- average in the high school transcript. We also want to see rigor in the transcript, such as AP classes, IB classes, and/or honors courses. We want to see that you are challenging yourself in the classroom and that you are taking full advantage of the resources available to you.

A little piece of personal statement advice I like to share with students (because I am a nice person):

Pretend for a second that you are interviewing with me, and I ask you the following question: What is your favorite type of food?

Think about that for a few seconds.

When you thought of your favorite food, were you wondering what I like so that you can tell me that you like it too and hopefully get me to like you better? Chances are, no. This is the same type of approach that you need to take towards your personal statement. Don’t worry about what you think college admissions officers wants to hear. We are looking for your personal story; what makes you unique, what your intellectual passion is, and what your dreams and aspirations are.

By the way, I love pancakes saturated with maple syrup and an ice-cold glass of milk to accompany them. I could eat them all day, every day.

-Marjorie Soto
mas510@lehigh.edu

Tips for Campus Visits this Fall

2010-10-15T08:59:00.001-04:00

As we're halfway through fall, we know that many students and their families are out and about visiting college campuses. As you hop in the car with your family, here are a few helpful tips on what to do when you get there:

Take the student-guided tour. You'll get much more out of it than just walking around by yourself.

Attend the information session offered by the Admissions Office. It will give you a great overview of all that the school offers.

See a freshmen dorm and the dining hall.

Try to have one meal on campus. You're going to eat there for four years

See academic classrooms. Ask your tour guide about the average class sizes, and about the student to faculty ratio.

Consider meeting with a faculty member if you know the major you'd like to pursue. This will give you great insight into the kinds of interactions you may one day have with your professors. Are professors accessible? Make sure to ask and check it out first-hand.

Check out the computer labs. Ask about tech support for your own computer and how readily it's available.

Stop by the library. You'll be spending a lot of time there!

See the student center/student union. This facility might house things like the bookstore, campus post office, game room, etc. Does the center have casual conversation areas, lounges, a coffee house? Where do most students spend their time outside of class?

Check out the fitness center. Ask about Clubs and Organizations you may be interested in joining, and whether or not it's easy to start your own club. Are students involved in the community? How many students stay on campus on the weekends?

If you have a negative experience with one person (i.e. a tour guide, a random professor, etc.), try to look beyond that. Not everyone is a charismatic, eloquent speaker, and thus, not everyone at every school is a perfect representation of that institution.

These are just a few suggestions - there are many more questions you can ask and more things you can learn. One final piece of advice: Write down your impressions of your visit while they are fresh in your mind. You may want to refer to those impressions as you make your final application list. Best wishes in your search!

Krista Evans - kde4@lehigh.edu

Southern Hospitality

2010-09-27T09:25:00.001-04:00

A cool snap has finally settled into the bayou, where the humidity has seemingly been near 98% and the mercury has been hanging out in the lower 90s. Today is my last day in Louisiana, and by week's end I will have finished traveling to the Carolinas, Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana. With 2 months left of travel, I'm right on track to be 1/3 done.

I've been really impressed by the students who have crossed my path, either to express their excitement about Lehigh, or to learn something new about it. I'm continually encouraged by the students who are willing to look at something new, like Lehigh, and it never fails, they leave feeling really excited about stumbling upon a gem of a university.

Although I love the warmth of the south, the grits, and true southern hospitality, I do miss seeing the changing of the seasons up north.

New finds this fall thus far: Jacques-Imos, my new favorite New Orleans restaurant, thanks to a tip from a local whom I befriended.

Lesson learned: The 21st floor in a hotel is scenic, but it's a heck of a climb down to ground floor when there is a hotel fire in the middle of the night!

Strangest question: can I bring a musket to campus?

Bizarre moment: when a student announced in the school lobby that when the sun hit me at the right angle, you could see through my dress

Oddity: every rental car I've had Rhys far has had out of state license plates. No matter what, I think that trend will stop when I get to Hawaii

Next stop: NACAC in St. Louis

Barrett Ellyn Frankel '02, '03 - bef2@lehigh.edu

Planning for our Busiest Visit Day

2010-03-30T17:37:00.006-04:00

Many admissions offices simultaneously dread and get excited for April. It is an end to reading thousands of applications, cold weather, and a chance for human interaction once again. At the same time it means upwards of 12,000 visitors and hundreds of accepted students coming to campus to see what Lehigh has to offer. To prepare for these days requires months of planning and organization down to the minute. The best example of a crazy day is Good Friday which is our busiest day of the year. We expect roughly 390 families to visit campus bringing roughly 1200 people or one whole freshman class to campus!

We start our planning by taking a look at what rooms are available to house such a large number of visitors. Our office theater holds about 80 people which is obviously insufficient on a day like this. In many cases we work with our Registrar to squeeze into rooms around class times to make sure our counselors sessions begin and end on time so that we do not interrupt the flow of class. Some professors who are aware of our plight have been kind enough to move their class to allow us the room for the day. Also, due to the volume we have to get more seating than is available in our office. As part of the chance to educate people on the diverse array of offerings that Lehigh has we offer information sessions at 8:30 and 9:00 am on our Honors degrees to keep traffic flowing in the office.

We employ our student workers as walkers to move families from one location to the other and in some cases they will make so many round trips that several have walked over a mile by the time the day is done! In addition to our own activities the PC Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science (RCEAS) is gracious enough to provide families with in depth tours of their labs which is hosted by their students and families organized out of ours. They time them to either allow families to end their day with that or begin and do the tour and information following. This also includes planning to make sure counselors are in place with their sessions and each one is able to start on time. If one session is delayed then those families begin their tours late which means either no time for lunch before the engineering tours or worse yet that the tours don’t end in time for the engineering tours to begin.

We run over 20 tours at each time on a day like this and with a campus of 1600 acres we are forced to try and keep tours from running into each other. This means tour guides may show their own room including upperclassman and even Greek housing if necessary to try and free up space for tours. Finally after months of planning we arrive at the schedule you see below. Now I will just have to let you know how it goes!

Good Friday Schedule
7:30 AM: Brian and Barb arrive to get front desk ready
8:00 AM: Kyle, Laura D. and Susan arrive to prepare to direct crowds
8:05 Laura D. and Susan stay at doors to Admissions Office directing people inside. Kyle behind desk with Barb
8:10: Brian to LL 270 to make sure IBE is set up
8:18: Laura D. walks first wave of IBE students to LL 270
8:23: Susan walks second wave of IDEAS students to LL 270
8:28: Allison walks third and final wave to LL 270
(After each wave the “walkers” return to help direct people to Barb)
8:53: Susan walks first wave of IDEAS over to IDEAS session in LL 270
8:58: Laura D. walks IDEAS families to LL 270, Susan walks IBE families to admissions then returns. 9:00: Brian Starts IDEAS and takes a count of families there to text to Kyle
9:03: Allison takes extra families over to IDEAS session
9:25: Maj heads to DR 210
9:30: Kyle counts and Allison walks 100 to DR 210. Angelo heads to RB 184 to set up for session
9:35: Susan walks families over to RB 184 (Kyle Counts), Counselor1 to LL 270 to set up for session
9:40: Laura D. walks families to RB 184 (Kyle counts)
9:43: Allison walks families to LL 270 and Kyle counts, counselor 4 to theater
9:45: Susan takes last group to LL 270 moves families into session
9:47: Kyle and Brian put families into theater for session overflow
10:20: Barb delivers morning count for tour division
10:30: Brian to RB 184, Kyle to LL 270, Susan to DR 210, and Laura D. to theater. ASA tour guides meet at departure points.
10:45-11 am: tours are out
11:10: Kyle, Laura D., and Brian to Lunch
12:30: Laura D., Kyle and Brian on hand to help move families from admissions to PA 101 for engineering tour (large to small) or to buses (bioengineering)
12:45: Laura and Brian out at desk to help with organizing families
1:15: Brian out front to help herd families into theater
1:30: Dara and Charlie arrive. Dara helps direct families into front desk. Charlie helps families who are done filling out cards into theater
1:40: Sarah to PA 101 to set up session
1:45: Laura takes first wave to PA 101
1:50: Dara to Neville 2 to put engineering families into session
1:55: Charlie takes wave down to Neville 2
2:00: Brian takes wave to Packard 101
2:50: Brian and Kyle to PA for tours
2:58: Laura brings over stragglers from admissions.
3:00: Tour leaves

Tour routes:
We can run three variations out of Rauch, 3 out of LL 270, 2 out of DR 210 and 2 out of Admissions. Given minimal overlap it should look as follows
RB 184 departures
4 guides: Rathbone, Ulrich, Drinker, Lamberton, Copee 105, Linderman, Admissions
4 guides: ZAC, Rauch, Rathbone, Ulrich, Drinker, Lamberton,Linderman, Admissions
2 guide: Taylor, Ulrich, Drinker, Lamberton, UC, CO 105, Linderman, Admissions
LL 270 departures
4 guides: Linderman, UC, Lamberton, Drinker, Ulrich, Taylor, CU 230, Admissions
4 guides Grace, Ulrich, Drinker, Lamberton, UC, CO 105, Linderman, Admissions
2 guide: Taylor gym, Rathbone, Ulrich, Drinker, Lamberton, Linderman, Admissions
DR 210 departures
4 guides: Lambeton, Drinker, Ulrich, Rathbone, Taylor, CU 230, Linderman
2 guides: UC, Linderman, Taylor, Ulrich, Drinker, Lamberton, CO 105.
Thtr departures
4 guides forward
3 guide backwards

Phew - a lot of planning, but well worth it when visitors are happy.

Brian Regan '06, '08G - bsr2@lehigh.edu

Transitioning from "Reading Season"

2010-03-30T17:29:00.004-04:00

The time for application review, or Reading Season, at Lehigh begins in November and continues into March. Counselors are responsible for reading the applications from their own geographic regions, though applications are always read by at least two staff members. This year alone, we read over 10,000 pages of essays! Now that Reading Season is winding down, many counselors are looking forward to reading something that isn’t based on a prompt found on the Common App! This is what we’re looking forward to reading soon:

Laura Severin - Director of International Recruitment
The White Mary by Kira Salak
It is a fascinating novel about a war journalist who goes on a quest through Papua New Guinea to find her idol and fellow journalist. The story takes you through her personal journey and explores the physical landscape and cultures of tribal villages of the jungles in Africa.

Sarah Knechel – Assistant Director
The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment by A. J. Jacobs
The newest book by one of my favorite authors! I’ve enjoyed reading about his two prior, long-term life experiments (living according to every rule in the bible and reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica), and I look forward to reading the shorter ones in this book.

J. Bruce Gardiner – Director of Admissions
Badge of Honor by Nelson DeMille
An entertaining novel that also paints a good picture of the underbelly of the Vietnam War. The specific focus in the book is a fictional event, but there are several other events highlighted that are similar and really happened.

Bruce Bunnick – Senior Associate Director
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.
The Masons are probed further from the creation of the nation's capital and the rise of Western civilization.

Brian Regan - Assistant Director and Senior Policy Analyst
Cold War by Nikita Khrushchev
A little light reading! This book provides a Russian perspective on Khruschev during his time in power.
The Power Broker by Robert Caro
A novel on the life of Robert Moses and how modern New York City was developed.

Jessica DeSantis - Senior Assistant Director
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
Name says it all - the author theorizes why some societies have survived while others have not - everything from botany and climatology to geography and anthropology is discussed. Never have I been so fascinated and eager to read!

Sarah Knechel '06 - sck7@lehigh.edu

Can You Feel the Love?

2010-02-11T13:16:00.003-05:00

Love is in the air at Lehigh. It's not because Valentine's Day is this month, but because our Early Decision I deposits are in, and Early Decision II acceptances are on their way out the door. It's always so exciting getting to know the students we are going to accept, especially those who are so in love with Lehigh that they have applied Early Decision! No two classes, just like no two applicant pools are exactly alike, and I'm always fascinated by the variety of students who are attracted to Lehigh each year. In the midst of choosing our Early Decision II students, we are also making gut-wrenching decisions with our Regular Decision applications. There are so many frustrations when it comes to application file reading, and this year is no exception. In fact I think that we've probably faced more challenges than ever this year because we went completely online this year with our file reading process, and it's been a bit of a bumpy learning curve of a ride! Technology aside, sloppy errors start to wear on us around this time of year, which should serve as fair warning for students intending on applying to Lehigh in the future. Students who have all the potential in the world, yet who are not applying themselves in high school are also a common irritant, and I'm pretty sure on a weekly basis there are students who we just want to shake some sense into because they have no idea or don't care about how truly talented they are and how they can be truly effective citizens if they just put forth some effort.

In the midst of reading applications, one of my responsibilities is to begin planning regional admitted student receptions around the world for our newly admitted students, their families, and the Lehigh family members. For admitted students who can't make it to campus in April for our on-campus events, or for those who would like to meet other accepted students in their area, there may be an accepted student reception held in their region.

Each year, many of Lehigh University’s more than 60,000 alumni family members and friends come together to congratulate newly accepted students within their communities. These special Accepted Student Receptions are a benchmark program for our University and are for those students who have already decided that Lehigh is their school, as well as for those still in the decision-making process, and are meant to provide students and their family the opportunity to meet Lehigh staff members and local alumni and parents. Lehigh invites students to come and hear about Lehigh alums' experiences and memories. Hopefully, this will help them to determine if Lehigh is the place where they will spend their undergraduate years and form fond college memories of their own.

Locations where receptions will be held this April include St. Louis, MO; Metro Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA; Cleveland, OH; NYC; Long Island, NY; Phoenix, AZ; Chicago, IL; Istanbul, Turkey. Other potential cities include Houston, TX; Seattle, WA; Honolulu, HI

As of today, we are well past being 70% finished with reading applications, but there is still a bit of work to do until we have finished piecing together our Class of 2014. With spring on the horizon and so much Lehigh love in the air, how can anyone not love this time of year?! Gotta get back to the applications, so that's all for now...

Barrett Ellyn Frankel '02, '03 - bef2@lehigh.edu

More Adventures of CLUTCH

2010-01-11T15:10:00.000-05:00

Jessica DeSantis, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions and Lehigh 2003 graduate, here with a sampling of additional adventures by CLUTCH:

If you would like to learn about what these photos entail, check out my blog - lehighadmissionsjessica.blogspot.com. I keep you posted with my travels, file reading, office work, and life in the Lehigh Valley. Hope you'll see me there!

Jessica DeSantis '03 - jed305@lehigh.edu

Last Minute Application Tips

2009-12-23T09:51:00.020-05:00

Hi everyone! Just thought I’d check in since the January 1st deadline is approaching. I know you are working hard on finishing your application, so I wanted to help by providing some last minute tips:

The application is your chance to shout (on paper), “THIS IS WHO I AM!” Be proud of who you are, and what you have done!

Your application should reflect who you are, not who you want the readers to think you are. The essay is where we get to know you best, so choose a topic that is meaningful for you – you’ll find it’s much easier to write and it will show us your personality. Also, have someone read your essay to catch mistakes spell-check overlooks.

Whatever your SAT/ACT scores are, be comfortable with them; keep in mind that they are only one piece of your application.

We evaluate your grades from your entire time in high school, so keep working hard even after your application is submitted.

The supplement is your space to speak from the heart about your thoughts on Lehigh.

Tell us why you are applying to Lehigh, in particular. Tell us what excites and intrigues you! It’s important to be specific to Lehigh, so avoid copying and pasting answers from one application to another.

Some students have asked for clarification on the statement regarding “equity” and “community,” principles that are valued at Lehigh. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer – simply share your thoughts and feelings about how “equity” and “community” play a role in your life.

You are only required to submit recommendations from one teacher and your guidance/college counselor. You don’t need to submit additional recommendations unless you think one additional recommendation will include a completely new element not mentioned elsewhere in your application.

If you have questions about the application requirements, you can contact the Office of Admissions at (610) 758-3100.

If your family is applying for need-based financial aid:

At Lehigh, funds are granted to those students whose families demonstrate financial need. Estimate your approximate Financial Need Here

Deadlines are incredibly important – late or non-filers put themselves at risk for not being awarded any need-based aid.

Financial Aid paper work (FAFSA, and CSS Profile) must be submitted by February 1, 2010.

Completed tax information and a 1040 for tax-year 2009 are due by February 15, 2010 – this means you and your parents need to get taxes done soon after receiving their 1040s.

If you have questions about need-based aid and the required documents, you can contact the Office of Financial Aid at (610) 758-3181.

If your family is looking for merit-based aid:

There is no special application to be considered for merit.

Historically, merit aid is awarded to approximately 10% of the students that we admit, making it an incredibly selective process.

All financial notifications are mailed with acceptance letters (providing you’ve met all deadlines).

We offer admission to students who bring the total package of academic, extra-curricular, and personal success. Put yourself in the best position possible by doing your best in school (including your senior year) and present yourself as you are.

As you wrap up your applications, try to have a restful and enjoyable holiday season!!!

We look forward to getting to know you! Good Luck!!

David Thompson "06, dat2@lehigh.edu

Go, Go, Go, to Read, Read, Read

2009-12-21T14:02:00.004-05:00

Now that all of our jet-lag has subsided, our rental cars have been returned, our luggage has been unpacked, and our laptops have been rewired to our offices, the Lehigh admissions officers' have completely shifted gears. We have moved back into our apartments and houses, and re-acclimated to life in Bethlehem and an 8:15a-4:45p work day. Like hibernating bears, we have become dormant, as we have officially entered file reading season, and as a staff we will spend the next few months reading through thousands of applications from all over the world, and choosing our Class of 2014.

Early Decision I is over now, and it never ceases to amaze me how talented and diverse the applicants are who submit applications to Lehigh. As a class, each individual student is not necessarily well-rounded, but together they are an unstoppable force with diverse interests, talents, passions, and weaknesses. Together they balance each other out and make each other whole. Early Decision applications are always intriguing to read because they are from students who REALLY want to be Lehigh students. As a Lehigh alum, that means a lot to me, so I'm always curious what their reasons are for falling in love with Lehigh - is it the academic offerings, the balanced atmosphere, the flexible curriculum, or is it something a little more abstract like the gothic architecture, the affinity for mountain hawks, or the love of stairs.

Reading a well put together application is like painting a picture - a person emerges from the sheets of paper that make up the applicant's file. From the first word on the first page, to the last word on the last page, and along the way, past the 2,784th word on the 7th page, a story unfolds. Reading applications is akin to reading a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book (flashback to the '80s) because you never quite know what is going to be revealed next. Each application (thus each applicant) is essentially a different chapter, and once the committee on admissions chooses those who will be in Lehigh's Class of 2014, a complete, well-balanced, well-rounded book is produced. Some of that book has been written and contains students from the Early Decision I pool, and I can't wait to discover and eventually unveil the remaining chapters.

The journey continues...

Barrett Frankel '02, bef2@lehigh.edu

Brians' Travel Guide Part 2: Central PA, Virginia

2009-12-17T13:55:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Part 2 of my Travel Guide!

Central Pennsylvania: Now one may ask what treasures await a traveler in Central PA. While the simple answer is chocolate. Hershey PA is a wonderful stopping point when looking for a break from ordinary wilderness. Here you have the mecca of chocolate displayed in 3-D rides, scrumptious cookies, make your own cupcake stands and a gift shop filled with many pounds of chocolate. There is never anything wrong with waking up early to drive out to the Hershey Pantry to have plate sized cinnamon rolls and experience classical home cooking.

In addition in nearby Cornwall you have one of the oldest iron furnaces in the country with an excellent display of revolutionary era industrialization and how it impacted the surrounding area. Continue even further south from Lebanon/Cornwall and you come across the heart of Amish country providing some of the best food to be had in Central Pennsylvania. Usually a sampling of one of the many smorgasbords is well worth the time to get a feel for the cuisine is in order however this year I tried something different and went for the Kitchen Kettle Village. While there I sampled the Lancaster cheesesteak which is made with fresh Lancaster blue cheese, rib eye and baked rolls using only the finest local ingredients. The refreshing take with Blue cheese is well worth the stop for those looking for the offbeat cheesesteak experience.

For those heading north of Harrisburg to the heart of Central PA there is always a stop at State College and the Penn State Creamery for ice cream followed by a late night snack at Ye Old College Diner right off campus. Each of these provides a unique insight into the world of State College where you have a town literally existing for the sake of the college. As you make the drive through the small towns you see the devotion that borders on religious fervor for Penn State football and academics that makes it the envy of anyone recruiting in that area.

Virginia: While traveling the road across my vast territory I am always amazed at the depth of things to see in Virginia. It is one of the best states for seeing historical sites and as an avid fan of all things history it is one of my favorite places to be. I have made an effort to try and catch as many battlefields as I can. Fortunately they are open until dusk and usually high school visits are done by 2 or 3 so with luck I can get in two to three hours at each battlefield allowing time to search the area thoroughly. Since we spend a lot of time sitting in high schools waiting to meet with students I am always armed with battlefield books that recount what happened so I can be an informed consumer of historical experiences.

This year I visited an array of battlefields and even took Clutch along for the ride.

The Fredericksburg area and Richmond area are rich in battlefields that well preserved and not too crowded with visitors. I particularly enjoyed the Wilderness Battlefield which was the preview of Grant’s style of fighting against the Army of Northern Virginia. Clutch insisted and checking out a Civil War era cannon and making sure it matched historical expectations. The Wilderness battlefield for those who have never been is a dense area of forest where it is hard to imagine two great armies fighting and over 20,000 thousand causalities occurring. The area has a very good nature walk that shows how the armies maneuvered and ended in their tactical draw. From there you can head 12 miles south to Spotsylvania battlefield which where Grant was able to flank Lee following Wilderness. Also in this area is the famed Fredericksburg battlefield where Lee was able to beat Burnside in one of the most foolish battle plans of the war. In the case of Richmond it is easy to access many battlefields including the well preserved Cold Harbor.

CLUTCH getting into some trouble at Wilderness Battlefield

Also in Virginia is a selection of wonderful presidential homes from Monticello (Jefferson), Montpelier (Madison), and Ash Lawn (Monroe), which provide excellent stopping points to see period housing from our founding fathers. For those who wish to remain in the civil war realm the Southern White House of Jefferson Davis is very well preserved in Richmond. I never make a trip to Charlottesville without stopping at Monticello to soak in the Jeffersonian spirit and celebrate the triumph of the yeoman farmer. The ability to see into the times that these men lived are well preserved in all three houses and it is amazing to see some of the inventions that Jefferson installed making his home THE state of the art mansion at the time. There is something about being surrounded by the virtues of small government the reinvigorates my philosophical side and in this case I was able sit outside on a nice day it Monticello reading the Social Contract by Rousseau and really contemplate political philosophy. On our way out CLUTCH decided to pose with a Thomas Jefferson for a quick photo. For those who have yet to explore Virginia I highly recommend it.

More to come in the future on my spring travels! Until then,
Brian Regan, '06, '08G bsr2@lehigh.edu

Norte, Sur, Este and Oeste

2009-12-17T11:08:00.005-05:00

Hello All, My Name is LaVonne Clark; I have been in the business of college recruitment for 7 years and I am currently an Associate Director of Admissions and Director of Diversity Recruitment. I visit high schools and read applications from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and select areas of New Jersey and New York.

This year, my recruitment travel kicked off with a highly anticipated trip to Puerto Rico, a place where the warm weather and ocean breeze greet you as you step off the plane. There, I visited the Baldwin School, St John’s School and Robinson School, to name a few. Many students there are interested in Lehigh and were engaging and academically impressive. Driving to find all the schools was a bit challenging at times but I felt confident knowing that I could read and write in Spanish. Remembering Norte, Sur, Este and Oeste came in handy while traveling the highways of Puerto Rico. If you don’t know North, South, East and West, you will get lost!

After a full day of high school visits, I retired to Old San Juan to walk and unwind. Old San Juan is a city filled with nostalgia and historical sites such as La Fortaleza or El Morro, forts that were built to protect the Bay of San Juan. There are many places to shop, relax or stroll with views of the ocean.

Dining options can be overwhelming because there are many fabulous restaurants to choose from in Puerto Rico. My favorite place is El Caribe they have the best authentic Mofongo - a local cuisine that is bursting with flavor! The dish consists of your choice of well seasoned meat or seafood stuffed into a large cup of mashed sweet plantains - very tasty! Puerto Rico will always be my favorite place to visit, next year I hope to stay a little longer to interview students that are highly interested in learning more about Lehigh.

LaVonne Clark, lac208@lehigh.edu

From Fall Foliage and Flashing Lights to Cowboy Hats and Concerts

2009-12-15T11:21:00.001-05:00

I'm Natalie van den Heuvel - an Assistant Director of Admissions. My territory allows me to travel to VERY different parts of the country to visit students - I got to see cowboy hats and boots in Texas, tons of slot machines in Las Vegas (even as soon as you step off the plane at the airport!), beautiful fall foliage in Ohio, and then I wrapped it all up in Fairfield County, CT. What a whirlwind it was! I can't believe all the places I've been and how quickly it all went. Feels like it was just summer a few weeks ago and now it's almost winter.

Austin is one of my FAVORITE cities in the United States by FAR! There's always live music and my trip just so happened to coincide with the Austin City Limits (ACL) music festival. Check out the picture from the festival - there were so many people and so many fantastic musicians! This is a picture of the main stage where Pearl Jam was the headliner.

Anyone from Citizen Cope, GirlTalk, Dave Mathews Band, John Legend, and Zac Brown Band performed, too! I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I got my very own cowboy hat while I was there.

I'd never been to Las Vegas, so that was definitely a first. You couldn't walk anywhere without hearing the ding ding ding ding ding of slot machines and seeing the flashing lights from all the casinos, no matter how far away from the strip I was. Even though I'm not a gambler, it's still an amazing city to visit at least once in your life!! Here's a picture of Klutch being tempted by one of the slot machines in Caesar's Palace - unfortunately, he's not old enough!

Along the way, I met some really bright and fantastic students throughout my region. I have to say that students from Fairfield County have a greater probability of having visited Lehigh due to its proximity to campus, whereas students in NV and TX find it a bit more challenging to spend an afternoon on campus. Thus, the conversations are much different. Plus, students living in warmer climates have a lot more questions about the winter and how much snow Lehigh gets! All of the fairs I attended in TX and Las Vegas were highly attended - for the first time ever, I ran out of brochures and materials to give out in Vegas at the college fair! The sites are a bonus, but my favorite part of travel is meeting with students, and I must say, I had the chance to talk with some of the most interesting and dynamic students yet! Thanks for a fabulous travel season :)

Natalie van den Heuvel, nav307@lehigh.edu

Exploring Minneapolis

2009-12-14T15:57:00.000-05:00

I always have a great time exploring (beyond the schools and hotels) to learn more about the Midwestern areas of my territory. While traveling in Minnesota, I took a few pictures with our university (and office!) mascot, CLUTCH.

Enjoying the amusement park in the center of the Mall of America

Kindred spirits, The New York Life Eagle by Augustus and
Louis Saint-Gaudens and Clutch

Having fun in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden,
in front of Spoonbridge and Cherry

Exploring the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on a terribly rainy day

Living proof of the "Lehigh Family," in Chicago O'Hare airport with an alum that ran across C terminal because I was wearing a Lehigh hoodie.

Sarah Knechel, '06, '08G - sck7@lehigh.edu

New England might top her list

2009-12-01T15:33:00.009-05:00

Hello! I'm Elizabeth Young, Assistant Director of Admissions. I was well into my fall travels in New England went I sat down to write this in a Panera in Concord, NH (love the free wi-fi, but getting very sick of the grilled cheese kids meal). At that point I had been to Rhode Island and Maine. Here were my thoughts:

If you're going to have a fall travel territory I think New England has to rank as pretty high up in terms of desirability. The foliage is so beautiful and the leaf peeper retirees are out in force this year. If you like apples or anything that comes from apples - apple cider or my favorite, apple cider donuts, you are in great shape in New England! The pictures I took of Clutch are from Rhode Island and Maine. One is at the Newport Yacht Show - very fancy. The others are from the LL Bean compound in Freeport, ME.

The students I met at the high schools here have been a pleasure. I also got to speak one-on-one with about 8 students in Portland who signed up for the off campus interviews (non-evaluative, not required, purely informational) that I held downtown. It was a nice change from the larger groups that I get used to addressing. Since Maine is a little farther from Lehigh than the rest of my territory it's satisfying to feel like the information that I bring can really play an important part in the students' college search process.

On another happy note, I have recently been upgraded to Hilton Gold VIP which is AWESOME. I feel very important and plan to take complete advantage of executive floors. I'll be meeting my long lost husband for two days at our house in the Adirondacks on Saturday, and then it's back to the home sweet Hilton.

Elizabeth Young, ely208@lehigh.edu

Brian's Travel Guide Part 1: South Jersey, Pittsburgh

2009-12-01T14:57:00.008-05:00

Hi everyone. I'm Brian Regan '06, '08G, Assistant Director of Admissions. I travel to and read applications from South Jersey, Central and Western PA, VA and WV. I was unable to get to IN and MI this year, but will read applications from these states as well. As an undergraduate, I was a triple major in History, International Relations, and Health and Pharmaceutical Economics. I received my masters in history of the Atlantic World in 2008 and continue to read as much history and economics as I can.

Travel season is a harrowing time for admissions counselors. It is a time of long hours, endless high school visits, Panera bread, and lots of interviews. While we have this busy schedule we are also blessed with ability to drive through beautiful scenery, a plethora of historical sites and culinary delights in the cities that we visit. Many counselors find ways to unwind while on the road and while some of these may be taking in a movie or walking the local mall, I find mine in historical sites, cultural festivals, and local cuisine of the places that I visit. So for those ready to hit the road here is a guide to my travel territory!

South Jersey: New Jersey is defined by the exit number you live off of the Parkway, the mall in your county or city and the blue plate special at the local diner. While in "Jersey," as it is called by those most familiar with it, I always make a point to stop by the local mall and people watch to get a pulse on the economy (one of my passions). I look at what stores people are going into and how big are the shopping bags they are bringing out from those areas. It informs me a lot about the area and gives a great window into the world of the students. It is especially fun to see a group of people shopping that you see the next day wearing the outfits they bought bringing the experience full circle.

There is also the blue plate special (the best of which is at the Skylark Diner in Edison NJ) to build a better understanding of local culture. What do the locals eat? It varies county by county and sometimes is a simple as a pasta dish or sometimes as complex to a brie-chicken sandwich with garlic Truffle fries at the aforementioned stop. It is always nice to take a break from the Panera Bread’s of the world to sample some good old fashioned home cooking and throw health consciousness to the winds. Of course if one is lucky enough to be traveling during boardwalk season they can really be in for some tasty and greasy food!

Western PA: The city of Pittsburgh is defined by its neighborhoods each offering a culture and cuisine all their own. From the Run with the dive bar Big Jims that offers humongous platters of Italian food, to the local Primanti Brothers providing a sandwich filled with meat, French fries and coleslaw for those who want a meal all in one. You can sample the Polish food of Kelly O’s in the north or the baked fresh treats of the Oakmont Bakery. Probably the best kept neighborhood secret of Pittsburgh is in the neighborhood of Dormont where you find the Dor-Stop which serves up some of the best pancakes you can find. They are a must anytime you are in the city and offer flavors like Pumpkin, apple cinnamon, apple walnut and many more, each cooked perfectly and in servings that cannot be finished.

For historical sights in Pittsburgh, I am always a fan of walking around downtown and looking at some of the original lay outs. The real historical gems in the area can be found in touring the Johnstown flood or going down to Fort Necessity where our first President made a disastrous military mistake (sadly not his last) and find an area rich in fall foliage that sparkles with tradition.

My guide will continue in the next post! Much more to share!

Brian Regan, bsr2@lehigh.edu

CLUTCH, the photographer

2009-12-01T11:10:00.005-05:00

Director of Admissions J. Bruce Gardiner promised us that CLUTCH took these photos as he (Bruce) drove in Colorado. They had quite the stunning views!! (Something he has enjoyed every year since 1989!) Check them out!

Aspen

Glenwood Canyon

19 Years and Counting...

2009-10-25T00:34:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone! My name is Bruce Bunnick, and I’m a Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Lehigh University. Why the “Senior” in my title? That’s a nice way of saying that I survived in this profession for nearly 19 years, and now those who are seeking admission to the Class of 2014 to Lehigh were officially born after I began in this field. Time certainly flies!

At any rate, I’ve been on the road so far to New Jersey, Scranton, PA (home of The Office!), Washington, D.C., Chicago, and finally landed in New York City a few days ago. I’ve met so many wonderful students so far, and only have a few more weeks of travel before I head back to Bethlehem to resume that which makes this profession so great – reading all of the wonderful applications from so many students from across this great country.

To this point, one of the most frequently asked questions from students during my daily high school visits concerns the college essay. So many students seem so worried or concerned that they won’t submit the perfectly-written and extraordinary essay, which, in turn, will affect their application in some way. Rest assured that you will conquer the essay! If anyone if ever having troubles developing a topic, here’s a good idea: sit alone with a note pad and pen and for about 2-3 minutes write down any thought that comes into your mind. After you’ve done this review what you’ve written and you’ll likely have the beginnings of a topic that you can expand upon as you write the essay. Maybe not the best solution, but it should at least help. Remember, the essay gives voice to the application and it’s a valuable part of the process. Admissions is never strictly about numbers (GPA, SAT/ACT scores), so please keep in mind that our staff values literally every you send our way, so hang in there!

Another question that I’ve heard often from students concerns Early Decision. Remember, at Lehigh our “early” programs are both binding in nature, so you should investigate, investigate, investigate. Lehigh is such a great place and has so much to offer its undergraduates, so if you’re thinking of moving in this direction be aware of the obligations behind the agreement. We offer 2 separate rounds of Early Decision: ED I with a deadline of 11/15, and ED II with a deadline of 1/1 (you can change a Regular Decision application to ED II until 1/15).

Beyond this, I want to say thank you to all of the great students I’ve met along the way. From the mid-west to the east coast, I’ve shared candid discussions with so many of you (and, occasionally, your parents and guidance counselors) that energizes me as the long “reading season” appears on the horizon. After November 15th, our staff will hibernate for a few months as we review applications, ponder strengths and weaknesses and finally craft the Class of 2014 at Lehigh. Until then, for those of you with questions (regardless of your region of the U.S.) please feel free to contact me at brb5@lehigh.edu. Don’t forget to enjoy being a senior and remain confident that you will land when it’s all over (hopefully it’ll be on Old South Mountain).

Bruce Bunnick brb5@lehigh.edu

Cheesehead hats and the Garden State Parkway

2009-10-15T18:00:00.020-04:00

Pet peeves:

Checked luggage fees
Small hotel fitness centers
Commuter traffic

Favorite radio stations

Sirius/XM: Hits 1, 80s on 8, 90s on 9, Classic Rewind, Alt Nation, Pops Classical
NY/NJ: Z100
WI: 103.7 Kiss FM
MN: 101.3 KDWB
Bethlehem: 99.9 the Hawk, radio 104.5

Embarrassing items forgotten

PJs
Toothpaste
Pants (long story)

Favorite on-the-road meals

Breakfast: Starbucks oatmeal with brown sugar and a tall vanilla latte, or green/white/passion hot teao
Lunch: Panera Bread “You Pick Two”: Black bean soup and Asian sesame chicken salad with the apple and an iced tea
Dinner: anything from local restaurants like the Country Pancake House in Ridgewood, NJ

Best toiletries

Homewood Suites by Hilton

Best non-work related activities

Jeopardy
USA Today crossword puzzles
Exploring the local area (and trying out their malls)

Greetings from Northern NJ!

A quick introduction: I’m Sarah Knechel, Assistant Director of Admissions for: Northern New Jersey, Rockland and Putnam counties, New York; Connecticut, with the exception of Fairfield County; Minnesota, and Wisconsin. I also work as a liaison with the Music department, including the performing arts scholarships, and the South Mountain College program. I'm beginning my third year in the Office of Admissions after graduating from Lehigh with a BA in 2006 and my M. Ed. in 2008 through Lehigh’s President’s Scholarship.

As you will quickly see, Clutch and I had a blast in Milwaukee, WI. After a rough start in the security line of the Lehigh Valley International Airport (why wouldn’t a 24 year-old business traveler have a stuffed animal?), we made time for a quick photo op by the Lehigh MBA advertisement, then settled into our seats for the quick flight to America’s Dairyland.

While I was there, I tried to tour the highlights, including: Miller Park, where the Brewers were played the Phillies earlier this week; the Milwaukee Art Museum and its stunning architecture; Lake Michigan and the parks along Lake Drive and Milwaukee Bay.

Sadly, they don’t seem to make Clutch-sized Cheesehead hats, so I had to improvise (thanks to the nice shopkeeper who had infinite patience). I also had a great meal at Beans and Barley, where my meal was outstanding, and the wait was made easier by all of the cool merchandise in the grocery store/market.

One of the reasons I love my job is the opportunity to travel. I hope to post some fun pictures and stories from “the road,” the period from Mid-September to early November that I’m out speaking with our prospective students. To me, it’s fascinating to see all the differences in everyday life across America. Although I’m only seeing small snippets, I like to think I’m getting a glimpse into the daily routines in each of my territories. When I’m driving between high school visits, hotels and interviews, the roads themselves and personalities of drivers on them is possibly the most fascinating insight into the local flavor. Driving between Fargo and Bismarck, ND last year is a wholly different experience from my drive on the Garden State Parkway this morning!

I hope to keep you updated on things that I see and do throughout our travel season. If you’d like, send me an email at sck7@lehigh.edu or chat with me on gChat at sck7@g.lehigh.edu.

Sarah Knechel '06, sck7@lehigh.edu

10,408 miles

2009-10-12T08:27:00.004-04:00

After flying 10,408 miles, and passing through multiple timezones, I arrived in Honolulu, HI to begin my week of recruiting. I had no idea whether my body wanted breakfast, lunch, or dinner when I arrived, so I stuck with what I knew and went for a Poke Bowl at the Ward Center as soon as I landed and picked up my rental car.

I flew out to Maui on Monday, September 28th, island-hopped to the Big Island on Tuesday, and then spent the remainder of the week on Oahu. I even found time to meet 4 LU alums for dinner at CPK at Ala Moana during the week. They were astounded when I updated them on new initiatives and buildings on campus and the developing area of Bethlehem that was transforming the Southside. Lehigh is totally different place with so many more opportunities than when they were at school. It still has the same traditions and the old school feeling and charm, but it's better than ever!

Quite a lot was announced in Hawaii while I was there, including a tsunami watch on 09/29 and 17 furlough days for the public school students, faculty, and staff members, but neither of those kept me from meeting with some truly fantastic students who are eager to get to the mainland for their college education.

A lot of Hawaiian culture centers around the "Ohana" or family, and with this being my 3rd year recruiting in Hawai'i, I truly feel like I get to see members of my Hawaiian family when I visit the schools each year. There is such a strong sense of community here, which is why I think Lehigh is such a great fit for so many Hawaiian students. The Lehigh family is close-knit and cohesive from the moment a student begins their first semester, throughout the rest of their life. It really is much more than a campus or a group of students - it is a supportive community.

Each time I visit Hawai'i I think about staying forever, but I hear Arkansas calling my name so I suppose I will continue on my journey and fly to Little Rock for my next leg of recruiting. I'll pick up with my blog from Hot Springs when I arrive...I hope there is a bath waiting for me!

Barre Frankel '02, '03 bef2@lehigh.edu

London, Paris, Geneva - Not as easy as you think....

2009-10-07T00:20:00.009-04:00

Hello everyone - I'm Laura Severin, Director of International Recruitment. I’m writing during a brief stop in Bethlehem after a great recruiting trip in Europe and as I’m about to set off for Asia. My responsibilities in the Admissions Office encompass our global efforts so I am often packing suitcases for long flights and making sure I have my passport in check. Jetlag seems to be a way of life sometimes!

I spent a week recruiting in Western Europe in September. After traveling in many diverse areas of the world, Europe always seems a bit like home culturally. That being said, there are always challenges to face in each destination…

Remembering to look right first when crossing the street in London to avoid being run over by a double-decker bus. Despite having lived in London for a year, I still forget and am eternally grateful for the reminders painted on the ground of each crosswalk… “Look Right”… “Look Left”…
Trying to figure out how to buy tickets for the Metro in Paris. Ugh! The machine says that it accepts Visa, MasterCard, etc. So, we put a Visa in and it tells us to pay with Visa, Mastercard, etc. Next we put in a MasterCard and it tells us to pay with Visa, Mastercard, etc. (Proof is below!) Finally, we settle on paying cash for our Metro tickets, realize we can’t figure out which train to take and end up in a taxi!
Driving a stick shift in Geneva… It has been a while since I drove a manual car. I originally learned on a 1979 Mazda hatchback that was bumblebee yellow. Well, the 2008 VW Golf we had in Switzerland was a bit different. Who puts Reverse next to 1st gear? It’s supposed to be under 5th! Anyway, my driving was surprisingly successful until we reached the parking lot of Le Rosey boarding school in Rolle, Switzerland. A car was pulling out of a parking spot in front of me and the driver didn’t see me approaching. I slammed on the brakes to avoid running into each other but forgot about slamming on the clutch at the same time. A little stalling never hurt anyone, right?!?!

All of these challenges, great or small, remind me of just how amazing our international students are. They leave their family and cultural comfort to journey to Lehigh where they are faced with huge life changes – let alone the school work they tackle.

I’m leaving tomorrow for Istanbul, Ankara, New Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. I’m sure I will face more hiccups along the way but will also meet more amazing students. Stay tuned…

Laura Severin las204@lehigh.edu

Unexpectedly great high school visit

2009-09-21T16:23:00.012-04:00

Hi everyone! I'm David Thompson, '06, Assistant Director of Diversity Recruitment. I just had to share this story with you all from an appointment I had about 2 weeks ago.

I had not been able to visit this school before and wasn't successful in building much interest, so it wasn't a school that was my top priority year to year. This year, when I tried to make the appointment I found out they only do lunch visits, which I tend avoid as a vegan does meat, but I went with it anyway. Usually visiting during lunch time does not work well - students prefer to eat, chat with friends, and take a relaxing break from classes, however this visit was a bit different.

I followed the college counselor to a space they use for the senior "lounge." It was under the gym, hence it was noisy, and no one was there, but the counselor (who was very kind) said she would find me some students. Within 5 minutes, the room was packed. I quickly was learning from these 27 students, who were all African American, the application process for their getting accepted to this magnet school. We then discussed the many opportunities available at Lehigh, among other topics. While most had never heard of Lehigh before, this is a high school whose educational framework is social justice oriented and, despite being 99% African American, has ingrained in these students how to be academically effective no matter the racial/gender make up of a school.

Towards the end, a young lady came running in, just to tell me Lehigh is her current homepage and rattled off facts that she had read. I was impressed with her questions, which were indicative of actual research into Lehigh. I handed Diversity Achievers Program applications to all of them, and will email the group tonight to see if there are "last minute" questions or concerns. It's amazing what can happen when we connect with a school that may not initially look ideal for a visit. This visit was proof that these great schools are out there just waiting for us to show up.

That's all I have for now - more to come later this fall. Thanks for reading!
David Thompson '06 dat2@lehigh.edu

Lehigh in the Deep South

2009-09-18T16:03:00.008-04:00

Hi everyone! I'm Barre Frankel '02, '03, Associate Director of Admissions/Director of Alumni Admissions Outreach and Legacy Programs. Welcome to our blog! Here's what I have been up to the past few weeks. I hope you enjoy it!

The annual Lehigh Legacy Weekend Event, held Labor Day weekend, was successful with over 125 people in attendance, including over 40 prospective Lehigh Legacies. After a morning filled with insights on the Lehigh-of-today, stories from current students and administrators, and plenty of light-hearted fun and laughter, the families went on a campus tour and had the option to attend the season opening football game. Although the football team lost a heartbreaking game to Central Connecticut State, the prospective students had the opportunity to really gain a sense of the Lehigh spirit and what it's like to be a part of the Lehigh family.

Within a few days of that program, I headed to the Deep South. School visits in Fulton county 3 weeks ago were a little slow, which was pretty disappointing, but it gave me some time to have some great chats with several counselors. I was at the CSRA College Fair in Augusta, and had a surprising strong night. I handed out just over 60 brochures and collected 30 cards from interested students. There was a great diverse population in attendance, along with over 150 colleges and universities. I then attended the PROBE North Point Mall fair shortly thereafter, and met more candidates from the Atlanta area - it's always exciting to meet great students there.

Last Wednesday I flew out to Jackson, MS for 2 days to attend the Murrah HS College Fair and the St. Andrew's Episcopal School Fair. After just 3 short years of recruiting in Mississippi, I really feel as though I'm making some progress and students are beginning to realize what a great school Lehigh is and how many amazing opportunities the students have at Lehigh.

I then switched gears and left the country to lead a group of alums on a trip to Dordogne, France. I talk a lot about the Lehigh family with prospective students and their families, but the trip to France has really reinforced what I've been saying for so many years. The connection to Lehigh stays with you well beyond your four years as an undergraduate student and the alums and I are having a phenomenal time in the provincial southwest wine region of France.

I'm certainly keeping busy -just 34 hours after returning from France, I'll be off to Hawaii to recruit!

Aloha!

Barre Frankel '02, '03 bef2@lehigh.edu

Welcome!

2009-09-09T14:17:00.001-04:00

On behalf of the Lehigh Office of Admissions staff, welcome to our new blog! We're very excited to share our thoughts, experiences, and advice with everyone.

By reading our blog regularly, you'll learn where our travels take us this fall (all over the US and world!), how we perform specific duties in the office (from coordinating alumni involvement to planning counselor programs and open houses), and what the application evaluation process is like for all of us. We hope that you will enjoy seeing what we're up to each week and the variety of work and experiences (and personalities) we have.

If that weren't exciting enough (right?), we'll also post photos from our travel and from events we attend on campus; our mascot CLUTCH the Mountain Hawk will be along for the ride, too! See if you can keep track of how many places CLUTCH goes this year!

Come back at least once a week as members of Lehigh's admission staff will contribute to this blog several times a month.

Jessica DeSantis '03 - jed305@lehigh.edu

2009-01-11T14:25:00.001-05:00

Jessica DeSantis, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions and Lehigh 2003 graduate, here with a sampling of additional adventures by CLUTCH:

If you would like to learn about what these photos entail, check out my blog - lehighadmissionsjessica.blogspot.com. I continue to chronicle my travels, office work, and more over there. Hope you come see me!

Jessica DeSantis '03 - jed305@lehigh.edu