Lawrence University Reviews
Check out reviews left by other students, or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship!
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Grace from South Orange, NJ
08/05/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
44 out of 46 people found this review useful. 1 of 22
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Lawrence is full of very chill, down-to-earth kids. We know how to study, but we also know how to have fun. It's a very tight knit community, and you'll probably be able to recognize almost everyone by the end of your freshman year.
Bang for the buck The technology on campus isn't the most innovative or exciting, but it's functional and gets you what you need.
Am learning a lot The professors here are not only brilliant, but they really do take the time to get to know their students and care about what's happening in their lives.
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Hilary from Soquel, CA
04/17/2010Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
13 out of 14 people found this review useful. 2 of 22
Categories Comments Bang for the buck Its expensive, but worth it.
Will enjoy being here A huge turn off is the weather. Lawrence is right on a river so the wind chill is crazy. That being said, Appleton is a fun town. Personally I think its really cool that such a small town gets Broadway tours just like a big city.
Will learn a lot My mom went to Lawrence and she and all of her classmates are amazing, intelligent people that have gone far. My mom has her PhD and has a friend in the Bankok Orchestra. Whenever I have gone to the campus, I've really loved that they have the conservatory of music integrated into the rest of the school. My mom was a pre-med major with a minor in theatre and that isn't uncommon. A girl from my town who is a freshman there now says it hasn't changed. She's currently doing freshman seminars, where a physics professor is studying the Odyssey with them with a totally different perspective that a Lit professor.
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Alexander from Wausau, WI
07/09/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
10 out of 10 people found this review useful. 3 of 22
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Lawrence is great for academics of any interest. Music is particularly strong, and even if you are not a major, there are plenty of opportunities to view concerts, oftentimes by world-renowned fantastic players and famous groups: we had Bobby McFerrin, Howard Levy (renowned harmonica player), Richard Goode. Jazz, opera, and ethnic music are also very strong here. There are many lesson opportunities along with ensembles that many non-majors participate in. On the other side of the street, there is a wealth of research opportunities in addition to or as part of independent studies which count as classes. These truly uphold Lawrence's individualized learning tradition. Lawrence encourages well-rounded students by its degree requirements which, no matter one's discipline, requires at least a sampling in many others. I feel Lawrence really prepares students for the real world.
Tips for prospective students I would recommend visiting campus, taking classes, going to some extracurricular events. Lawrence is not for everyone. Despite its rigorous academics, Lawrence has myriad clubs and various other events one could participate in. Prospective students must realize that academics are only half of the equation, that this is their surrogate home. Be as involved as possible, make friends, create lasting memories.
Bang for the buck Tuition is already over $40,000, and rising, but because of the above reasons, I feel that Lawrence deserves a large percentage of this. They do offer decent financial aid, as well.
Am enjoying being here The atmosphere is perfect. There are many places one can go if they seek friendly encounters or simple solitude. Everything is within one's grasp; literally everything is within a comfortable walking distance. The people are very friendly and intellectual, but not in competitive manner like larger schools. Professors really invest time into their students which enhances understanding and offers students reliable references for the future.
Am learning a lot The professors are absolutely knowledgeable, inspiring, and helpful. What is fantastic is that they do not teach and expect only the basics of any topic; they encourage students to delve into their own experiences, to pull disciplines together to create a new intriguing perspective which enhances students' understanding. Academics certainly hold high priority, but here it is not a chore but an antidote for one's unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
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Luis from Chicago, IL
10/24/2011Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
5 out of 5 people found this review useful. 4 of 22
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Students who don't mind what the town is like. Students who love music. Students who are thinking of doing a double major. Students who like a fair mix of party attitude and civil, academic representation.
Tips for prospective students Even though this is a fair test school, If you have a good ACT score, It would be of good use to submit it. It'll be one more thing that will make you stand out in a good way. Don't just take other's words for it, take an overnight trip and see the campus for yourself.
Bang for the buck The tuition number was large and quite frightening. After a talk with one of the admissions staff, Ken Anselment, I felt reassured that this place is worth it. My overnight visit, for all it's worth, helped me choose to apply and want to be a lawrence viking.
Will enjoy being here My personal preference is that I just go to college, regardless of the town area. I actually like the quaint area because of the mix of brand name and mom and pop shops. For an outsider, you might have to go about an hours way for some entertainment but I like the area. The campus is beautiful and the conservatory is just so fitted into life here. The dorms are cool and I loved Kolman Hall.
Will learn a lot The teacher in Biodiversity made the class as focused as possible so that the people knew what the lesson was about. He also sensed when class morale was low and interacted with the students the entire period.
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Alexander from Northbrook, IL
07/28/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 5 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Overall Lawrence is really quite safe. Albeit there was an incident where a sketchy guy in a van was driving around and popping into peoples' rooms while they were asleep and stealing things. A guy had his laptop taken. But that was an anomaly.
Greek Life The frats are full of nice people, mostly... There are a few of them and they throw the biggest parties, naturally.
Clubs and Activities There are so many activities here, and the best club of all is the Outdoor Recreational Club (ORC).
Great for these types of students Brilliant minded, devoted, driven, open minded, and cool guys.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There's the senior streak at the end of the year, the nearly naked party where you have to wear only clothing made from non-clothes materials. We're nudists here in Appleton.
Bang for the buck This school is really on the expensive side, but the food and the academics really make it worth the cash. That is, if you can afford it.
What to do for fun Go down to the train tracks and fish, or go to the VR (Viking Room) and have a beer with your professor and discuss the impending heat death of the universe.
Tips for prospective students Explore all the opportunities Lawrence has to offer, because there are so many of them!
In three sentences A truly inspirational institution with dedicated professors and eccentric people that are dedicated to learning.
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David from Jackson, MS
06/22/2011Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
3 out of 5 people found this review useful. 6 of 22
Categories Comments Will enjoy being here It would be nice being away from home and adventuring in a different city.
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Ruby from Bellevue, WA
08/30/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 7 of 22
Categories Comments Tips for prospective students Be yourself!
Bang for the buck Even though its expensive, Lawrence gives good scholarships and makes it possible for most people to attend who deserve it.
Am enjoying being here I love the people and the campus is really nice, however Appleton isn't a very fun city. Its hard to get around if you don't have a car. I'm from Seattle so the weather in both summer and winter is unpleasant.
Am learning a lot I am learning so much more than I ever thought I would! The professors are wonderful and the classes are ridiculously small. You can't fall through the cracks.
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Valerie from Appleton, WI
07/11/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 8 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Security on campus goes out of their way to keep Lawrentians safe. they are accessible 24/7 and are always seen around campus.
Greek Life Greek life is really noticed on campus due to all the activities they organize for Lawrence Students
Bang for the buck It is expensive, but it is worth e.v.e.r.y p.e.n.n.y
What to do for fun Trying everything on campus in its own is fun. Just make sure you don't get caught up in life at Lawrence and forget about your academics
Food and Dining The presence of the Cafe and the dining room is very convenient.
Dorm Life Dorm life presents a lot of opportunities for students to interact with each other through communal activities which are hosted by the RLA's
Academic Rigor LU is a tough school to keep up with as the weeks go by. This does not mean that it is impossible to pass tough :)
Tips for prospective students Always be eager to try out new things, trust me, it is very exciting!
In three sentences LU is a society which accepts a wide variety of people from all over the world.
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Stephanie from Seattle, WA
08/23/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 9 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Never once have I felt unsafe, even walking across campus in the middle of winter at 4:30 AM.
Greek Life Greek Life exists, but it's by no means the center of the social scene. It's nice to have it there - parties and events, etc - but also nice that it's not the be-all end-all of making friends.
Clubs and Activities There's pretty much something for everyone out there! And if there isn't, you'll probably be able to start it.
Great for these types of students Non-competitive students who are interested in learning, not just getting the highest score. Students who maybe didn't get the best grades in high school, but whose test scores tell a different story.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Ahem. Senior Streak. It's exactly what it sounds like. And the Great Midwest Trivia Contest - look it up. It's my favorite weekend of the year and the one on which I get the least sleep.
Bang for the buck I won't lie - it's expensive. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. I have to conclude that it is - it's truly a wonderful experience here.
What to do for fun Join clubs. Play club sports. Lie out on Main Hall Green with your friends on a sunny day. Go to the VR, if you're 21, or numerous other institutions on College Ave. Grab some coffee at Harmony Cafe, go to a frat party on a Saturday night.
Food and Dining It gets boring after awhile - it's cafeteria food. But before it's boring, it's pretty darn good - better than probably 95% of the cafeterias out there. The cafe is overpriced, as is the corner store, but you get used to it.
Dorm Life Dorms are fine - nothing special, nothing terrible. A lot of renovations are going on, so many buildings have lovely new bathrooms! Definitely not half bad. The community of a dorm is there if you want it, but you don't have to join in, either.
Academic Rigor Some intro courses can be a bit lacking, of course, but you can't really sail through anything, and once you're past the beginning, everything gets much, much tougher - and way more rewarding. 18th Century Literature totally isn't my thing, but it's part of the English Major's requirements, and while I worked harder than I ever had before on a 15-page term paper about a book I didn't like, I still loved the class, thanks to my wonderful professors. There are some amazing, inspiring teachers here who make you love working hard.
Tips for prospective students Get involved! Find your place, whether it be Swing Dancing, Lawrence International, Habitat for Humanity, Ultimate Frisbee, or LUMOS, our Harry Potter club. Can't choose? Join them all. Everybody's welcoming. Get to know people on your floor. When choosing dorms, go for Ormsby or Plantz - they're the most central, and walking can be brutal in the winter. Go to class, go to your professor's office hours, call their cell number if they give it to you - use every resource you can and get to know your professors!
In three sentences Lawrence is a wonderful, welcoming community with a variety of great programs and some extremely special professors. Winter can get pretty long at times, but there's lots to do if you can navigate the cold and get involved in activities. The best part is the spread of people: you get hugely talented musicians, athletes, and people majoring in everything from English to Biochem to Russian.
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Ellen
05/21/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
10 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Appleton has a saftey program where people can carry a whistle. If someone blows it, everyone who can hear it is supposed to go running towards it, and blow their whistle to alert people farther away. This program is taken very seriously; there is a fine if you blow your whistle when you aren't in trouble.
Food and Dining The food was amazing. I hear horror stories about many dining options at other colleges, but the food I had a Lawrence was amazing. They had vegetarian options, and everything was marked. There were many stations with different options.
Dorm Life From what I saw, the dorms are very nice to live in. They take care in matching roommates who will be compatible with eachother. The furniture looked very nice.
Academic Rigor The classes seem very challenging, and I will probably struggle a bit at first, but the professors care about teaching and will not let anyone fail.
Tips for prospective students Visit the campus. You will, most likely, fall in love with it. Go to some classes, and see how much the teachers care about teaching. Talk to some students, because you will see how much they love their school.
In three sentences Lawrence has a small campus, which means the professors are always there to help you. Everyone there cares about YOU and wants you to succeed. The education you receive is excellent.
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Aleeh from Neenah, WI
06/12/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
11 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety The first day all the freshman are given a whistle, and taught how to properly use it to signal for help. Campus Security is constantly driving around campus, and their number is posted all over campus. My fridge has five magnets alone with the number on it.
Greek Life The fraternities we have are Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Tau, Sigma Phi Epsilon. The sororities we have are Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. We also have two Greek music fraternities. The men's music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the women's fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota.
Clubs and Activities Every student will find an extra curricular activity they will fit into on campus.
Great for these types of students Academically strong, proactive, creative, and willing to learn about a variety of background and cultures.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Main Green (the lawn right outside of Main Hall) is filled with activities. Whether it's just students getting together to play Frisbee or Earth Day celebrations. Trivia is one of the craziest times on campus. All the dorms and different groups on campus get together to compete against each other to answer strange questions. It consumes the student body! Fall Festival, Winter Carnival, Zoo Days, and LU-A-Roo bring the campus together.
Bang for the buck The staff and students are helpful, and push you to do academically well. The variety of on and off campus opportunities keeps you busy. The numerous extra curricular activities help keep you busy too.
What to do for fun There are a variety of musical performances every weekend. The cinema has a movie every weekend, and even did a live Rocky Horror production. Any parties on campus are advertised via crazy posters.
Food and Dining The food caters to all dietary needs and tastes. There is an Italian, World Food, Pizza, and Mexican area. Also, there is a vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free area. If students have extreme food allergies they can work with the staff to have special meals prepared. Students who wish to prepare their own food can use the new Panini maker or go through the salad bar.
Dorm Life The RLA's set up activities almost every night. Movie nights, snacks, and game nights. Your fellow residents are like neighbors.
Academic Rigor All of the classes you take push you to try your hardest. The professors push you, but are always willing to provide any extra help.
Tips for prospective students Do not be afraid to be in contact with professors and staff on campus. The students are willing to help each other, don't be afraid to ask for it. Try any classes that seem interesting to you, even if they don't apply to your major. Lawrence allows you to explore all of your interests.
In three sentences This school tailors to the student's personal needs. The entire campus is accepting of all backgrounds. The individual student is always the priority of the staff.
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Reviewer from Saint Paul, MN
07/16/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
12 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Very safe!
Greek Life Not too competitive, everyone is accepted!
Clubs and Activities Plenty!
Great for these types of students Special, eco-friendly housing.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus swimming the fox river!
Bang for the buck Find good, affordable places to eat in Appleton.
What to do for fun Football, soccer, frisbee, broomball, etc. There's plenty to do!
Food and Dining Enjoy the food! Like most colleges, food is provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make sure that you have a healthy balance.
Dorm Life Dorm life is an important part of the whole college experience. After a while you and your roommates start to develop the same schedule, habits, and even the same friends. It's important to capitalize and savor these moments. There are always dorm activities happening at Lawrence. Take lots of pictures and have fun!
Academic Rigor Most classes at Lawrence are 6 units. They range from an hour to three hours plus extra time for labs for science classes. The courses are difficult and require your full commitment; you have to attend class and do your work. Luckily, Lawrence requires only 3 classes per term, so there is plenty of time to study and have fun, as well.
Tips for prospective students Most colleges and universities are alike in that they all require a similar process for prospective student to undergo: filling a college application. Colleges use this process to ensure that they accept the top, most qualified students for their institution. For you, the student, this is your opportunity to show them that you are passionate about attending their school, and also how their school can broaden your horizons. You have to highlight your strengths. Brag a little, and even talk about the talents you will be bringing to their school. That will distinguish your application from all the others, and they will love you.
In three sentences There is a strong sense of community at Lawrence University, and it allows you to feel at home even if you are thousands of miles away from your actual home. Because they are encouraged and supported, Lawrentians, the students and staff, have intellectual and personal freedom. Lawrence is academically challenging and engaging.
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Manuel from Brooklyn, NY
08/07/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
0 out of 1 people found this review useful. 13 of 22
Categories Comments What to do for fun School Clubs! Or you can take a walk on the gorgeous campus.
Food and Dining Great food!
Dorm Life The dorms seemed nice.
Academic Rigor I hear it is pretty hard.
In three sentences Open-minded. This college is free spirited. Love the work ethic.
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Stephanie
08/13/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
14 of 22
Categories Comments Food and Dining The food was really pretty good for being cafeteria food. I wasted a lot of money at my lost college by not using the cafeteria because it was really awful. I don't think I'll be wasting my money this year at Lawrence as it was pretty impressive that times that I ate there.
Dorm Life The dorms are small but everyone seemed to be fine with them. There are a lot of activities that are on the campus for us dormers which I can really appreciate. And, everyone seemed to get along well in the dorms.
Academic Rigor Not having actually attended this school officially except for visiting a class and the campus, the students in the class seem to really want to be there and learn. Lawrence is highly rated in the nation and that was one of the main reasons for choosing this school. I know it will be challenging but that's what I want so I can be a better graduate student or be the best in whatever career I chose to pursue a job in.
Tips for prospective students If you're into small classes and college but looking for a challenge, this is the place to go. Even though it's in Wisconsin, there are so many things that you can do here that's not on campus, but there's a ton of stuff on campus to do that you may not even have to leave campus for entertainment. Smaller campuses means that you can get involved immediately!
In three sentences I haven't started here yet, but am very excited as I'm transferring from another liberal arts school. When I visited the campus and the school and attended one of the biology classes I knew this was where I wanted to go as I felt that the students here really wanted to learn, compared to my other college that I transferred from. The students that were there as well as the staff were very friendly and personable, and so I think that my experience will be very good here as it seems like everyone has their best interest in mind... a positive college experience.
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Jennifer from Appleton, WI
10/15/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
15 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety We all get whistles at the beginning of the year to scare off perpetrators, but I don't think they've ever been used. The security people are also really good, they come fast and they're very nice.
Greek Life There's sororities and fraternities and lots of people join them, but you don't have to live in their building to be a member. You can live in a residence hall and still be a member of one. They are pretty big on volunteering, if you're a member of a sorority or fraternity you do have required service hours.
Clubs and Activities There are more activities and clubs than I can name, and if there's not one that you want they love getting new ones. If you check online I feel like there should be a listing? I know we have LUMOS (Lawrence University's Magical Organization of Students) which is pretty much the Harry Potter club, and pretty popular as you might guess. There's also psych club, art club, pretty much a club for every major. There's also a meditation and mindfulness club for when you get really stressed around finals :)
Great for these types of students Quirky students who love doing random things and meeting awesome people who love the same!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Well, we have a thing with this rock I guess? That no one really knows if it exists or not but has a lot of legends about it. Also, the residence halls all have their own traditions. A few put on a winter carnival, Trevor and Sage put on a fall carnival, there's a Yule Ball (we're that awesome), and a ton more that i can't think of.
Bang for the buck It's pretty expensive to come here, so definitely apply for lots of scholarships and keep doing it once you get here, but I think what offsets the cost is the amount of one-on-one time you get with professors and individual attention and the great social support network that has been established over the years.
What to do for fun There's obviously parties, like any campus, but if you're not into that there is still a ton to do. Most residence halls have this cool thing called Hall Council (I recommend joining) where the residence hall plans activities, movie nights, game nights, their own parties, ect. There's always something to do if you're bored!
Food and Dining Especially if you have an eating condition or allergy, the Lawrence Dining Center is awesome. I have celiac disease and they make almost everything have gluten-free options! There's also plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. The food in general is also great, actually I don't miss my home cooking at all, they tend to cover that, and pasta, pizza, hamburgers, Hispanic flavors (delicious tortillas and rice, beans, meat, ect.) Asian flavors (fried rice, stir fry, ect.) and everything in between. You'll never go hungry.
Dorm Life Out of all the colleges I've visited, not one had the family like experience that Lawrence has. You get to know everyone really quick and everyone is super nice and supportive. Anytime you go to the lounge there's always someone to talk to, watch movies with, or play foosball against :)
Academic Rigor It's a pretty hard school, don't quote me but I believe it was rated above Princeton and Yale for academic rigor. That being said, Lawrence knows this and had many activities/workshops/classes/clubs to help students de-stress. There's yoga, pilates, a relaxation and meditation class and club, and there's this super cool thing called mid-term reading period where the campus pretty much shuts down for 4 days to give everyone a chance to catch up on homework and sleep.
Tips for prospective students When filling out you roomate agreement be very honest, that in mind you're roomate may not be your best friend, but the more honest you are the better chance you have. Also, be very open to new things, Lawrence is a little different, it has many quirks and loves doing strange things. For example, there is a history course on the world of Harry Potter. Totally awesome. Also, don't fall behind on readings or homework but make sure to save time for yourself! The best way to know if Lawrence is right for you is to visit honestly, and even better is to stay overnight (which is awesome!) with one of the students. It's super fun and you get the awesome Lawrence food :D
In three sentences Awesome! It has everything you will need to become more mature academically and socially. It's rigorous (but there's always stuff to do to wind down) and Lawrence is big in volunteering and clubs, so be prepared to make tons of friends!
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Kat
12/04/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
16 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety The campus is safe. Security cars are driving around campus and the town is very calm.
Bang for the buck Expensive, but worth the buck.
What to do for fun When you join clubs they take you out of the school to do some fun activities like to go camping, running, go out. There is a huge mall near, but you have to take the school shuttles to get there. Each hall organizes fun activities: smores night, a dance, karaoke night, harry potter night. There is always something to do on campus and outside.
Food and Dining The food is good and it varies every day, but as other schools you could get tired of it. The school has a Cafe, which is completely different from the dinning room and the food is really good. The cafe is like a fast- food restaurant (you never get tired of it).
Dorm Life The dorms are a little bit small, but everything fits perfectly. The room size vary. Its nice to live on campus and get to see your friends every morning even when you don't have classes. Its nice to have your friends around because they give you break from studying sometimes.
Academic Rigor Lots of reading and writing. Strict teachers, but always helpful.
Tips for prospective students Show leadership, have good grades or a good ACT score and be involved in clubs. Show interest for the community.
In three sentences Lawrence University is the best liberal arts school I know. The teachers are good, very accessible and helpful. There are a lot of opportunities for students to volunteer, work or do what they want.
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Rebecca from Frederic, WI
01/24/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
17 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Appleton in general is such a safe city. Lawrence further enhances the idea of a safe community. People look out for each other and we have some solid security guards.
Greek Life We have four fraternities and three sororities on campus. Our Greek system provides an extra supportive family for people and have great energy on campus.
Clubs and Activities If you can't find a club or activity you are interested in (which I believe would be quite difficult), you can always create the club/activity! To list a few: sports (varsity and intramurel), Drama club, art club, LARPing(!), GLOW, Diversity clubs, etc. The list goes on and on!
Great for these types of students These types of students... - what does that even mean? LU is very diverse and open-minded. Opportunities are endless for each and every student, not just those types.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Can you say Senior Streak! LU is highly known for the big Senior Streak tradition. Held every spring, after attending the on-campus bar, seniors will literally run around campus in the nude. It is a beautiful thing.
Bang for the buck So this school is a little spendy, BUT Lawrence offers generous financial aid and let's face it, this school is bangin. Definitely worth every penny.
What to do for fun Over your college career, you develop a sense of identity that you grow into; you find your niche and your special group of friends that become your family. If you are lucky, you and your friends will live up to the college experience. Have fun! Go out and party, make mistakes, but be safe in the process.
Food and Dining LU has a better food selection than most campuses. LU provides the student body with many products from our own garden. With a high variety of food in our main cafeteria, there is also a corner store and cafe present in our campus center. In addition, there are many delicious food sources right on the avenue.
Dorm Life Dorm life can be very unique based on your neighbors and status of the dorm (e.g. upper class dorm vs. freshman dorm). Yes, there are parties held in dorms haha. Overall, the dorms are clean and pretty nice (many have new bathrooms!)
Academic Rigor Lawrence isn't a cake-walk. With brilliant professors, this prestige school will push you to excel in each course one takes. The late nights and countless papers will allow you to succeed and be proud of the work you will complete.
Tips for prospective students Explore the possibilities on campus, they are abundant! Commit to your work and be proud to be a Lawrentian (you're paying a hefty sum), but take time to find yourself and have fun!
In three sentences Lawrence University has a beautiful campus and beautiful people; the diversity is wonderful! LU takes pride in bridging the gap between different aspects of campus (e.g. the conservatory and athletics). Finally, Lawrence allows one to find themselves and develop a unique identity with no judgement, but encouragement.
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Aphrodite from Appleton, WI
01/29/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
18 of 22
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Hipsters. Music nerds.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Senior Streak. Winter carnival. Viking Room Bar. Yule Ball.
What to do for fun Meet new people. Attend concerts, plays, parties. Play trivia.
Food and Dining Andrew Commons is unlike any other school cafeteria. Excellent food, good ingredients, wide variety of options. You can get food from the cafe, or bagged lunches from the convenience store if you're on the go.
Dorm Life As a residential college, all students live on campus. The rooms are generally very nice and there are always activities in each residence hall throughout the week.
Academic Rigor Difficult courses, professors who expect a lot but are also understanding and beyond helpful. The trimester system is incredibly stressful, so you need to be able to work well under pressure.
Tips for prospective students If you want to be in the conservatory, give a good audition. Come and visit for a weekend so you know what to expect. Lawrence is hard to get to know if you've never been here and taken it all in.
In three sentences The Lawrence Difference. Quirky. Multi-talented, multi-interested students.
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Rosemarie from Brooklyn Park, MN
01/30/2013Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
19 of 22
Categories Comments Clubs and Activities They have everything, and, if they happen to not, just make the club.
Great for these types of students Those who do not want to spend all their time studying, but still want a good education.
Food and Dining Food is great, and an expansive amount of choices.
Dorm Life I have seen most of the dorms, and they are all very comfortable and quaint, however some of the bathrooms are less than clean. The life seems enjoyable, nonetheless, with easy-going students.
Academic Rigor Not an easy-slide school, but it won't burn you out either.
Tips for prospective students Get to know your admissions person and really see if this is the school for you.
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Jenna from Madison, WI
03/29/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
20 of 22
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Anyone who is unique should fit in well. I have a different background than most, and that's why I really wanted to go to Lawrence.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The freshman studies class sounded pretty interesting to me.
Bang for the buck It is very expensive, and they are stingy with their scholarships so be careful. The experience and education you receive is no doubt worth it though!
What to do for fun It seemed like a lot going on, and Appleton seemed like a nice town to be in too.
Food and Dining I ate there on my tour and it was AWESOME! Really enjoyed it!
Dorm Life Few options for upperclassman so you might end up in a dorm all 4 years. However, from what I saw the dorms are nice and unique.
Academic Rigor Obviously I can't tell for sure but I've heard it's pretty intense.
Tips for prospective students Work very hard in high school to get good grades and test scores, because that can translate into a good scholarship. I had a GPA of 3.44 and an ACT score of 26 and didn't receive any scholarship at all, so they really want perfection. That was the deciding factor was that I can't afford it without a scholarship. Also, visit campus. That is what made me fall in love with it!
In three sentences I was accepted and will not be attending, but I thought I should share what I know with perspective students. This has been a confusing time for me, and I am very glad to have made my decision, even if it isn't Lawrence! absolutely love Lawrence, and it is with regret that I cannot attend.
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Briana from Menasha, WI
04/10/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
21 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Security is extremely friendly and I feel safe walking around campus at night.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Trivia!!! This annual competition was probably the highlight of my time here.
What to do for fun Join a club! Some of my best experiences here have been through groups like Quiz Bowl and Lawrence Christian Fellowship.
Food and Dining Bon Appetite is really good and the Cafe offers great options.
Dorm Life My dorm can be a lot of fun. RLAs are required to create programming which leads to great community.
Academic Rigor Its pretty rigorous especially Freshman Studies
Tips for prospective students Don't let the sticker price scare you. Lawrence offers a ton of financial aid and you most likely can make it affordable.
In three sentences I love it at Lawrence! Everyone is friendly and help you to be the best you can be. Lawrence offers a lot of great programs that can fit nearly any interest.
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Sarah from Winchester, MA
04/19/2013Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
22 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Appleton, WI has been voted safest city in America twice so far - so there can't be too much to be concerned about :). The campus felt very, very safe while I was there. It has a very cozy, very welcoming, and very warm feel (no, not temperature-wise. :)) I felt very safe during my time there, without question.
Greek Life Greek life is interesting at Lawrence. There are frats and sororities, although sororities don't have their own houses (fraternities do). It didn't seem like the exclusive, cliquey, elite attitude that stereotypically come with these groups existed with Lawrence's. While I was there I only heard very positive things about Greek life. It in no way dominates campus social life - it definitely felt like a small, yet significant aspect of Lawrence.
Clubs and Activities There are tons on campus. It's DIII athletics so athletes can participate seriously without devoting their entire life to the sport. There are many club sports too, such as Ultimate Frisbee, both men's and women's. Everyone is involved, and everyone is passionate about what they do. There are lots of music ensembles in the conservatory, but to be a part of them, you don't have to be a music major, or even be involved in the con at all. They are welcoming of everyone, which is true of everything at Lawrence.
Great for these types of students Students who care deeply about learning and love to learn for the sake of learning itself - not just for a good grade for a good GPA. For students who like to challenge themselves but don't like the cut-throat competition that can often accompany great learning institutions. For students who like to have fun and enjoy themselves but that know when to focus and work hard. For students that love to laugh and that are able to see the ridiculous in every situation and appreciate it. For very serious students, but that don't take themselves too seriously.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Students and faculty go to Bjorklunden, Lawrence's second-campus up in Door County, Wisconsin on Lake Michigan fairly regularly with different groups/teams they are in. I've never been there, but it definitely seems like a great opportunity. Lawrence has a sustainable garden (known as SLUG - Sustainable Lawrence University Garden) which is really cool for students to get involved in - plus it provides fresh food for the dining hall.
Bang for the buck I received the most financial aid (including a scholarship) from Lawrence of all the schools I applied to. They are definitely generous and understanding with financial aid. I definitely believe a Lawrence education is a very worthwhile investment, although I haven't yet attended so I can't say for sure.
What to do for fun There isn't a lot of things to do in Appleton without spending money, but if you do spend money there are options. A really cool thing about the town is that Broadway plays come, which is unusual for a town/city its size. The Lion King was playing while I was there, and student rush tickets are only $20 which is a great opportunity. On campus, there is always something to do it seemed, and everyone was pretty busy with their various clubs/teams/groups. Lawrence is not a traditional party school though by the looks of things there are parties pretty regularly (just not ones that are crazy/out-of-control). Because many Lawrence students are very musically talented, there are usually live bands at parties, which I thought was pretty cool and unique.
Food and Dining Lunch on admitted students day was absolutely delicious. Even the staff that oversaw the lunch were extremely friendly and helpful and were willing to do anything for you. I really loved it. The cafeteria food is very good too.
Dorm Life I stayed in Sage Hall, and the dorm was much larger than I had expected. There was plenty of room for a futon (which was awesome 'cause I didn't have to sleep on the floor during my overnight visit!) and it didn't feel cramped at all. They do a very good job of setting you up with a good room-mate from every pairing I saw/met. Some residence halls are nicer than others (Hiett Hall for upperclassmen is definitely the nicest dorm building, they are beautiful) but all of them are very nice.
Academic Rigor Lawrence is definitely an academically rigorous school. Everyone cares so much about what he/she is studying (mostly) that people aren't (or at least don't seem) stressed out due to their academics. Because you only take 3 courses at a time, you go into greater depth in each course, which I really like. Each term is only 10 weeks long, so the pace is fast. Also the professors are all absolutely brilliant, so you'll rarely find yourself in a class that is completely unbearable.
Tips for prospective students The Freshman Studies curriculum doesn't change too much from year to year, so a lot of the works that will be studied are known ahead of time. It's a smart idea to get a feel for these works (i.e. Plato's Republic) during the summer before the school year starts, because Freshman Studies, from what I've heard, is a challenging course for any student.
In three sentences Lawrence is an amazing place, and I absolutely fell in love with it when I visited it for admitted students day. Every single person I met was extremely motivated, involved, friendly, and comfortable with themselves. It is truly a gem that I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon during my college search.
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