Lawerence University WI

Flutemom · 05-04-2008, 12:23 PM

Is anyone familiar with Lawrence Univ in Appleton WI ? We are looking for a couple of safety's for my D and this looks like it might be one that I think she may want to look at. They have a number of the things she is looking for great international focus and study abroad program sounds strong, they have a strong music program which would be something that she would participate in for pleasure and they appear to give good merit aid which is very important to us financially

She does not want a rural school...or in her words a school in the middle of nowhere. We are in Mn but not very familiar with WI towns. They are about a 5 hour drive from us so that gets her far enough away from home to be independent but make travel home on breaks a little easier.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

kimfred · 05-04-2008, 01:39 PM

I do not know a whole lot about Lawrence, but we did visit last fall.

As far as big city - My impression is that Appleton is part of a series of cities starting at Fond du lac and extending to Green Bay. I believe it is called the Fox Valley. I have always had a favorable impression of this area. It's not Minneapolis, but I believe it is a nice area.

Lawrence seemed ok. My son liked it more than I did. Tour guide seemed very intelligent and knowledgeable. A couple of male students took my son to lunch and I think that's what sold him on Lawrence. The downside was the fitness area was not very big. The campus was attractive, they are building - I think it's a new student union.

From what you've said about your daughter I think it sounds like a good match. I don't believe there is a good way to get to Appleton from Minnesota. We live almost straight west of Appleton, a bit south, on the Mississippi. (Were Minnesotan's at heart) We take I 90, I 94 to 21 in Tomah, WI to Oshkosh, then straight up the interstate. 21 gets pretty boring.

Flutemom · 05-04-2008, 02:42 PM

kimfred,

Thanks for the input. The fitness area would not be a big draw for D, so that is o.k. I appreciate the travel input as well. We are in a suburb of St. Paul, and the only city in WI that I have ever traveled to is Eau Claire and that was a long time ago !!

I think we will plan a visit and see what D thinks in person. In researching their web site it seems like a pretty good match for her personality. She already has U of Mn Twin Cities and Madison on her list as safeties but she would really like something a bit smaller than those. We would both feel alot better if she could find something that she would be totally comfortable with and I think Lawerence may be a strong possiblity.

MomofWildChild · 05-04-2008, 04:34 PM

There are a few parents on this forum with kids at Lawrence, so I hope they weigh in. If your daughter is going for music, it is an excellent choice.
The kids seem happy there- we visited with D a number of years ago. She liked the kids, but the school was not what she was looking for musically or academically. It is very regional, but offers a lot for its size.

MilwDad · 05-04-2008, 05:07 PM

Lawrence is an excellent college; generally considered the second best in Wisconsin after UW-Madison, although the two are of course difficult to compare. Appleton and the Fox Cities offer enough that there's no "stuck in a cornfield" issue. The campus is very attractive, and the new Student Union will be complete next year. We visited it with our son a few years ago and I have a visit report up about it. As for whether it's a safety, that depends of course on your daughter's credentials, but it is probably the most selective school in Wisconsin, and easily in the top rank of midwestern LACs.

By the way, it's really quite simple to get from St. Paul to Appleton. Just take 94 east towards Eau Claire, then 29 to Wausau, 39 to Stevens Point and 10 east to Appleton. That's almost exclusively divided highway all the way.

Flutemom · 05-04-2008, 05:14 PM

MomofWildChild,

Thanks, yes I would love to hear from any parents that have kids at Lawrence. My D would not be going to study music. She plans a double major of International Studies & Spanish.

She does want a school though that has a good music program so that she could participate in an orchestra or ensemble.Music has been a big part of her life....6 years of classical flute training, masterclasses, pit orchestra, marching band etc...she would feel lost without music being part of her life.

Flutemom · 05-04-2008, 05:20 PM

Hi Milwdad,
Thanks for the input. It is good to know that it is not a "middle of a cornfield" school.

As far as D's credentials;
Ranked 2nd in her class of 277
ACT score 34
AP US History scored a 5 last year
Will be taking the AP Euro and AP Pre Calc Trig this week
I think she will have 4 AP classes next year
EC's and Volunteering are music related
No elaborate awards for curing cancer but a handleful that are meaningful to her as she put her heart into earning them.

Oh and thanks so much for the directions...that doesn't sound too difficult

MomofWildChild · 05-04-2008, 06:03 PM

I don't think Lawrence is the best academic fit for your daughter.

barrons · 05-04-2008, 06:08 PM

I think that is a bit much. Lawrence is known to be very demanding and even top students such as her would find it challenging. In the upper Midwest I can't think of another school with strong music, smaller size and good liberal arts. Also note they are looking for good MERIT aid. That might mean being a bit on the higher end of students at the school.

world changer · 05-04-2008, 06:20 PM

Appleton's a smaller town...it's not the Twin Cities, but it's nice enough. I wouldn't say that it's an exciting town to go to school in, but it's not horrible either.

My cousin visited, but decided not to go. She felt lukewarm about it, compared to some of her other schools. She, too, is a social science major, but she felt that the focus on fine arts majors was TOO strong (and that the other programs didn't get as much attention).

If you're interested, her other safeties were Creighton, Case Western, Drake, and SLU. She also had a handful of matches and reaches, although I take it you already have those.

world changer · 05-04-2008, 06:29 PM

Also, on the note of merit aid:

Safeties will usually give it, true. But your daughter shouldn't feel trapped into attending a safety if she gets into a match/reach school that she likes. Most LACs (even highly prestigious ones) are very generous with aid...if she doesn't like the financial aid package she gets from her dream school, smaller schools are usually willing to work with you and negotiate a lower price. If you get into a private reach school, they'll usually do whatever it takes to make it possible for you to attend.

MomofWildChild · 05-04-2008, 06:47 PM

barrons- I wasn't being insulting. I just know what my daughter's reaction was after doing an overnight there. The academics are fine, but Lawrence simply is not the right fit for the OP's daughter.

Flutemom · 05-04-2008, 06:52 PM

Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts and input. You have all given me a lot to think about and share with my daughter. I am going to print this thread out for her.

world changer,
Thanks for sharing your cousins list. Would you mind sharing her matches with me ? My daughter's list is pretty reach heavy at this point and some ideas for matches would be helpful as well.

Thanks again to everyone.

bigp9998 · 05-04-2008, 07:09 PM

One of my good friends is going to Lawrence next year and seems pretty excited about it. Sure its not going to be one of the most top-of-the-line academically challenging schools but it would be good nonetheless. Your daughter's stats are very good--Lawrence is a sure safety. You might even look to find a little better school as a safety with that good of stats.

overseas · 05-04-2008, 07:35 PM

I have just spent two weeks around the campus. I am very impressed. Yes, my son attends the school but I have never visited when the classes were in session, the speakers were on campus, the cafeterias were open, musical events were taking place, the lawns full of students, the river full of wild life, the cafes had jazz groups, the restaurants pianists. It's an amazing school. To be honest: visit. Maybe it isn't what your daughter has in mind but do not worry about the level of academics, the music or the study body which in my mind is interesting, kind and community oriented including all those connies. I witnessed several rehearsals last week and they were such an encouraging group. Of interest, Dean chose a Lawrence student to serve on the Democratic credentials committee, the only college student chosen. I travel a lot and the Appleton area is a favorite of mine especially the area around campus. By the way, my son had great stats, the top IB marks in his school, awards and LU was his first choice over many offers. He did visit and that for him made all the difference. The attention to detail, the professors know the students and they have high expectations for them as well...the high level of teaching, this was all obvious during my last visit.