Beloit vs Lawrence- thoughts?

Parents Forum
21

<p>Brian, Lawrence is SAT optional. Beloit is not, but SATs don't play a huge role in their selection process. </p>

<p>You and I have talked about Beloit's theater program in the past, but one of the nice things about it is that the theater major allows for quite a bit of specialization (i.e., directing, technical, acting). They seem to put on a fair number of shows each year. A nice plus is that Beloit runs the local public access television station and has its own film production facility in downtown Beloit. The Beloit International Film Festival is growing each year, bringing directors and actors to town and campus. Finally, every year there is a 48-hour Film contest on campus that is quite popular - groups on campus have 48 hours to produce a film, with the school supplying the equipment. A number of Beloit alumni have gone on to careers in the film industry.</p>

<p>Of course, the only way to know if either school is right for your son is to visit. If you visit Beloit, be sure to ask admissions to set up meetings with faculty members in the department - they're good about doing so and the department itself would be the best way to get information about the acting program. And, your son should also stay overnight, if at all possible, to see if Beloit is a fit. My daughter would be happy to answer questions so just PM me if you have them.</p>

<p>Lawrence's theater department looks good as well - and I'm sure that they benefit from the musical talent in the conservatory.</p>

<p>Aesthetics are a matter of personal opinion. Beloit's campus is pretty, but more interwound with the surrounding community than Lawrence's. I would compare Beloit's setting in the community to Franklin and Marshall's in Lancaster, PA. Like F&M, the campus is directly surrounded by residential housing. One unusual feature of Beloit's campus is, on the academic side, the grassy lawns are dotted with Indian burial mounds. When you visit, keep in mind that in the next year to two years, after the new science building is finished, they will be taking out a major road in campus and creating a pedestrian walkway between the residential side of campus and the academic side. That will change the look of the campus quite a bit. Both Lawrence and Beloit have their original historical buildings as well as newer facilities, so in that regards they are similar.</p>

<p>I do think that Appleton is a much "prettier" town than Beloit -- Beloit hasn't quite moved out of its industrial past, although that is slowly changing. Although much smaller than Lancaster where F&M is located, I would use the same comparison to describe the town of Beloit's overall "feel."</p>

22

<p>Lawrence does not require standardized test scores. Beloit does require them according to their website. </p>

<p>My D is a freshman at LU and loves it. I have not seen the Beloit campus. LU is has a very lovely campus on the Fox River -- a mix of older and newer architechture that blend nicely. They are embarking on a new Campus Center that will be a major addition to the campus in a couple of years. </p>

<p>I have more information on LU than Beloit -- I think both are fine schools with many similarities and others have outlined the subtle differences between them. </p>

<p>Lawrence has the stronger music programs within the conservatory. Both have strong science programs. LU puts slightly more graduates into "hard science" PHD programs but both are noteworthy (5% at LU vs. 4% at Beloit). For comparison, Carleton places 7%, Grinnell 6% and Stanford and Yale place 5%.</p>

<p>LU leans left and has a laid back feel but I agree that the "quirky, free-spirit" factor is likely to be higher at Beloit. My D is thriving at Lawrence and both Beloit and Lawrence are on the visit list for my son who will be a junior in HS next year. </p>

<p>Good luck with your decisions and PM me if I can be of additional help with information on Lawrence.</p>

23

<p>Just wanted to add that both Beloit and Lawrence recognize that a small school in Wisconsin can be a tough sell. As a result, their admissions departments go out of their ways to make sure that visiting prospective students can get a first hand look at what they have to offer. They are both excellent at arranging meetings with faculty members, letting students sit in on classes in their prospective majors, and letting students see what they have to offer. </p>

<p>One of the reasons my daughter fell in love with Beloit was because of the way she was treated as a prospective student when we visited in junior year. She'd met faculty members on other college visits, but felt that those she met at Beloit where the first that didn't treat her like a "dumb prospie" but someone whose opinions and interests mattered. After talking to her for an hour, the chair of the history department personally escorted her across campus to her next appointment. The studio art teacher she met with gave her a personal tour of the two buildings holding Beloit's art facilities, and gave her some great suggestions on her portfolio. When she ended up in his studio art class 15 months later, he immediately remembered her on the first day of class, mentioned some things about her portfolio, and told her he was very glad that she'd chosen Beloit. She loved that when she sat in on classes at Beloit, the discussions were passionate and interesting -- and the teachers encouraged her, a lowly high school junior, to participate in the discussions. </p>

<p>Although my daughter didn't end up completing her application to Lawrence (once she received her Beloit EA acceptance, her deposit check was in the mail the next day), Lawrence's admissions office did a very good job of keeping in touch with her. They also offered to fly her out so she could attend a special immersion weekend that their french department was holding at Lawrence's off-campus retreat. We both really liked Lawrence, but daughter felt Beloit "fit" her better. But, as I said, we will definitely be looking at Lawrence with our son as well. </p>

<p>So, my recommendation is: Don't just take the admissions tour and leave at either of these schools. Let admissions set up appointments, sit in on classes, and, if you have time, do an overnight at both schools. Taking advantage of all that the admissions offices at these schools are willing to do for prospies is a wonderful opportunity to see to see if either (or both) are right for you.</p>

24

<p>Thanks carolyn and musicmomic: Regarding another comment above; I spent some time in MN and I have to say that I have never met people as friendly as those from MN and WI. We need to go to a college that grants tuition exchange. Historically, both B and L are quite generous, with L offering tuition exchange to nearly 100% accepted and B between 60-90%. My S's freshman year was a disaster, but he has been an A/B student since. He does not test well, as he is ADHD and, because of acting and athletics he does not take meds. Its a shame; take meds, A's, no meds, less than A's.</p>

25

<p>Brian, would he do better in a trimester get it over with quickly type of curriculum like at Lawrence or a four course semester over 15 weeks curriculum like Beloit? I think that's probably an important consideration as you look at his options. Some ADHD kids do better with the faster pace environment, others need time to get in the groove and correct their procrastination/mis-steps. My daughter doesn't have ADHD, but she is definitely in the second category when it comes to school. My son, who also doesn't have ADHD, on the other hand, is always anxious to move on to the next thing, so a tri-mester schedule might work well for him.</p>

<p>And, yes, the people in the upper midwest are just the nicest, most down to earth people you'll ever meet. It is a refreshing change from the intensity and go-go pace of the northeast (where I grew up) and the materialistic superficial culture of Southern California (where I now live.) If they were warmer, I'd retire to Madison or Minneapolis in a heart beat. :)</p>

26

<p>Just want to add a list of other colleges that I believe are very similar to Lawrence and Beloit in terms of being what I call "admissions values" - schools that are not impossible to get into but where students of a wide range of academic abilities can reach their potential. More students should give these schools a closer look:</p>

<p>St. Olaf, Earlham, Knox, College of Wooster, Dennison, Hendrix, Ripon, Goucher, Hope, Kalamazoo, Albion, Willamette, University of Puget Sound, University of Redlands, Hobart & William Smith, Clark.</p>

27

<p>I appreciate all the wonderful advice and personal experiences from everyone. I had a chance to visit Beloit again yesterday (with mom) and take a campus tour/check out facilities again/talk to students/eat in cafeteria.</p>

<p>Overall, we had a pretty decent visit- everyone was cheery and welcoming, but I didn't really see anything that popped out at me and made me want to go there- some of the students actually spoke negatively about the science department and a few of the faculty.</p>

<p>On a positive note, I was thouroughly impressed by what I saw from the antrho department and the senior dance presentation...its a shame that I am not planning on pursuing either of those activities.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, M and I both got food poisoning...can't really post it on Beloit for sure, but we didn't eat anything else that day except for cereal/fruit before we left...the food definately wasn't as good as the last time I was there (presidential scholaship weekend).</p>

<p>Anyways, I still think Beloit is a wonderful option and I would be happy to go there. M brought up this point several times- with two great schools like this and very low financial costs I can't really loose. However, at this point I am thinking that Lawrence may be a better fit (they approved full tuition remission instead of partitioning aid). I liked the student body a bit more- still has fun on the weekends but tended to be a bit more academic (at least from my personal experiences.</p>

<p>Thank you for all of your wonderful posts!</p>

28

<p>Invision, You are doing exactly the right thing, and trusting your gut instinct. Lawrence is a wonderful school, and with the full tuition deal, even better. Congratulations on your choice!</p>

29

<p>Well, the discussions and decisions just flowed into place this weekend. D1 is going to Beloit! Very comfortable with the decision, looking forward to studying languages and writing, and I am thrilled for all sorts of reasons, close location being one. </p>

<p>Scheduling was one of her issues with Lawrence. It starts mid September, which would leave some lonely weeks late August/Sept after literally every peer had gone off, and then would reduce possibilities for getting a timely start on summer jobs. We have some association with a summer camp, and it would make working there quite unlikely. </p>

<p>And D2 is off to Puget Sound, which we're also very happy about. This was one of those hasty application decisions that just took off, and the details were so wonderful and her reaction so positive, that she had to go in that direction. She also was very happy with Beloit during her two visits, had been thinking that would be it, till the visit to Puget wowed her. </p>

<p>Nice that everyone here is so midwest positive. Many years ago I moved to this part of the country from CA/AZ, and have had a wonderful life in a very intelligent, fun, community oriented town. It has been a great place to raise a family. With people to visit in warmer areas, winter becomes more of a tolerable adventure. </p>

<p>But I will say, that I was very impressed going around to some of the schools Carolyn mentioned above, in addition to Lawrence and Beloit. Kalamazoo, St Olaf and Grinnell in Iowa. We were treated royally, and people couldn't have been kinder. It is a little bittersweet, the roads not taken. </p>

<p>Thanks for all your varied thoughts and perspectives!</p>

30

<p>Congratulations to you, Geat Lakes Mom, for the decisions being made and having happy daughters.</p>

31

<p>Sconies....</p>

32

<p>Great Lakes Mom, Congratulations to your daughters! </p>

<p>By the way, I have a friend who has one daughter at Beloit and another at UPS. PM me if you'd like her email address. She'd be a good contact for you, and she is very pleased with both schools. Do feel free to ask me questions about Beloit as well. :)</p>

<p>My California daughter also loved the way the midwestern schools treated her. She felt very welcomed, and it was quite a contrast to the reception at many of the schools she had contact with in the Northeast.</p>