<p>How about some encouraging words from people at LU?
Is it what you expected?
Big enough for you?
How is the conservatory?
Hard to play in groups if you are not in the conservatory?
What to do for fun?
Good mix of kids?
Good gym or pool?
What size are your classes?
Greek system?
World music groups?</p>
<p>Any takers?</p>
<p>I’m applying to Lawrence. Never visited and don’t know much about it. It’s a safety for me and I’m really not sure it’s a good match. I chose it because I’m looking for an LAC with a physics dept that’s fairly strong. If I don’t get into some of my match/reach schools I’ll probably go visit in spring after admissions decisions come.</p>
<p>I am not a student but can answer some of your questions.</p>
<p>How is the conservatory? Highly regarded.</p>
<p>Hard to play in groups if you are not in the conservatory? Conservatory students get first crack at positions in Conservatory groups, but College students (Lawrence’s name for students who are not in the Con) are needed, audition, and participate.</p>
<p>What to do for fun? They seem to do what most college students do. I don’t recall anyone saying the place was not fun. (That doesn’t mean the work is not challenging.)</p>
<p>Good mix of kids? Yes, and almost everyone fits in with one or more group of students.</p>
<p>Good gym or pool? Yes–compares favorably with similar LACs.</p>
<p>What size are your classes? Hardly anything greater than 50. Most non-intro classes have 15-25 students. Many have 10-5. Plenty of directed studies, tutorials, and independent studies. (Those are more 1 (faculty) to 1 (student) classes–many are 1 to 2 or 3.)</p>
<p>Greek system? Yes. They sponsor many campus events with the understanding that the events are open to the entire community. They are clearly there, but don’t dominate they place.</p>
<p>World music groups? All kinds of music groups. Students are innovative, and there are many opportunities to hear/perform.</p>
<p>It helps to get some info since not many LU people come to this site. Is there an admissions person on this site?
Getting excited with a tour there in October and admissions person coming to visit the west coast.</p>
<p>Any ethnomusicology at Lawrence?</p>
<p>I have a son who might apply this fall. I would encourage anyone who knows to post more about the college, about student life and what sort of person is a good ‘fit’ at Lawrence.</p>
<p>Isn’t the gym across the river? A mile walk-- a bit far for such a small school. (Could be a short skate if the Fox River would freeze over.)</p>
<p>There are, in a sense, two gyms. One is across the river, and a good 10 to 15 minute walk. Other athletic venues, such as the stadium, are near it. Students don"t seem to mind, however, as there is a shuttle to and from the gym. The other gym is a very large and well equiped recreational center. It is right in the middle of campus, contains the pool, basketball courts, racquettball courts, an extensive gym, a track, and things I am sure I’ve forgotten.</p>
<p>My husband and son visited Lawrence in July on one of the official visiting days. They were on a tour of 7 LACs, all but one in the upper midwest (we live in Texas). I asked each of them to send me email reports but my son was so enthusiastic about Lawrence that I ended up having at least an hour-long phone conversation with him about it. (His other fave was Grinnell, which is more competitive.) For the record, he’s a serious percussionist who doesn’t intend to pursue a music major, so he wouldn’t be in the Con, though he wants to keep playing. My biggest concern is whether he would really get that chance. A faculty member in music at another upper-midwest LAC, who had been at Lawrence for a few years, told my son that while most of the ensembles at Lawrence are technically open to anyone, Con kids who practice 5 hours a day (or whatever) are always going to have the edge over students in the College. That makes sense. My son’s other main interests are physics, which is very strong at Lawrence, and astronomy.</p>
<p>Below is my husband’s emailed report to me, with a few bracketed comments from me. The fist part is his notes on the spiel they got at the start of the day. Other parts reflect sessions they chose to attend with departmental faculty (e.g., on film studies); there were lots of options.</p>
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<p>12% international the highest we have seen so far [relative to other schools they looked at]
65% of classes are 1 on 1 with a teacher. The number is skewed by the conservatory (the con), however.
25% of students from Wis. 15 average class size. Called University since it is a joining of two different colleges.
5 year BA/BMU program available, but admitted it was hard to do and not many do. Classes are 1/3 major, 1/3 elective, 1/3 freshmen studies and general education. Freshmen studies is a lot of reading of classic literature. Lot of papers. The Bjorklunden adjunct can house 100 students and is busy every weekend. </p>
<p>Bon Appetit is the food service. Had lunch there and was very good.
130 student organizations. Facebook and youtube channel. </p>
<p>Engineering and physics talk Cooperative type learning environment. They also work with other colleges like Wash U. to offer a 3-2 eng degree program. There are even some 3-3 masters programs in engineering. They graduate 10-11 in physics per year. ½ go to grad school, ¼ go into engineering, ¼ other (education, etc). 9 are doing research with faculty this summer. They got a NSF grant to promote innovative thinking. Students have to learn how to use the machine shop in Junior year. They seem to have a lot more money than other colleges, either through grants or other, to purchase expensive equipment such as lasers and plasma machines. </p>
<p>Astronomy is mostly computational, not observational. They take data from other sources and work with it. </p>
<p>Film talk its a minor, not a major, but working toward that at some time in the future. Its mainly focused on film studies, not film making. There is a student organization for that. There is an art class that does computer-based and digital stuff. Since film program is young (2007), students have a lot of influence on content. The student film club has a film festival every year.</p>
<p>Music 75% of admission to conservatory is your audition. 25% is academics. The admissions guy said some other music schools are 100% audition. Dont have to bring any instruments [I think that’s because son is a percussionist]. They tape you and then faculty screen the auditions to decide. They had 430 auditions last year. Most common instrument is the soprano voice. They admit 50 voice students a year and half are men, so its very competitive for the women. Non majors can apply early and then get scholarship awards based on the audition.</p>
<p>Dorms They had two open for viewing. They seemed pretty typical. I think co-ed is by floor, but Im not sure. I say that because one dorm we looked at only had one bathroom on the floor at it said women. The better dorms are for upper classmen. Didnt see those. I think the best dorm for freshmen would be the one connected to the student center.</p>
<p>Final thoughts One of the best schools we have seen so far. The new student center is quite nice. They said it has changed the campus dynamic a lot. Did not get a chance to hear some of the other talks like campus life, so its not easy to compare L to others in that area. Music is obviously a big deal. But the other part of the college is impressive, too. I can see why [son] puts this one at the top (so far). </p>
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<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>only one thanks for that. the physics and engineering info are especially helpful. I think they have a visit weekend in the spring semester for accepted students interested in physics. Hopefully our S will get an invitation. Has anyone been to that weekend in the past? Impressions?</p>
<p>I’m responding as the parent of a second year student in the 5-year dual degree program. I hope this isn’t overkill - - but you asked!</p>
<p>Let me start by saying she absolutely LOVES Lawrence! I’ll qualify that by stating it is not for everyone. But if you are looking for a close-knit community nurturing, and personal attention in a lovely setting, profs and administrators bent on helping you realize your potential, it just might be for you.</p>
<p>The Conservatory has exceeded her expectations. She loves her studio professor and Symphony conductor. There are very high expectations, but the environment is not cutthroat; instead, it is mutually supportive. Many non-majors play in the groups, but the higher group, Wind Ensemble, seems to be comprised mostly of music majors. Consider going to the Con’s link of the Lawrence website, and listening to broadcasts of their live performances. I’m not sure about the World Music scene, but the website will tell you more about that as well.</p>
<p>What is “big enough” depends on a the person. The is no “rah rah” school spirit or huge parties like you would experience in a Big Ten school. My D prefers to be around 1300 people who have characteristics similar to hers, rather than being with 30,000 random kids. She has found the key to happiness is trying new clubs and getting involved!</p>
<p>D has been having a blast at LU since she became involved in their student-run theatre group (she had NO previous theatrical experience). The put on productions of Rocky Horror, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and a show of one-act plays. They may put on an Improv show this year. Students play Jazz at the student center every Monday, and that is open to anyone who wants to play (or listen). The university brings in great artists as well. For example, Bobby McFerrin and Imani Winds performed last year, and they also gave workshops.</p>
<p>Aside from music, the outdoor rec club is very popular. One of their endeavors is a sustainable garden. Some of the food from that garden goes toward LU’s food service. The food there is excellent.</p>
<p>There are a few frats, and their parties are open. Appleton itself is a very nice town with a gorgeous new performing arts center that last year featured Broadway shows like Cats, and artists like Willie Nelson. , upscale mall, lots of coffee shops, and of course the Packers are close by for those who like pro football.</p>
<p>Everyone at LU is welcomed and respected, however the majority are quirky and creative and the politics lean to the left. Or maybe this is just what my D has found because of her majors (music and psych - can’t speak for physics). No one cares what brand of clothing you wear. Kids come from most states and all over the world. Seems like outside the midwest, Colorado and California are well-represented. </p>
<p>Gyms - in addition to LU’s gyms, the kids get free memberships to the YMCA, which is basically on campus. It is very nice, and is an easy walk from all the dorms.</p>
<p>The classes are VERY small. The largest are about 20, and it’s not unusual for a class to have 7 or 8 kids.</p>
<p>Some dorms are nicer than others. D’s dorm, Trever, is the most remotely located,(which means little on a small campus) but the rooms are huge and the dorm is well-maintained and has a pretty view of the Fox River. Some of the other underclass dorms are kind of gross, but nothing compared to what I’ve seen at large schools. The upperclass dorm, Hiett, is like a palace.</p>
<p>Hope this helps - good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you for that great post. The more I learn the better this school sounds. I’m very glad it’s on our S’s list. A Lawrence adcom will interview here in TX next week. I expect we’ll get a lot of questions answered then.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. We are going to visit in October. I hope the leaves are beautiful since we don’t see that much in California. I hope she gets to meet all the music people and they click. She is concerned about her audition and also if it is too small. Is it about the size of Oberlin? She loved that campus and the politics.</p>
<p>This is a great school. My son in now in grad school and close to joining the working world. Lawrence was such a good fit for him. Enough, that I promote it any chance I can. :)</p>
<p>Futureholds - what is your child’s instrument? I wouldn’t be too worried about auditions - the faculty are very warm and want you to succeed, not to scare you away.</p>
<p>As for the Oberlin-LU comparison, I can’t speak personally about Oberlin. My daughter didn’t apply there. She liked the idea of being less than 3 hours’ drive from home. I do know Oberlin has roughly 3000 students as opposed to Lawrence’s 1400. From what I’ve heard, there are many similarities (liberal student body, smart, quirky kids, conservatory-within-a-LAC) but there are nuances of differences. Oberlin is known to be more difficult to get into, and more competitive once inside. Could be wrong about the latter, though,. It’s just what I’ve heard.</p>
<p>When are you going in October? There may be concerts on campus, and it would be a great idea to check out the ensembles. The performance chapel is magnificent!</p>
<p>Niceday - We attended admitted students’ day. They do a very nice job, and it was worthwhile. There were faculty and alums to talk with. They let the students sit in on classes. </p>
<p>Where else are your kids looking, if I may ask?</p>
<p>windycitymomof3: our S is looking at Carleton, St. Olaf, Lawrence and Rhodes (all for physics), and possibly Rose-Hulman if he decides to take an engineering path.</p>
<p>Do any of you know if the jazz or composition students are active or is Lawrence mainly geared to classical? I see jazz and composition on their website but in reading the audition requirements, looks like it is primarily classical?</p>
<p>We are still a year away but planning a spring break trip to visit schools. He writes and plays jazz piano. Does not have classical training background.</p>
<p>Niceday - lots of great choices! It seems like you’re tired of warm weather?? (BTW it can get pretty nippy in Appleton.)</p>
<p>Squiggles - Lawrence offers majors in composition and in jazz. I don’t know much about the comp. area, but the jazz is fantastic, and definitely a big part of the scene around campus. I’ve met the director, Fred Sturm, and he is a life force - energetic, enthusiastic, encouraging. I listened to the top ensemble when I visited the school, and was very impressed. </p>
<p>The kids are in various combos, and there is vocal jazz as well. Also, students frequently perform at the local coffeehouses and clubs.</p>
<p>I recommend visiting the campus and arranging for your son to sit in on jazz rehearsals and to take a private lesson with the piano teacher. Then maybe, like me, you will be blown away by the quality of students and faculty, and the opportunities this little school can make available to your son. I’m not sure, but I believe there are jazz ensemble webcast recordings on the LU website (in addition to the Symphony, Bands and Choir).</p>
<p>I hope this helps - ask me if you want any further insight!</p>
<p>There’s nothing like the crunch, crunch, crunch in mid winter when all you have known before is the always present mediterranean sun. Change is a good thing, sometimes.</p>
<p>S is not particularly eager to go up north, but he decided that he won’t cross a school off his app list just because of the weather. Little by little, most of the schools in warmer climates that were once on his list have fallen off for various reasons. </p>
<p>I have one more Lawrence question if you don’t mind. With the strong conservatory there, does a love of music tend to unify the student body even among the College students? S listens to music only for its context, lyrics or humor value, and rarely if ever for its musical qualities. His IPOD is full of things like Star Wars themes, lyrically-complex Billy Joel, and Monty Python songs. Any room for that sort of personality at Lawrence?</p>