<p>This forum is pretty dead...</p>
<p>So who else was accepted? Planning on attending?</p>
<p>Yay! My son just received a packet in the mail today notifying him of his acceptance to the conservatory and college for a double degree.</p>
<p>You're right about this forum being pretty dead. We check it from time to time, but people rarely post anything here! </p>
<p>Son loved Lawrence. So did I. While visiting the campus, we read excerpts from that book "Colleges That Change Lives" (or something like that). Based on what we saw during our two campus visits, we could see why the author included Lawrence in this book. It seems like an amazing place to learn!</p>
<p>However, even with his very large scholarship (that he is quite thankful for), we do not know if we can afford for him to go there. We're waiting to receive all financial aid packages from all schools before we call Lawrence to discuss more financial aid.</p>
<p>Did you also receive your packet today? (We live far away. It could have taken longer to get to us.)</p>
<p>Congratulations on the acceptance!
My S also got an acceptance letter and merit award letter today.
He has not visited but was interested in the school because of the liberal arts plus conservatory. He would not be a music major but likes the idea of a music-centric campus.<br>
We plan to visit in April.</p>
<p>Any other input from families or students who have visited is appreciated.</p>
<p>
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However, even with his very large scholarship (that he is quite thankful for), we do not know if we can afford for him to go there. We're waiting to receive all financial aid packages from all schools before we call Lawrence to discuss more financial aid.
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<p>D goes to Lawrence. S got in and received his FA package. Ended up costing around $20k (all in) after scholarships and grants, but before loans. He also got into UW Madison with an corresponding cost of $6k. We declined LU because of the cost, and the Admissions Office called us to ask for a copy of the FA Award Letter from UW Madison. They would then take it to the Dean of FA to see if there was anything else they could do.</p>
<p>That's where we are now. I hope it helps.</p>
<p>May negotiations work in your son's favor.....</p>
<p>OperaDad, thanks for sharing your experience.</p>
<p>We are debating about a visit to LU because just the visit will cost us at least $1K to travel from the west coast. My S was offered a "nice" scholarship of 9K, but not a huge dent in the overall costs.
I'm curious what posters think about asking for additional merit aid before flying out there to visit?</p>
<p>S. was also accepted Saturday 3/21 for B.M. Perf Jazz Piano. We did not apply for dual degree as we hoped to see what type of merit aid might be offered before making any committment to a 5 year undergraduate experience (and cost). Also, S. doesn't know what he wants to study in addition to music.</p>
<p>I am under the impression, right or wrong, that S can elect to go dual degree at any time before needing the extra LA credits becomes an issue. I'll need to confirm that with admissions. If we have somehow precluded that option, that's a big whoops.</p>
<p>Also, we applied for merit award, but did not receive any mention of it in S's acceptance letter. I had assumed that would come separately but I'll need to inquire about that as well. I'm going to email the Dean of Cons Admissions today and see what's up.</p>
<p>I probably should should have added that my S is thrilled to be accepted by Lawrence and that we have been impressed with everything wee've read and seen during a 2 day visit in mid-October. </p>
<p>We narrowed our search to Cons with integrated LA schools, and have been really impressed with L's concern for the whole "intellectual package"...not simply looking to grab students who will pump up their rep. Lawrence seems very comfortable in it's own skin, if you know what I mean. This is place where character and integrity matter. </p>
<p>I hope there will be be some offer of merit aid as S has received pretty enthusiastic feedback and scholarship $ elsewhere.</p>
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I'm curious what posters think about asking for additional merit aid before flying out there to visit?
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<p>Can't hurt to ask. The worst they can do is say "no". Whether you are more successful in person than in advance, I have no idea. Maybe if you are there with an enrollment deposit in hand and say: If you can sweeten the deal right now, we will enroll Son right now.</p>
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I am under the impression, right or wrong, that S can elect to go dual degree at any time before needing the extra LA credits becomes an issue.
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</p>
<p>I recommend starting out as a 5-year, and dropping the second degree if you don't want it. The first year is all the same (freshman studies, music theory, music lessons) regardless. At least it guarantees your status and locks in your FA for the 5 years.</p>
<p>That said, it is much easier for a Conservatory student to become Dual Degree than the other way around. Conservatory students have to show the musical skills in order to be admitted. As a Conservatory Student, you probably have enough academic ability to be admitted in to the College. Whereas, College students could have good musical ability, but not enough to qualify for the Conservatory.</p>
<p>Ah, good to see a little life!</p>
<p>SimpleLife, I'm in a similar situation. The merit aid was wonderful, but I haven't received my actual Financial Aid statement yet. Good luck to your son and here's to hoping it will be possible for me to attend as well!</p>
<p>Anyone else anticipating on attending one of the Admitted Student days? I'm considering the 20th...</p>
<p>i am an international student and got the acceptance two days ago...but they did not give me enough financial aid...my family contribution was 17k but they only gave me 20k international scholarship and 3k employment...i wonder if i could ask for more aid...</p>
<p>@wingcee im a intel' student too and got accepted 3 days ago.
(btw,cong on SOC's offer!i also got in there...and have I seen you on cuus before - -)</p>
<p>@maruko101,ahha!thx!cong to you too!!guess you are chinese also..=] good to meet u here~~hehe</p>
<p>My S is planning to attend the 4/20 Admitted students day.
A few of his questions are:
- will he be able to create an independent major focused on his interests (writing, film studies, music, history), and will the college have enough courses in there for him (music obviously, but he’s also interested in music production),
- does the campus look and feel good (like a “college campus”)
- will the area/town feel too “middle of nowhere,” and is Appleton a good place to just hang out and take a break
- can he really take the winters?! - We are WA state - rainy here but mild.</p>
<p>Anyone with insights to the above - please weigh in!</p>
<p>My son grew up in the Mediterranean area and loves the winters. I am a Californian so I scratch my head. They do a great job accommodating a student’s interests: one option is that they create tutorials. They have some great history profs and the music is superb. Yes, it is a real campus, with everyone living on it. There is so much going on that the students really are busy most of the time. And as others have mentioned it extends onto College Avenue with the shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels and the performing arts center. Appleton is no NYC if that is what a kid wants. It’s a small city, victorian style neighborhoods, on a river with a population that is proud of their place. But your son has to visit. It will either be right for him or not. My best.</p>
<p>
No idea.
Yes. They are on their own campus, and not spread out in random buildings in a city.
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<p>Well, … it is not Chicago. There is a downtown strip adjacent to the west side of campus. So it does have a real downtown. There is a large shopping mall on the west end of the City (about 7 miles away). Definitely not a sleepy rural town. But, definitely not a tourist attraction either. </p>
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<p>Fortunately, campus is small enough that you don’t have to be walking outside for a long time.</p>
<p>OperaDad,
Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>We are planning to attend admitted students day. My S is looking forward to it.</p>
<p>1) will he be able to create an independent major focused on his interests (writing, film studies, music, history), and will the college have enough courses in there for him (music obviously, but he’s also interested in music production)?</p>
<p>YES. Many students design their own majors.</p>
<p>2) does the campus look and feel good (like a “college campus”)?</p>
<p>Very much so. It’s very clear that you are on campus when you are on campus. It’s very nicely laid out. Also very clean and attractive.</p>
<p>3) will the area/town feel too “middle of nowhere,” and is Appleton a good place to just hang out and take a break.?</p>
<p>Appleton’s downtown pretty much starts at the west side of the campus. There is plenty to do–but no JCrew or Urban Outfitters. (There Mall is large and nice. There is a Macy’s but still no JC or UO.) I know an LU grad who went to LU because the Appleton area next to campus felt more like his hometown (Chicago!!!) than that of any other mid-west LAC he visited. (I had to laugh as well.)</p>
<p>4) can he really take the winters?! - We are WA state - rainy here but mild?</p>
<p>Yes, but there will be cold days. The campus is compact, and he will be walking with friends. That makes an otherwise cold walk much warmer.</p>
<p>Watchthis, thanks for weighing in on the the four issues.
The independent major option is going to be a “deal maker” I think, assuming everything else is good. The winters in WI, well, as people have advised him: “it builds character!”</p>
<p>My S shops primarily at Target and Gap, so he’ll be ok with a decent mall.</p>
<p>Looking forward to checking out the school!</p>