<p>Yes, in another incarnation I'd probably have made a passable admissons officer or college advisor. It just enrages me when I see an obviously bright, promising kid deferred or denied for no apparent reason--from a school that should have welcomed him with open arms. And a 3.3 GPA may not be valedictorian status, but it's still a B average. What more could a school want? A smart kid who tests well and has some really neat ECs, but doesn't ace every class. Sounds OK to me. Does he run guns in Kentucky? Heh, heh--please tell me no.</p>
<p>I'm really surprised about your S's decision, MilwDad. One of the biggest things that drew me to Lawrence and the other LACs I considered was that they took students who didn't have the best GPA. I wanted to go to school with people who cared more about learning that getting that over 4.0 GPA and who weren't pretentious. It's going to be really hard to retain that "atmosphere" IMO if it gets too selective.</p>
<p>theothermuse, I would hate to have you jump to any conclusion about Lawrence based on one bit of information like this. It's too easy to draw an inference that may not be correct from such limited data. Lawrence is a wonderful college; if I didn't think so I wouldn't care about the decision.</p>
<p>Fortunately, my son has already received good news from some other wonderful schools (including some you also are interested in), so things will work out. </p>
<p>Hindoo, you are right that some great, talented kids just aren't wired to ace every class. It's not all that important to them in the great scheme. My son has probably spent a few too many nights reading interesting books that weren't assigned in class, or debating politics or policy, or googling and wikipediaing about the big wide world, instead of gunning for those last few points that might have given him an A instead of a B. He's not a "type A" who is losing hair or breaking out in hives because he might get a 97 on a 100 point test instead of a 104 (with the extra credit, of course). You know what? That's okay. He's happier, better centered and more truly inspired by learning for its own sake than almost anyone I know. </p>
<p>That said, there's nothing to say that there couldn't be a lot of kids with a perfect 4.0 who are just as balanced, just as happy and, unfortunately, just ahead of him in the Lawrence EA line!</p>
<p>I'll admit that I jumped the gun a little bit it seems so common nowadays, especially around where I live. More and more people know what it takes to get into go schools and as they fill up, top students are trickling down to lower ranked schools, etc. Obviously, it will take time for a school to completely change but still. I guess I'm just really touchy about the subject because I have many friends who are stellar people with just average records and they're being denied opportunities at good schools. </p>
<p>It does all work out in the end but I'm just frustrated. I've had a lot of success with my EA schools and I just want others to share in my happiness. We'll just see what happens. Lawrence is a wonderful school and I didn't mean to imply otherwise. :)</p>
<p>Congrats to all of the early action kids. And to MilwDad, I know it will work out by the time May 1 rolls around. LU is a great place but there are fabulous LACs all around and I'm sure he'll make a great choice. </p>
<p>D is a freshman at Lawrence and is more than happy to talk to prospective or decided students. She is extremely happy with her choice. She is a music student but has friends both inside and outside the conservatory. If any of your kids would like to contact her, please don't hesitate to PM me and I'll get them connected.</p>
<p>On the topic of contacting current studnets, I'm a second year studnet at LU and I am willing to answer questions. My main interests are in philosophy, math, and jazz. Kassos also hangs around these boards and he is a good guy to talk to as well.</p>
<p>Hey all. I mostly post on the musical theater boards but Lawrence is my number one choice. I originally heard about it from Loren Popes book but looked futher into it and loved it. What really sealed the deal for my was when a student called me out of the blue and we talked for over an hour and she was so friendly and helpful. Because I am going for the double degree in Vocal Performance ( I am auditioning on Feb 24th, is anyone else auditioning that day?) and psych. I could not do EA though I would have really liked to. I am crossing my fingers that I get in and will hopefully get to meet some of you in the fall.</p>
<p>Hello, I am a meddeling mom of a student who wil be entering Lawrence next year. I write because it might be helpful to hear from the people living at Lawrence in terms of happiness, friends, etc. My son wanted to go to Mac or Grinnell,because of the rankings, but was waitlisted. Lawrence began to stand out as a real gem when we visited. He loves music, but is not a performance guy. He will probably be focused on Bio (pre-med)philosophy and psychology..and... My question is: Would you trade schools for Carleton. Mac or Grinnell or do you think Lawrence has something that the big boys don't?
Thanks for your input?</p>
<p>What LU has to offer I think is the small size. T.A's don't teach here. Something like 99% of the professors have a Ph.D in their field, and classes never get bigger than 40. People I know have stopped by the prof's office and just talked for an hour. You can't get that at bigger schools. There are lots of other great things about this school, but I think the small size is the bottom line as to why you get a great education.</p>
<p>invision, I'm not sure if you meant that Mac and Carleton were the "big boys" but if you did, my belief is that there is no significant difference between Mac, Carleton, Grinnell and Lawrence except in the magazine rankings. Now I understand that for some people perception is reality, and some believe that the reputation of an undergraduate college is a predictor of additional opportunities afterwards. That said, I am familiar with all these schools. I know graduates from each, my son applied to Lawrence and I have a niece at Mac. I believe all of them are great colleges. You could throw a half dozen other midwest LACs into the same group, too.</p>
<p>To be honest, if you step out of the super-knowledgeable environment of College Confidential into the real world, all these schools have about the same name recognition -- which is to say almost none. (That's actually true for every LAC in the country, even the very top eastern schools.) Among graduate educators, however, all the schools you have mentioned would be known as excellent producers of quality, well educated young men and women.</p>
<p>About the magazine rankings... I remember being a senior in high school and somewhat caring about those. But now in my sophmore year in college I really don't care about that stuff. Why would I? I know where I am is a great place so why would some arbitrary ranking bother me?</p>