<p>I'm pretty concerned that I won't fit in with either conservatory students or non-conservatory students bc most, if not all, still play an instrument at some level (so i hear). And I don't sing or play an instrument and I'm not that interested in music...</p>
<p>Also, IK this is a pretty broad question but how does Lawrence compare with its counterparts (im thinking beloit, kalamazoo) in terms of merit aid opportunities?</p>
<p>What are Lawrence's 'outdoorsey' opportunities like? I know they have Björklunden but how often do students really use it and what other opportunities are available?</p>
<p>Also, I keep on hearing abt Lawrence's emphasis on 'individualized learning'. But to be completely honest, from just reading the synopsis on their website, I'm not really sure what makes this philosophy so different from a normal liberal arts experience. Could anyone elaborate on this?</p>
<p>I think the first issue shouldn’t be a concern to you at all. We have visited Lawrence with both our sons, neither of whom has any interest in music performance, and never felt that would be any problem for them. I think the non-connies simply get to enjoy all the great performances the conservatory students put on.</p>
<p>I would say the merit aid opportunities are roughly about the same, but it will still come down to your individual application. Our older son applied to all three. He was ultimately deferred at Lawrence. He was accepted at Beloit but didn’t pursue the scholarship program (Beloit has kind of a two step scholarship process) because by then he had been accepted into Kalamazoo with a nice scholarship, and that was his first choice anyway. But your mileage may vary.</p>
<p>As for outdoor opportunities and the specific definition of “individualized learning” at LU, I can’t help you much, although I do suspect the latter is just LU’s “brand” for how most good LACs operate.</p>
<p>We think these are three terrific schools. Good luck!</p>
<p>Let me start off by say saying I am not in the conservatory nor do I play any instrument. That said, I am friends with music and non-music majors alike. You will find a group of friends and people with similar interests. I was very nervous about meeting new people in college and was happy to discover how down to earth everyone was! You will find friends here!</p>
<p>Lawrence competes very well with it’s peer schools in terms of merit-aid. My suggestion is to apply to all the schools that interest you and compare financial aid packages.</p>
<p>There are definitely outdoor opportunities here. Many clubs and sports operate outdoors. It is very common to see people studying/reading outside or just throwing a frisbee around. Lawrence is also very aesthetically pleasing!</p>
<p>Individualized learning is definitely stressed here. Not only in terms of pursuing ANY of your academic interests if they are not offered (tutorial or independent study), but also getting 1 on 1 time with your professor! The other day in my biology lab (about 7 students) my professor literally spent 20-30 with every student making sure they got the material! Professors WANT you to come to their office.</p>
<p>Bottom line: I would not choose to be anywhere else right now. If anyone has anymore questions feel free to post them or pm me.</p>
<p>My son had several 1 on 1 classes in his 4 years at LU. He had some where there were two students to one professor. His first tutorial so to speak was during his freshman year. I was amazed, to be honest. It’s a solid education. The financial aid is dependent on each family’s ability to pay. If they accept you, then they go to bat for you all the way through.</p>
<p>There are plenty of students who don’t play an instrument (or sing) at any level. Also, I suspect that many who reported that they do play or sing, did so mostly in high school, and don’t do much at all once in college—they find themselves very busy. Still, there are many opportunities to play, if one wants to, or just listen. There is a wide variety of very good music on campus and in nearly coffee houses.</p>
<p>Students really do use Bjorklunden. Individual classes go, departments and their majors go, and clubs go. (Not all classes, not all departments, and not all clubs.) It’s a wonderful place, and one needs only go once to want to find excuses to return.</p>
<p>As for Individualized learning, it is more than “just LU’s “brand” for how most good LACs operate.” (It’s understandable, however, that one might suspect that it is only that.) When LU’s new president came on board a few years back, she was surprised to learn just how many students and faculty were involved in independent studies and tutorials. To make a rather long story short, Lawrence decided to make the most of, and dramatically improve, what it had been doing for years. There has been considerable campus discussion of this, and conferences involving Williams College and Oxford University. (These connections are not mere fleeting events.) While it certainly is “LU’s brand,” LU does much more than most LACs in this regard. Students come to LU now expecting that individualized learning will be a significant part of their Lawrence experience, and Lawrence tries very hard not to disappoint its students.</p>