<p>My D is seriously considering Lawrence for Fall 2007. She is not a music major (although she took piano for 3 years and might want to continue playing in college) but I was wondering if the music kids interacted much with the other students? Also, we are from a warm, sunny area. How dramatic will be adjustment be to the Appleton winters? Is it grey for several months or does the sun make frequent appearences even on cold days? Answers and any other thoughts on Lawrence would be much appreaciated.</p>
<p>My D is a sophomore double degree major in Voice/Art History. She has plenty of friends in and out of the conservatory. Music is a big part of the social scene, however. I just came back from her opera production and there were loads of music and non-majors attending. The same night there was a jazz concert and a percussion concert as well as assorted lectures, parties, etc.. I don't think your D would have a problem at Lawrence as a non-music major (I believe music majors make up less than 30% of the student body). Regarding the winters -- yes, they can be rough. While I was there we had a blizzard and 13" of snow and when I flew out yesterday it was -20. However, compared to Pittsburgh -- where we have loads of cloudy days -- Appleton's weather moves in and out quickly and there is a lot of sun. The campus is compact and easy to get around so going outside is not a huge problem in winter (i.e. compared to Penn State which is huge!). California is well-represented at Lawrence. Just off the top of my head, I know my daughter has several friends from LA, Palo Alto, Half Moon Bay, etc.. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>It does. Thank you so much. That was exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Lawrence was one of the first schools that we visited but my D really did seem comfortable there. Being from Southern California, I especially like the Mid-West values which seem present at Lawrence. I'm sure she'll have her share of college "fun" but it seemed like a place where that wouldn't get out of control. I guess I'm just a worry-wort. :)</p>
<p>calmac-</p>
<p>I applied to Lawrence and visited the campus in the fall. </p>
<p>I noticed that quite a few students were either music majors or minors, and, if not, they were involved in some type of music group. The students I met were all very friendly, and they mingled with each other well. Music is well-represented on campus, but not everyone is a music major. </p>
<p>The weather was not bad at all; of course, I am from Chicago, so that may be why. But, having lived also in OK, I have learned that, when exposed to differnet temperatures, one gets used to them. 20 degrees is sweater weather for me after the freezing temperatures we have been having lately. That probably didn't help, though. :)</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter!</p>
<p>Sopranosmom: My wife and D were visting Lawrence this weekend as well.</p>
<p>Arrived on Thursday in the middle of a Blizzard and left Saturday. Very cold, windy and yet the campus was in full operation, they saw Mozart's Magic Flute Opera on campus and were very impressed with the quality. My D is interested in creative writing and language. We had visited in September (before classes began) and were very impressed with the campus, Appleton and the general atmosphere. Since the only students on campus in Sept. were the sports teams; our D wanted to visit, during the winter, to see both the students and the climate.</p>
<p>The weather wasa the worst it could have been with the wind and blowing snow and the 13+ inches and wet everything fas functioning. My wife went on a tour in -2 degrees (wind chill was included) and found everything and everyone doing what was necessary,</p>
<p>So we found that the weather is livable and the campus is very attractive.</p>
<p>The Music Conservatory is another embellishment to a LA school with both the faculty and student body that would interest and challenge our D. I do not know if this is the school that my D will select as we are waiting on the Financial aid package from Lawrence and the other schools that have accepted our D.</p>
<p>But in my wife's opinion, it would be a fine place for our D.</p>
<p>Again, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the feedback. My D is also interested in creative writing and language (japanese)... and I guess Lawrence stacks up well in both areas. Is that how you feel as well, Meganvirg?
Frankly I have just been worried about the adjustment from California to the Midwest and how she'll handle that (and how I'll handle it as well). I sort of picture her huddled in her room, all alone of a cold, gray day (that lasts 3 months), bored to death and friendless. On the other hand, a part of me thinks that she'll really fit in well in the midwest. She kind of has her own quirky way of acting but she's a great kid and I'm sure that she'll make some good friends...</p>
<p>Calmac: Our D is also interested in studying Japanese. One of our concerns is that the tenure track Japanese associate professor Ms Yamagata gave the school notice that she is not returning in the Fall. So they are on the search for a Tenure Track Teacher. Our D talked on Friday to the head of the department and my wife spoke to the Head of Admissions and both were very positive about the future of the Japanese language program. </p>
<p>I should mention that we were informed of the Professor's resignation by the Head of Admissions in a telephone call soon after our D received her acceptance by the University. He was very open and straight-forward about Ms Yamagata's resignation, since he was aware of our D interest in studying Japanese.</p>
<p>It is something to be considered if your D is planning on starting this fall.</p>
<p>Meganvirg--
Thank you for the heads up on Ms. Yamagata and Japanese studies. My D will leave HS with 4 years of Japanese and spent last summer living and going to school in Japan, so obviously this is kind of important. Lawrence does seem to have a solid commitment to the language, so hopefully they will fill that slot with a good teacher. From going through the courses available, I gather that she would have to major in ASIAN STUDIES and could only minor in Japanese. Is that your take as well? Of course, a minor in Japanese could be all she wants and instead might major in English (creative writing) or something else that catches her fancy. There seem to be a lot of great classes available in the English Dept. Maybe I'll have to move to Appleton and enroll as well... :)</p>
<p>Calmac: Yes exactly, but IMO minoring in Japanese equal a major, because if you are able to write and read that language, it is an open door to opportunities whether in business, teaching, political, just about every possible avenue for your D or mine.</p>
<p>She met with the Head of Asian Studies to discuss the future of the study of Japanese at Lawrence and as mentioned before - it was very positive.</p>
<p>My D has to make the final decision, perhaps we will find that both our D's are in Lawrence come next September. :>)</p>
<p>Well, good luck with the process... actually my D is only in her Jr year, so we have a little while yet. I suspect however that she'll be doing an overnight visit to LU at this time next year to see if the appleton winters agree with her... let me know what you guys decide. perhaps we can have our D's e-mail each other to talk about the programs available for them both...</p>
<p>I tried to entice my son with CA schools & good weather last year; he applied and was accepted at UCSB, USC and Redlands. It didn't work. He is a freshman at LU. He likes CA. His aunt, uncle, grandparents and cousins are there; but home for him is Appleton right now, snow and all. He thought it was a good change of pace from growing up in the eastern med with all the sun you could ever want.</p>
<p>Overseas: Hope you don't mind if I ask a few questions... How does he like LU and the students there. What was the thought process in deciding on Lawrence? Anything that he doesn't like?
Thanks</p>
<p>He found the school, I think on this site, I am not sure. He had a teacher who graduated from LU and had spoken of it to him. He remembered that later. It had everything he was looking for: the ability to study more than music but music has been a huge part of his growing up; international students; quirky academic relaxed student body where all ideas have a place; residential campus; off campus programs; local airport. When he visited on his own in his junior summer they treated him in a way that he was sold on the place. I wasn't there. He stayed in a local hotel and went to the show and spent time in the cafes and loved what he found in the Midwest: the accent, the friendly people, Appleton...what a name! </p>
<p>To be honest after almost 2 terms I haven't heard any bad. He is struggling in one class that he has to take but loves the professor, thinks he is a genius. Loves the off campus site on Lake Michigan, the trivia weekend, basketball, his girlfriend, the dorm food? the dorm? Oh, he doesn't like the Chicago airport. He loves the spirit of college life.</p>
<p>I remember awhile ago when he showed me the school, I read up on it and thought well this sounds really perfect...where is it? But I never thought that it would be his first choice. Now I am really glad he made that decision. I feel extremely comfortable with him there and me 8000 miles away. </p>
<p>As a parent, I really like their honor system. My son says it works. Profs can walk out of the room when tests are given. No one cheats. You have to sign on everything you do that it is your own work. I think they write about it on the website. Anyway, it is real. It says a lot about the institution. It is a class act; that is all I can say.</p>