Lawrence University Course Catalog

Lawrence admits students whose talents and aspirations match well with what the university has to offer and who will contribute to our academic and residential community. Strong candidates for admission have taken at least 16 academic units from the areas of English, mathematics, history, social studies, natural sciences, and foreign languages. We are interested in students who have challenged themselves and have performed well in their academic work, who express themselves well both verbally and in writing, who understand the value of a liberal arts and sciences education, and who are imaginative, energetic, and willing to become active members of a learning community.

Lawrence considers the strength of each applicant’s course of study, grades, essay, recommendations, and extracurricular activities, roughly in that order. First-year candidates are required to submit secondary school transcripts and a teacher's recommendation along with the application and secondary school report. Test optional since 2005, Lawrence is proud to be one of the first selective colleges in the Midwest to embrace a test-optional admissions review. This means ACT or SAT test scores are not required for admission or scholarship consideration. International students whose primary language is not English must submit the results of the ACT, SAT, IELTS (International English Language Testing System), the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or Duolingo language exams.

Candidates for any music major at Lawrence are evaluated additionally on musicianship, musical background, performance potential, and music teachers’ recommendations. Along with the regular application forms listed above, music degree applicants must submit a music resume and a recommendation from a private music teacher and must audition on their primary instrument. They may audition on additional instruments if they choose.

We enthusiastically encourage applications from transfer students who wish to complete their degree at Lawrence. Transfer candidates are required to submit college transcripts and a college faculty recommendation along with the application and final high school transcript. Lawrence accepts, but does not require, SAT or ACT scores for transfer admission. Transfer candidates for music majors must also submit a music resume and a recommendation from a music teacher and must audition on their primary instrument. Generally, coursework in the arts and sciences completed satisfactorily at accredited institutions is accepted toward a Lawrence degree.

Lawrence also accepts qualified applicants for early admission who are prepared to graduate from high school at the end of their junior year.

Appeal:  If an applicant is eligible to appeal, they may submit a written letter to the Dean of Admission stating intentions and reasons for the appeal.

For information on residence requirements for each degree program, please see Residence Requirements under Degree Requirements in the course catalog.

Lawrence also accepts qualified applicants for early admission who are prepared to graduate from high school at the end of their junior year.

For information on residence requirements for each degree program, please see Residence Requirements under Degree Requirements in the course catalog.

There are four application deadlines for first-year students planning to enroll in September.

Early Decision: November 1 (notification by December 1)
Early Action I: November 1 (notification by December 15)
Early Action II: December 1 (notification by January 25)
Regular Decision: January 15 (notification by April 1)

Students admitted through Early Decision are expected to enroll at Lawrence and to submit their enrollment deposit by December 15. All other admitted students have until the May 1 National Candidates Reply Date to choose to accept or decline Lawrence’s offer of admission.

Transfer admission is competitive and offered on a space-available basis. We consider transfer students for admission to any of our three terms, though we generally discourage mid-year transfers from students who are currently enrolled in their first term at another college.

Fall Term: Rolling admission with a July 1 priority deadline
Winter Term: November 1 (notification November 15)
Spring Term: February 1 (notification February 15)

Tuition Deposit:  A non-refundable tuition deposit of $400 helps to secure a student’s spot, demonstrating a commitment to attend Lawrence.