1. Academics
  2. Senior Experience

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What is Senior Experience?

Senior Experience is the culmination of a Lawrence education, a way for students to integrate knowledge and skills developed through years of study, demonstrate proficiency in their major fields, and develop scholarly or artistic independence. Every graduating senior produces something significant — an independent or collaborative project, major seminar paper, portfolio, performance, or exhibition — to satisfy criteria for the major set by faculty of that department or program.  Senior Experience thus provides a capstone unique to each student yet universal to students across the university.

Students should discuss Senior Experience possibilities with their faculty advisors during the junior year.  Projects that are ambitious or distinctive may qualify for Senior Experience funding.  See the sidebar for more information.

Funding for the Senior Experience is made possible by:

George '51 and Marjorie '44 Chandler Endowment for the Senior Experience
Edward Byers Fund for Senior Experience in Art or Art History
Julie Esch Hurvis Senior Experience Fund for Studio Art
Barbara Peterson Fund for Senior Experience in the Social Sciences
Thomas A. Steitz Nobel Fund for Senior Experience in the Natural Sciences
Harold B. and Richard W. Zuehlke Research Fund for the Physical Sciences

Funding Your Project

Students can apply for up to $3,000 to support an ambitious or distinctive Senior Experience project. To apply, fill out the application form and have your project advisor fill out the recommendation form. Applications are accepted any time after January 1 of the junior year.

SE Application Form (docx)

SE Recommendation Form (docx)

Questions? Contact Bob Williams, Associate Dean of the Faculty.

Project Reports

If you receive Senior Experience funding, you must submit a report to receive your final payment. This should be submitted as soon as the funded portion of the project is complete. Use the form below.

SE Report Form (docx)

Senior Experience Titles

Senior Experience titles appear in the Commencement program.  Graduating seniors are asked to submit their titles as part of the graduation application process.  See the Registrar's Help for Students for more information.

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