Admissions | Lawrence University

Still Changing Lives

When he published his groundbreaking work, Colleges That Change Lives, Loren Pope encouraged prospective students and their families to consider what really matters in a college—and it has nothing to do with rankings or selectivity.

It’s all about fit.

He identified 40 colleges that he believed did as good a job as (if not a better job than) Ivy League or other "name-brand" institutions at transforming students by pushing them a great distance. Hence the title.

Lawrence University is proud to be included in every edition of the book, including the new edition written by author Hilary Masell Oswald.

We are also a proud member of the non-profit organization that the book inspired, Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL). You’ll see us, and the other colleges in the book, at special CTCL events all over the country and the world.

Quick Facts

Founded: 1847 (one of the first American institutions to be founded coeducational)

Mailing Address: Lawrence University Office of Admissions, 711 E. Boldt Way; Appleton, WI, 54911-5690

Location: Appleton, Wisconsin (pop. 72,000; metro pop. 250,000)

Campuses: Main campus—an 84-acre campus situated on a bluff overlooking the historic (and northward flowing) Fox River, adjacent to downtown Appleton. Björklunden vid Sjön, a 425-acre estate on Lake Michigan in Door County, Wis., serves as the university’s northern campus, hosting weekend student retreats and seminars throughout the academic year. Lawrence London Centre accommodates 24 students each term.

Student Population: about 1,500 full-time undergraduates from nearly every state and 50 countries; students are required to live on campus for all four years.

Academic Calendar: Trimester (three 10-week terms)

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The Admissions Blog

What to do about those looming deadlines?

Mon, 01/05/2015 - 2:33pm

As someone who has been working in admissions for nearly three decades, I have noticed a steady change in the way students perceive deadlines—especially these days. “Apply by January 15” did not used to mean “wait until 11:55 PM on January 15 to hit the magic submit button.” But oh, the times they are a-changin’ […]

Student Stories

Trivia Weekend!

Sun, 01/25/2015 - 11:25pm

This weekend is one of the most exciting weekends at Lawrence! It’s our 50th annual trivia weekend, known officially as the Great Midwest Trivia Contest, and it is arguably Lawrence’s best known tradition. Basically, it’s a 50 hour trivia contest (Friday 10 pm until Sunday at midnight) that happens every year during the last weekend […]

Schedule a Visit

Still on the fence about applying to Lawrence? Visiting campus is the best way to get a feel for the campus which will help with your decision. Try the food, meet some students, see the sights, chat with professors, sit down with an admission counselor and more. Schedule your visit to Lawrence.