Lawrence University invites incoming students to join us August 13 – September 3, 2023 for Summer Institute! 

The Summer Institute (SI), is a three-week summer program in which new Lawrentians experience life at Lawrence. The centerpiece of SI is a two-course curriculum in which students engage in the liberal arts tradition of learning as it occurs at Lawrence, through close interaction with our dedicated faculty and collaboration with fellow students. Students also engage with campus resources to enhance their skills and activities that connect them with peers, upperclassmen, and the larger community. SI is held each summer during the three weeks leading up to New Student Orientation.

  • Curricular: Participants enroll in two SI courses taught by Lawrence faculty: the Summer Institute Seminar, a small, discussion-based, writing-intensive seminar that helps students develop their critical thinking, reading, and writing skills; and either Topics in Psychology, a larger, lecture-based exploration of the multifaceted world of the psychological sciences, Starting STEM Savvy, a skills-based course to prepare students for STEM courses or Collaborative Practice: Dance + Place, a course in the fine arts to introduce students to dance as an embodied practice, academic study, and a process of investigating and making. Successful completion of these courses allows students to earn up to six academic credits that can be applied toward graduation requirements.
  • Co-curricular: Students further develop their academic skills through workshops, peer-tutoring sessions, and interaction with campus resources and services.
  • Extracurricular: Students are introduced to life at Lawrence by Program Assistants, Lawrence upperclassmen who lead social activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to help you experience academic life at Lawrence.

View the curriculum

Schedule

The schedule provides a balance of programming, recreation and downtime.

View the Schedule

The staff has the knowledge and expertise to make your experience exceptional.

Read Profiles

Summer Institute is Transformational—Read past attendee feedback

Summer Institute Participants sitting together at a round table, discussing and taking notes during class.

“Now I knew what was expected of me; now I knew what it took to be a Lawrentian. SI really helped me to grow as a student. I felt my confidence as a student improve in that I could take in information and not be scared of it.”

Four Summer Institute Students sitting and a Faculty Member standing in the Mudd Library Makerspace.

“I knew that the students from the SI were there for me...  I knew that they were my support group.  Just being around them really helped boost my confidence.”

Summer Institute students taking a group picture outdoors on a sunny, clear day, at the Oneida Reservations tour.

“If not for the academics, come for the support you will find from your teachers, and the friends you will make here.”

Summer Institute students playing cards

“I think I found my family in SI, and that’s something that you can’t replace.  [SI] helps you find resources, helps you find a support group, and helps you build relationships with your professors.”

Summer Institute students reading a Workshop Handout in a Briggs Hall Classroom. Kate Zoromski, the Workshop host is standing at the end of the table.

“Summer Institute was like a practice run for everything that happens at Lawrence, and I think that was my biggest takeaway.  If you’re given an opportunity to perform better, or to prepare yourself so that you can perform better, then why not take it?”

Apply to Summer Institute

If you've read enough and want to enroll in Summer Institute follow the link above. If you still have questions, check out our FAQ page.