Lawrence University
Reviews

Catch Me If You Can

They are usually ok with alcohol, but when it comes to drugs they have started really cracking down and bringing the police in.

Academics

At Lawrence, the professors are fantastic. If I disliked a professor, it was usually because of how difficultly they graded or how much work they assigned, not because their teaching skills were lacking. The workload for the average student is generally more than enough to stimulate learning, but still leave ample time for non-academic activities (unless you're a physics major, then you will have no time).

Campus employers will not be assaulting you with job opportunities, but many jobs are available for those who make an effort; it's not hard to get hired, but you won't be spoon-fed a position.

The Career Center is very good at finding internship opportunities and letting the students know about them.

Lots of Variety, Little Co-Mingling

While LU is on paper a very diverse school, the actual diversity at the day-to-day level is limited at best. International students, athletes, Conservatory Students and general academics tend to stick to their own groups. You really have to go out of your way to get out of your niche group, but if you do make the effort, you're likely to be rewarded with great perspective and a new appreciation for a different way of thinking. People are overall easy to get along with, so if you're interested in making friends outside of your "comfort zone," you will do so with little difficulty.

Weed and Beer

Everyone drinks, everyone has fun, no one gets busted. Lawrence is the best campus to drink if you don't want a visit from the police. Security hates police and is helpful/turns a blind eye to underage drinking. Weed is everywhere, but it's not like everyone is so stoned they can't get their homework done or lay off during final's week.

Campus Security? Oh, I Thought Those Guys Were Sig Eps

Campus security at Lawrence is something of a joke; not because they aren't helpful or that the campus isn't safe, because that's not true - a student can call them at any time of the day or night if they need a ride, or if they want help getting a drunk friend back to their dorm. In terms of enforcing drug and alcohol policies, however, they are almost nonexistent. Almost every Lawrence student has had the experience of a party getting busted by campus security, only to hear. "Hey, guys, you might want to put away your alcohol - the town cops are hanging around campus."

I wouldn’t leave. No way. I...

I wouldn’t leave. No way. I love it here.

I absolutely love Lawrence. The...

I absolutely love Lawrence. The students, staff, and faculty are amazing! I can’t imagine going anywhere else. I can’t wait to go back in the fall!

I love all the people that I have...

I love all the people that I have met. The things I have learned academically and personally have helped me become the person I am today. I wouldn’t trade any of my mistakes, good times, bad times, etc., for another experience. I look forward to making a career for myself, and I think that Lawrence is preparing me by helping me figure out what I want to do and not telling me what I am supposed to do. I have found my passions and how to achieve my goals at Lawrence. Let’s just hope they work out!

I really love Lawrence. The...

I really love Lawrence. The students are smart and talented. i think everyone leaves feeling like they made great friends, not to mention received a great education.

One thing Wisconsin has taught me...

One thing Wisconsin has taught me is that I am the kind of person that does not mind 60-degree weather all year long. But, the change of seasons is really beautiful. We are right on the Fox River, and watching the leaves turn and feeling the air become crisper in the fall is so beautiful. Winter can last awhile—it’s really cold from January to March—and this past winter it got down to minus 39 degrees, but only for a week or two.

The weather at the beginning and...

The weather at the beginning and end of the school year is usually very humid, but the rest of the year is pretty cold.

The bus station is two blocks...

The bus station is two blocks away. The local bus goes all around the Appleton area, and you can also catch a Greyhound bus to Milwaukee, Madison, or Chicago. Most of the time, there are students on campus with cars, but if you can’t get a ride, the bus is cheap and safe, and it gets you anywhere in Appleton. One of the greatest conveniences is that it runs every half hour to the Fox River Mall.

Lawrence is good about having...

Lawrence is good about having shuttles to take students to the mall. And the Greyhound station is only a few blocks from campus.

Students, for the most part,...

Students, for the most part, control themselves on campus. Alcohol has a strong presence on campus, like at any college, but it does not debilitate the students or create a massive distraction that the students can’t handle. If a student prefers not to drink, it is not looked down upon.

Greek life doesn’t dominate...

Greek life doesn’t dominate the social scene at all, which makes it a lot more approachable. It seems like all the people in a sorority or fraternity are friends with a lot of non-affiliated students, so there isn’t any weird segregation or anything.

Concerning things to do on campus,...

Concerning things to do on campus, the parties are fun. There are a variety of themes that the frats follow for theirs, like the foam and beach parties. And then there are the parties you just have in your room with friends, which are very fun as well.

On-campus parties are great....

On-campus parties are great. Everyone is welcome, and people have a lot of fun.

The parties on campus are usually...

The parties on campus are usually quite fun. There are a lot of creative ideas that even non-party people would enjoy. The bars seem to be pretty bumpin’ on the weekends, but I don’t know much about them yet since I’m underage.

Basketball, due to its recent...

Basketball, due to its recent success, is popular, but otherwise there is poor attendance at other varsity sporting events. A lot of students tend to participate in intramural sports though.

Lawrence isn’t necessarily a...

Lawrence isn’t necessarily a school that you’d think of for having hot guys or girls, but a lot of Lawrentians actually do end up marrying each other. So everything isn’t related to looks when dating but to how well you get along with your boyfriend or girlfriend—not to say looks aren’t a factor.

Most of the guys are very...

Most of the guys are very amiable—and big sweethearts. It’s probably half hot, half not-so-hot. Most of the girls are very nice, too. Everyone is eager to get to know one another and very generous with their time and friendship.

The campus is fairly diverse,...

The campus is fairly diverse, considering it is in a small town in the Midwest. Of course, the majority of students on campus is Caucasian, but Lawrence does a good job of recruiting both African Americans and international students, which really adds some personality to the campus. I love the Lawrence International program.

There is a lot of diversity for a...

There is a lot of diversity for a school of this size and location. There are people from different locations in the United States and abroad. There is an especially large number of international students.

I feel like the international...

I feel like the international students really diversify the campus. Although the majority of American students on campus is white, there is no feeling of superiority from them. The international students bring so much to campus and really enrich the student body.

Lawrence does not allow living off...

Lawrence does not allow living off campus unless you’re married or have some health issue. I honestly think that’s a great rule because everyone becomes so close, and dorms are just way more fun!