Lawrence is a wonderful, welcoming community with a variety of great programs and some extremely special professors. Winter can get pretty long at times, but there's lots to do if you can navigate the cold and get involved in activities. The best part is the spread of people: you get hugely talented musicians, athletes, and people majoring in everything from English to Biochem to Russian.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Get involved! Find your place, whether it be Swing Dancing, Lawrence International, Habitat for Humanity, Ultimate Frisbee, or LUMOS, our Harry Potter club. Can't choose? Join them all. Everybody's welcoming. Get to know people on your floor. When choosing dorms, go for Ormsby or Plantz - they're the most central, and walking can be brutal in the winter. Go to class, go to your professor's office hours, call their cell number if they give it to you - use every resource you can and get to know your professors!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Some intro courses can be a bit lacking, of course, but you can't really sail through anything, and once you're past the beginning, everything gets much, much tougher - and way more rewarding. 18th Century Literature totally isn't my thing, but it's part of the English Major's requirements, and while I worked harder than I ever had before on a 15-page term paper about a book I didn't like, I still loved the class, thanks to my wonderful professors. There are some amazing, inspiring teachers here who make you love working hard.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorms are fine - nothing special, nothing terrible. A lot of renovations are going on, so many buildings have lovely new bathrooms! Definitely not half bad. The community of a dorm is there if you want it, but you don't have to join in, either.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
It gets boring after awhile - it's cafeteria food. But before it's boring, it's pretty darn good - better than probably 95% of the cafeterias out there. The cafe is overpriced, as is the corner store, but you get used to it.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Join clubs. Play club sports. Lie out on Main Hall Green with your friends on a sunny day. Go to the VR, if you're 21, or numerous other institutions on College Ave. Grab some coffee at Harmony Cafe, go to a frat party on a Saturday night.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I won't lie - it's expensive. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. I have to conclude that it is - it's truly a wonderful experience here.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Ahem. Senior Streak. It's exactly what it sounds like. And the Great Midwest Trivia Contest - look it up. It's my favorite weekend of the year and the one on which I get the least sleep.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Non-competitive students who are interested in learning, not just getting the highest score. Students who maybe didn't get the best grades in high school, but whose test scores tell a different story.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There's pretty much something for everyone out there! And if there isn't, you'll probably be able to start it.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek Life exists, but it's by no means the center of the social scene. It's nice to have it there - parties and events, etc - but also nice that it's not the be-all end-all of making friends.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Never once have I felt unsafe, even walking across campus in the middle of winter at 4:30 AM.
Lawrence is a wonderful, welcoming community with a variety of great programs and some extremely special professors. Winter can get pretty long at times, but there's lots to do if you can navigate the cold and get involved in activities. The best part is the spread of people: you get hugely talented musicians, athletes, and people majoring in everything from English to Biochem to Russian.
Get involved! Find your place, whether it be Swing Dancing, Lawrence International, Habitat for Humanity, Ultimate Frisbee, or LUMOS, our Harry Potter club. Can't choose? Join them all. Everybody's welcoming. Get to know people on your floor. When choosing dorms, go for Ormsby or Plantz - they're the most central, and walking can be brutal in the winter. Go to class, go to your professor's office hours, call their cell number if they give it to you - use every resource you can and get to know your professors!
Some intro courses can be a bit lacking, of course, but you can't really sail through anything, and once you're past the beginning, everything gets much, much tougher - and way more rewarding. 18th Century Literature totally isn't my thing, but it's part of the English Major's requirements, and while I worked harder than I ever had before on a 15-page term paper about a book I didn't like, I still loved the class, thanks to my wonderful professors. There are some amazing, inspiring teachers here who make you love working hard.
Dorms are fine - nothing special, nothing terrible. A lot of renovations are going on, so many buildings have lovely new bathrooms! Definitely not half bad. The community of a dorm is there if you want it, but you don't have to join in, either.
It gets boring after awhile - it's cafeteria food. But before it's boring, it's pretty darn good - better than probably 95% of the cafeterias out there. The cafe is overpriced, as is the corner store, but you get used to it.
Join clubs. Play club sports. Lie out on Main Hall Green with your friends on a sunny day. Go to the VR, if you're 21, or numerous other institutions on College Ave. Grab some coffee at Harmony Cafe, go to a frat party on a Saturday night.
I won't lie - it's expensive. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. I have to conclude that it is - it's truly a wonderful experience here.
Ahem. Senior Streak. It's exactly what it sounds like. And the Great Midwest Trivia Contest - look it up. It's my favorite weekend of the year and the one on which I get the least sleep.
Non-competitive students who are interested in learning, not just getting the highest score. Students who maybe didn't get the best grades in high school, but whose test scores tell a different story.
There's pretty much something for everyone out there! And if there isn't, you'll probably be able to start it.
Greek Life exists, but it's by no means the center of the social scene. It's nice to have it there - parties and events, etc - but also nice that it's not the be-all end-all of making friends.
Never once have I felt unsafe, even walking across campus in the middle of winter at 4:30 AM.