Lawrence University

Date: Apr 13 2010
Major: Biology (This Major's Salary over time)
I attribute 100% of my achievements and successes in my professional life to the education I received at LU. At Lawrence, the overarching goal of your education is not simply to prepare you for a career field, it is to prepare you for LIFE. You are taught through an extremely rigorous academic experience how to LEARN and how to THINK. Those two products alone will allow you to succeed in any field or endeavor that you pursue, and the most valuable thing about it is that it becomes ingrained in you and is an integral part of how you think , solve problems, and are able to communicate with others. My undergrad degree was in Biology, and I have ended up building a 13 year career in Information Technology and Computer Science. I will be attending grad school next year (14 years out of school) with the confidence that I know how to write and study and succeed in an academic environment, thanks to Lawrence.

LU is definitely a work hard, play hard school, and I have made lifelong friends through my 4 years there. Where your peers at less rigorous schools may get away with only having to write a few papers in their entire undergrad careers over 5 pages, it would not be uncommon at LU to have to write a 10-15 page paper for each of your 3 classes every week or two. The reading is tough and volumuinous, and your undergrad curriculum will be academically on par with some graduate programs. LU is also most importantly one of the only schools left that has need-blind admissions. Financial aid and support for students at this school (which, as an elite, private, liberal arts college has high tuition) is exceptional and helps to make the education affordable. The endowment and alumni support are tremendous.

In the end, the hard work is well worth the fact that you will graduate knowing you have the tools to succeed in anything you do, and an education that has inspired you to never stop learning.

I would without question recommend Lawrence to anyone who seeks a small, supportive, but academically challenging education. Appleton is a beautiful small town and the recent improvements to campus have made it an absolute gem as far as the physical appearance and amenities on campus.