How to Apply to Physics at Lawrence University: A Small Liberal Arts College Where You Declare the Major by the End of Sophomore Year, with an Advanced Laboratory in Year Three, Independent Research in Year Four and Dual-Degree Engineering Partners, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisconsin) is a college of arts and sciences with a conservatory of music. Undergraduate physics belongs to the Department of Physics in the College. You apply to the university as a whole and declare a major after you arrive. Here is what you need to know, based on the university’s website, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Mathematics, chemistry, computer science and other majors are not covered here beyond the combined-major and cooperative-degree options that touch physics.

1. Degrees and directions in physics

• Degrees: the physics page says students can pursue a bachelor’s in physics, with options for a dual degree in engineering (the page writes BA/MS) and a physics or broad-science teaching certification; a physics minor is also available. Many students double major in physics and mathematics, physics and music, or physics and computer science. The pages read do not use the name “BS in Physics”, while the cooperative degrees page says students earn a Bachelor of Arts from Lawrence. Please confirm the exact degree name with the department or admissions office.
• The physics major (2026-27 catalog year): PHYS 141 and 151 (Introduction to Physics I and II), 220 (Intermediate Laboratory: Electronics), 225 (Computational Mechanics), 230 (Electricity and Magnetism), 260 (Modern Physics), 310 (Quantum Mechanics), 320 (Thermal Physics) and 330 (Advanced Laboratory), plus one six-unit physics course numbered 340 or above (excluding directed study, tutorial and independent study); the Senior Experience (PHYS 699 and 650); and the mathematics courses MATH 140, 155, 200 and 250.
• Tracks (requirements page): a Physics Teaching Track (with additional chemistry, geoscience and education courses; the page says 12 terms if started in the first year, 13 if started later); a dual-degree engineering track for students jointly enrolling with an engineering partner; and an interdisciplinary natural-science major that pairs physics with biology, chemistry or geosciences (the page gives biophysics and physical chemistry as examples), where physics-primary students need at least ten six-unit science courses numbered 200 or above, at least five in physics and at least three in the secondary discipline.
• Second Year Entry Track: lets a physics outreach course for non-majors count in place of an introductory class or an upper-level elective. The advising page and the requirements page give slightly different examples: the advising page has PHYS 110 or 115, MATH 140, 155 and UNIC 175 in the first year; the requirements page has PHYS 107 or 110 and MATH 102, 103 and 140. Both are examples, so check with the department.
• Honors: the physics pages read do not describe a physics honors sequence; this is not published there, so ask the department or the admissions office. The department gives the LU Physics Research Award, the J. Bruce Brackenridge Prize (for an outstanding junior major), the LU Physics Service Award and the S.I.N. (Sir Isaac Newton) Award; these recognise current students and the page gives no cash amounts.
• Minor and teacher certification: the physics minor needs PHYS 141, 151, 220, 225 and 260, two more physics courses and MATH 140, 155 and 200. Physics majors can seek certification to teach science at the secondary level (grades 4-12); this requires a major in one science and at least one course in each of the others.

2. Admission route: apply to the university, declare the major after entry

• When applying: neither the Apply page nor the physics page read says whether you must name physics on the application or whether it is reviewed by major, and there is no separate admission line for physics. This is not published in those pages; please confirm with the Office of Admissions (admissions@lawrence.edu, 920-832-6500).
• Declaring: the advising page says all students are expected to declare a major before the end of sophomore year, ideally before advance registration advising begins in the spring term, and then move to an advisor in the major. Declaration is done through a Registrar’s form (login required). The pages read do not give grade or capacity conditions for declaring.
• Major advisors: the page lists the physics faculty who can advise prospective majors (Margaret Koker, Douglas S. Martin, Megan Pickett and Matthew R. Stoneking); advising@lawrence.edu can help match an advisor. Minors do not need an official advisor and are encouraged to consult the department chair or other physics faculty.
• Moving in from another major: the pages read set no separate condition; the declaration rule above applies.

3. Prerequisites and credit

• High school coursework: the Apply page asks for 17 units, including 3 years of mathematics (with 4 years of English, 3 of social science and 3 of natural science). The physics and advising pages do not say high school physics is required.
• Where to start in physics: the advising page says physics majors without advanced placement or a strong high school physics background should start with PHYS 141. The course descriptions page says PHYS 141 is a calculus-based introduction (mechanics, energy, momentum, fluids, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, nuclear and particle physics, cosmology) with explicit instruction in calculus, and lists as prerequisite an ALEKS score of 45 or MATH 103 with a C- or better. PHYS 151 needs PHYS 141, or an ALEKS score of 75 plus one year of high school physics. PHYS 220 needs PHYS 151 and MATH 140.
• Typical four-year pattern (advising page): first year PHYS 141, 151, 220 with MATH 140, 155, 200; second year PHYS 225, 230, 260 with MATH 250; third year PHYS 310, 320, 330 and physics electives; fourth year PHYS 699 and 650 and electives.
• AP physics: the requirements page gives these placements for scores of 4 or 5: AP Physics 1 into PHYS 141; AP Physics 2 into PHYS 151; AP Physics C: Mechanics into PHYS 151; AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism into PHYS 220. The advising page says students may earn no more than 12 units for multiple AP or IB physics exams, that students with AP/IB credit should consult the physics chair about placement, and that a 4 or 5 on AP Physics 1, 2, C: Electricity and Magnetism or C: Mechanics can satisfy the Quantitative Competency (Q) general education requirement.
• IB and A level: the college credit page says IB diploma students receive 6 units for each higher-level exam with a 5 or higher and 3 units for each standard-level exam; students without the diploma receive 6 units per higher-level exam; up to 48 units in either case, for subjects that apply to the liberal arts curriculum. A level credit comes only from original certificates, up to 6 units for a “C” or better, with a total of up to 48 units described as six courses, without further explanation. The pages read do not say which physics course IB Physics corresponds to; ask the physics chair. The score-by-score AP lookup tool was not read.
• Calculus: the physics major requires MATH 140, 155, 200 and 250, and the typical pattern on the advising page starts the calculus sequence (MATH 140, 155, 200) in the first year. The placement details sit on the mathematics department’s advising page, which was not read for this guide; please check the mathematics pages on the university website.
• Laboratory and research requirements: the major requires two laboratory courses, PHYS 220 and 330. The department page describes learning spaces by year: collaborative lecture-lab learning and electronics in the first year, the Computational Physics Lab in the second, the Advanced Laboratory with research equipment in the third, and independent, student-designed and funded research in the fourth. The Senior Experience begins with a formal project proposal to the department, followed by PHYS 699 (six-unit independent study under faculty supervision) and a capstone thesis paper; all fourth-year students (third-year for dual-degree engineering students) also take the two-unit PHYS 650 senior seminar and present orally.
• Competitions: the website does not say how physics competitions such as USAPhO are viewed in admission.

4. Rounds, materials and testing

• Rounds (Apply page, for fall 2027 entry): Early Decision (binding) 1 November 2026, decision by 1 December; Early Action 1 December 2026, decision by 15 January 2027; Early Decision 2 (binding) 15 January 2027, decision by 1 February; Regular Decision 15 January 2027, decision by 1 April. Applications continue to be accepted after 15 January. Conservatory applicants also have an Early Action round on 1 November.
• How to apply and fee: the Lawrence Application, the Common Application or the Coalition application on Scoir; the Apply page says all three are free to submit.
• Materials: transcripts and one teacher recommendation letter (the page does not say it must come from a science teacher). The pages read do not describe essay requirements; see the Apply page.
• Testing: ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission or scholarship consideration, and applicants decide whether to send them. School codes: ACT 4596, SAT 1398, TOEFL 1398.
• Competitive profile: the Apply page says competitive applicants typically pursue the rigorous coursework available to them across core subject areas, with a strong academic GPA, and show curiosity beyond the classroom through research, creative work, global experiences, leadership or service.

5. US domestic applicants: costs and aid

• Costs (2026-27): the tuition page lists tuition of $61,407 a year ($20,469 a term), fees $312, housing (double room) $7,047 and meal plan $6,792, a total of $75,558; estimated extras are $750 for books and supplies, $450–$1,200 for transportation and $1,200 for personal expenses. Lawrence is residential and students choose a housing and meal option. The page shows one tuition rate, with no in-state and out-of-state difference. The rates for fall 2027 entry are not published in the pages read; check when released.
• Aid: the aid page says Lawrence awarded more than $58 million in scholarships and grants in 2024–25, 99% of students receive aid, and average grants and scholarships are $47,300; it also tabulates average aid and average cost after aid by family income (for example, $5,500 for incomes of $0–$39,999).
• Merit scholarships: the Main Hall Green Award and a full-tuition scholarship have applications available from 1 January; further merit scholarships range from $120,000 to $168,000, spread evenly over four years, based on the application for admission and awarded at admission.
• Applying for need-based aid: new students file the FAFSA (school code 003856) plus either the CSS Profile (code 1398) or the Lawrence Financial Aid Application. Priority dates: 8 November for Early Decision and Early Action; 22 January for Early Decision 2 and Regular Decision; aid is notified at the time of admission. Wisconsin residents may be eligible for the Wisconsin Tuition Grant (FAFSA by 1 April each year), and students from Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia may be able to use state grants out of state.
• Home-state priority or guaranteed admission: not mentioned in the pages read.

6. International applicants

• Who counts: the website treats applicants as international if they study in the US on an F-1 or J-1 visa, are in the US on a non-immigrant visa, intend to enter on a student visa, or are American dual citizens who received most of their secondary education outside the US.
• English: the international requirements page accepts any one of: English as the primary language, or a counsellor letter or school profile showing English as the language of instruction; TOEFL iBT 80 overall (tests before 21 January 2026) or 4.0 on the new 1–6 scale (tests on or after 21 January 2026, shown as an approximate equivalent); IELTS 6.5 overall; Duolingo 115; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 580; ACT English/Writing 24. Scores must be sent directly by the testing agency.
• Materials: an official high school transcript (with an English translation), a passport copy, proof of English, and the Lawrence University Certification of Finances form, which appears in the applicant portal after you apply and is due within five days after the application deadline, with supporting documents such as a bank statement, an employer letter verifying parent income, a sponsor letter with bank statement, or a sponsor programme letter. Other forms such as the CSS Profile are not accepted as substitutes.
• International deadlines (that page shows no year, so please check): Early Decision 1 November (notified 1 December, reply by 15 December); Early Action 1 December (notified 15 January, reply by 1 May); Early Decision 2 15 January (notified 1 February); Regular Decision 15 January (notified 1 April, reply by 1 May).
• Scholarships and aid: all admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships and need-based aid. The website words renewal slightly differently on two pages: the international applicants page says institutional scholarships and aid are guaranteed and renewed at the same level for four years, while the international scholarships page says they are renewed annually at the same level through graduation. The website says full scholarships are not available and international students must contribute financially.
• English support: ESL resources, a Summer Institute for international students, and the Pathways Program, whose first year focuses on English and which typically leads to graduation in four and a half to five years.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages read do not say whether the Gaokao is considered; this is not published there, so ask the Office of Admissions.
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: no China-specific requirements are published in the pages read; the general international requirements are in section 6 (transcript with English translation, passport copy, English proof, certification of finances).
• English: applicants from China can use any of the options in section 6. Transfer applicants who studied outside the US also need a credit evaluation (see below).
• Physics: the website does not say how Chinese high school physics courses map to PHYS 141 or 151, or whether high school physics is required; the starting point after entry follows the prerequisite rules above and the physics chair’s placement advice.

8. Costs, scholarships, research and outcomes

• Costs: see section 5.
• Department scholarships and research: the physics page says students can win substantial funding for projects they design themselves and join faculty-led summer research. The student research page says Lawrence University Research Fellows can receive a stipend of up to $4,000 for intensive 10-week summer projects at Lawrence or at research institutions elsewhere; internship funding of up to $5,000 can be used for research, internships, service projects and more; and the Senior Experience can be an additional chance to do funded research. The physics pages read do not mention physics-specific scholarships.
• Outcomes: the physics page says graduates go on to PhDs at top universities (it names MIT, Cornell and Washington), to careers in engineering, and to quantitative work such as medical physics, finance and software engineering. The outcomes page lists recent graduate programmes (for example, Washington University in St. Louis, Mechanical Engineering, M.S.; University of Minnesota, Medical Physics, M.S.; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mathematics, Ph.D.; University of Wisconsin, STEM Education, M.S.; University of Tennessee, Physical Chemistry, Ph.D.) and recent roles (for example, Post Baccalaureate Researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Systems Engineer at Collins Aerospace, Project Engineer at CJD Engineering, Instrumentation Technician at Xantho Technologies, Engineering Technician at Actasys). The pages print no employment rate or salary data.

9. Cooperative degrees: physics plus engineering

• Model: the cooperative degrees page says the engineering dual degree typically involves two to three years at Lawrence and two years at an affiliated engineering school, leading to a Bachelor of Arts from Lawrence and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the partner. To qualify for the Lawrence degree, students must earn 162 units and meet the other degree requirements that cannot be met at the partner school.
• Partners: the cooperative degrees page lists Columbia University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Washington University; the physics page mentions dual-degree pathways only with Columbia University and Washington University (and writes the dual degree as BA/MS). The two pages are not fully consistent, so check with the program advisor (the page lists Margaret Koker).
• Minimum courses at Lawrence (cooperative degrees page): MATH 140, 155 and 350; CMSC 140 or 150; CHEM 115 or 116; PHYS 141 and 151; and 5–8 humanities and social science courses (30–48 units). Prerequisites vary by partner school, so consult early. The partners’ own admission conditions are not described in the pages read.

10. Transfer students

• How to apply: the transfer page says to use the Lawrence Application or the Common Application, free of charge, with rolling admission; after admission the university provides a transfer credit evaluation. You can book a one-on-one transfer consultation. Domestic transfer deadlines are not given in the pages read (rolling admission).
• Degree requirements: a minimum of 216 units for the BA or the bachelor of music; transfer students must complete at least six terms (two years) in residence at Lawrence or on Lawrence-affiliated programmes and earn 108 units (about 18 courses).
• Physics-specific requirements: the pages read do not give the department’s transfer requirements (GPA, calculus or physics sequence). The physics courses form a prerequisite chain, PHYS 141, then 151, then 220 (section 3), so the starting point after transfer depends on the credit evaluation and the physics chair’s placement advice.
• Credit: send official college transcripts and course descriptions to the admissions office for the registrar’s evaluation; college courses taken in high school also need the official college transcript. The transfer FAQ says domestic applicants may send a transcript for an informal, non-binding review, and that transfer students awarded 54 or more units (no more than half from one department, and at least one course from three of the four academic divisions) can expect the First-Year Studies requirement to be waived.
• Housing: the FAQ says students are required to live on campus, with exceptions for fifth-year students, married students, students with a documented domestic partner and students with dependent children.
• International transfer applicants: the international requirements page welcomes applicants with 12 or more college credits after high school or an associate degree; all official college transcripts are required, and credits from outside the US need an ECE or WES evaluation; English proof may be waived if the language of instruction was English; a valid US visa can be transferred with a new I-20. Deadlines (no year shown): fall (September) 1 April, with the certification of finances on 6 April and notification by 15 May; winter (January) 23 September; spring (April) 1 February.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED 1 November; EA 1 December; ED2 and RD 15 January; no application fee; one teacher recommendation; testing optional
• FAFSA (003856) plus the CSS Profile (1398) or the Lawrence aid application; priority dates 8 November or 22 January

International applicants (including China):

• TOEFL 80 (4.0 on the new scale), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115 and others (or a waiver); passport copy; transcript translation
• Certification of Finances within five days after the application deadline; whether the Gaokao is considered is not published

After entry:

• Start at PHYS 141 or higher according to the prerequisite rules and AP/IB placement; begin the calculus sequence in the first year as in the typical pattern; declare a major by the end of sophomore year; advanced laboratory in year three, independent research and thesis in year four

Transfer students:

• Rolling admission and no fee; book a transfer consultation; at least six terms and 108 units in residence

Sources: Lawrence University, Physics; Physics: advising and support; Physics: major and minor requirements; Physics: course descriptions; Physics: departmental awards; Physics: outcomes; Cooperative degrees; Student research; Apply and deadlines; College credit (AP, IB, A level); Transfer admissions; Transfer FAQ; International applicants; International admission requirements; International scholarships and aid; Aid and affordability; Financial aid checklist for prospective students; Tuition and fees. The dates on the Apply page carry years (November 2026 to April 2027, matching fall 2027 entry); the dates on the international requirements page show no year, so please check them. See the university website for the latest.