How to Apply to Chemistry at Lawrence University: An ACS-Certified Chemistry Major, Starting at CHEM 116 Through AP or Placement, Free Applications, Test-Optional, for Domestic, International (Including China) and Transfer Applicants

Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisconsin) is a private university with a College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and a Conservatory of Music. Chemistry belongs to the College and is taught by the Department of Chemistry; students apply to the University and declare a major after entry. The guide below follows the University’s website and is organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, with a section for transfer students at the end. Biology, mathematics, physics and other majors are not covered here; biochemistry is a separate major at the University and is mentioned only briefly; pre-medicine and pharmacy are outside this article (see the website).

1. Degrees and programmes

• Chemistry major: the requirements page calls it the American Chemical Society (ACS) certified chemistry major, and the outcomes page says the ACS has approved the programme as providing comprehensive training paired with professional-level research experience. The College awards the bachelor of arts (the transfer page says “bachelor of arts or bachelor of music”); the pages read do not name the chemistry degree separately.
• Major requirements (2026–27 catalog year): introductory principles: CHEM 115 (Principles of Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity) and CHEM 116 (Principles of Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics), or the equivalent; MATH 140 (Calculus 1) and MATH 155 (Multivariable Calculus), or the equivalent; PHYS 141 and PHYS 151. Core competencies: CHEM 210 (Analytical Chemistry) with CHEM 211 (Statistics in Analytical Chemistry; 3 units together), CHEM 250 and 252 (Organic Chemistry I and II), CHEM 320 (Inorganic Chemistry), CHEM 340 (Biochemistry), CHEM 370 (Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Reaction Kinetics), CHEM 470 (Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy); and two further chemistry classes at the 400 level or above, at least one of them a lab class. Senior Experience: seven units: CHEM 380 (Perspectives on Chemistry, 1 unit, fall, optimally for sophomores or juniors), CHEM 480 (Chemical Literature, 3 units, winter, optimally in the junior year) and CHEM 680 (Senior Seminar, 3 units, spring, a presentation based on research the student has done).
• Chemistry minor: CHEM 115 and 116; CHEM 250; either CHEM 210 with 211 or CHEM 320; one chemistry class at any level and one at the 300 level or above (biochemistry courses CHEM 340, 440 and 350, and independent studies or tutorials, cannot count as these electives); and CHEM 380. Biochemistry majors cannot earn a chemistry minor because of the overlap.
• Interdisciplinary major in the natural sciences: students with a strong secondary interest in physics or geosciences can build a major with chemistry as the primary discipline; the page gives the introductory sequences (CHEM 115–116, GEOS 110 and 210, PHYS 141 and 151) and at least 10 six-unit science courses at 200 level or above (at least five in chemistry and three in the secondary discipline). For biology plus chemistry the University points to the biochemistry major, whose requirements page was not read.
• Teacher certification: chemistry majors can seek secondary science teacher certification, which also needs at least one course in each of the other sciences and the Education requirements; students should meet the director of teacher education, preferably before the end of sophomore year.
• Research and equipment: the requirements page says all faculty run active research programmes, mainly using the University’s own instrumentation, offering independent research during the school year or summer, and treats research as a critical part of the curriculum. The department home page lists nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), liquid chromatography, Raman and IR spectroscopy among its equipment, says students can present at national science conferences and even author journal papers, and lists courses such as The Chemistry of Art.

2. How admission works: apply to the University, declare a major later

• At application: you apply to the University; the application materials list has no chemistry-specific requirement, and the pages read do not say whether admission is by major or whether chemistry has a cap on places; this is not published in the pages read, so ask admissions.
• Declaring a major: the department’s advising page says all students are expected to declare a major before the end of sophomore year, ideally before advance registration advising begins in spring term, and then switch to a major advisor. A grade threshold and conditions for moving in from another major are not given in the pages read.

3. Prerequisites and placement

• High school courses: see section 4 for the subject expectations on the application page; the chemistry pages do not state minimum high school chemistry, mathematics or physics requirements; ask admissions.
• Introductory chemistry: the advising page suggests interested students begin with CHEM 113 (Mathematical Practices in Chemistry, 3 units, for students who want to build math foundations), CHEM 115 and CHEM 116; CHEM 116 requires instructor permission to register. The requirements page says instructor approval is required for the general chemistry courses.
• AP / IB and placement: the requirements page says students with the equivalent of a college general chemistry course are encouraged to take the AP Chemistry exam; sufficiently high AP scores receive six units of credit for CHEM 115 and students are typically advised to enrol in CHEM 116; students may also be placed in CHEM 116 by the online placement test, in which case no CHEM 115 credit is awarded. The advising page strongly encourages students with AP/IB credit or a strong high school chemistry background to take the online placement exam. The AP/IB score thresholds are not given in the pages read; confirm with the department and admissions.
• Mathematics and physics: the major requires MATH 140 and 155 (to be taken before the junior year); the advising page suggests starting the calculus sequence in the first year, with the ALEKS Placement Assessment determining where to start; PHYS 141 and 151 are suggested before the junior year, or after talking to a faculty member, to be prepared for physical chemistry (CHEM 370 and 470). The ALEKS thresholds and the department’s sample four-year plans (for ALEKS 75+ and below 75) were not readable in the pages read.
• Senior and graduation requirements: chemistry majors complete the three Senior Experience seminars; the details of the University’s Chandler Senior Experience and College-wide requirements such as First-Year Studies were not read.
• Competitions: the website does not say how chemistry olympiads are viewed in admission.

4. Timeline and materials (first-year applicants)

• How to apply and fee: the Lawrence Application, the Common Application or the Coalition application on Scoir; all three are free, with no preference.
• Rounds and deadlines (the page prints years, for fall 2027 entry): Early Decision (binding) 1 November 2026, notification by 1 December; Early Action 1 December, notification by 15 January 2027; Early Decision 2 (binding) 15 January, notification by 1 February; Regular Decision 15 January, notification by 1 April; the University continues to accept applications after 15 January. The international page gives student decision deadlines of 15 December for ED and 1 May for EA, ED 2 and RD (that page prints no year). There are separate rounds for Conservatory applicants, which this article does not cover.
• Materials: transcripts and one teacher recommendation letter sent by the school (a counsellor can submit them by email or mail). The page says applicants should have completed 17 units, and lists English 4 years, mathematics 3 years, social science 3 years and natural science 3 years; it does not list the rest. It says applications are read in the context of the school and the student, and competitive applicants typically take rigorous coursework, show a strong academic GPA and curiosity beyond the classroom through research, creative work, global experiences, leadership or service.
• Testing: test-optional; ACT/SAT scores are not required for admission or for scholarship consideration, and the choice is the student’s. Codes: ACT 4596; SAT and TOEFL 1398.
• Chemistry competitions: the website does not say how subject competitions are viewed in admission.

5. US domestic applicants

• Costs (2026–27, tuition and fees page): tuition $61,407, fees $312, housing $7,047 (double room) and meal plan $6,792 (19 swipes a week), for a printed total of $75,558. Estimates: books and supplies $750, transportation $450–$1,200, personal expenses $1,200. The aid and affordability page separately prints a “comprehensive fee” of $71,766 (tuition, fees, housing and meal plan) with no year, which does not match the tuition page total; rely on the tuition page and confirm with admissions. It is a private university and the pages do not distinguish in-state from out-of-state.
• Academic merit scholarships: every applicant is reviewed, with awards of $30,000–$42,000 a year, no extra application, notified with the admission decision. The page says review is holistic (academic performance, strength of curriculum in context, class rank if available, the essay and test results if submitted) and that there is no “GPA plus score” table. The aid page also lists the Main Hall Green Award and a Full-Tuition Scholarship with applications opening 1 January (details not read).
• Need-based aid: through the FAFSA and a supplemental aid application (the checklist page was not read). The aid page prints that in 2024–25 the University awarded $58.2 million in scholarships and grants, 99% of students receive some aid, 75% receive need-based aid, and the average Lawrence grants and scholarships are $44,500; it also has a table of average net cost by family income.
• In-state residents: the pages read say nothing about priority or guaranteed admission for Wisconsin residents.

6. International applicants

• Who counts: the University treats you as international if you are studying in the US on an F-1 or J-1 visa in high school, college or an English programme, are an American dual citizen who received most secondary education outside the US, are in the US on a non-immigrant visa, or intend to enter on an F-1 or J-1. International students are about 12% of students, from more than 30 countries.
• Application and materials: the Lawrence Application or the Common Application, no application fee; an official high school transcript with an English translation; a copy of your passport; proof of English proficiency; and the Certification of Finances form (below).
• English requirement (any one): English as your primary language, or a letter from a counsellor or school official, or a school profile, showing English was the language of instruction (sent to adm_operations@lawrence.edu with the title “English Proficiency Waiver, student’s name”); TOEFL iBT overall minimum 80 (tests taken before 21 January 2026) or 4.0 on the new 1–6 scale (tests on or after 21 January 2026, approximate equivalent); IELTS 6.5 overall; Duolingo minimum 115; SAT evidence-based reading and writing 580; ACT English/Writing 24. Scores must be sent by the testing agency, not by the student or counsellor.
• Finances and aid: after applying, complete the Certification of Finances form in the portal no later than five days after the application deadline, with supporting documents such as a bank statement, an employer letter verifying parent income, a sponsor’s letter and bank statement, or a sponsor programme letter; no other form (such as the CSS Profile) is accepted. The pages say all admitted students receive a financial aid package with the admission letter, based on academic achievement, personal accomplishments and financial need, and that once awarded the scholarship and aid are guaranteed and renewed annually at the same level through graduation. Full scholarships are not available to international students, who must contribute to the cost.
• Language programme: the Pathways ESL programme has students take ESL coursework plus limited degree-level courses in the first year, then continue with general education and the major; the typical time to graduation for Pathways participants is four and a half to five years.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the website does not publish whether or how the Gaokao is considered; contact admissions (admissions@lawrence.edu).
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: an official high school transcript with an English translation is required; no China-specific requirements are published. Transfer applicants with credit from non-US institutions need an evaluation by ECE or WES (section 9).
• English: see section 6; the website gives no list of waived countries, only the primary-language and language-of-instruction routes.
• Preparing for chemistry: the website gives no note on how Chinese high school chemistry, mathematics or physics courses correspond to Lawrence’s; ask admissions and the chemistry department about how the placement exam is taken.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs and scholarships: see sections 5 and 6. The pages read list no scholarship specific to chemistry.
• Outcomes (the University’s wording): the outcomes page says graduates can pursue careers in academic research, drug development, energy, engineering, secondary teaching, medicine, forensic science, veterinary medicine, dentistry, law, business, oceanography and public service, and advanced degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering, chemical biology, food science, geochemistry, finance, law, medicine, neuroscience, management and business. Recent graduates’ destinations listed include an M.B.A. at the University of Arkansas, a Pharm.D. at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Ph.D. programmes in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota and in chemical biology at the University of Michigan; jobs include associate production scientist at MilliporeSigma, associate scientist at STERIS, biological lab tech at the Science Museum of Minnesota, associate chemist at Eurofins and R&D laboratory technician at ElectroSea. The page prints no placement rate.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs and scholarships: see sections 5 and 6. The pages read list no scholarship specific to chemistry.
• Outcomes (the University’s wording): the outcomes page says graduates can pursue careers in academic research, drug development, energy, engineering, secondary teaching, medicine, forensic science, veterinary medicine, dentistry, law, business, oceanography and public service, and advanced degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering, chemical biology, food science, geochemistry, finance, law, medicine, neuroscience, management and business. Recent graduates’ destinations listed include an M.B.A. at the University of Arkansas, a Pharm.D. at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Ph.D. programmes in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota and in chemical biology at the University of Michigan; jobs include associate production scientist at MilliporeSigma, associate scientist at STERIS, biological lab tech at the Science Museum of Minnesota, associate chemist at Eurofins and R&D laboratory technician at ElectroSea. The page prints no placement rate.

9. Transfer students

• Applying: the Lawrence Application or the Common Application, free, with rolling admission. Domestic transfer deadlines are not printed in the pages read; ask admissions. The University offers one-on-one transfer consultations.
• International transfer students: the page says transfer applications are welcomed from international applicants who have attempted 12 or more college credits or hold an associate degree. Deadlines (no year is printed, so check): fall (September) 1 April (certification of finances 6 April, notification 15 May); winter (January) 23 September (finances the same day, notification 3 October); spring (April) 1 February (finances 6 February, notification 15 February). Official transcripts from all colleges are required; credits from non-US institutions need a course-by-course evaluation from ECE or WES, and a report can be sent before applying for a non-binding provisional assessment. English proficiency may be waived if the previous college taught in English.
• Credit and degree rules: the credit evaluation is provided after admission; the B.A. needs a minimum of 216 units; transfer students complete at least six terms (two years) in residence or on affiliated programmes and earn 108 units (about 18 courses). Students awarded 54 or more Lawrence units (no more than half from one department, with at least one course from three of the four divisions) can expect the First-Year Studies requirement to be waived. Students must live on campus, with a few exceptions such as fifth-year students. Special requirements for chemistry transfer students are not given in the pages read; confirm with the department.
• Scholarships: transfer students are considered for merit and need-based aid; check the latest pages for amounts.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED 1 November; EA 1 December; ED 2 and RD 15 January; all three application routes are free; transcript and one teacher recommendation; testing optional
• FAFSA and the supplemental aid application; plan CHEM 115–116 (or 116 directly after placement) and MATH 140 for the first year

International applicants (including China):

• English evidence (TOEFL iBT 80 or 4.0 on the new scale, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115, SAT reading and writing 580, ACT English/Writing 24) or proof that English was the language of instruction; transcript with English translation; passport copy; Certification of Finances (CSS Profile not accepted)
• Whether the Gaokao is considered is not published

After entry:

• Declare by the end of sophomore year; introductory principles, core courses and two 400-level chemistry classes; seven units of Senior Experience

Transfer students:

• Free application with rolling admission; international transfer deadlines by term; at least two years and 108 units in residence; credit is evaluated after admission

Sources: Lawrence University, Chemistry: home; Chemistry: major and minor requirements; Chemistry: advising and support; Chemistry: outcomes; Admissions: apply; International admission requirements; International scholarships and aid; Aid and affordability; Scholarships; Tuition and fees; Transfer admissions; Transfer FAQ. Where the international pages show no year, check that the dates apply to fall 2027 entry and see the University’s website for the latest.