Below are frequently asked questions about our admission process. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us at admission@lawrenceville.org.
Rather than conduct Open Houses, we prefer to offer families the personal experience of having a guided tour by one of our student tour guides, followed by an opportunity for the applicant and family to interview with an Admission Counselor.
We gladly welcome visitors to our campus to experience what makes Lawrenceville, Lawrenceville: the beautiful picturesque grounds, the charming architecture and the warmth of the campus. All of this becomes evident when a family arrives for their visit. We begin with a one-hour guided tour, led by one of our amazing tour guides. During this journey, you will be taken around campus to see our academic, athletic, and residential facilities. After returning, if you visit during the months of September-January, the applicant will interview with one of our Admission Counselors. Parents will also have the opportunity to speak the Admission Counselor about their child.
While it would be ideal to have both parents/guardians present for the interview, we do understand demanding schedules, and thus, it is fine if only one parent/guardian attends.
Lawrenceville does not have a formal dress code. We suggest that everyone who is visiting for a campus tour wear comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking to be done. Regarding the interview itself, applicants should wear what they feel the most comfortable in and will put them at ease.
When scheduling your campus visit appointment, please notify the staff of your requests and our Visit Coordinator will contact those coaches on your behalf. If the coaches’ schedule permits, they will meet the family in our Admission Rotunda during your two-hour campus visit. If the timing doesn’t work, then we can provide details on how to reach the coach(es) directly.
International and domestic boarding families have the opportunity to visit campus during summer. Please look for the schedule on our Visit page in spring.
To schedule a Skype interview, please follow the instructions posted on our Skype page along with other pertinent details. Skypes will be offered beginning October 1st.
The SSAT test is one of the tests we require for an incoming 9th, 10th or 11th grader. The upper level test should be taken during the academic year that you are applying (September-January). Additionally, the ISEE is an acceptable test in lieu of the SSAT for our 9th and 10th grade applicants. All ISEE test takers are advised to send an email to admission@lawrenceville.org, with your name as the subject matter of the email, indicating that you have taken this test. Having this information will enable us to expedite the retrieval of your test scores.
Students who would be applying for 11th may also take either the ACT, PSAT, or SAT, in addition to the SSAT.
Please know that there are many factors taken into consideration when evaluating an admission application and thus, we look at the entire child and not just solely on their test performance.
The SSAT test is typically given several times throughout the application year per the
schedule listed on the SSAT website (www.ssat.org). The upper level test should be taken during the academic year of the year that you are applying (September-January). The test itself may be taken more than once and all of the scores will be accepted. However, please be advised that we will only accept official score reports from SSAT directly. We recommend candidates sign up for either the November or December test date, thereby leaving January as an additional option if needed.
Our international applicants, who have not had all of their classes taught in English for the past four years, are required to complete the TOEFL test and have their scores submitted officially to us by ETS. Lawrenceville does not provide an ESL program.
We find that successful applicants typically have an internet-based score of 105 or higher. However, we recognize that international applicants may have a range of preparation for the TOEFL, and we take that into consideration when reviewing applications.
For our applicants in the 11th, 12th or Post Graduate years, you may submit your test scores directly to our Admission Office by either emailing them to admission@lawrenceville.org, with your full name as the subject matter of the email, or by fax to (609) 895-2217. Please note, that the applicant can request their school to include these test scores also on their official transcript which is submitted to us as well.
The average SSAT score for accepted students has historically been around the 85th percentile. We do not have a SSAT score cut-off, and we recognize that each applicant comes from a different background when it comes to test preparation. We aim to evaluate an entire applicant's profile, with the SSAT being one part of the process.
We want the application process to be as intuitive as possible and we want you to know that we are here to help. Feel free to call our office at either 1-800-735-2030 or 609-895-2030 from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday or Wednesday from 8:00 am - 12:30 pm to ask us questions about navigating the application process. Additionally, if you have specific questions pertaining to your child, our Admission Counselors are on-hand to assist as well, just contact our office and ask to speak with one of them. If you prefer to email your requests or questions, you may do so to admission@lawrenceville.org.
Our website can be a helpful resource tool as well. For example, we outline the entire application process under our Apply page.
In addition to the applicant’s current school year grades, we do also require two years of past grades as well. For example, a 9th grade applicant should submit grades from 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
We require recommendation letters from the applicant's current English, Math, and Principal/Counselor. If English or Math is not being taken, then a recommendation letter from either the current History or Science teacher may be substituted.
In the case of applicants in a non-traditional or homeschool learning environment, we require that, at minimum, one academic recommendation comes from a recommender other than the applicant’s parent. An example being a co-op teacher, tutor or other academic support counselor. Additional recommendations can come from other sources - coaches, youth group leaders, religious life leader, or another adult who has observed and/or worked with the applicant in a non-school setting so we may gain a greater sense of who the applicant is as an individual and/or part of a team or group. All homeschool applicants must also complete all required standardized testing as well as an admission interview as part of the formal application process.
Lawrenceville is much more than books, calculators, and classrooms, and therefore, we want our admission process to reflect the multidimensional education that happens here. The admission process is an opportunity to tell your story and help us understand why you may be a good match for Lawrenceville. As we review students’ applications, we take both quantitative and qualitative information into account. For applicants who submit it, the CSS is another piece of information that provides additional insight beyond grades and test scores. It also provides us with a platform to discuss some of the skills that enable students to succeed beyond college. The CSS is not a test because there are no right or wrong answers, but hopefully it can be an engaging and reflective exercise for applicants. We think the CSS is a new and helpful way for us to get to know you better and understand how we can help you learn and grow.
For applicants who submit the CSS, it will help us better understand you. Character has always been a part of our process and something we’ve long considered when discussing applicant fit for Lawrenceville. The CSS enhances this process by giving us a scientifically validated instrument on which to base our conversations. The CSS does not replace anything in our process; it only adds to it and will help us better understand the applicants who choose to submit it.
We encourage you to use our Athletic Inquiry Form or Art Inquiry Form to submit supplemental materials pertaining to those interests. You can also submit supplemental materials directly in your SAO application. These will be automatically added to your application file.
Alternatively, you may submit any supplemental materials by emailing PDF files or HTML links to publicly available sites (such as YouTube) to supplementalmaterials@lawrenceville.org. Please include the applicant's full name and a brief description of the file (eg. John Smith-artwork.pdf). If we feel the submitted material adds value to your application, it will be added to your file. Examples of supplemental pieces are:
personal recommendations
artwork
videos (via link)
Please know that most applicants do not submit any supplemental materials. The application provides the Admission Committee with the information for the basis of the admission decision. We can only accept PDF attachments or links to publicly available sites. Materials submitted in any other format will not be reviewed as part of the application process.
Domestic families must complete the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) with the School and Student Services (SSS) online and upload their 2018 and 2019 federal tax returns with all schedules and 2019 W-2 forms.
Canadian families must complete a PFS and upload their 2018 and 2019 Canadian tax returns.
All applications for financial aid are held in confidence throughout the application process. Only the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Committee and the Dean of Admission have access to the applications.
We strongly encourage families to apply for aid during the application process, if they believe at any time during their child’s tenure at Lawrenceville, they will need financial aid. It is unlikely that a family will receive aid unless there is a significant change in a family's circumstances. An example would be a job loss, additional children attending a tuition charging school or a death of a parent. If you have any questions please contact the Director of Financial Aid.
A family's eligibility is determined through a careful analysis of information provided on the Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS) along with a submission of a family's current complete federal tax return. SSS and Lawrenceville's methodology will provide a dollar amount of a family's discretionary income that is available for tuition and fees.
Check the SSS site for eligibility upon completion of the financial aid application on SSS, if you qualify for a fee waiver it will automatically be applied to your account.
Not to students applying to the school. Lawrenceville does offer several merit based scholarships to returning students in the 4th form [Junior Year] and 5th form [Senior year].
Unfortunately, the office of Admission and Financial Aid is not able to fund every applicant we would like to admit. We will only admit students if we are able to meet their financial need.
Families who live outside of the US who do not file a US federal tax return [Form 1040] are asked to complete a PFS and do so by using US dollar equivalent. Families are also asked to complete and submit The International Student Financial Aid Profile form and a copy of their most recent income tax return, official signed statement from their employer with annual income and wage statements.
Yes, as a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, we endorse its recommendation that both birth parents have an obligation to contribute to the education of their children to the extent they are able.
Financial aid awards are subject to review annually and families must complete new financial aid applications through SSS and upload their current federal tax return and W-2 forms each year. If the family’s circumstances have not changed, the family many assume that their financial aid award will be renewed at the same level of funding.
Our Admission Counselors travel frequently both domestically and internationally to school fairs and other events throughout the year. To see if a representative from our office will be in your area, please visit our Travel Schedule.
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Form students interested in applying for an athletic exemption must complete and submit an application to the Director of Athletics by late May of the preceding academic year for review by a faculty committee. Applications are available through the Athletics Office in the spring term.
Students must have experience playing at the varsity level and demonstrate the potential to continue the sport at the college level. You must have earned a varsity letter in the sport of interest during the previous academic year and must participate on the school interscholastic team during the academic year of the exemption request.
Exemptions can only be used to participate in an approved, high-level, adult-coached athletic activity off-campus. Students must provide evidence that they will meet with their team and/or coach at least four times per week.
No, not every student can be guaranteed an exemption after applying. Each exemption is granted on a case-by-case basis and will be reviewed each year by a faculty committee. The committee includes the Director of Athletics, Dean of Students, Dean of Campus Life, and members of the Athletic Department. If a student’s request for an exemption is denied, the athletic department offers several other options each season through our House Sports and Lifetime Sports programs.
Lawrenceville’s lifetime sports/activities program is offered to those students in the Second and Fifth Forms who do not make or wish to go out for the School’s interscholastic teams. Conditioning, golf, dance, ice skating, spinning, ultimate disc, soccer and yoga, as well as Second Form instruction in a variety of activities including ice skating, personal conditioning, volleyball, and Outdoor Programs are offered. House sports are available to Third and Fourth Form students.
Students are permitted to miss a maximum of three meetings of any class over the course of the term to play in athletic contests. This includes classes missed either playing on Lawrenceville interscholastic teams or in athletic contests outside of the School. Any exception to this policy must be approved by the Dean of Academics, Dean of Students, and the Athletic Director.
No, students applying for an exemption need to plan transportation on their own. The school cannot be responsible for transportation to and from activities outside of school.
A post-graduate year does not affect a student's candidacy for college in isolation, although college admission offices do recognize that a student who elects a post-graduate year is making a deliberate decision to improve their skills before entering college. College admission officials hope that a successful post-graduate year means a student arrives on their doorstep more mature, more ready to handle advanced academic work and with a seriousness of purpose.
A post-graduate student's grade point average is primarily determined by their previous high school experience. As you might expect, four years of coursework will strongly outweigh the one trimester of grades from Lawrenceville that colleges will see when applications are due. Colleges will look at the two transcripts as different entities, not as one distilled GPA, and evaluate accordingly, with a renewed eye on “who” the student is in a rigorous, college preparatory environment such as Lawrenceville.
Absolutely. Also if there's time, potential post-graduate students should take standardized tests at the end of their senior year, as their overall academic focus and familiarity for testing will be sharpest. If enrolling post-graduates have questions about standardized testing or test preparation, they should call the College Counseling Office.
While we don't have specific age limitations for applying students, it is important to note that for our PG applicants, to be eligible to participate in most school athletic competitions, a student may not turn 19 years old before September of his/her PG year. For applicants who are uncertain of which grade to apply for, our Admission Counselors can certainly make the most appropriate recommendation and provide guidance based on their institutional knowledge. Please bring up your question with your interviewer.
The reasons for an additional year vary per student. Some students feel that an extra year away from home will allow them to mature socially, improve academic preparedness, study skills, and time management. For some, another year can also strengthen athletic ability to pursue a sport in college. Other students go through the college application process and realize that an additional year could strengthen their candidacies by allowing them to demonstrate academic growth and improved test scores. Many post-graduates who enroll at Lawrenceville have graduated from their local public school, so the residential aspect of a large boarding school like Lawrenceville provides an appealing alternative to immediate enrollment in college.
The college application process for post-graduates starts after you are enrolled at Lawrenceville. The College Counseling Office works to ensure that post-graduates are fully integrated into our process.
Lawrenceville competes in the Mid-Atlantic Prep School League [MAPL], which limits football to four post-graduates and boys’ and girls’ basketball to two. There are no other team restrictions.
A post-graduate year is a year beyond high school graduation, spent at an independent school, which serves as a transition between high school and college. Our program is thoughtfully designed, and supported by dedicated advisors and deans to ensure a smooth transition.
It is possible that an extra year at Lawrenceville will get you the exposure necessary to be recruited as a collegiate athlete. Our “matriculation” list displays the colleges and universities post-graduates have attended for the past three years after their year at Lawrenceville.
Important Dates
Deadline to schedule a Skype Interview
December 1
Interview Deadline
December 6 (day students), January 17 (boarding students)
Through House and Harkness, Lawrenceville challenges a diverse community of promising young people to lead lives of learning, integrity, and high purpose. Our mission is to inspire the best in each to seek the best for all.