FAQs

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. 

If you or anyone in your party has mobility needs, please contact us and we will make arrangements so that you can all enjoy our beautiful campus.

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 students not taking the SSAT test, please click here for directions on how to register for the Character Skills Snapshot. 

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.

International families must complete a PFS and the International Student Financial Aid Profile and provide supporting proof of income.

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.

At the time of admission to the school.

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.

Yes. We are fortunate to be able to meet 100% of a family's demonstrated need.

Currently, 31% of our students are on need based financial aid.

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].

Yes. Day students obtain need based financial awards.

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, the Financial Aid Committee does take into consideration additional expenses such as books and travel.

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.

Your Tuition Solution, offers low fixed rate loans which may be a suitable option to help make your child’s education costs more affordable.

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. 

Please refer to our Travel Schedule, for more information on interview availability.

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.

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.

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.