The curriculum is designed to help you experience academic life at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ.
The staff has the knowledge and expertise to make your experience exceptional.
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch gives students an opportunity to engage with world-renowned faculty, adapt to a college schedule, and get a head start on earning college credit.
- Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch Dates: August 16–September 5
- Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch Application Due: May 29, 2026 
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch (formerly Summer Institute)
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch is a three-week academic and community experience that introduces new Lawrentians to life at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ before the fall term begins.
During Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch, students will:
- Enroll in two courses designed to develop critical thinking, writing, and college-level learning skills
- Connect with other first-year students through shared insights, experiences, and challenges
- Engage with faculty and staff while getting to know Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’s campus and resources
- Experience the city of Appleton, participate in weekly social events, movie nights, and a cabin weekend at µþÂáö°ù°ì±ô³Ü²Ô»å±ð²Ô in Door County
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch helps students build community, develop confidence, and experience the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ classroom before the fall term officially begins.
Campus Connection
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch students form close bonds with peers during the three-week program that often last throughout their time at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ.
In addition to getting to know fellow first-year students, participants work closely with upper-year student leaders known as Program Assistants (PAs). Each PA mentors a small group of students, supporting them throughout the program by:
- Building a strong sense of community
- Sharing insights from their own Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ experiences
- Helping plan social and cohort-wide activities
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch culminates with a trip to Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’s µþÂáö°ù°ì±ô³Ü²Ô»å±ð²Ô campus in Door County, Wisconsin, where students enjoy the outdoors, reflect on their experience, and reset before Welcome Week begins.
Confidence
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch instills a strong sense of confidence that is often noticeable during Welcome Week and beyond. After completing the program, students report a greater sense of belonging at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ, both academically and socially.
When the fall term begins, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch students are well prepared. They have already:
- Completed college-level coursework
- Built friendships and support networks
- Learned their way around campus
- Become familiar with key resources for academic and personal support
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch offers students a meaningful opportunity to settle in and gain comfort before the first term officially begins.
Cost and Scholarships
Program Costs 2026 - Domestic Students
Tuition: | $1,220 |
Room: | $575 |
Board (Meals): | $700 |
Total | $2,495 |
Program Costs 2026 - International Students
Tuition: | $1,220 |
Room: | $575 |
Board (Meals): | $700 |
Insurance Estimate: | ~$80 |
Total | $2,575 |
Students are automatically considered for scholarship support as part of the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch interest form review process. No additional scholarship application is required. Students who are awarded a scholarship will be notified upon acceptance into the program. After reviewing their scholarship offer and final cost, students may accept or decline the invitation to participate.
The majority of our participants receive a scholarship that can fund anywhere from 50-100% of the program cost.
Meet the Team
The Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch team is a curated group of faculty and staff who are dedicated to meeting new students where they are and helping them succeed.
Classes
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Launch allows students to ease into college-level academics by enrolling in two courses with small class sizes taught by Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ faculty.
Courses are designed to:
- Introduce academic expectations at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ
- Provide early exposure to discussion-based learning
- Support students as they adjust to college-level coursework
During the program, students typically take:
- A discussion-based seminar (15 students or fewer), modeled after Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’s First Year Studies experience
- An elective course based on individual interests
Elective offerings vary by year. Previous electives have included Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning, How to Hack Your Music Major and Collaborative Practice: Dance + Place.