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
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.
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.