APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There’s a new path to take for students who wish to attend Lawrence University.
The university is working with the Appleton Area School District to offer direct admission to students who perform well in high school.
“This is very much a community that is so strong, and we were leaning into the relationship that we have with the Appleton school district, and helping to make Lawrence aware for students, to come here to Lawrence,” said Robert Nowak with Lawrence University.
Nowak said they currently bring in three to four graduates from the district each year — but they’re hoping to raise that number.
“While we have an average GPA of about 3.7 of our current student population, our agreement with AASD looks at students who have a 3.4 and above, and then offers an aggressive scholarship of $45,000 annually for them,” he said.
Nowak explained the partnership will also ease requirements, with students no longer needing a letter of recommendation.
I know the school district, we know individuals who are working there, so we have already this kind of credibility that’s built in. It will remove some of those supplemental items.
AASD Assistant Superintendent Michael Hernandez said the goal of the program is to attract students to attend a school in their hometown, and to take some financial pressure off students who are committed to their education.
“It’s opening up doors for students to be able to walk through this campus,” Hernandez said. “They drive by it every single day, but possibly financially, they might not have been able to afford it. But now they’re hearing that the university is investing in them for the future. I think it’s generating a lot of excitement.”
Both Lawrence and AASD say seeing more students at the university is a winning combination.
You can read the full announcement from the schools below:
College-ready students in the Appleton Area School District (AASD) now have a direct and rewarding pathway to a top-tier liberal arts education thanks to a new agreement between AASD and Lawrence University.
The partnership, announced this week, creates a streamlined admissions process for eligible AASD students, offering them automatic acceptance to Lawrence if they meet established academic and college-readiness criteria. The direct admission initiative aims to recognize students who demonstrate excellence and potential while highlighting the benefits of pursuing higher education close to home.
“This agreement is a celebration of the incredible work AASD is doing to prepare students for college and beyond,” said Robert Nowak, associate vice president for enrollment management at Lawrence. “It reflects our shared belief in the potential of young people who have shown academic strength, leadership, and a readiness to thrive in higher education and stay in the community they’ve been part of for so long. We’re proud to open even more doors for students to consider Lawrence, a nationally recognized college right here in their community, where they can continue their journey close to home.”
Under the new program, AASD will identify qualifying students, support them with college guidance, and coordinate campus visits during their junior year—giving students an early, firsthand look at college life. In return, Lawrence will offer a simplified direct admission process, individualized support, and significant financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make a Lawrence education accessible.
“This partnership with Lawrence University opens doors for our college-ready seniors, providing them with a clear and direct path to higher education,” said Michael Hernandez, AASD assistant superintendent. “It sends a powerful message to our students and community—that their hard work is recognized and that a bright future is within reach.”
Greg Hartjes, AASD superintendent, is excited about “building on our long-standing partnership” and showing students that a nationally recognized college experience is right here in Appleton.
“It creates opportunities for our students while keeping them connected to the community,” he said.
Lawrence, founded in 1847 along the Fox River in downtown Appleton, enrolls approximately 1,500 students from nearly every U.S. state and more than 40 countries. Known for its small class sizes, renowned faculty, and robust academic offerings—spanning the arts, sciences, humanities, and a nationally ranked conservatory of music—Lawrence consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation.
With this agreement, both institutions see a bright future built on community connection, academic opportunity, and student success.
“We want Appleton’s college-ready students to know they are seen, valued, and genuinely wanted at Lawrence,” Nowak said. “This direct admission promise is our way of saying: ‘you’re not a number’ and ‘you belong here’.”
