How to Get Into The Lawrenceville School
Key Dates and Information
- Location: Lawrenceville, NJ
- Grades: 9-12
- Application deadline: January 15, 2027
- Financial aid deadline: January 15, 2027, through the Clarity platform
- Interview deadline:
- Day students: November 13, 2026
- Boarding students: January 15, 2027
- Admissions tests (required):
- 9th grade: SSAT or ISEE
- 10th grade: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT
- 11th grade: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT
- 12th grade and postgraduate: PSAT, SAT, or ACT
- Admissions decision: March 10, 2027
Introduction
The Lawrenceville School is a coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9–12, located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Lawrenceville offers unique opportunities for students, including its Harkness teaching method, a house system where students build community, and a wide range of academic, extracurricular, and experiential learning opportunities.
We’ve created this guide for you to learn more about opportunities at Lawrenceville and the application process. We recommend using it in conjunction with our Admissions Assist Courses, which will give you the tools needed to create your best application. Through our courses, you’ll prepare for the interview, learn how to write great application essays, and gain confidence as you navigate the application process.
Application
The following steps are required to apply to Lawrenceville:
- Complete the inquiry form through Lawrenceville’s website
- The inquiry form is the first step in the admissions process and allows Lawrenceville to share admissions information and connect you with members of the school community.
- After submitting the inquiry form, applicants can begin the formal application process through the Gateway to Prep Schools application.
- Complete the online application through Gateway to Prep Schools
- Application fee: $50 for domestic applicants and $100 for international applicants
- Domestic applicants may contact the Admission Office at admission@lawrenceville.org to request a fee waiver if the application fee presents a financial hardship.
- Request and submit recommendations
- Principal or counselor from the current year
- English teacher from the current year
- Lawrenceville also accepts recommendations from a history, social studies, or social sciences teacher in place of the English teacher recommendation
- Math teacher from the current year
- Lawrenceville also accepts recommendations from a science or engineering teacher in place of the math teacher recommendation.
- Submit official school reports and transcripts from the current and previous two years
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Sign up for an interview and a campus visit
- Applicants can schedule an interview and campus visit after submitting Part 1 of the Gateway to Prep Schools application.
- Interviews begin in September. On-campus interviews are available, and international applicants attending school abroad may complete their interview virtually through Vericant or in person on campus.
- Note: Day students must complete their interview by November 13, 2026. Boarding students must complete their interview by January 15, 2027.
- Take an admissions exam
- 9th grade applicants: SSAT or ISEE required. Tests must be taken on or after June.
- 10th grade applicants: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT required. Tests must be taken on or after June.
- 11th grade applicants: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT required.
- 12th grade and postgraduate applicants: PSAT, SAT, or ACT required.
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Take an English language exam (if applicable)
- Lawrenceville currently lists the TOEFL and IELTS as optional tests for applicants. These tests are not listed as required admissions exams on the school’s current application page. The Duolingo English Test is not listed among the current testing requirements.
- Complete the financial aid application (if applicable)
- Deadline: the financial aid application must be submitted through the Clarity platform by January 15, 2027.
Please refer to Lawrenceville’s admissions page for more information on application requirements and deadlines.
Admissions Interview
Applicants can schedule an interview and campus visit after submitting Part 1 of the Gateway to Prep Schools application. Interviews begin in September. Day students must complete their interview by November 13, 2026, while boarding students must complete their interview by January 15, 2027.
On-campus interviews are available, and international applicants attending school abroad can complete their interview virtually through Vericant or in person on campus. Lawrenceville also offers off-campus interview opportunities at select locations.
Applicants and parents/guardians should prepare to discuss the student’s interests, experiences, and reasons for applying. Confirm the current interview format and expected duration when scheduling, as Lawrenceville’s current admissions page does not specify the previous 30-minute student and 30-minute parent/guardian format.
Preparing for the interview is the key to making the most out of the limited time and leaving a lasting impression. Test Innovators’ Interview Prep Course is here to help you prepare. Through our course, applicants and parents practice common interview questions, complete activities, and strategize on how to ace the interview.
In addition, it is important to do your research for the interview so you can highlight specific reasons for applying to Lawrenceville. Read up on their approach to learning, and learn about the house system and other facets of student life. Look into academics at Lawrenceville, including the different departments and experiential learning opportunities. Check out their athletics program and explore teams of interest. Take a look at various clubs and organizations that you can get involved with. Genuine excitement will come across in your interview, so share what makes you excited about Lawrenceville!
Admissions Tests
Lawrenceville requires applicants to submit the following test scores by January 15, 2027:
- 9th grade: SSAT or ISEE. Tests must be taken on or after June.
- 10th grade: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT. Tests must be taken on or after June.
- 11th grade: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
- 12th grade and postgraduate: PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
Taking an admissions test is an important step in the application process, and Test Innovators can help you prepare for test day. As an official practice partner of the SSAT and the only official practice partner of the ISEE, we have the experience to help you achieve your desired results. Through our platform, you will take full-length practice tests and receive a detailed score breakdown after each test. You’ll receive additional support and practice problems in areas with room for improvement. In addition, you can compare your scores with target scores for Lawrenceville and other schools of interest, and keep practicing until you are prepared.
Check out our SSAT Prep Guide and ISEE Prep Guide; we’ll be here when you are ready to start preparing.
Want to get a top score?
Take a small-group class to learn key strategies and boost your knowledge!
Financial Aid Application
Lawrenceville celebrates diversity in all forms and is committed to making a Lawrenceville education accessible for qualified students. More than 30% of Lawrenceville families receive need-based financial aid, and the school is committed to meeting 100% of each qualifying family’s demonstrated financial need.
Families interested in applying for financial aid should indicate their interest when beginning the admissions process and submit their financial aid application through Clarity. Lawrenceville requires supporting financial documentation from both parents.
The financial aid application deadline is January 15, 2027.
Visit Lawrenceville’s website for more information on tuition and financial aid.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Athletics
The following athletics teams are offered at Lawrenceville:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross country
- Fencing
- Field hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Ice hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
- Swimming and diving
- Tennis
- Track and field (indoor and outdoor)
- Volleyball
- Water polo
- Wrestling
To learn more, check out Lawrenceville’s athletics page.
Arts
Arts at Lawrenceville offer students opportunities to explore their creativity and develop their talents. The school has departments in visual arts and performing arts, where students can develop their artistic skills through coursework, performances, and creative projects.
Performing arts opportunities include music, dance, and theater. Students can explore instrumental and vocal music, music production, acting, directing, stage management, theatrical design, and dance. Visual arts students can explore fine art, design, film, and other creative disciplines at the Gruss Center for Art and Design, which provides tools and technology for artistic and project-based learning. The Hutchins Galleries also showcase the school’s permanent art collection and rotating exhibitions by regional artists. Refer to Lawrenceville’s website to learn more about visual arts and performing arts.
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning allows students to apply their knowledge to the world around them and is a key part of a Lawrenceville education. Lawrenceville offers many exciting opportunities for students who are looking to learn beyond the classroom. Students can participate in travel programs that explore topics ranging from climate change and environmental sustainability to mathematics, philosophy, and cultural studies. The Outdoor Classroom helps students develop their sense of responsibility and leadership skills, while the Big Red Farm supports students’ understanding of sustainable agriculture and community. Clubs and organizations also allow students to explore their interests outside of the classroom. Take a look at Lawrenceville’s experiential learning page to learn about all the opportunities the school offers
Boarding and Campus Life
Both boarding and day students participate in Lawrenceville’s house system. A student’s house is their home base during their time at Lawrenceville for both studying and socializing. Residential houses also have their own designated area in the dining halls, giving students even more opportunities to connect with their peers. Read more about dining services and student life at Lawrenceville to get a more complete picture of what life here could look like for you.
Conclusion
Lawrenceville has established itself as a place of academic and personal growth, making it a popular choice for applicants. Test Innovators is here to help you create a stand-out application, from your interview to your test scores and everything in between.
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in our Admissions Assist Courses
- Learn more about preparing for the SSAT
- Learn more about preparing for the ISEE
- Learn more about preparing for the PSAT
- Learn more about preparing for the SAT
- Learn more about preparing for the ACT test
- Learn more about The Lawrenceville School
Originally published on November 7, 2022. Updated on September 3, 2024.
