Sarah Lawrence College

Sarah Lawrence is a prestigious, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Founded in 1926 and consistently ranked among the leading liberal arts colleges in the country, Sarah Lawrence is known for its pioneering approach to education, rich history of impassioned intellectual and civic engagement, and vibrant, successful alumni. In close proximity to the unparalleled offerings of New York City, our historic campus is home to an inclusive, intellectually curious, and diverse community.

Talented, creative students choose Sarah Lawrence for the opportunity to take charge of their education. In close collaboration with our dedicated, distinguished faculty, students create a rigorous, personalized course of study, conduct independent research, and connect a wide array of disciplines. They graduate knowing how to apply the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary for life after college.

Our students are men and women who share an enthusiasm for intellectual rigor, academic risk taking, creativity in all disciplines, and original and interdisciplinary work. We are particularly committed to having our faculty, administration, and student body reflect the social, racial, and economic diversity that characterizes our society. The College’s 1,377 undergraduate students come from nearly every state and from 53 countries; 84 percent of undergrads live on campus.

At Sarah Lawrence College our mission is to graduate world citizens who are diverse in every definition of the word, who take intellectual and creative risks, who cross disciplinary boundaries, and who are able to sustain exceptional academic discipline within a framework of humanistic values and concern for community. Our unique educational practices provide our students with the opportunity to study intensively in small classes, to engage in independent research, and to spend unparalleled amounts of time working one-on-one with an exceptional faculty of scholars and artists, creating a tailored academic program of students' own design. Our goal is to instill a lifelong intellectual curiosity and nimbleness, as well as the confidence and entrepreneurial spirit to embrace a broad range of personal, professional, and creative pursuits. We thus prepare students to think and act independently so that they will tackle the problems of, and thrive in, a complex and rapidly evolving world.

For creative and intellectually motivated students who want to make their mark on the world, Sarah Lawrence offers a unique approach to learning and teaching designed to produce capable, confident, creative 21st century citizens with the imagination, drive, and skills to make a difference in their own and others' lives.

Sarah Lawrence's approach inculcates the entrepreneurial habits of exploration, risk-taking, and invention that graduates will need to find solutions for which no models currently exist. A Sarah Lawrence education imparts the skills—as well as the courage—to think both creatively and analytically; work both independently and collaboratively; and act with both confidence and sensitivity in a complex and ever-evolving world.

Build on our strengths to ensure Sarah Lawrence College’s leadership as a unique and influential model for 21st century education:

• The college of choice for a diverse group of intellectually ambitious, passionate, and creative students, undergraduate and graduate, who are engaged in their communities and want to make a mark on their world.
• Whose proud, affiliated alumni participate in a supportive network that contributes value to one another, and to their communities, locally and around the world.
• The professional gold standard for outstanding scholars and artists who are committed to teaching, learning, and the development of their students.
• Internationally known and admired for its unique educational approach that produces graduates whose creative problem-solving abilities and enterprising spirit make an impact that is vastly greater than their numbers.
• Financially sustainable, with the depth of resources and professional staff to sustain its mission and expand its impact.

Sarah Lawrence’s academic programs are all anchored by the same guiding principle: students should be in control of their education. This philosophy informs the Sarah Lawrence academic model, which encourages experimentation, exploration, and the constant quest for knowledge in every form.

Experiences both in and out of the classroom are key to this pursuit. Faculty is dedicated to supporting students with intellectual and creative guidance, and the College’s facilities and convenient location provide the ideal backdrop for individual growth.

Dedicated learners. Curious explorers. Thoughtful creators. At Sarah Lawrence College, our students are all of these things. If you are ready to join them, learn more about our admissions requirements, deadlines, and processes.

On the lawn, in the City, engaged in debate, playing music, or working to make a difference, Sarah Lawrence students live a life that’s kinetic, engaged, and high energy.

More than 85 percent of Sarah Lawrence students live on campus—and our residence halls are just as varied as our students. From traditional-style dorms to cooperative houses, from rooms tucked away in stately mansions to a sustainable lifestyle house, every space encourages community gatherings and provides spaces for both living and learning.

Ready to explore, define, and realize your career goals? No matter where you are on your career journey, Sarah Lawrence provides a broad range of programs and supports to empower you to take control of your professional development, job search, and career satisfaction.