Lake Forest College is a private, co-educational institution. With an acceptance rate of 55.2 % and early acceptance rate of 62.1%, the university is considered moderately competitive. The college accepts applications in two semesters- fall and spring. The current student body of the College comprises a total 1,566 students which includes about 14% of international students from 96 countries.

 Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 and TOEFL iBT score of 83, have a fair chance to get admission here. Due to COVID-19, SAT/ACT scores have been makde optional by the university. However, a personal interview with an admission counselor is required. 

The Lake Forest College offers courses through majors, minors and special programs in 32 areas of study. The students may either choose one major and two minors, or two majors and one minor. The most popular majors of the Lake Forest College include: Business, Marketing, Management, Communication,  Psychology, and Biomedical Sciences.

 

Highlights

Application Portal Online
Application Fee Not required for UG
Master of Liberal Studies: 30 USD
Master of Arts in Teaching: 50 USD
Acceptance Rate 55.2%
Accepted English Proficiency Exams TOEFL, IELTS, DUOLINGO/ ACT/ SAT
Academic Calendar Semester based
Intake Seasons Spring and Fall
Student to faculty ratio 12:1
Work Experience Not required
Financial Aid Grants and Scholarships are available
Admission Helpdesk 847-735-5000

Application Deadlines

The College is a renowned name in the US Education System that accepts applications for undergraduates in the fall semester and for graduates in the fall and spring semesters. The information regarding the application deadlines for admissions is tabulated below

Semester Deadlines
Fall Early Action November 1
Fall Early Decision January 15
Fall Regular Decision February 15

International Student Admissions

The Lake Forest College values the distinctiveness of the international students who bring a diverse perspective to the community of the college. Applicants, who have completed college preparatory curriculum, submit official transcripts and fulfill the requirements for admission within appropriate deadlines will be considered for admission.

The admission process for international students has been described below:

Application Portal: Common Application or  Lake Forest College Admission Portal
Application Fee: Not required for undergraduate applicants; 30 USD for applicants of Master of Liberal Studies and 50 USD for applicants of Master of Arts in Teaching.
Basic Admission Requirements: The applicants from foreign countries are required to fulfill the following admission requirements:

  • A completed international application for admission
  • Secondary School/ High School Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation from a college counselor or teacher
  • Standardized Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, DUOLINGO,SAT, ACT)
  • Interview (If required)
  • CSS Profile is required from international students who wish to be considered for need based aid.

English Proficiency Test Scores

Exams Minimum Score Requirements
TOEFL iBT 83 
TOEFL PBT 550
IELTS 6.5 
DUOLINGO English Test 105
GTEC Computer Based 1200

Visa Process for International Students

International students who are planning to pursue a full time academic course at Lake Forest College must apply for and obtain the F-1 student visa to study in the USA. The process can be initiated soon after the college issues Form I-20. The applicants are required to submit a number of documents in order to apply for the F-1 visa. The list of the required documents is provided below:

  • Form I-20 issued by the College
  • Acceptance Letter from the College
  • A valid passport
  • One 2x2 inch photograph
  • Receipt of visa processing fee
  • Receipt of payment of SEVIS I-901 fee
  • Documents certifying the source and amounts of the financial support to fund the studies at college.
  • DS-160 (confirmation page of completed visa application form must be included)

Once the applicants receive the I-20 form in their mail, they must schedule the visa interview with the nearby U.S. consulate and utilize the remaining time for gathering the documents listed above.

Lake Forest College Undergraduate Admissions

The Lake Forest College offers a number of undergraduate programs wherein students may choose one major and two minors, or two majors and one minor. The majors and minors are offered in 32 areas of study like International Relations, Asian Studies, Chemistry, Music, History etc.

Application Portal: Common Application/ Application for First-Year Students
Application Fee: N/A
Admission Requirements:

  • Secondary school/ high school transcript
  • Letters of Recommendation from a teacher or a college counselor or both (in English)
  • Standardized Test Scores as proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, DUOLINGO,SAT, ACT and GTEC)
  • CSS Profile
  • Appear for an interview which will be conducted by a member of the Admissions Team.

Lake Forest College Graduate Admissions

The Lake Forest College offers only two graduate degree programs: Master of Liberal Studies and Master of Arts in Teaching for aspirants across the globe seeking to study in the USA.  Applicants can apply through the course specific application portals. All the candidates are required to have a minimum 

The details about the various admission requirements into these graduate degree programs are mentioned in the table below:

Requirements Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) Program Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program
Application Portal Graduation Admission Portal Graduation Admission Portal: MAT Application
Application Fee 30 USD 50 USD
Essay/ Personal Statement Required, a brief essay citing how the program will serve the needs of the applicant Required, statement of professional and academic goals
Interview Required Required
Letter of Recommendation Required Required (one letter from an employer or professor from prior institution of employment)
Other Requirements Standardized Test Scores (Optional) Pass score in ISBE Content Area Test and Portfolio

The stats of the class of 2023 of the Lake Forest College indicate that a total of 394 students were enrolled, while the count of the candidates who applied was 4,746. This figure gives an idea about the selective nature of the college for accepting students to its various academic programs. The admission officers of the Lake Forest College carefully read every part of every application.

The overall application process of the college is simple and free of cost for undergraduates and standard cost for graduates. The applications are reviewed in a holistic manner. The interview conducted by the college is an opportunity for applicants to prove themselves in terms of communication skills, clarity of goals, relevant experiences etc. The applicants must plan the details well as each applicant is considered about how they can contribute and benefit from the diverse and close-knit campus community.

FAQs

Ques. What GPA is required for admission to Lake Forest College?

Ans. The average GPA required for admission to Lake Forest College is 3.7 on 4.0.

Ques. Is Lake Forest College test optional?

Ans. Lake Forest College is test-optional and students may choose not to submit scores of standardized tests. For students who exercise this option, it is mandatory to appear for a personal interview with the admission counselor. However, international and homeschooled students will be asked to submit these scores for research and advising purposes.

Ques. What will an undergraduate academic year in Lake Forest College look like?

Ans. An undergraduate academic year at the Lake Forest College will be divided into two 15 week semesters and three four week terms in the summer session.

Ques. What are the minimum requirements for college preparatory curriculum at LAke Forest College?

Ans. A standard college preparatory curriculum for applying to Lake Forest College must comprise of 4 years of English, 3 or more years of mathematics (minimum requirement is through algebra II/trigonometry), 3 or more years of natural science, including 2 years with laboratory sessions, 3 or more years of social science, 2 or more years of a foreign language (optional).

Ques. Do I have to appear for an interview to apply to the Lake Forest College?

Ans. Yes, every applicant who applies for admission to the Lake Forest College will be interviewed either on telephone or in person. The interview must be viewed as an opportunity to create an impression on the admission committee through communication skills and going beyond just scores by discussing goals and experiences.