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Apply Online! Lake Forest College is an exclusive user of the Common Application and requires a Common Application Supplement. This will require you to create a user name and password. You can pay the $40 application fee through the Common Application site as well. Our Admissions Office reviews files in a holistic manner and will carefully read every part of your application. We strongly value the fit between you and the College, and use the following criteria to make that determination:
- Common Application
- Common Application Supplement
- Secondary School Transcript
- Graded Writing Sample
- One College Counselor Recommendation
- One Teacher Recommendation
- Interview (Highly recommended)
- Standardized Test Scores (Optional, see notes below)
Deadlines:
Early (binding) Decision: December 1 (with decision notification December 20)
Early (non-binding) Action: December 1 (with decision notification January 20)
Regular Decision: February 15 (with decision notification March 20)
Click here for definitions of the deadlines.
Secondary School Transcript:
The quality of the courses you've taken and your grades are most important to us. You will be judged within the context of your high school. Our average student has the following academic background:
- 4 years of English
- 3 or more years of mathematics (Minimum requirement is through Algebra II)
- 3 or more years of natural science, including 2 years with laboratory sections
- 3 or more years of social science
- 2 or more years of foreign language(s).
Most of our admitted students have taken courses at the AP, IB, honors and accelerated level. You can receive college credit for both AP and IB classes via examination. You can review how we award credits here.
Common Application Supplement:
We have a number of additional requirements outlined in our supplement. This includes several short questions, a writing sample, additional information about scholarship consideration, and our test-optional policy.
Graded Writing Sample:
Academic writing is an integral part of your education. In our effort to effectively evaluate your readiness for our writing-intensive curriculum, we need to review an example of your writing that demonstrates style, a clear thesis, and a well-constructed argument. Please submit a 3-5 page graded paper from your junior or senior year from a humanities subject. We prefer that the writing sample includes teacher’s comments, as well as the grade awarded. If you feel as though you do not have a suitable paper, please contact our office.
Recommendations:
We require 2 recommendations, one from a teacher and one from your college counselor. Ideally they will have known you for multiple years. Though not required, you may also submit 1 additional reference. This may be from an athletic coach, scout leader, community service coordinator, or work supervisor.
Personal Interview:
A personal interview, while not required, is considered an important part of the application process. A conversation allows us to see you as person and not simply as an inanimate file. Our counselors travel far and near to meet students and their families. Please call our office to set-up an interview: 847-735-5000.
Test Scores:
We accept both the ACT and the SAT, and take the best sub-scores when compiling a composite score. Although standardized tests are not the most important part of your file, they can reinforce past performance.
Test-Optional Admissions:
In 2006, the College became a Test-Optional college. You may choose not to submit your scores. If you make use of this opportunity, you must have a personal interview with an admission counselor. This can be done via phone or in person and you should take the initiative to set-up this interview as soon as possible.
Merit Scholarships:
The College offers both academic and talent-based scholarships. Some require additional applications that should be submitted by the admission deadlines. You can review our scholarship program here.
Financial Aid:
The College is committed to making education affordable. We require that you submit both the FAFSA and Lake Forest Application for Financial Aid (LFAFA) if you are seeking assistance. You can review the deadlines and the application process here. | 
