Admissions
The Forester 40
Most Frequently Asked Questions of Admissions
1. How do I schedule a campus visit?
Call our office at 800.828.4751 or email us at admissions@lakeforest.edu to arrange your own personal day on our campus. There are also several campus vist days each year.
2. How many students attend the College?
We have about 1,400 students that represent 60+ countries and 45+ states.
3. What is your male to female ratio?
Our student body is about 42% male, 58% female.
4. If I receive a talent-based scholarship, do I have to major in that area?
No, but you must stay involved with that department by taking coursework or participating in organizations sponsored by that academic department.
5. What is the average class size?
19 students
6. What is the student to faculty ratio?
12:1
7. Is financial assistance available?
Yes, and about 85% of our student body receives some type of financial aid or scholarship.
8. Can I study abroad?
At the College, 31% of our students do study abroad, compared to the national average of just 5%. Our students have studied in 29 countries on 6 continents. We have our own programs in Paris, Beijing, and Greece.
9. What are your most popular majors?
Communications, Business, Psychology and the Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Studies, Pre-Health).
10. Can I take private piano lessons?
Yes, and our music department offers lessons for many different instruments ranging from flute to harp, trumpet to oboe.
11. What is a liberal arts college?
A liberal arts college engages students in study across disciplines. We encourage students to read critically, reason analytically, communicate persuasively, and think for themselves.
12. Can I graduate in 4 years?
Yes and virtually 100% of our students do graduate within 4 years.
13. Do you offer scholarships and financial assistance?
Yes, we have merit-based and talent-based scholarships as well as financial assistance for those students who qualify.
14. Do I have to apply for scholarships?
Merit-based scholarships are based upon a student’s application for admission; however, students must apply for the Forester talent-based scholarships in the following areas: academic, art, leadership, theater, music, math & computer science, science, modern languages, alumni & writing.
15. Can I stay overnight on campus?
The Admissions Staff will consider requests from admitted students for overnight visits on an individual basis.
16. Where do your students come from?
About 45% of our students come from Illinois and the rest of the student body come from everywhere.
17. Can I have a car on campus?
First and second year students must submit an application and an appeal for permission to have a car on campus.
18. Can I pursue pre-professional programs like Pre-Law and Pre-Med?
Yes. We prepare our student for all types of pre-professional programs. Our five-year average for medical school acceptance is 90% while the national average is 40%. We have equal success in law school placement due to the mentorship and strong commitment that our faculty has to the success of our students.
19. What’s there to do on campus during the weekend?
With almost 90 student organizations, there’s always something to do on campus. You will find students involved in all sorts of different activities including musical recitals, athletic competitions, and community service activities. In addition, movies are shown each weekend on campus and many all campus events are planned for students each year.
20. How do students get to Chicago from campus?
The Metra train is a five block walk from campus and the train ride is about 1 hour.
21. What’s there to do in Lake Forest?
Within five blocks of campus is just about everything you need as a student. Grocery store. 2 Pharmacies. Several churches. Blockbuster. Restaurants. Coffee Shops. Train Station.
22. Are there general education requirements that every student must take?
Yes, each student at the College must complete 2 credits (classes) each in the following areas: humanities, social sciences, math & natural science, and cultural diversity.
23. Can I double-major?
Yes, and in fact, about 40% of our students do.
24. How many of your students reside on campus?
Approximately 88% of our students reside on campus in one of our ten residence halls for all four years.
25. What is the cost of attendance?
Currently our cost is $42,000 ($36,000 tuition and $8,000 room & board).
26. How big is the campus?
Our campus stretches across 107 acres.
27. Is Lake Forest ranked nationally?
Yes, we are nationally ranked among the top 15% of all colleges and universities in Princeton Review’s Best 368 Colleges and Peterson’s Guide to Competitive Colleges, in the top 100 national liberal arts colleges by Kiplinger’s, and #76 on a list of the best 100 colleges in a recent Forbes Magazine.
28. Is Lake Forest accredited?
Yes the College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
29. Do classes take field trips to Chicago?
Yes. Each year over 250 of our classes take field trips to Chicago to visit museums, hospitals, and financial institutions to enhance their academic understanding.
30. Does Lake Forest have a Phi Beta Kappa Chapter?
Yes. Only 10% of all colleges and universities in the United States are privileged to host chapters and we are proud to do so.
31. When are the admission deadlines? Notification dates?
a. Early Action (non-binding) December 1 (January 20 notification)
b. Early Decision (binding) December 1 (December 20 notification)
c. Regular Decision February 15 (March 20 notification)
32. What percentage of our faculty has a Ph.D.?
98% of our faculty holds terminal degrees.
33. Does Lake Forest accept the Common Application?
Yes, and requires a supplement as well.
34. What are the application requirements?
A completed application for admission consists of the following:
a. High school transcript
b. Counselor recommendation
c. Teacher recommendation
d. 3-5 page graded writing sample
e. Supplement
35. What forms are required to apply for financial assistance?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the Lake Forest Application for Financial Aid (LFAFA) are required.
36. What are the average ACT/SAT scores? Are they really optional?
Those ranges are the following: ACT 24-28 and SAT 1180-1250 (Math & Critical Reading only). We welcome, but do not require the submission of test scores for admission. We are one of over 700 colleges who are test optional. About 20% of the Class of 2013 did not submit standardized test scores.
37. What does “3-2 Engineering Program” mean?
This program is a 5-year dual degree program with 3 years spent on the Lake Forest College campus studying physics and establishing a strong liberal arts background and the final 2 years spent at Washington University (St. Louis). The student receives a BA from Lake Forest and a BS from Washington University.
38. Are interviews required for admission?
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.
39. What division do your sports teams compete in?
The College competes in NCAA Division III athletics in 17 varsity sports. We are members of the Midwest Conference and the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (women’s hockey), and the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (men’s hockey).
40. Are there research opportunities available on campus?
Yes, there are plenty of research opportunities on campus. In fact, we offer the Richter Scholar Program for first year students who wish to spend 10 weeks on campus during the summer between their first and second years conducting collaborative research with one of our faculty members.
