Congratulations! Welcome to the Forester Family. Now that it’s official, here are main items and their deadlines. Completing these tasks on time will help make your transition to the College this fall easy.
Specific deadlines and links will be updated on this page as they become available and emails will be sent with instructions and reminders.
The timeline listed below will give you an idea of what to expect prior to your arrival in Fall 2025.
What to expect
Receive your Computing Instructions
Students use their credentials in various ways including their Lake Forest email address; on Moodle, the course management system; and on my.lakeforest, our Intranet portal for registering and managing your account. It’s important that you do not change any passwords for these accounts until you arrive on campus in August. You will receive your credentials in early May.
Final Transcript and Good Academic Standing
Keep up the good work and finish strong! Lake Forest College admission offers are always contingent upon receiving final transcript(s) showing acceptable academic performance and no disciplinary issues. We do reserve the right to rescind the offer of admission if academic or disciplinary concerns are presented at any time during the admission and enrollment process.
I-20 Process Document Submission
Last Date to submit completed documents for I-20 process: June 1, 2025
Last Date to submit completed documents for I-20 process for SEVIS Transfer students: July 1, 2025
What to complete no later than May 15
First-Year Studies Course Selection
When: After you deposit and before May 15
Review the list of First-Year Studies courses. List your top six courses on the First-Year Studies Preference Form and Advising Survey. Every first-year student will be enrolled in one First-Year Studies course. The faculty teaching your First-Year Studies course will be your academic advisor until you declare your major.
Other May to-dos
Student Information Form
As you prepare to join the campus community, it is imperative that we have accurate contact and personal information from each new student.
The form requests contact information for you and a parent/guardian in the event of an emergency, and also equips the College with your privacy preferences regarding your student record via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
You need to login to my.lakeforest.edu to find the form on the left-hand side of the home screen. A link to this form will be emailed to you in early May.
Register for First Connection
This is an excellent opportunity to get an early start to your life at Lake Forest College by getting connected with students, professors, and on-campus resources. At its heart, this pre-orientation program aims to enhance cultural awareness and understanding among its participants by providing meaningful intercultural exchanges. Thus, students traditionally underrepresented and/or underserved in American higher education and strongly encouraged to register. This program is free of charge. All activities and meals are provided for participants by the College. Please check your Lake Forest email to register.
First Connection is Wednesday, August 13, to Saturday, August 16 immediately followed by New Student Orientation.
Contact firstconnection@lakeforest.edu with any questions.
Transfer Advising Survey
New transfer students will receive a survey regarding your academic interests. This will help your advisor get to know your interests and assist in building your academic program. You must complete it before meeting with your advisor during one of our required Transfer Registration and Advising Programs, and your Lake Forest ID number will be emailed to you to complete the survey.
Transfer Registration and Advising Program
Register for one of our required Registration and Advising programs (dates forthcoming) for transfer students. Information on the program and how to register will be sent to you via the enrolling student portal. You will meet with a faculty advisor during this time. These programs will prepare you to successfully complete your online registration.
What to complete no later than June 15
Select your courses and meet with your advisor
When: By June 15
Schedule a virtual meeting with your advisor. Your meeting will occur between June 1-June 30. Before your meeting, check out these important tips on how to choose your courses and identify at least eight possible courses that you would be interested in taking during the fall. Check out our fall course list and course descriptions!
Curious how we build your schedule? Find out more.
Quantitative Readiness Assessment (QRA) - (Priority deadline - June 1)
When: By June 1 (priority deadline); hard deadline of June 15
All incoming first-year students are required to take the QRA. This online assessment is one of several factors used to recommend an appropriate math course for your major or your FFC Quantitative Reasoning requirement that best fits your knowledge.
The Quantitative Readiness Assessment (QRA) can be found on the student Moodle home page under My Courses.
Science Placement Assessment (SPA) - (Priority deadline - June 1)
When: By June 1 (priority deadline); hard deadline of June 15
This assessment is required for all incoming students who are interested in biology, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, neuroscience, environmental studies, physics, pre-health, and pre-nursing. The SPA is used in combination with the QRA and other factors to determine placement into the 100-level science courses in those departments.
The Science Placement Assessment (SPA) can be found on the student Moodle home page under My Courses.
Language Assessment for Students Interested in French, Spanish and/or Chinese - (Priority deadline - June 1)
When: By June 1 (priority deadline); hard deadline of June 15
Review this placement information to determine placement into courses in French, Spanish, and/or Chinese and take the placement assessment if needed.
Housing Application
We’re excited to help you take the next steps to make Lake Forest College your home away from home. After May 15, 2025 you will be granted access to the housing contract one business day after the New Student Information Form is submitted. You can access the contract by clicking the “ my.housing” link on the my.lakeforest home screen once you've logged in.
Transfer students please note that should you enroll after the priority deadline, the Office Residence Life will ensure housing remains available.
Other important dates:
May 15: Housing applications become available in my.lakeforest
June 15: Priority housing contract deadline
July 15 : First-Year and Transfer Room Assignments Communicated
August 16: Move-In for New Students begins at 9:00 a.m. Please proceed directly to your assigned residence hall when you arrive on campus. Volunteers will greet you and direct you where to park, help you unload and move your belongings, and show you to your new room!
Learn more about residence life at Lake Forest.
All questions and concerns can be directed to the Office of Residence Life at reslife@lakeforest.edu.
Accessibility Services
Deadline for consideration for housing accessibility requests for the 2025-2026 academic year. Complete the Verification for Need for Accessibility Services Form which requires detailed information from you and your treating clinician or educational professional.
Click here to learn more.
Other June to-dos
AP/IB/Dual/Transfer Credits
When: Starting in June and July (or as soon as possible)
Send any AP, IB, dual, or transfer credits to the Lake Forest College Registrar by following these directions. Click here to find out how your AP or IB credits translate into Lake Forest College credits.
Transfer Registration and Advising Program
Register for one of our required Registration and Advising programs for transfer students. Information on the program and how to register will be sent to you via email. You will meet with a faculty advisor during this time. These programs will prepare you to successfully complete your online registration.
Tuition Statement, Forester Payment Plan, and Federal Student Loans
In early June the Office of Financial Aid will send information on how to apply for the Federal Stafford loans. Parents will also receive information on how to apply for the Federal Parent PLUS Loan, if they are interested in doing so. We encourage you to wait until you receive this information to apply for these loans. You will have until August 15 to complete the Stafford loan process, and to apply for the PLUS loan.
You will also be sent a notice in mid-June when tuition bills are available online. The Forester Payment Plan is a handy tool for spreading your tuition bill over the year. You will be sent information and can sign up anytime after you get your bill.
What to complete no later than July 15
Immunization Records and Health Forms
All incoming first year and tranfer students are required to submit immunization records and complete other health forms by July 15. Head to the Lake Forest Student Health Portal to complete the following online forms:
- Immunization History Form
- Medical History Form
- Tuberculosis Questionnaire
- Consent to Treat form (if under the age of 18 prior to the start of the semester)
For more information about the specific health requirements, Click here.
Accessibility Services
Deadline for consideration for housing accessibility requests for the 2025-2026 academic year. Complete the Verification for Need for Accessibility Services Form which requires detailed information from you and your treating clinician or educational professional.
Click here to learn more.
Other July to-dos
Transfer Registration and Advising Program
Register for one of our required Registration and Advising programs for transfer students. Information on the program and how to register will be sent to you via email. You will meet with a faculty advisor during this time. These programs will prepare you to successfully complete your online registration.
Work Study
In mid-June, students whose financial aid award includes “Federal Work Study” or “Lake Forest Work Study” will receive a link for an online work application. The Business Office does its best to place every work study student but placement in an on-campus job is not guaranteed.
Students who were not awarded work study may pursue student employment for skilled positions that are funded through College departmental budgets which are available on a limited basis and posted on Handshake www.lakeforest.edu/careers/handshake. In addition to working for the College departments, students may seek non-College employment at Parkhurst, the College’s dining service on campus www.smile.jobs, or in the community.
What to complete no later than August 15
AlcoholEdu & Sexual Assault Prevention Part I
All students are required to take the online courses with EverFi, whose mission is to help students address critical life skills such as alcohol abuse and sexual assault prevention. As part of our comprehensive program, Lake Forest College will expect each member of the incoming class to complete Part 1 of the alcohol abuse and sexual assault prevention courses online.
Student Health Insurance Enrollment and Waiver
Please go to the Academic Health Plans website to either enroll in or waive the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) by August 15.
If you do not submit proof of comparable coverage by completing an insurance waiver, you will automatically be enrolled in and charged for the SHIP.
If you know that you will be enrolling in the SHIP, please do not wait to be automatically enrolled. Instead go through the enrollment process at Academic Health Plans so that you do not experience delays in receiving your insurance card.
For more detailed instructions on how to enroll or waive, please visit the Lake Forest College Student Health Insurance page.
Tuition Payment
Tuition, room and board and other student account charges are due each semester, for all students including those who have received permission to return late. Billing statements can be found via the my.lakeforest.edu portal. All students must submit payment by August 15, 2025.
Log in here to explore your options and get started TODAY!
Payment Plans
- Full Pay: Fall semester bills are due August 15. The deadline to register for a 5-month fall semester payment plan is August 1st. Spring semester bills are due January 15. The deadline to register for a 5-month spring semester payment plan is December 31.
- Monthly Payment Plans: There is a $60/per semester sign-up fee to begin a payment plan. Payment plans are available in 5-month, 4-month, or 3-month options. Sign up for a payment plan beginning June 30 through the My.Lakeforest.edu portal.
Review the Student Accounts Website for relevant information. Be sure to check your Lake Forest College email account for updated information. This is our official method of communication.
All full-time undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). If you are insured by a plan that provides comparable coverage, you can request to waive the 2025-2026 Student Health Insurance Plan.
You will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP if a waiver form is not submitted by the deadline of August 15.
Loan Application Process
Specific details will be provided to eligible students in early summer.
Federal Stafford Loan: https://www.lakeforest.edu/stafford
Federal PLUS Loan: https://www.lakeforest.edu/PLUS
Non-federal private loans: https://www.lakeforest.edu/privateloan
Other August to-dos
Attend First Connection
First Connection, a pre-orientation program, supports students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education make a successful transition to life at Lake Forest. This program is open to all students. After attending First Connection, you will attend New Student Orientation.
First Connection is Wednesday, August 13, to Saturday, August 16 immediately followed by New Student Orientation.
You can contact firstconnection@lakeforest.edu with any questions.
Make plans to attend New Student Orientation
The beginning of your on-campus Forester journey starts with attending New Student Orientation (NSO). NSO is the College’s mandatory orientation for all new first-year and transfer students. We have prepared a program filled with engaging sessions and activities to help you meet other Foresters, discover campus resources, and give you just the right amount of information to help you navigate campus before classes begin.
NSO is Saturday, August 16, to Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Visit the NSO page for more details.
Move-in Dates
- Wednesday, August 13 - First Connection Participants
- Friday, August 15 - International Students - Non-First Connection Participants
- Saturday, August 16 - New Students (First-Year and Transfer)
Fellow Foresters will be on hand to help you move into your new home. We will share with you a list of what to bring (and what not to bring).
New Student Portal
When checking your New Student Portal you will see a checklist of materials—some of the forms you will not yet have received so don’t worry.
Items submitted may not show up on your checklist as received right away. Please give at least three business days for them to be posted to your checklist.
PARENT PORTAL
The Parent Portal at Lake Forest College gives families online access to a student’s information so that they are kept informed of their activities at college. But in order to gain access, they need to be enrolled in the Lake Forest College Parent Portal.
In order to establish permission, your student should log into
my.lakeforest and select the ‘Student’ tab, then “Privacy Permissions” from the left-hand column, and then “Define New Permissions.” That’s where they will add you to the list of people who can see their information.