We’re ready for you. Here’s how you can take the first steps to becoming a Forester.
Lake Forest College is currently accepting applications for Spring 2027.
A beautiful campus with outstanding faculty and classmates, coupled with the resources and excitement of nearby Chicago—it really is the best of both worlds.
Application Status
How do I apply to Lake Forest College?
- Common Application for First-Year Students opens on August 1
- Common Application for Transfer Students (Now accepting applications for Spring 2027)
- Our own Application for First-Year Students (Now accepting applications for Spring 2027)
- Our own Application for Transfer Students (Now accepting applications for Spring 2027)
Our application includes the following:
- Fill out your personal and biographical information
- Choose your prompt and upload your essay
- Gather supplemental materials such as your transcripts, names of recommenders, and test scores if you choose to submit them
Don’t have your transcripts of letters of recommendation yet? You can still submit your Lake Forest College application. Just supply additional materials as you get them.
Lake Forest College is test-optional. If you choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores, you will be invited for an informal admissions interview. Think of this as a conversation where we get to know you as a person and a scholar.
Application Deadlines
First-Year Student Admissions Deadlines
| Application Round | Apply By | Notified By |
| Early Action/Early Decision I | November 1 | December 15 |
| Early Action/Early Decision II | January 15 | February 1 |
| Regular Decision | February 15 | April 1 |
Transfer Student Admissions Deadlines
| Start Term | Apply By |
| Fall | August 1 |
| Spring | January 1 |
International Student Admissions Deadlines
| Start Term | Apply By |
| Fall First Year | February 15 |
| Fall Transfer | June 1 |
| Spring | November 1 |
What do I need to complete my application?
Before we can make a decision about your application, we need the following materials from you:
First-Year Students
- High School/Secondary School Transcript
- One Teacher or Counselor Recommendation
- Interview (highly recommended)
- Standardized Test Scores (optional*)
Learn more about first-year application requirements.
Transfer Students
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Official High School/Secondary School Transcript
- One Professor Recommendation (Transfers with less than 30 college semester hours may submit a secondary school teacher recommendation)
- Interview (required)
- Standardized Test Scores (optional*)
How do I check the status of my application?
- Check the status of your application and supplemental materials.
- If you any questions, you can reach out to your counselor at any point in the process. Find your assigned counselor.
*Planning on applying test optional?
You may choose not to submit your scores as part of our test-optional admissions policy. If you make use of this opportunity, a personal interview with an admission counselor is required. This can be done via phone or in person. You can schedule this interview by contacting admissions@lakeforest.edu or your admission counselor. International students are required to submit SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS scores unless they are able to prove English proficiency. Transfer international students who are studying at an English language based institution and have completed a minimum of one semester of college credit are not required to submit test scores. Transfer students are required to interview whether or not they submit test scores.
Visiting Students
You must use this application to audit a class or this application to take a class for credit.
You must submit:
- Official High School Transcript
- College Transcript (if any coursework has been taken)
Submit Materials (may be submitted at any time during the admissions process)
Lake Forest College
Office of Admissions
555 N Sheridan Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Fax
847-735-6271