Every semester, William Rainey Harper College students make it to Lake Forest College and succeed in our transfer-inclusive community.
We are committed to making your transition to Lake Forest College as seamless as possible. Harper students in all academic areas have a smooth path to their bachelor's degree at Lake Forest, thanks to a special partnership between the two institutions. This partnership includes special agreements including the Harper Pathway Scholars Program, Guaranteed Admission, and generous scholarships and financial aid opportunities for all students.
Guaranteed Admission Program for Harper Honors Program Students
The Guaranteed Admission Program provides Harper students seamless transfer to earn their bachelor’s degree at Lake Forest College. Harper students will benefit from personalized academic planning from both institutions prior to their enrollment at Lake Forest College.
Students must complete the Harper Honors program with 12 Honors semester hours, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25, and graduate with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree.
Interested students should complete the Guaranteed Honors Admission Participation Form at least one year in advance of your first semester at Lake Forest College. You must also complete the Lake Forest College transfer admission application and submit all supporting materials.
Contact Melissa Naughton, Director of Transfer Admissions at Lake Forest College, with questions about the program requirements.
Pathway Scholar Programs at Lake Forest College
Our Pathway Scholar Programs offer a seamless transition to Lake Forest College for Harper students who are looking to major in a variety of areas and have completed their associate of arts degree, associate of science degree, or 60 transferrable semester hours of credit.
Pathway Business, Economics, Finance Scholars
Harper students who seek to major in business, economics, or finance and have completed their associate of arts degree, associate of science degree, or 60 transferable semester hours are eligible for the Pathway Business/Econ/Finance Scholars program. Students will be evaluated at the end of every academic year at the College. Pathway Scholars are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA.
This program is a 2+2 transfer program with guaranteed admission for qualified students. No additional application is required. Students must meet a prescribed curriculum ( please see transfer guide) and have a minimum 3.25 GPA for consideration.
Benefits
- Admitted students will receive up to a $34,000 Presidential scholarship
- OR a guaranteed $30,000 Phi Theta Kappa scholarship ($34,000 with GPA of 3.75+) if they are PTK members.
- Pre-advising during your time at Harper by Lake Forest College faculty on course selection.
- Advising from our Career Advancement Center staff on internships, and career opportunities.
- Students earning a 3.6 GPA or higher in their first semester will have the option of selecting a fifth course for free in the second semester.
- Pathway Scholar recognition on their Lake Forest College transcript.
Pathway Humanities Scholars
Lake Forest College will support up to 15 Pathways Humanities Scholars who are interested majoring in the humanities and have completed their associate of arts degree, associate of science degree, or 60 transferable semester hours at Harper. Students will be evaluated at the end of every academic year at the College. Pathway Scholars are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA
Students must have a minimum 3.25 GPA for consideration. Academic areas of focus will include American studies, studio art, art history, Asian studies, communication, English, French, Spanish, history, music, philosophy, religion, theater, and Latin American and Latinx studies.
Benefits
- Admitted students will receive up to a $34,000 Presidential scholarship
- OR a guaranteed $30,000 Phi Theta Kappa scholarship ($34,000 with GPA of 3.75+) if they are PTK members.
- Pre-advising during your time at Harper by Lake Forest College faculty on course selection.
- Advising from our Career Advancement Center staff on internships, and career opportunities.
- Students earning a 3.6 GPA or higher in their first semester will have the option of selecting a fifth course for free in the second semester.
- Pathway Scholar recognition on their Lake Forest College transcript.
Admissions
Contact
Jake Bedenian
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
847-735-5013
jbedenian@lakeforest.edu
Check out our Transfer Brochure
Transfer Application and Enrollment Deadlines
Fall 2025 applications are still open! The deadline is August 1, apply today!
Spring and Fall 2026 applications are now open! The deadline for Spring is January 1, 2026 and the deadline for Fall is August 1, 2026.
AP Credits for Harper Students
Students who have successfully completed Advanced Placement courses and the appropriate examinations provided by the College Entrance Examination Board may apply for college credit for this work.
As part of recognizing the Associate of Arts (AA) degree and Associate of Science (AS) credential, we will accept scores of “3” on Advanced Placement (AP) exams from students whose community colleges have applied such credit towards the hours needed for their AA.
Scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the examinations, may entitle students to at least one course credit. Scores of 1 or 2 are not granted credit. A score of 4 or better on both the microeconomics and macroeconomics exams is required for one course credit in economics.
Each department determines the specific amount of credit to be awarded. Credit will not be granted for both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate program examinations in the same department.
Transfer Credit Guides
See how your credits will transfer from Harper to Lake Forest College.
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When I visited campus and met with a career advisor and a professor, I realized this school was going to invest in me as much as I was going to invest in the school. I felt like I would get the proper guidance, education, and opportunities that would help me reach my career goals.