Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois · Private
Lake Forest College admitted 54% of 5,395 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1200–1370 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 70% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Lake Forest College
Enter a score to see whether Lake Forest College is a reach, target or likely school for you.
Based on the admit rate (54%) alone. Add a score for a sharper read.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more. To see your whole list at once, use the chances calculator.
Application deadlines
Lake Forest College’s first-year deadlines for 2026–27 on the Common App:
- Early decision
- November 1, 2026
- Early decision II
- January 15, 2027
- Early action
- November 1, 2026
- Early action II
- January 15, 2027
- Regular decision
- February 15, 2027
The application is free. Lake Forest College asks for the Common App personal essay and one teacher recommendation. For financial aid it uses the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone. From Common App’s requirements grid, updated September 25, 2026. Check Lake Forest College’s admissions site before you submit. See every college’s deadlines or early decision vs. early action.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 39% (25 of 65), compared with 54% for all applicants.
Lake Forest College offers early action but didn’t report its early admit rate.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
48 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 38 took it, and 27 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Lake Forest College rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- GPA
- Essay
- Interview
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Character
Important
- Course rigor
Considered
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Recommendations
- First generation
- Legacy
- Volunteering
- Work experience
- Showing interest
Not considered
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religion
High school GPA
First-year students averaged a 3.74 GPA. 36% of those who reported a class rank were in the top 10% of their class.
Some colleges report weighted GPAs, so compare loosely.
What it costs
Full price with housing is $71,350 a year. After grants, students paid $29,894 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
Quick answers
What is Lake Forest College’s acceptance rate?
Lake Forest College admitted 54% of applicants: 2,897 of 5,395 (Common Data Set 2025-2026).
When is Lake Forest College’s early decision deadline?
For 2026–27, early decision is due November 1, 2026, early decision II is due January 15, 2027, early action is due November 1, 2026, early action II is due January 15, 2027, and regular decision is due February 15, 2027. Common App deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone.
What SAT score do you need for Lake Forest College?
The middle half of admitted students who sent the SAT scored 1200 to 1370, with a median around 1310. A score at or above 1310 puts you in the top half of admitted students who sent one.
How much is Lake Forest College’s application fee?
The application is free for 2026–27.
What does Lake Forest College require?
Besides the application and transcript, Lake Forest College asks for the Common App personal essay and one teacher recommendation.
Does Lake Forest College have supplemental essays?
No. Lake Forest College has no supplemental essays for 2026–27. You send only the Common App personal essay.
Does Lake Forest College require the CSS Profile?
Yes. Lake Forest College uses the CSS Profile for financial aid, along with the FAFSA, and it may ask a noncustodial parent to fill one out too.
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