At Lake Forest College, you're going to make it right on time.
Lake Forest College makes the transfer process simple, easy to understand, and stress-free. With generous transfer credit acceptance, you won't have to worry about your degree taking extra semesters or years to finish. Join the campus celebrated for its diversity, career services, and high job placement rate.
Whether you are a transfer student from a four-year institution or community college, you will be welcomed into a friendly and inclusive community of students from nearly every state and over 100 countries. Professors will know you by name, and you will learn in a rigorous academic environment in small class settings.
#27
Overall
Top 100 Colleges
Wall Street Journal
#24
BEST
Quality of Life
The Princeton Review
#19
BEST
Career Services
The Princeton Review
Admissions
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- First-Year Students
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Transfer Students
- Transfer Application Requirements
- Community Colleges
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- Transfer Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Transfer Visits
- Transfer Visit Day
- Transfer Credit Guides
- How Your Credits Transfer
- Transfer Student Guide to the Forester Fundamental Curriculum (FFC)
- First-Gen Transfer Resources
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- Connect With Your Admissions Counselor
- Visit Campus
- Scholarships
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- High School Counselors
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Transfer Application and Enrollment Deadlines
Fall 2025 applications are open! Apply today!
The class for Spring 2025 has officially closed as of 12/9.
Generous financial aid for transfer students
At Lake Forest College, 100% of admitted transfer students receive scholarships and/or need-based financial assistance. On top of that, merit-based and need-based aid may be used for many off-campus programs, enabling you to maximize your college experience.
Chat with your admissions counselor to get a better idea of what financial aid is available to you.
Introducing the Forester Flagship Program
Our Forester Flagship Program offers qualified Illinois first-year and transfer students an incredible opportunity: it covers 100% of tuition and fees through grants and scholarships that do not need to be repaid.
Along with a low-interest federal loan, almost all food and housing costs are covered as well. With only $2,500 in out-of-pocket expenses for the entire year—and the ability to earn $2,500 through campus employment opportunities—you can focus on your education and future without financial stress.
Financing College
Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid offers a personalized approach, helping our students and families by providing timely information, anticipating concerns, and seeking innovative, personalized solutions.
Transfer Scholarships and Financial Aid
A Lake Forest College education prepares you for the future, invests in your potential, and sets you on the path to success. We offer up to $36,000 a year in merit-based scholarship for transfer students.
Net Price Calculator
Lake Forest College is committed to making college affordable for our students and their families. The Net Price Calculator allows families to see an example of average net cost (net price) for attending Lake Forest.
Simplifying credit transfer for a stress-free transition
Whether you’re coming from a four-year college or a community college, we’ll work with you one-on-one to transfer your college credits to Lake Forest.
Transfer students are able to transfer a maximum of two years of college coursework (up to a maximum of 16 Lake Forest course credits) to Lake Forest College. All transferable coursework up to the maximum, completed with a C- or better, will be accepted toward fulfillment of the bachelor of arts degree.
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I loved how personal the application process was. It was very evident that everyone here wants to see you succeed. From the start of my application to the end, I felt supported every step of the way and from there I knew Lake Forest was the college I wanted to attend.
Zana Gradan '23, Oakton Community College
Make your passion a career
Majors and Minors
Follow your head and your heart. Students may declare up to two majors and one minor or up to one major and two minors.
Student Honors and Research
At Lake Forest, students conduct the highest level of research and scientific discovery with professors who are experts in their fields.
Career Advancement
Through our nationally-recognized Career Pathways program, the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center empowers students with essential skills, experiences, and networks that will help them pursue meaningful careers.
Prioritizing career preparation so graduates can secure degrees
96 percent of graduates have jobs, enter graduate school, or pursue other avenues of success within six months of graduation.
Our degree programs focus on securing jobs or graduate program placements after graduation. Whether students come to us with big ideas about their next steps or passion they need to find a place for, our nationally recognized Career Advancement team is ready to help them achieve great things.
Through our Career Pathways program, the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center empowers students by providing essential skills, experiences, and networks that will help them pursue meaningful careers.
Make the most out of your college experience
Chicago Connections
At Lake Forest College, you'll have access to an incredible urban hub with vibrant culture and endless opportunities to advance your dreams.
Student Life
We're a diverse, close-knit community where all students have a voice and all experiences are celebrated. Whether you’re a first-year, transfer, or international student, you'll be welcomed to our gorgeous college campus with open arms.
Global Engagement Office
Welcome to Lake Forest College's Global Engagement Office!
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One thing I really like about Lake Forest College is the diversity. Roughly a quarter of the population is Hispanic, which really appealed to me.
Sergio Bardesi '22, Harper College
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At Lake Forest College, professors are truly there for the students. Even before I made my decision, I could tell the faculty love to teach and help each student reach their potential. The small class sizes really facilitate an amazing student-professor connection that I would’ve missed if I had transferred to a larger school.
Emma Law '22, Harper College
Lake Forest On The Road
Meet your transfer admissions counselor out on the road as they visit our top local community colleges throughout the year.