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#10 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

Lake Forest College Admission Requirements

Lake Forest, Illinois

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Your chances of getting into Lake Forest College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

59.7%
Admission Difficulty for Lake Forest College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Lake Forest College is 59.7%.  Its admission rate is the 14th lowest in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Lake Forest College and can you get accepted?

Lake Forest College is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,786 out of the 4,665 who applied were admitted.

Lake Forest College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.62. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Lake Forest College?

60% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Lake Forest College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.62 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1250 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Lake Forest College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.62

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Lake Forest College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Lake Forest College are to have around a 3.62 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Lake Forest College accepts 60% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Lake Forest College is 3.62 on the 4.0 scale. 29% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #13 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Lake Forest College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Lake Forest College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 28.54% Good
3.75 to 3.99 16.31% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 22.06% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 13.67% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 15.59% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 3.6% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.23% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Lake Forest College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Lake Forest College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 19% of students submitted SAT scores and 10% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1153-1340

Applicants Submitting SAT 

19%
SAT Scores for Lake Forest College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 590
Math 25th Percentile 563
Composite 25th Percentile 1153
SAT Scores for Lake Forest College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 670
Math 75th Percentile 670
Composite 75th Percentile 1340
Average SAT Score 1250

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Lake Forest College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Lake Forest College is 1250 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1153-1340. Students who get into Lake Forest College score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Lake Forest College ranks #8 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1250 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Lake Forest College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1153 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1153, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1060, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Lake Forest College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1250 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1246, you have around a 60% chance of being admitted. A 1340 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 74% chance of getting in.

Lake Forest College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1340 and Above Good >74%
1246 to 1340 Avg + 60%-74%
1153 to 1246 Avg - 44%-60%
1060 to 1153 Reach 29%-44%
Less than 1060 Low <29%
Calculate My Chances 

Lake Forest College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

26-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

10%
ACT Scores for Lake Forest College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 26
ACT Scores for Lake Forest College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 34
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Lake Forest College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Lake Forest College is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 26 and 31.  The school ranks #8 in Illinois and #201 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 26 and score in the score in the top 18 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 24.

10 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Lake Forest College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Lake Forest College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Lake Forest College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 60% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 76% with a 31 ACT score.

Lake Forest College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >76%
28 to 31 Avg + 60%-76%
26 to 28 Avg - 47%-60%
24 to 26 Reach 35%-47%
Less than 24 Low <35%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

57% of Lake Forest College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 30% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Lake Forest College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 30%
Top 25% of class 57%
Top 50% of class 82%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Lake Forest College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,541 2,124 4,665
Accepted 1,637 1,149 2,786
Acceptance Rate 64% 54% 60%
Enrolled 258 187 445
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 16% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

86

Applicants have 86 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Lake Forest College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Lake Forest College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Lake Forest College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Lake Forest College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Lake Forest College is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.62 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1250 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1340 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 28 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Lake Forest College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=146481 IPEDS survey data for Lake Forest College.

Last updated February 24, 2024