Lake Forest College Admission Requirements
- 7/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Lake Forest, IL
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Lake Forest College Admission Overview
Lake Forest College admission requirements are competitive. Last year Lake Forest College admitted 56.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.62 GPA (A-) and SAT 1190-1393 / ACT 28-32. Lake Forest College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Lake Forest College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Lake Forest College Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for Lake Forest College
Acceptance Rate
The Lake Forest College acceptance rate is 56.8%. Last year, 3,043 of 5,356 applicants were admitted. That is the 14th lowest acceptance rate in Illinois.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Lake Forest College and can you get accepted?
Lake Forest College is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Lake Forest College typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.62. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Lake Forest College GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.62Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.62
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Lake Forest College typically have around a 3.62 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Lake Forest College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
29% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #13 in Illinois for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Lake Forest College SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1190-1393Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
16%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 600
- Math 590
- Composite 1190
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 713
- Math 680
- Composite 1393
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Lake Forest College typically score around a 1290 SAT (middle 50% 1190–1393) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 87th percentile nationally. Lake Forest College ranks #7 in the state of Illinois and #208 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1190 to 1393
SAT policy
Lake Forest College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1290 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Lake Forest College ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
28-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
10%25th Percentile Scores
- English 28
- Math 23
- Composite 28
75th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 30
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Lake Forest College typically have around a 30 ACT (mid-50 28–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 93rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Lake Forest College places #4 among colleges in Illinois and #132 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 32
ACT policy
You may apply to Lake Forest College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 30.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Lake Forest College chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Lake Forest College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Feb 15, 2027Days left to Apply
168Applicants have 168 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Lake Forest College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Lake Forest College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 56.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.62 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1190-1393); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Lake Forest College often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=146481.
GPA calculator: Lake Forest College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026