Lake Forest College, just 30 miles from Chicago, has provided students access to an outstanding educational experience since 1857. With an enrollment of more than 1,600 students from nearly every state in the U.S. and 73 countries, more than 40 languages are spoken on campus. U.S. News has named the College a Best Liberal Arts College, and Princeton Review has selected it as one of “the nation’s best colleges for students seeking great academics and outstanding career preparation” in Colleges That Pay You Back: The 200 Best Value Colleges and What It Takes to Get In (2015). A long-term member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest and the Annapolis Group, Lake Forest College is committed to providing students with expansive knowledge and experiences coupled with in-depth learning. Lake Forest faculty members, 98% of whom hold doctorates, are exceptional teachers and scholars who are continuously engaged in research and study, attracting grant support from such notable organizations as the Fulbright Program, National Science Foundation and Mellon Foundation.

Full-year ISEP students may apply to participate in our Lake Forest College in the Loop program for the spring term. In this program, students live in four-bedroom apartments in Chicago’s Loop, completing two courses with local field trips and site visits, and a half-time internship. A class fee would apply (approx. $500) and ISEP students must also apply for Academic Training authorization for the internship component (a $100 processing fee applies). Please indicate your interest on your ISEP application form.

HOUSING

ISEP housing benefits cover a room in Gregory Hall, Roberts Hall, or McClure Hall. These three halls are 'Quad-style', which has two students per bedroom and two bedrooms per unit. Each unit has its own bathroom. McClure Hall also has a communal kitchen. ISEP students may be able to stay at a different residence hall on campus, but it depends on room availability and there will be an additional cost not covered by ISEP housing benefits.

MEALS

Meal service is available from the dining hall and various cafes on campus There is also a convenience store location, where students can use 'flex' dollars to buy frozen meals, prepared foods, or breakfast items.

More information on dining locations is HERE.

*Calendar Year students are not eligible for ISEP housing or meal benefits over the summer break

Course Description

Lake Forest publishes its course schedule in April for the following fall and spring terms.

To research courses:

  1. Use the course schedules website
  2. In the top-right corner, click Course Schedule By Department to find those related to your academic needs
  3. You can find all course descriptions here, divided by department. You can use the tags at the right to narrow them down. Not all courses are offered each year/term. Some are offered every other year.
  4. If you have any issues with the course schedule, contact the Global Engagement Office.

Students typically enroll in four classes per term which average 12 to 16 hours in class per week. A term runs for 16 weeks. At Lake Forest College, each class is worth one credit, or four U.S. semester credit hours. Students can take up to four and a half credits per term, and must enroll in three credits to maintain full-time status.

The average class size is 19 and professors know their students by name and are committed to their success.

We are a liberal arts institution. Most students spend each semester taking courses across a breadth of disciplines. We would expect incoming ISEP students to not request more than two courses per term in the same department.  Business, economics, entrepreneurship, and finance are considered one department.

Due to space limitations, neuroscience courses are closed to ISEP students. Courses in business, economics, finance and the sciences are open, but it may be difficult to place ISEP students due to space limitations.  Students should expect to be asked to be flexible in their course selections.

Website for Course Availability

ISEP STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER Jacki D'Amico 703-504-9977 | JDAmico@isep.org Thanks for your interest in ISEP Study Abroad! I’m your Student Services Officer and main point of contact here at ISEP. As you search for programs, I'll be available to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact me at any point in your search process for help, tips or advice.

Academics

Undergraduate
(in English)

*This program is OK for Sophomores

Fields of Study

  • Area Studies: Recommended!

    African-American Studies Area Studies, Other Asian Studies Chinese Studies Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other French Studies Gay/Lesbian Studies Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Chicano Studies Japanese Studies Latin American and Caribbean Studies Latin American Studies Multicultural and Diversity Studies Near and Middle Eastern Studies Regional Studies (U.S., Canada, Foreign) United States Studies Women’s Studies

  • English Language and Literature: Recommended!

    American Literature (United States) English Literature (British and Commonwealth) General Literature Writing

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures:

    Arabic Language and Literature Chinese Language and Literature Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other French Language and Literature Japanese Language and Literature Spanish Language and Literature

  • History: Recommended!

    American History (United States) Asian History European History Medieval and Renaissance Studies

  • International/Global Studies Recommended!

    International Relations and Affairs

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences Recommended!

    Humanities

  • Natural Resources/Conservation:

    Environmental Science Sustainability Studies

  • Philosophy and Religious Studies:

    Buddhist Studies Islamic Studies Philosophy Religious Studies

  • Social Sciences: Recommended!

    Anthropology Political Science and Government Sociology Urban Studies

  • Visual and Performing Arts:

    Acting Art History Art Studies Drawing Film Studies Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other Music Performance Studio Arts

Academic Requirements

  • TOEFL iBT Score: 83
  • TOEFL Writing Score: 23
  • TOEFL Reading Score: 20
  • TOEFL Listening Score: 20
  • TOEFL Speaking Score: 20
  • IELTS Score: 6.5
  • IELTS Writing Score: 6
  • LPR not required for the following universities: Lebanese American University American University of Sharjah American University in Bulgaria American University of Kuwait
  • LPR accepted as alternate to TOEFL or IELTS
  • LPR accepted as alternate to TOEFL or IELTS for the following countries: Austria Belgium Botswana Switzerland Germany Denmark Finland Fiji Ghana Iceland Malta Malaysia Netherlands Norway Sweden South Africa
  • LPR accepted as alternate to TOEFL or IELTS for the following universities: Al Akhawayn University American University of Sharjah Yasar University American University in Bulgaria
  • LPR Writing Score: C1 - Advanced Plus-Superior
  • LPR Reading Score: B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
  • LPR Listening Score: B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
  • LPR Speaking Score: B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
  • Number of language semesters completed 0
LPR = ISEP Language Proficiency Report

Special Application Instructions

Lake Forest College may request course descriptions and/or a translated unofficial transcript in order to assist with course placement.

A portfolio is required for students taking courses in Art Studies.

Special Needs Support

  • Visual
  • Learning

Other Academic Conditions

Lake Forest College requires students to read extensively and contribute in class meetings. Most classes have several essays per term and long term papers.  ISEP students would be able to attend walk-in hours at the Writing Center up to once per week, but this should not be considered a substitute for an English as a Second Language program.  

If you are eligible to submit an LPR as an alternate to TOEFL or IELTS, your minimum score for writing should be C1.  All other categories should be B2 or above.

We are a liberal arts institution. Most students spend each semester taking courses across a breadth of disciplines. We would expect incoming ISEP students to not request more than two courses per term in the same department.  Business, economics, entrepreneurship, and finance are considered one department.

Due to space limitations, neuroscience courses are closed to ISEP students. Courses in business, economics, finance and the sciences are open, but it may be difficult to place ISEP students due to space limitations.  Students should expect to be asked to be flexible in their course selections.

Contact the ISEP coordinator with questions about limitations. 

PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible. 

VISA: All non-U.S. citizens will be required to obtain a visa. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.

Semester & Prices (based on your filters)

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Lake Forest College

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ISEP Application Fee US$100

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