The academic calendar of Lake Forest College is based on two 15-week semesters (14 weeks of classes plus a 5-day final exam period), from late August through mid-December and from mid-January to early May. Students normally take four course credits per semester (the equivalent of 16 semester hours). All courses run for 15 weeks.
Three summer sessions offer a number of courses, the great majority being taught by regular members of the College’s faculty. Each session is four weeks in length, during which a student may enroll in a single course.
Fall Semester 2024
Thursday, August 22
Classes begin
Friday, August 30
Last day to add or drop a class
Monday, September 2
Labor day holiday (no classes)
Thursday, October 17 – Friday, October 18
Fall break (no classes)
Monday, October 21
Classes resume
Friday, November 1
Registration begins (first year)
Friday, November 1
Intent to graduate form due (Fall 2024/Spring 2025/Summer 2025 potential graduates)
Tuesday, November 5
Election day (no classes)
Friday, November 8
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Wednesday, November 27 – Friday, November 29
Thanksgiving break (no classes)
Monday, December 2
Classes resume
Friday, December 6
Last day of classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Saturday, December 7 – Sunday, December 8
Reading days
Monday, December 9 – Friday, December 13
Final exams
Friday, December 13
End of term
Spring Semester 2025
Monday, January 13
Classes begin
Monday, January 20
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no classes)
Tuesday, January 21
Last day to add or drop a class
Monday, March 10 – Friday, March 14
Spring break (no classes)
Monday, March 17
Classes resume
Tuesday, March 25
Registration begins
Friday, April 4
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Tuesday, April 8
Student Symposium (no classes)
Tuesday, April 29
Last Day of Classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Wednesday, April 30
Reading day
Thursday, May 1 – Friday, May 2
Final exams
Saturday, May 3 – Sunday, May 4
Reading days
Monday, May 5 – Wednesday, May 7
Final exams
Wednesday, May 7
End of term
Saturday, May 10
Commencement
Summer 2025
Learn more about the Summer Session at Lake Forest College.
May Term
Tuesday, May 13
Classes begin
Thursday, May 15
Last day to add or drop a class
Friday, May 23
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Monday, May 26
Memorial Day (no classes)
Tuesday, May 27
Classes resume
Thursday, June 5
Last day of classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Friday, June 6
Final exams/End of session
June Term
Monday, June 9
Classes begin
Wednesday, June 11
Last day to add or drop a class
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth (no classes)
Friday, June 20
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Wednesday, July 2
Last day of classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Thursday, July 3
Final exams/End of session
July Term
Monday, July 7
Classes begin
Wednesday, July 9
Last day to add or drop a class
Thursday, July 17
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Wednesday, July 30
Last Day of Classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Thursday, July 31
Final exams/End of session