Graduation Requirements

Students may transfer in up to a total of 16.0 LFC credits toward their degree, with the following limitations:

• 12.0 of the final 16.0 credits earned must be taken at Lake Forest College
• 4.0 of the final 5.0 credits earned must be taken at Lake Forest College

All degree requirements must be completed and all transcripts must be received before the Commencement date published in the Academic Calendar for a spring degree conferral. Graduating seniors taking courses at another institution during the spring term, including those participating in a study abroad program, will have an expected summer degree conferral date.

See the Transfer Credit page for more details.

The Intent to Graduate form is emailed to all students in late September/early October. Students who plan to graduate at the end of the Fall, Spring, or Summer term of the current academic year must submit an intent to graduate form.

• Latin Honors are awarded for students in the following GPA categories:
  • Summa Cum Laude: 3.9 to 4.0
  • Magna Cum Laude: 3.7 to 3.89
  • Cum Laude: 3.4 to 3.69
• To be eligible for Latin Honors, a student's academic record must meet all the following requirements:
  • At least 14 courses taken at Lake Forest College with the full range of letter grades (A-F, but not CR or P).
  • A GPA from all courses taken at Lake Forest College equal to or greater than the minimum listed above for the appropriate category.
  • A total GPA, including any transfer coursework, coursework taken through an off campus program, and all Lake Forest College courses, that also equals or exceeds the above minimum for the given category.
• Transfer and off campus program credit can bring a student into a lower category, but cannot advance a student into a higher category.

If a student wishes to participate in the May ceremony as a summer graduate, the student must meet the following requirements:

• Be within two courses of completing degree requirements at the time of commencement
• Have a 2.0 GPA or higher
• Submit the Intent to Graduate form by the published deadline date
• Complete the “Expected Summer Graduate Degree Completion Form” with advisor approval
• Be registered for remaining required courses at time of commencement

Access the Intent to Graduate form and the Expected Summer Graduate Degree Completion form in my.lakeforest.

Summer grads: Degrees for all summer graduates are conferred on August 31. Diplomas are ordered when all graduates have been confirmed and are usually available in late October. Summer grads should continue to check their Lake Forest College email for updates.

Fall grads: Degrees for all Fall graduates are conferred on December 30. Diplomas are ordered when all graduates have been confirmed and are usually available in early March. Fall grads participating in the Commencement ceremony will receive their diplomas then; fall grads not attending Commencement will receive their diplomas in the mail and should continue to check their Lake Forest College email for updates.

Work with your advisor(s) to make sure you are on track to meet all your graduation requirements. Contact your advisor and/or department chair with specific questions about your major/minor requirements.

Track your Forester Fundamental Curriculum progress in my.lakeforest using the General Education Audit. Your expected graduation year is listed at the top of your audit. Contact the Registrar's Office with any questions about your audit or to update your expected graduation date.

Information about Commencement can be found on the Commencement page.