The Lake Forest College Academic Calendar 2025-2026 outlines all key dates for Lake Forest semesters and important academic deadlines to help students plan their year effectively.
The academic year runs on two 15-week semesters (14 weeks of classes plus a 5-day final exam period), from late August to mid-December for the Fall Semester and mid-January to early May for the Spring Semester.
Students typically take four course credits per semester, equivalent to 16 semester hours, with all courses running the full 15 weeks.
In addition to the standard semesters, Lake Forest College offers three intensive summer sessions, each lasting four weeks.
These sessions, taught primarily by the College’s regular faculty, allow students to take one course per term, providing opportunities to catch up, accelerate progress, or explore new academic interests.
This detailed schedule not only outlines key dates like the fall 2025 start date and spring 2026 dates, but also offers insights into the academic life at the college.
For instance, a passing grade at the college is generally a D- or better, though some departments may require a higher grade for specific courses.
While planning your semester, it’s also helpful to know that a full-time course load is typically considered to be three to four and a half classes per semester.
When considering the financial aspect, the Lake Forest College tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year for a full-time student is $55,500.
Additionally, for prospective students, the average GPA for admitted students is around 3.68, which gives a strong indication of the academic standards.
Whether you need to check Lake Forest registration deadlines, plan around final exam dates, or fit a summer course into your schedule, the Lake Forest College Academic Calendar keeps every important date in one place for streamlined academic planning.
Table of Contents
Lake Forest College Academic Calendar Fall 2025
The following are the important dates and deadlines for the Fall Semester of 2025, as outlined in the Lake Forest College Academic Calendar 2025–2026.
- Lake Forest College Fall 2025 classes start on Thursday, August 21, 2025. It is the first day of classes.
- The last day to add or drop a class is Friday, August 29, 2025.
- Labor Day is observed as a holiday with no classes on Monday, September 1, 2025.
- Fall break is observed from Thursday, October 16, 2025, to Friday, October 17, 2025. Classes resume after fall break on Monday, October 20, 2025.
- The deadline to submit an intent-to-graduate form for fall/spring/summer potential graduates is Friday, October 31, 2025.
- Election Day is observed with no classes on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
- The last day to register for the Pass/No-Pass option is Friday, November 7, 2025.
- Spring registration for first-year students begins on Monday, November 10, 2025, and continues through Friday, November 14, 2025.
- Registration for all students begins on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, and continues through Friday, January 9, 2026.
- Lake Forest College Thanksgiving Break 2025 is observed from Wednesday, November 26, 2025, through Friday, November 28, 2025. Classes resume after Thanksgiving Break on Monday, December 1, 2025.
- The last day of classes and the last day to drop a course with a “W” grade is Friday, December 5, 2025.
- Reading days occur on Saturday, December 6, 2025, and Sunday, December 7, 2025.
- Final examinations are held from Monday, December 8, 2025, through Friday, December 12, 2025.
- The fall term ends on Friday, December 12, 2025, according to the Lake Forest College Academic Calendar 2025–2026.
Lake Forest College Academic Calendar Spring 2026
The following are the important dates and deadlines for the Spring Semester of 2026, as outlined in the Lake Forest College Academic Calendar 2025–2026.
- Lake Forest College Spring 2026 semester classes begin on Monday, January 12, 2026. It is the first day of classes.
- Instructor authorization is required for students to add courses from Monday, January 12, 2026, through Monday, January 19, 2026.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed as a holiday with no classes on Monday, January 19, 2026.
- The last day to add or drop a class is Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
- Lake Forest College Spring Break 2026 is observed from Monday, March 9, 2026, through Friday, March 13, 2026. Classes resume after Spring Break on Monday, March 16, 2026.
- Registration Period #1 (for students with 18 or more credits) is on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
- Registration Period #2 (for students with 10 or more credits) is on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
- Registration Period #3 (for students with fewer than 10 credits) is on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
- The last day to register for the Pass/No-Pass option is Friday, April 3, 2026.
- The Student Symposium (no classes) is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
- The last day of classes and the last day to drop a course with a “W” grade is Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
- A reading day is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
- Final examinations occur from Thursday, April 30, 2026, through Friday, May 1, 2026.
- Additional reading days occur on Saturday, May 2, 2026, and Sunday, May 3, 2026.
- Additional final examinations occur from Monday, May 4, 2026, through Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
- Final examinations end on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
- Lake Forest Commencement 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Lake Forest College Academic Calendar Special Term/Summer 2026
The following are the important dates and deadlines for the Summer Semester of 2026, as outlined in the Lake Forest College Academic Calendar 2025–2026.
May Term
- May Term classes begin on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
- The last day to add or drop a May Term class is Thursday, May 14, 2026.
- The last day to register for the Pass/No-Pass option for May Term is Friday, May 22, 2026.
- Memorial Day is observed, and there are no May Term classes on Monday, May 25, 2026. May Term classes resume on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
- The last day of May Term classes and the last day to drop a May Term course with a “W” grade is Thursday, June 4, 2026.
- May Term final examinations are held on Friday, June 5, 2026, and the May Term session ends on Friday, June 5, 2026.
June Term
- The June Term (first day) begins on Monday, June 8, 2026.
- The last day to add or drop a June Term class is Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
- The last day to register for the Pass/No-Pass option for the June Term is Thursday, June 18, 2026.
- Juneteenth is observed with no classes on Friday, June 19, 2026.
- The last day of June Term classes and the last day to drop a June Term course with a “W” grade is Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
- June Term final examinations are held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and the June Term session ends on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
July Term
- The July Term begins on Monday, July 6, 2026.
- The last day to add or drop a July Term class is Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
- The last day to register for the Pass/No-Pass option for the July Term is Thursday, July 16, 2026.
- The last day of July Term classes is Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
- July Term final examinations are held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and the July Term session ends on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
For more on the Lake Forest College Academic Calendar 2025-2026, visit the Lake Forest College Calendar website.
Lake Forest College Academic Calendar FAQs
When does the Lake Forest College Fall 2025 semester start and end?
The Lake Forest College Fall 2025 Semester starts on Thursday, August 21, 2025, and runs through Friday, December 12, 2025, covering 14 weeks of classes plus a 5-day final exam period.
How long is a semester at Lake Forest College?
Each semester at Lake Forest College lasts 15 weeks in total, 14 instructional weeks followed by a final exam week.
When is the Spring 2026 semester at Lake Forest College?
The Lake Forest Spring 2026 Semester usually starts on Monday, January 12, 2026, and ends on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, following the same 15-week structure as the fall.
Does Lake Forest College offer summer courses?
Yes. The Lake Forest College summer term is split into three sessions, each lasting four weeks. Students may enroll in one course per session, most of which are taught by the College’s regular faculty.
How many courses do students take per semester at Lake Forest College?
Students normally take four course credits per semester, equivalent to 16 semester hours.
Where can I find the official Lake Forest College important dates?
The most accurate and updated Lake Forest College academic calendar with all registration deadlines, add/drop dates, and exam schedules is available on the College’s official website.
