Lake Forest MBA Admissions & Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for admission into the Lake Forest MBA program, you must meet the following qualifications:
- Four or more years of professional work experience
- A United States bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Currently employed full-time
Go to these items below to read more about:
Our Admissions Philosophy
At Lake Forest, the coursework is challenging, but the experience of working with us isn’t. Our admissions process is streamlined and highly personalized, and our admissions counselors are available to assist you every step of the way.
The Admissions Committee evaluates our MBA candidates on the potential they demonstrate to contribute to the MBA program, as well as the MBA program's alignment with the candidate's aspirations. In addition to assessing your individual achievements and experiences, we focus on the cumulative impact of your accomplishments and your business experience.
The factors we use to determine acceptance into our MBA program include: professional work experience, the admissions interview, current achievements, letters of recommendation, a GMAT test score (if applicable), application with personal statement, and previous academic history. We also look at your ability to communicate effectively and your ability to contribute to classroom discussions on contemporary business challenges.
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The Admissions Interview
The admissions interview is the first step in the admissions process. All MBA candidates are required to interview with an admissions counselor. The only admissions requirement you must have prepared for the admissions interview is a current version of your résumé.
We take this opportunity to learn more about your reasons for pursuing an MBA and to assess your professional work experience as it relates to our program. The interview is an opportunity for you to learn more about how our program can fit your needs, discuss application requirements, and ask any other questions you may have.
The admissions interview typically lasts 50-55 minutes. You can interview at the LFGSM campus location that is most convenient to you. Special arrangements can be made to interview at an alternate location, if needed. After the interview, the admissions counselor will help you continue the application process. To schedule an interview, click here to contact the campus you wish to attend.
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The Admissions Decision
When your admissions file is complete, the Admissions Committee will evaluate your credentials. Notification of the Admissions Committee’s decision occurs within one to two weeks from the time all admissions requirements have been received. All applicants receive notification via U.S. mail.
Candidates who do not start the program within one year of acceptance must re-apply for admission under admissions policies in effect at the time of re-applying.
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Enrollment Deposit
Upon acceptance, in order to guarantee your place in the classroom, you will be asked to return an enrollment confirmation card and a non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit. Once you begin the program, your $100 deposit will be applied to your first tuition bill.
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Applying as a Guest Student
If you are enrolled in an MBA program at another accredited institution, you may apply to LFGSM as a guest student. If you are accepted, you may take at LFGSM as many courses toward your degree as your other school will allow. As a guest student candidate, you must fulfill all LFGSM admissions requirements as well as submit from your other school both a letter indicating the number of courses that may be transferred and a statement confirming that you are a student in good standing at that school.
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Applying as a Non-Degree Seeking Student
If you have a master’s degree or higher, you may enroll in up to three courses at LFGSM for continuing education purposes. As a non-degree seeking candidate, you must fulfill all LFGSM admissions requirements.
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