Any Lake Forest Students/Parents out there? - Page 2

Unsure44 · 02-07-2006, 09:07 PM

I grew up in Lake Forest, er till I was 13, now I'm in Louisville, KY and I miss it lots still. There is something classic and charming about that town- the shops, the beach, the trees, football. It's a community that is rich in many many ways.

lindalana · 02-21-2006, 07:10 AM

Little more updating on LFC- D had her overnight there recently. Food is terrific, as she states- best from all colleges she visited/ and it is a lot of colleges

Classes were great, very engaging, discussion oriented with fresh views on things- she loved it.
Students were probably her biggest worry- she did not click with them as well as she wanted but she is also very reserved girl who does not find friends easily so issues can be entirely of her own making. She is offered to apply for Richter Scholar aprentice program and she is happily writing her application- it gives her lots of research opportunities, one on one research doing with faculty member and 10 weeks paid aprentice program during summer after first year.
She also received her tentative fin aid offer and it is good. EFC is different from FAFSA but it is still very good offer, cheaper that public state school she has for financial safety.

LR22 · 02-21-2006, 04:22 PM

I was accepted to Lake Forest under the Early Action Plan and was excited to receive the Presidential Scholarship. Lake Forest has appealed to me on paper, but has also worried me. I worry about the low sophmore retention rate. It seems like such an important number to look at when deciding on a college. The Director of Admissions at U.Penn talked to my school and told us the same thing: look at retention rates. Does anyone have an opinion on why Lake Forest's retention rate is lower than many other schools? Princeton Review states that the retention rate is 77%. That means that nearly a quarter of the freshman class transfers for their senior year.

In addition, I was curious if anyone was from the midwest/Chicago area? Does Lake Forest have a better local reputation than national? I know that there are several small liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania (where I live) that have great reputations locally, but aren't known well nationally. I was wondering if Lake Forest was similar.

lindalana · 02-21-2006, 06:56 PM

Since we live not too far from LFC I know some of its former reputation and can attest for present one. It used to be safe haven for preppy students who could not get anywhere else, lots of bashes on green grass much remembered by old alumni.
Things had changed and now amount of application increased 5 times compare to five years ago. Most dorms are substance free, not they they do not drink but it is much stricter now. There almost 30% of pell grant recipients which say a lot of their admission of people from lower socio economic background. Discount rate is 52% so price wise it is a great deal. retention rate is 80 % last year and my D was told that mostly people leave because school is small and some people who want to change their majors realize that they need bigger school with better major offerings.
Unitl last year LFC did not have theater major and being education major was somewhat a hastle, required to double major and took 5 years for sure.
Since my D interested in sciences/premed/ psychology area those programs are very strong.

louisa2 · 03-08-2006, 08:57 PM

We just returned from a visit to LFC. If you have any questions, ask away!

lindalana · 03-09-2006, 06:33 AM

Louisa, I would be interested to know what is your impression and what major your child is looking into.

louisa2 · 03-13-2006, 08:38 AM

My daughter stayed overnight and had a wonderful time. We were both impressed with the personal attention and the internship opportunities. Most of the students that we spoke with had plans to study abroad. She is thinking of a combined English/Sociology major. She had been looking at much larger schools and after visiting LFC, has changed her mind.

The campus is beautiful and in a safe, lovely area. It is not your typical college town, but the students that we spoke with seemed happy with the social scene on campus and the easy walk to the train station.

blueline47 · 04-08-2006, 11:13 AM

Lindalana, wanted to echo louisa2's comments on LFC. My D visited there a couple of weeks ago too and loved it - previously, she was only looking at east coast schools, but now LFC is #1 on her list. With top facilities and academics, a very good track record for sending graduates to good careers and grad schools, and a location in one of the nicest suburbs in the Chicago area, it seems to have been discovered by more and more student-applicants in recent years. The new student center (about to open) will add to an already well appointed campus. My D likely to commit next week.

louisa2 · 04-08-2006, 01:51 PM

My daughter decided on Lake Forest this week. She was accepted, and received scholarships to a few much larger and nationally rated schools but ultimately felt comfortable with LFC. The overnight visit really "sealed the deal" so to speak. She really enjoyed her time with the students and felt very welcomed. I'll admit to feeling a little overwhelmed when she turned down the other offers even though I feel good about her choice!

lindalana · 04-09-2006, 09:36 PM

Congratulations, Blueline and Louisa for your kids choice! LFC certainly a fine place and will give them great education. My D was amazed how much hands on classes they had and academics are really excellent.
as far as we go I would rather have May2 now

louisa2 · 04-10-2006, 07:15 AM

Thanks lindalana! What schools are your D choosing between? In our case the size and reputation differences were so pronounced that in hindsight my D wishes she had applied to other similar schools. She felt compelled to apply to schools that were not a wonderful fit because her sister goes to Yale. Ultimately, she figured out what she wanted but it has been pretty stressful! Now, I wish the other schools would stop sending "choose us" materials!!

lindalana · 04-11-2006, 07:46 PM

Louisa my D applied to several small LAC which are fairly similar and they offered her similar packages- Lawrence, Beloit, Lake Forest, Hiram, Wooster and Knox. Now there is suddenly b-friend issues which did not existed before she applied. Anyway, she seems too overwhelmed recently and does not know her own mind. I will be really happy by May 1 when this is all over. I say to myself -my work is done...now it is up to her but it is pretty stressful.

louisa2 · 04-11-2006, 10:25 PM

It is so hard to grow up and make such difficult decisions! If you live in the Midwest, all of the schools are fairly close to one another, so she shouldn't worry about not seeing her friend. Has she considered the difference in location (rural, suburban) and undergrad experience? Schools that have commuter and adult students offer a much different undergrad experience than those that are primarily residential. I think the process has become so long and complicated that the students are nearly burned out by the time decision making comes around. Stressful indeed!! Good luck to her and keep posting - I'll be interested in knowing where she decides to attend.

believersmom · 05-01-2006, 08:56 PM

Okay,
It is May 1st and the decisions are???

Just visited campus this past weekend with D (just starting her visits) and really want to hear what everyone decided and why. Please fill us in...

lindalana · 05-01-2006, 09:17 PM

My D is going to Knox college. She was very lucky and blessed, being admitted to several great schools, including Lake Forest with comparable fin aid. At the end I felt she was picking out tiniest details about each school since she felt she could be happy at any of them. She went to admitted students weekend at several schools.
It was interesting journey and we have quite a few memorable events to remember.
I would greatly advice visit and revisit your choosen colleges, because none of the book can really give you true feeling what this or that college is all about.