Spring 2025 GEO Applications

Please review the entire application before beginning it. This is Lake Forest College's internal application. This application has to be approved before you can start a specific program's application. Please review our Steps to Apply page.


Deadline: April 1, 11:59 PM CST

No late applications will be accepted.


Spring 2025 Eligibility

  • Minimum GPA of 2.7
  • Grades under any 'P' grades may be calculated into the GPA for application purposes
  • Support from your advisor(s)
  • It is required that you have discussed your study abroad plans with your advisor(s) and that they support your decision to apply for study abroad
  • Clearance from Student Affairs
  • This step comes later in the process, but we will reach out to Student Affairs to ensure you are in good standing with the College


Decisions will be sent out mid to late April. Meeting the basic eligibility does not guarantee that your GEO application will be approved.

  • Priority will be given to students applying to study abroad during their junior or senior spring semester and who have not already studied abroad on a semester program.


If you have not already met with Allie Olson, Director of GEO, for a program advising meeting already, it is highly recommended to meet with her before you submit your GEO application.


There is no application fee for this GEO Application.

 
 
 
 
 
 

ex. Class of 2025

 
 
 

Please do not list an email that is not your LFC email.

 

Please enter your current GPA. GPAs will be confirmed by the Registrar's Office.

 
 

GEO Program Policies

It is important to understand how GEO policies may affect you and your program participation.


For GEO policies, please visit our policy webpage and reach out with any questions you may have. Right-click the link and open it in a separate tab or window, or Smartsheet may erase your prior information entered.


Check the box after you have read the above page and have asked Allie any needed clarifying questions.

 
 

Financials

Review our Financials page before submitting this application Right-click the link and open it in a separate tab or window, or Smartsheet may erase your prior information entered.


CIC Tuition Benefit Students: For your full tuition benefits to apply for a study abroad, you must participate in an ISEP Exchange program. The CIC TEP does not extend to study abroad and off-campus programs.


Check the box after you have read the above page and have asked Allie any needed clarifying questions.

 
 

Advisor(s) Support

In order to process your application, it is required that you have discussed with your advisor(s) about your study abroad plans.


GEO reaches out to your advisor(s) to confirm you have discussed your interest with them and if they support your participation in a program.


During your discussion with your advisor(s), make sure you know:


  • if there are any specific courses you need to take while you are abroad
  • if your major department has any limitations on how many courses for your major you can take abroad



IMPORTANT: If you have not already met with your advisor(s), you can still submit your GEO application. We will just not be able to process your application until you do meet with them.


If you have not declared a major and only have a First-Year Studies advisor, list your first year but also know you should connect with dept that you are interested in. The department is the one that can best help shed light on what major courses you need to take on-campus vs. which courses for the major you are allowed to take abroad.

 
 
 
 

Staying on Track to Graduate

Instructions: Please list specific requirements (if any) that you need to stay on track to graduate (such as a 200-level elective for SOAN major, Global Perspectives course, etc). If you have a completely flexible semester (i.e. you don't have any requirements to take while abroad), just list N/A.


This needs to be a part of the discussion you have with your advisor about going abroad. Please note that different departments have different restrictions on what courses for the major/minor can be taken abroad.


It is the student's responsibility to ensure they enroll in the proper courses to stay on track to graduate. Global Engagement Office can assist with exploring programs that may be a good fit for the student (personally and academically) but it is still ultimately the student's responsibility that they understand the impact that their semester abroad will have on their academic plan.

 
 
 

Experiential Learning Requirement

Studying abroad can count as a student's FFC Experiential Learning college requirement. A short essay (1-2 pages) upon return is required to fully satisfy the requirement.

 
 

Programs of Interest

You are required to list your top program of interest and at least one backup program. We ask for a second backup program for students interested in the DIS program or Oxford program.


For Direct programs (non-exchanges), please list the SPECIFIC program. For example:

  • AIFS Veritas University
  • USAC Yonsei University
  • ISEP Dublin City Unviersity


For Exchange programs, you do NOT have to list the specific institutions - just list the program as "ISEP Exchange Program".


Unfortunately, we cannot approve all students for their top program, due to program capacity and budget limitations.


When approving students for programs, the following elements are taken into account:

  • academic and student support needs
  • information provided by essay questions
  • seniority


Backup program(s):

In addition to your top backup program, you can list up to three more backup programs.

  • If you only list your top choice and one backup and we cannot approve you for either option, GEO may approve you for a different program they see as a good fit (based on your essay and other information you provide on this application).
  • It is in your best interest to list as many programs that you are interested in.


Helpful links:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Essay Questions

Submit an essay answering the following questions.


  1. Discuss why you have decided to pursue a study abroad program.
  2. What specific elements are you looking for in a study abroad program?
  3. What specific goal(s) do you have for studying abroad?
  4. Discuss your strategies to tackle challenges/overcome obstacles you may face abroad.


Format:


  • 1-page minimum / 2-page maximum
  • 12pt font
  • double spaced
  • 1in margins
  • Times or Arial font
 

Upload your essay answers as a PDF attachment or Word document.

Drop your files here
 

Accommodations Abroad

 

Do you anticipate requesting any accommodations for a documented disability for your off-campus experience?


Providing, or not providing, this information will have no effect on your eligibility to study off-campus. This question is voluntary.


We use this question only to start the planning process and to recommend programs that we believe can meet your needs.


Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act does not extend to study abroad programs. While we cannot guarantee that all programs will be able to accommodate all requests or needs, the Global Engagement Office, in partnership with Health and Wellness Center and Accessibility Services, will work hard to help you be successful on your program.

 

Miscellaneous

 

If you play a sport on campus, please list the sport(s) and season(s) below. We use this information only help you find programs that work around your season, if applicable.

 

How do you identify your race/ethnicity? This question is completely voluntary and will have no bearing on your application.


We use this information only in reporting to Open Doors: https://www.iie.org/opendoors We do not attach any names to the report. The reporting is done not by individual student, but in numbers only, as is meant to help us understand trends and/or gaps in students who are going abroad, and how we can address them.

 

How do you identify your gender? This question is completely voluntary and will have no bearing on your application.


We use this information only in reporting to Open Doors: https://www.iie.org/opendoors We do not attach any names to the report. The reporting is done not by individual student, but in numbers only, and is meant to help us understand trends and/or gaps in students who are going abroad, and how we can address them.

 

Non-Discrimination Statement

Participation Acknowledgements

Lake Forest College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by law in matters of admissions, employment, housing, or services or in the educational programs or activities it operates.


Lake Forest College complies with federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination based on the protected categories listed above, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex (including sexual misconduct) in the College’s educational programs and activities.


Lake Forest College provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants, students, and employees with disabilities and to individuals who are pregnant, but it should be noted that individual countries may not offer the same protections while you are on a study abroad program.


By submitting this application, I understand it is College policy that all students planning to participate in an off-campus program must be in good academic and disciplinary standing AND be expected to be good representatives for Lake Forest College while on their program.


I authorize the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Affairs, and my academic advisor(s) to release confidential information to GEO and provide an evaluation of any and all information from my education records at Lake Forest College.


I authorize this information to be sent to the appropriate campus personnel and/or the program sponsor in order to evaluate my ability to complete an off-campus program for credit during the requested term.


I waive my right to view this information, but I do have the right to discuss my application with the Dean or my advisor(s).


I understand that I must remain in good conduct standing and that permission to participate in my off-campus program may not be granted if I am found responsible for a conduct violation or placed on academic or disciplinary probation at any time prior to my off-campus program. I understand that even if I am deemed eligible in this initial eligibility application stage, any subsequent disciplinary or academic issues may mean that the eligibility is revoked, with no refund due to me.


I understand that this is an application and that I may not be approved for any/all programs that I have listed on my application.


I understand that there will be additional requirements for me to study off-campus, including applying to my specific program and completing pre-departure requirements such as short essays, course approvals, and waivers. I will not be granted financial aid nor credit without completing all requirements.


By submitting this application to participate in an off-campus program, I agree that I understand the above policies as well as those stated on the Global Engagement Office website, and allow the Global Engagement Office to obtain this information from other campus offices and departments.