Welcome to Lake Forest College!
We can't wait to welcome you to campus this fall! Mark your calendars to attend the 2026 New Student Orientation (NSO), the College's required orientation for all new first-year and transfer students.
NSO is a high-energy, values-based multi-day onboarding for incoming students designed to:
- Help you connect with current and incoming Foresters
- Kickstart your academic and co-curricular success through exposure to campus resources and information
- Provide an opportunity for you to begin to form your personal definition of what it means to be part of the Forester community
New Studenr Orientation is comprised of three tracks, supporting three unique populations:
- First Year Orientation
- Transfer Student Orientation
- Parent and Family Member Orientation
We welcome parents and adult family members of all new students to join Parent and Family Member Orientation, no matter when their student arrives on campus.
Important Dates:
New Student Move-In
Saturday, August 22
Athletes, International Students, and First Connection participants will receive separate arrival information for their specific move-in dates.
New Student Orientation
Saturday, August 22 through Wednesday, August 26
New Student Orientation - Parent and Family Programming
Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23
Highlights of New Student Orientation Include:
- Playfair
- You'll meet all the members of the incoming class in a unique and fun way that gets you moving, laughing, and making connections!
- Beach Bash
- Enjoy an evening at the Lake Forest Beach with dinner and outdoor fun. Play beach volleyball, take a paddleboard out on the water, play lawn games, or just relax and enjoy music at Lake Michigan.
- Forester 101
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- Your Orientation Leaders will guide you on the ins and outs of how to make the most of your time in the Forest – key items like how to print on campus, tips for getting involved and managing your time, and sharing information on campus resources and their own personal experiences, triumphs, and mishaps.
- Student Wellness
- The Health and Wellness Center will share how you can access their services, how to cope with adversity successfully, and how to make healthy choices in college.
- Career Pathways and the Forester Advantage
- Explore the Career Advancement Center’s five Career Pathways and begin to dream about (and plan for!) what your future may hold.
- Matriculation Ceremony
- At this long-standing Forester tradition, President Sosulski will welcome you to the official start of the academic year and to the Forester community! Cue the bagpipes!
- Matriculation Reception
- The College community will come together to celebrate your matriculation. Refreshments are served while you reflect on your orientation!
Please check back in late July for schedule updates, and be sure to keep an eye on your email for further information. For questions, please contact the Gates Center.