At LFGSM, we take a holistic approach. We take a look at your entire career and experience. GMAT is not required.
MBA Admissions Requirements
You're a busy business professional so we make working with LFGSM easy. Our streamlined admissions process is just a few essential steps, and there is no GMAT requirement:
- Admissions discussion (may be completed virtually or in person)
- Current resume
- Official academic transcripts with undergraduate or graduate degree awarded
- One letter of recommendation
- Application with personal statement
Schedule a 15 minute call with one of our admissions managers.
Scholarships
For over 75 years, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management has been committed to strengthening the business community by developing capable leaders.
Now, we’re investing in you.
Starting Fall 2025, we're proud to offer our Tuition Assistance Matching Scholarship — our most generous MBA scholarship yet. We will match your employer’s tuition assistance, You could earn up to $15,750 in scholarship support — the equivalent of $5,250 per year for three years.
It’s our way of helping you minimize out-of-pocket expenses so you can focus on advancing your career and making a meaningful impact in your organization.
Here's how it works:
- Available to Fall 2025 MBA students
- Total scholarship value: up to $15,750 over three years
- Apply for Fall 2025 to qualify Submit your resume and application
We’re here to help you make your MBA more affordable and more accessible, without pausing your career.
Lake Forest participates in the Yellow Ribbon Scholarship Program.
Through the Charmm’d Scholarship endowment, we proudly offer financial support to emerging leaders in tax-exempt organizations, empowering them to enhance their skills through our live virtual programs. Click here to learn more.
Federal Financial Aid
If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you are eligible to apply for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan or a Direct PLUS Loan. The Federal Direct Loan and Direct PLUS Programs (formally known as the Grad PLUS Loans) provides low-interest loans to US citizens pursuing graduate education.
To apply for federal financial assistance, you must submit the following:
- Obtain an FSA ID from this Department of Education website. You will need an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online that corresponds to your start date.
Admissions provides a financial aid checklist to help you keep track of all the forms needed and the dates they need to be submitted by. Contact our Admissions team
LFGSM subscribes to a Financial Aid Code of Conduct. Read about it here.
Tuition
To estimate the cost of graduate school tuition for our graduate business programs, here are the costs for the 2024-2025 academic year.
$1,170/semester hour - All courses consist of three semester hours for a total tuition cost of $3,510/course
Number of Courses Required for MBA:
16*
Number of Courses Required for Graduate Certificate:
3
Average Textbook Costs Per Course:
$80
Your admissions representative is happy to provide you a personalized tuition planning worksheet. For more information about tuition and fees and for a personalized tuition worksheet, please contact the Admissions Office.
*The number of courses are subject to change based on certification credit, tuition credit and prior experience credit.
Graduate Certificate and Single Course Requirements
- Current resume
- Application
Students with an undergraduate degree who successfully complete a Graduate Certificate or single course may submit their official transcripts to apply as a degree-seeking MBA student.
Certifications and Course Waivers
Your expertise should mean something for your degree. This is why we have no GMAT requirement. LFGSM values the hard work you've put into your career and acknowledges your professional certifications by offering course waivers where content overlaps. Find out which of your credentials could qualify for course waivers and begin building on the knowledge and expertise you already have.
To learn more, contact an Admissions team member.
Our Faculty
LFGSM has Business Leader Faculty® who bring their real-world expertise to the classroom. For more information, click here.