Loyola University Chicago Top Questions

Go with your guy instinct. I loved Loyola the moment I toured the campus. I even didn't get the most financial aid here, but I still came and it was so worth it. A lot of my friends from high school went to a certain school just because they got a scholarship or great financial aid, but they weren't happy. I am paying for college on my own and I am so much happier to be at a school that I knew I would like. Plus, you are likely to succeed more in college if you are happy!

I have always thought that I would want to live far away from home. I wanted new experiences, new friends, new everything. Then I started applying to colleges and though I didn't really want to go to school near my home, I agreed to at least apply to some. When I found out I got into Loyola, a university half an hour away, I was a little skeptical. But I visited Loyola and immediately fell in love with it. What made me change my mind? The surroundings, the professors, the people... The whole atmosphere of the school was amazing and I immediately loved it. I think that the advice that I would give to parents and students is to not focus on how far or close it is from home. Instead concentrate on how comfortable you feel at school, the education you will receive and the people that will surround you for the next 4 years of your life. No matter where you go to school, you will meet new people, have new experiences and even find new things in a city which you may have lived in your whole life. I did and I love my new experiences!

Rather than choosing a school for its name, absolutely make sure that you've visited the campus during the school year when they are students there. Apply for as many scholarships as possible. It may seem like you don't have a change at getting them, but many people think the same thing and don't apply. Get involved. Don't join too many clubs, though. You want to make sure you have time for school work and social life.

make sure your visit the college first, and speak to people who currently attend there.

Talk with almni.

get involved

Make sure you actually go visit the colleges. Don't just choose one based on the pamphlets you recieve in the mail. When you visit the college that is right for you trust your gut feeling. You will know which one feels right. Also talk to current students and see what they think the best and worst aspects are of the school, you will find out alot of helpful information to aid you in making your decision. When you do find the right school, be outgoing. It is not unusual for students to knock on random doors and introduce themselves. This is very helpful for meeting people, even if it does seem a little strange at first.

When I first started attending Loyola University Chicago I hated it. I didn't really know what I didn't like about it though. I loved being near a big city like Chicago where there's always something to do, I loved that campus was always busy but not crowded, I liked my classes and my professors, I made a couple of good friends, but I was absolutely miserable. In the end it turned out that I was just homesick; however, the best decision I ever made was to stick it out for a little while. Eventually I got used to being away from my friends and my little brother and started having all the fun that I knew I should be. The best advice I can give to parents and students searching for the right college is to start with the basics. Think about the size of school you want to be at and what sort of area or neighborhood or city you want surrounding it. Eventually the rest will fall in to place, even if it takes a little time.

To all the students looking for a college, Loyola is a good school when it comes to college experience. But honestly, there are way better schools out there.

Make sure you consider the cost.