2015 – College Admission at Loyola

Year in Review: 2015

By | January 21, 2016

Another year has started and the “new year, new me” comments have come in once again. No doubt people will attempt to be a more updated version of themselves- even I.

The entire year of 2015 was a life-changing year- for good and bad (but let’s focus on the ‘good’ portion!).

1) I play the cello now. The cello is such a beautiful instrument that produces a large and resonating sound. I was initially inspired by the cello by The Piano Guys (which I assume you may know or have heard about). Steven Sharp Nelson (the cellist) is so talented and makes cello playing seem so enjoyable, peaceful, and awesome. I am a current student at Old Town School of Folk Music. I am happy to say that I now do not make any shrieking noises! I can play a couple of Bach pieces and hopefully soon, I’ll be able to play one of his famous Suite compositions!

2) I am taking photography more seriously. I am learning how to capture better images using a Canon camera and see things in different perspectives and angles. I have a site which I post my pictures up on so people can see. Here’s the site: thinklife.shutterfly.com.

3)I was a pediatric lab assistant at Rush Medical Center. Over the summer, I work in the lab alongside other lab technicians and doctors. (There’s a blog about this that I posted a couple months back).

4)I became a sophomore. Alright. I know that was obvious, but it’s nice to acknowledge the fact that freshman year was done and now I’m at the midpoint of my time as a LUC undergrad student.

5) I joined TNTT- a religious youth group. I joined this group for other reasons, but when time passed by, I began to enjoy it a lot more. I found that there many people who were my age, had similar interests as I did, and came from similar backgrounds. Around these people, I could be myself comfortably and I was happy about that.

6)I take my brother to school each morning. He and I take the train together and walk to school. I get to interact with the parents which is always fun (at school and the train commute to work/school).

7)1000 origami cranes were made, as said in the Japanese tradition, to make a wish for peace. With everything that has happened in my personal life as well as the tragic events such as the gun shooting attacks and Paris terrorist attacks, the message of peace is much needed.

By Stephanie Rodriguez | January 18, 2015

Hello, everyone! I know that I am late on this, but let’s just get to the point: how amazingly, delicious is Protein Bar? I am from the suburbs, and I NEVER knew it existed. It wasn’t until recently that I found myself walking down Dearborn that I came across it. Since I am trying to eat healthier, and I had forgotten to pack my lunch, I had limited food places I could go. Luckily, my internship allowed me to get a 45 minute break in which I got to devour this delicious, yet healthy, bowl. It consists of spinach, quinoa, black beans, flex seeds, and pesto chicken. It almost tasted like a Chipotle bowl, but the healthier version. I really, really, really want to try their salad next time I go; they come in a cute, large bowl! I loved this place because it gives you the amount of carbohydrate, protein and fiber in each order. This made it so easy for my daily track of protein and carbs! Whether you are trying to eat healthy or not, you need to try this place out! So far, I have only tried this bowl and the original burrito and that was as delicious! The burrito was made with whole wheat grain, and I was stuffed. I have to admit that I’m going to purposely forget my lunch on the days I go to my internship because this is so good. This is also a great alternative for some late night studying snack! Yummmmm.

New Year’s Resolutions

By Lindsy Fagerstrom | December 30, 2014

While I’m sure many of you already have your own New Year’s resolutions lined up for 2015, I am sharing what I would consider to be a helpful list of resolutions for a college-bound, high school senior:

Don’t let senioritis get the best of you. Your second semester grades still matter, so don’t risk losing admission or a scholarship by letting your grades slip. You will have to send in a final high school transcript to your college, so make sure it will impress them.
Create a senior year bucket list (go to prom, try out for the spring musical, join a new club, etc).
Take a ton of photos of your friends & family and actually print them out so you have some to decorate your residence hall room next year.
Make a pro/con list, research, and visit all schools remaining on your short list. Make sure your list has no more than ten schools (hopefully much less) by the time you file FAFSA (which you should do by March 1st).
Learn how to cook a meal in a microwave so you can become the top chef of your floor next year.
Open a student checking/savings account, learn how to write a check, and actively start to manage your own budget so you won’t have to learn this on your own at college.
Learn how to do your own laundry. Then you can go to college and teach some of your roommates/floormates/suitemates.
Enjoy every remaining moment of your senior year. You have some once-in-a-lifetime moments to look forward to so make sure you appreciate them.

Happy New Years from the Undergraduate Admission Office!