Ramblers – Page 3 – College Admission at Loyola

Defining Different Types of College Visits: Which visit is right for you?

By Lindsy Fagerstrom | February 24, 2015

Daily Presentations & Tours at the Lake Shore Campus
- Target Audience: Students who have yet to apply and guests
- Focus: General information about Loyola and the admission process; tour of the Lake Shore Campus
- Website: https://uao.luc.edu/VisitLSCFreshman/
Daily Presentations & Tours at the Water Tower Campus
- Target Audience: Prospective and admitted students interested in Business, Communication, Education, or Social Work.
- Focus: Tour of our full-service Water Tower Campus.
- Website: https://uao.luc.edu/VisitWTCFreshman/
Admitted Student Appointments
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors and guests
- Focus: Talk one-on-one with an admission counselor who can answer your questions about: Financial Aid, Scholarships, Next Steps, Orientation, Majors/Minors, Residence Life, Student Activities, Athletics, Study Abroad, Chicago, Campus Safety, Campus/City Transportation, Dining Hall Options, etc.
- Website: http://luc.edu/undergrad/getmore/comevisit/admittedhighschoolsenior/
Transfer Student Appointments
- Target Audience: Prospective and admitted transfer students and guests
- Focus: Talk one-on-one with an admission counselor who can answer your questions about: Financial Aid, Scholarships, Next Steps, Orientation, Majors/Minors, Residence Life, Student Activities, Athletics, Study Abroad, Chicago, Campus Safety, Campus/City Transportation, Dining Hall Options, etc.
- Website: http://luc.edu/undergrad/getmore/comevisit/transferstudents/
Class Shadowing
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors
- Focus: Meet with a current student and attend a class or two with them to get a taste of the academic experience on-campus. If possible, we will assign you to attend class with a student who has a similar major to you.
- Email: visitloyola@luc.edu
Overnight Visits
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors
- Focus: Get the full Loyola experience: stay overnight in the residence halls with a current first year student, eat in the dining hall, and attend on-campus events.
- Website: uao.luc.edu/apply/status
- Email: you@luc.edu
Multicultural Overnight Visits
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors with a multicultural background
- Focus: Get the full Loyola experience: stay overnight in the residence halls with a current first year student, eat in the dining hall, attend on-campus events, and learn about diversity at Loyola.
- Website: uao.luc.edu/apply/status
Basketball Socials
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors and guests
- Focus: Cheer on the Loyola Ramblers Division 1 Men’s Basketball team in the recently renovated Gentile Arena with other admitted students Loyola’s biggest fans.
- Website: uao.luc.edu/apply/status
Loyola Weekend
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors, admitted transfer students, and guests
- Focus: This is my favorite campus-event (and not just because I plan it!) This event highlights all aspects of Loyola: Financial Aid, Next Steps, Study Abroad, Academics, Lake Shore Campus, Water Tower Campus, Campus Ministry, Student Diversity, Leadership, Student Activities & Greek Affairs, Research, Residence Life, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, and Current Students!
- Website: luc.edu/loyolaweekend
Virtual Visits
- Target Audience: Prospective and Admitted Students who do not have the ability to visit campus
- Focus: Tour campus online to gain a glimpse of our community-oriented, urban, campuses.
- Website: http://www.youvisit.com/tour/luc

Enjoy your Campus Visit

Chapel Hill Memoir

By Stephanie Rodriguez | February 22, 2015

On the night of February 10th, I remember being home relaxing after a long day of class and internship work. Usually, I get home about 7 in the afternoon and that day was nothing new. I was debating whether or not to go to the gym or finish my Biochemistry laboratory paper. Well, I ended up doing both. I have usually been going to bed around 12 at night, since I spend a good amount of time cooking and prepping my food for the next day. That Tuesday was not any different and neither was my “check every social media ritual.” I went on Facebook, but I did not read anything interest. Instagram? nothing. Pinterest? I didn’t even try because I get too hungry. Snapchat? I didn’t feel like looking at so many pictures and videos.

When I went on Twitter, I read the first retweet about the #ChapelHillShooting. At first, I figured it was an old incident, but when I clicked on the attached link, I noticed that it had happened that same night. Honestly, I was expecting there to be a bigger hype about it. There are so many discussions that can arise from this tragic. However, this is not the purpose of this blog because all I want is there to be a mutual understanding that: this was and is important. Additionally, I am writing this blog because I want to share with you how the Loyola community dealt with it.

There are times in which we get so carried away with all the daily activities of our lives. This happens to me constantly, especially when I am walking around campus. I have to rush to class. I need to print this. The line is so long. I need coffee. I forgot the moonlighting enzyme in the paper. I knew the answer to that last question. Did I eat today? All of these thoughts go on in our heads and sometimes we do not stop to look around us and appreciate what is around us. I get it. It happens and this is fine. However, there are situation, like this one, that make me realize how amazing the Loyola community is. Unfortunately, in this case it had to be a tragic event, but nonetheless, it made me proud of all of these people who took the time to gather around and pay their respects to the victims.

There were people of other religions around the small and empowering memoir. There were so many people who passed it and just stared in silence. I believe that these are incidents that bring people closer. Many people did not know what had happened and this memoir led them to research on their own. I just want to put in my two cents about this incident. I want those to know that the Loyola community is free of bigotry and we support each other like if we were our own. If you didn’t know, now you know. Take the time to free your mind and take a look around campus. There is always something to be proud of, big or small.

Dr. John Donoghue and Pirates

By Stephanie Rodriguez | February 12, 2015

It was junior year, and I knew that I had to finish my History requirements. Honestly, it was my least favorite subject in high school, and I was really dreading on taking more History courses in college. However, to my luck I chose one of the best professors I have had in my undergraduate career. His name is Dr. John Donoghue! I remember this being one of my favorite classes, ever. I did struggle a little bit on organizing events and memorizing them, but he did help me a lot. I can say that he made me realize how important it is to know our history; It just makes us much credible and it helps us value our every day history events.

I remember him talking about pirates, a lot. Even though we did not get to touch base on them as much as I would have hoped he did, he did state that he was writing a book on them. I was so excited to see all of these flyers around Loyola University that stated that he would be talking about Rough Justice under the Jolly Roger: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Court of “King Death.” This is taking place, TODAY:

Thursday, February 12, 2015
Reception at 5:00 p.m.
Program at 6:00 p.m.

Klarchek Information Commons,
4th Floor
Lake Shore Campus
6501 N. Kenmore Ave

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend because I have my biochemistry lab, but I encourage all of my last minute people to go. Whether you are just getting out of halas or you want to know a little more about pirates (no, Johny Depp, ladies – sorry!), please stop by! I am sure that the program will be anything less than wonderful. He has a way of keeping you engaged, and this is why I always sat on the front row of his class because his way of reciting past history is amazing.

“While pirates, the iconic outlaws of the silver screen, have long sustained the American dream of living dangerously, the real history of piracy reveals something even more intriguing – that far from losing themselves in a life of lawlessness, pirates created an alternative system of law and order, what they called ‘the government of the ship,’ to deliver rough and ready justice to the enemies of all ‘men of spirit.’” – John Donoghue

My sandwich and my tangerine

By Stephanie Rodriguez | February 11, 2015

I love in between classes breaks. They allow me to do very productive things…well, most of the time. 🙂 However, it gives me some time to do some last minute homework or studying. If ONLY, I actually attempted to get work done every single time. However, it doesn’t always happen. What always happens is that I eat. I eat, a lot.

I am always going to the dining hall because, since I love to eat, it gives me the most alternatives. My appetite is always changing. When I am not feeling too hungry, you can always find me in the Coffee Shop. It is just such a chill and relaxing atmosphere that emanates the whole shop, and I love it. Let me tell you, I went there this past Thursday and I had one of the best sandwiches ever.

It wasn’t just my every other Thursday. I had just gotten out of an exam and while it wasn’t so bad, I still needed a few minutes to relax before my biochemistry lab. I was a tad hungry, and so I stopped by. As I walked in I saw many Loyola students. This is why I feel comfortable coming here. I ordered a sandwich and they lady behind the counter recommended that I try the turkey sandwich. So, I did. After I paid, I waited for my sandwich but she said that she would bring it to my table. (Great service, btw).

I sat down and I was having trouble connecting to the WiFi. (The password is coffeeshop, not thecoffeeshop). When she suddenly came with my food, I could not help but notice the cute little plate that she put it on. I really felt at home. I, also, noticed a tangerine next to my sandwich. It was very good and fulfilling. I started working on my lab report while I ate, but all of the interesting decorations around were really distracting me. The glass table that I was sitting at had old newspapers on it and the walls around me were covered by photographs. The old piano sat solemnly and I immediately wished I knew how to play it. It made me wonder of all these belongings and where they came from. Did they all belong to the owner? Were they donated? Who played that piano? Who touched those newspapers? So many questions that I will try to get answered next time.

Ugh, another great experience, as always. It is going to be very difficult to leave Loyola and Rodgers park this May, really, really, really, reaaaaaaaallllllllllly difficult.

Loyola: Guinness World Records

By Stephanie Rodriguez | January 29, 2015

We already know that we are super awesome, but how exciting is it that we made the 2015 Guinness World Records? Have you heard of it? If not, let me tell you that Loyola University Medical Center holds record for care of world’s smallest baby!

According to some sources, Loyola has maintained its record for over 20 years (sine 1989)! In 2004, a baby weighted 9.2 ounces and survived; this is what got is in the Guinness World Records. Do you want to know Loyola’s premature babies survival rate? An astounding 98%! These are great news considering the critical care that these babies need. Loyola obtains some of the most advanced technology required for sick and premature infants.

The Loyola Phoenix quoted that: “The doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists are all taking care of babies. One reason Loyola has been successful is because of everybody working together.” Working on a Nursing/Rehabilitation home, I have to agree that teamwork is the main ingredient to make anything work, especially in this type of setting. It does not come to any surprise that Dr. Jonathan K. Muraskas, head of the NICU, acknowledges this.

If you did not have enough things to brag about Loyola already, here is another one! Honestly, it is a blessing to me that I am a part of this community. Achievements like these make me appreciate my education at Loyola University Chicago so much!

CPS Opportunity

By Stephanie Rodriguez | January 25, 2015

So today, I want to share with you all some great news! A good friend and Loyola Alumni just provided me with some information that might be helpful to some. As we are almost graduating, Yay!, some of us are not sure what will happen after Loyola. I know some do, and that is GREAT! But to those who are looking into graduate school, I want to inform you with this option.

There have been so many times when someone would tell me that I should’ve become teacher. I am always tutoring, but I have never thought about it as a career. I shared these thoughts with this friend because I knew that she was pursuing a career in teaching. She explained to me that she is in a two year program in which you receive a Masters in Education and teach as Full-time teacher (including all of the benefits).

She absolutely loves teaching and says that she cannot see herself doing anything less. She graduated as a Biology major and she teaches the sciences as well as English as a second language. She teaches in an elementary school in Chicago and she absolutely loves it! She mentioned that she hesitated in taking this opportunity, but it came so easy to her. People are always saying that teachers make peanuts, but this is not entirely true. She is doing fairly well and after she has her masters she will be very qualified for a great job! It’s also a plus that she is bilingual and she will be receiving her ESL certification as well!

Also, many of her loans will be forgiven because she is a teacher teaching a very needed subject. I recommend this opportunity to you because I, myself, am looking to find more information about it. It is a great back up plan, and if you find out it is not for you than at least you know that teaching is not for you; what best way to find out while getting paid, right? I was so excited that I decided to share with you all this opportunity! I hope this helped some of you out there. 🙂

Itasca Crash

By Stephanie Rodriguez | January 22, 2015

This might be late news to some commuters, maybe to all commuters, but about a week and a half ago there was a huge delay on Metra trains. I, unfortunately, was in one of the trains that was delayed exactly 2 hours. As you can see from the picture, there was a train and car collision on the Itasca stop. The Midwest-Elgin line that I take makes a stop at Itasca and fortunately, it wasn’t my train that hit this car. The train in front of us was the one that, at 70 mph, hit a crossing car early morning. Details as to how this happened were not given right away.

Luckily, the elderly conductor, and the only passenger, of the car survived with minor injuries. The paramedics described that she walked to the ambulance. It is of shock and a blessing that this collision did not result in any deaths. It was frightening for those who were in the train; these people were transferred over to the train that I was riding in and described that the train had only one dent and nobody was hurt.

Even though, it was the first week of classes, I still attempted to make it to my 10am class. However, this was not the case. As you may all know, once you get to Union Station downtown, you need to take the Red Line all the way to Loyola. This is about another 40 minutes, and I got to class at the end of lecture. These are problems that commuters have to face, but it’s a sacrifice! This is why I enjoyed my dormitories at Loyola so much; they were so convenient, close, and fun! I recommend everyone to live near campus if they can for its convenience is maximal!

Note to commuters: take the earlier trains. It is better to get to campus sooner than later! Till next time…

Stephanie

**The picture is not my original picture. I googled this picture; however, I do have a video of the crash as my train passed the Itasca stop.

2015 Bear Tie Ball – Let’s Eliminate Pediatric Cancer!

By Stephanie Rodriguez | January 19, 2015

I had to wait until this week to tell you all about the biggest event for Bear Necessities Pediatric Foundation 2015! Every year, Bear Necessities hosts an event called 2015 Bear Tie Ball. This year the theme is Latin Nights, to take place on Saturday February 28th at 6pm in Union Station. I am looking forward to this event for I have heard great things about it. If you didn’t know, Bear Necessities is “[a] Chicago based national organization dedicated to eliminating pediatric cancer & to providing hope and support to those who are touched by it.”

I want to share with you this great opportunity in which your attendance will demonstrate support on eliminating pediatric cancer. I feel so blessed to be an intern for this organization, and I cannot wait for this event! I am so excited to meet so many people and this event’s Emcee will be a Former Chicago Bear, Anthony Adams! So, save the date. I will be posting more information and details as we approach the date!

Meanwhile, we will be in charge of making sure everything goes as planned! I have seen the time and dedication that these people put into this organization, and I know that it will be anything less than perfect. 🙂

Thank you to all of the sponsors who continue to donate money for a great cause. This event is for all and you can purchase the tickets on the link below!

Click the link for more information.

A Christmas Poem for LUC

By | December 26, 2014

On Christmas Day our campus was quiet,
all of the Ramblers back in their hometowns.
Mom’s cooking for a month–say goodbye to your diet.
Winter break is far from a let down,
who doesn’t love catching up with family and friends?
Frankly, it becomes exhausting.
Some of us will be sad when break ends,
But when we return we won’t stop talking.

The Jesuits will have a Christmas celebration.
Surely Sister Jean will come and spread cheer,
if of course she ever takes a vacation.
It’s hard to believe it’s the end of the year.
Come 2015 all the Ramblers will be rejuvenated,
ready for new professors and new classes–
We’ll see how much more knowledge can be accumulated,
and who will stand out among the masses.

Soon students will make their way back to the lake shore,
all their presents in tow.
We’ll gather in Gentille to watch the Ramblers score,
cheering for those points to grow.
I’ll bet there’s been some Christmas wishin’
for a winning season all around.
Our boys and girls are on a mission,
to bring home the victor’s crown.

So from one rambler to the rest, I hope this Christmas was the best one yet!

Fast Delivery Food for Finals

By Stephanie Rodriguez | November 30, 2014

Who else gets super hungry when studying? The worst type of hungry is the 2-am-studying-for-finals hungry. Damen and Simpson are closed and so are the cafes around campus. Star Grill is a walk, and it’s probably not a good idea to be walking outside at that time anyway. Your only choice is to order food, but what can you order at two in the morning? You can Google places, but it will just take time, you’re starving, and if you’re like me, you’re probably in the worst mood ever because you’re SO hungry.

Grubhub, an online database for food (not really, but something like it), is a website in which you can search for any delivery restaurants that are open any time of the day. It is very convenient when you’re studying for finals because there are many restaurants that are open later than you think. All you have to do is search for open restaurants and the list pops out for you. I’m serious, one time my roommate and I ordered tacos at 3 in the morning just because.

Even though, this only works around the Chicago area, it is a life-changer! I, ALWAYS, use Grubhub because I like how convenient it is. Plus, it gives you an estimate on how long it will it take and after you’ve ordered from them a couple of times they may give you a free drink or meal! However, I do have to say that the only thing that I dislike about Grubhub is that when you put the tip in, it doesn’t always show up on the receipt, which means that the delivery man is not getting paid. So, I prefer to tip cash. This way, I am sure that the delivery person is getting paid…especially, since it’s so late at night! It’s only fair.

Anyway, I have to say that I LOVE Grubhub. It is so convenient and it gives me a great variety on food choices. Even though, I always order the same thing: pizza; I’m a total pizzaholic. Anyway, if you didn’t know…NOW you know! This is one of my great tips to you, especially because finals are QUICKLY approaching.