March 2016 – Page 3 – College Admission at Loyola

It’s Been Awhile Since #myLUCvisit

By | March 5, 2016

I’m having a hard time believing it, but it’s been 4 whole years since I visited this campus for the first time. During spring break of my junior year of high school my dad, best friend, and I made the journey up to Chicago so that I could visit the school I now call my home. After that first visit I knew it would be impossible for any other school to even compete with how I felt about LUC.

I first came across Loyola in high school while doing a class project that involved researching universities that offered majors for our intended career paths. At that time I was interested in becoming an art director for either a magazine or advertising agency. A combination of a communications and fine arts degree from Loyola would have set up me well to pursue that goal, but I’ve since changed my mind.

Since I was interested in the School of Communications, we set up tours at both the Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses. I had no idea that Loyola’s downtown campus was so close to Michigan avenue (and so handily close to Hershey’s and Ghiradelli’s). After touring WTC, we jumped on the campus shuttle for our tour of LSC.

I was already so excited about Loyola, but stepping foot onto the Lake Shore Campus for the first time took my breath away. Few campuses can boast a location as perfect as ours along the shores of Lake Michigan. Once I’d gotten past how beautiful campus was I was further impressed by the way Loyola structures their “gen eds”. The CORE is how Loyola structures their liberal arts curriculum. All students are required to take classes in history, philosophy, ethics, writing, literature, math, theology, and science creating well-rounded students across the board.

(Now that I’m finishing my 3rd year here I can say that CORE really did give me the all-encompassing education I was looking for.)

My first visit to LUC obviously left a lasting impression, so much so that when it came time for me to apply to colleges Loyola was the only application I turned in. (Not something I would recommend). For me, Loyola was it. I knew this was where I wanted to spend the next 4 years of my life, so I decided that before I applied anywhere else I was going to see if Loyola would take me. Thankfully I was accepted (much to my parent’s relief) and was eager to become a Rambler, class of 2017.

Four years after my first visit to campus and I still stare wide-eyed at the beauty of my campus. So thank you to 17-year old me who decided that Loyola may just be the best school for me.

St. Patricks Day in Chicago

By | March 4, 2016

Don’t miss out on some legendary traditions happening in Chicago the weekend before St. Patrick’s day! Starting on Saturday morning at 9am the fun begins with dying the Chicago river green. Don’t worry this dye is environmentally safe but its formula is a Chicago secret. They have a special river dyeing process that takes place every year with crowds of people swarming to watch the magic happen. The best place to watch the process is at the Michigan avenue bridge or the river walk near E. Upper Whacker Dr. The beautiful river turns into a vibrant green in a matter of seconds. Not many people can say that their city that they dye their rivers green! The native Chirish go wild at this special ceremony!

After the ceremonial dyeing, catch a quick lunch and head over to the parade happening at noon on March, 12th. If you can’t make it to Chicago don’t worry! The parade will be televised this year on ABC channel 7. The parade route begins at the corner of Balbo and Columbus Street and continues all the way north on Columbus street. For some great views Check out this link to the Chicago St.Patricks day website Parade Views.

You may be wondering, “Why is the St. Patricks day such a great celebration in the windy city?” Well in the 19th century there was an influx of Irish immigrants in the United States. Most were ridden with diseases, hunger and poverty. They were looking for a new life and in the midst of that they were trying to find a way to enliven the Irish spirit in America. The St Patricks day celebrations in their home lands were mainly a religious celebration of St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland. They wanted to add more to the tradition so they began an entire celebration dedicated to St. Patrick but it has become more of a celebration of the Irish heritage than a religious festival.

This day has a more personal meaning in my life. My parents celebrate their wedding anniversary on St. Patrick’s day! Without their help and guidance I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. To those who will be celebrating this joyous day in Chicago, be safe, travel in groups and most importantly have fun! Once Chirish, always Chirish. I hope to see you there!

What Loyola’s Doing Over Spring Break

By Jessica Xi | March 4, 2016

As usual, I’m going to be honest with you folks – Mexican Beach Parties made of hordes of college kids like you see in movies like 22 Jump Street do happen. Some of my friends who go to other schools around the country are part of groups that flock by the hundreds, and they take up practically the whole plane. To me, that’s a little crazy, going to a school that gives you so much tension and dislike you, for a whole week, party and drink and party some more.

I genuinely enjoy my school, and on breaks I can only think about going back. It’s more than just classes – the college life suits me, and my friends are phenomenal, and I’m passionate about what I’m involved in. And, I think, my peers here at Loyola feel the same. It’s just one week to Spring Break and I haven’t heard a whisper of colossal groups jaunting off to the Coast. I’m sure it happens, of course, but the groups aren’t big enough to be heard through the grapevine outside of those specifically invited – which is fine by me!

Here’s something. The talk of the town are programs Loyola does called ABI, or Alternative Break Immersions. Now, they’re nothing new, but the hype is definitely real every single time. I have friends going to Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Maryland, Oregon, Tennessee – and even sticking around Chicago to volunteer.

ABI trips are very popular because they’re learning, outside of a classroom, that integrates Jesuit values, social justice, and aiding those in need. Though they’re short, they’re transformative, so I’ve heard.

If you want, there are some blogs by those who went on the trips here!

ABI trips are incredibly popular – I’d definitely say that more people go on them than go to Mexico with their friends. (of course, people are still going to Mexico with their families, because who would pass that up? Not me.) People also go home to wherever they came from, be it Seattle, Los Angeles, or Skokie. It’s a week off of school after midterms, so there’ll be a lot of relaxation, working to refill the ol’ piggy bank, and lots of catching up on movies and shows that we’ve been missing because we’ve been studying.

So that’s where we’ll be! If you’re touring campus, sorry to say, you probably won’t see too many students, but you can always come back! Where are you going for your Spring Break?

I hope also that you’ll consider our ABI programs if you end up coming here, because the more the merrier, and here at Loyola we love to make a difference!

Joppa Farm Here I Come!

By | March 1, 2016

Spring break is only a few days away!!! I am really excited because I will be spending my spring break at Joppa Farm, located in Tennessee. I never have been to Tennessee so this will be a wonderful experience! How did I end up choosing to spend my spring break in Tennessee? Loyola’s Alternative Break Immersion (ABI) program provide opportunities for students to expand their knowledge and be involved in service and cultural immersion within a host community during university breaks. Let me tell you, I did not know about the ABI program or what it was when I first came to Loyola. So, I decided to do more research and asked friends about ABI. I finally found out what an ABI was, it is a program where students would go to a place to learn about a community they are living in and learn about the four different pillars: live simply, build community, deepen faith, and do justice. You can do an ABI during your winter break, spring break and/or summer as well! There are many places you can go such as New York, Oregon, West Virginia, Mexico, El Salvador, Jamaica and many more!

The reason I chose Joppa Farm, Tennessee as my ABI experience is because it is open to only first-year students. I really liked that because I can meet other freshman just like me and get to know them better and build relationships. Also, I decided to do this trip because in their community, there are Latino farm workers and their families and I feel like I can relate to them because I come from a Mexican family. I want them to feel comfortable talking to me in Spanish and having someone that may understand what they are going through.

Now, I just have to pack and get my things together to leave Saturday morning and get ready for a nice 9-hour trip so I will be getting to know my peers very well! I really can’t wait to see how my spring break will be! Once I come back, I’ll tell you all about my spring break trip at Joppa Farm, Tennessee!