As you wrap up your senior year of high school and head toward graduation, you’re probably thinking about the time that has passed and the memories you’ll take with you.

Years from now, you’ll remember the town or city where you went to school and where you hung out. You’ll remember where friends worked a part-time job or where you spent your summers. Your graduation will be marked with robes and tassels and hats that match the school’s colors. The mascot or school seal will probably appear on your diploma. You’ll always be a member of your school’s class of 2012 and your diploma will be a symbol of the experiences you’ve had over the past four years.

I thought I would share a little bit about what it means to attend Loyola and what might influence your four years here in Chicago. Most people see the name “Loyola” and gather that we are a Jesuit university, but what is the history behind that Loyola name? What does it mean for your Loyola Experience?

Ignatius Loyola, our namesake, was a soldier and a noble from a Basque family. While fighting in the Battle of Pamplona, he was seriously wounded. During a very long recovery, he read about the life of Jesus and the saints and he concluded that he could offer more in his life via prayer and assistance to the poor and the sick. In 1540, he formed a group of Catholic priests known as the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, who would go on to focus on missionary work around the world.

Today, the work of Ignatius and his companions are part of a nearly 475-year-old tradition focused on education of the whole person, care for the individual, and a call to know oneself better.

If you look at the Loyola logo, you will see two wolves and a cauldron. It is said that the Loyola family was so well-off that they always made sure that others had food to eat, including the animals. You will see the year 1870, Loyola Chicago’s founding year. In the upper right corner are the seven stripes representing the 7 Loyola brothers and the words “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” or “For the Glory of God.”

I think it is important that you know Loyola represents a strong tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Our hope is that you spend time here at Loyola getting to know yourself better and deciding how you will use your talents and skills to make your communities and towns better places.

Check out the new Los Lobos de Loyola statue recently unveiled on campus as part of Loyola’s Generosity Week. And don’t miss the video!

OK…we aren’t in the tournament. I get it. I have faith in the Ramblers for next year!

But, I have to tell what a great day this is on campus. It’s 77 and sunny and the lake is a beautiful clear blue-green color.

I just got back from a walk across the East Quad and over to Chipotle for lunch. If you are looking for a space on the lawn along the lake or outside the Information Commons or by the Norville Center…think again. Students, faculty, and staff are out everywhere enjoying the day. Frisbees are being thrown. Students are laying out on benches texting. Beach towels have taken the place of winter coats. Finally, spring is here.

At lunch, I ran into a number of people who had the same idea. Folks from Financial Aid or the Hub or even our Graduate Assistant who was making the most of his ‘off’ day. When I walked back through campus I noticed all the progress on the new Student Union and heard one student exclaim, “You know they are going to have a movie theater in there right?” She seemed happy about it. No one had a problem finding shorts, short-sleeve t-shirts, or my favorite, flip flops. It was nice to don the shades and just take a stroll.

As I was walking back to our admission office, I went by Cuneo Hall. A faculty member I had never met before started up a conversation with me about how he met the design engineer for the building earlier this week. He was thrilled to hear that this will be the most energy efficient building on campus until San Francisco Hall goes up, which apparently will do an even better job. Being Green is important around here.

I also chatted with a few students who were trying to decide if they could hang out a little longer outside. One student was thrilled saying he is from Georgia and loves this is his kind of weather. I can’t agree more.

It is our new mission. Or, at least this is the mission of the Loyola Limited students who run the newly opened pizza place on campus, Felice’s.

It is Spring Break at Loyola this week but if you stopped into Felice’s on Tuesday, you wouldn’t have known it. The place was packed—and for good reason. The pizza is great. I stopped by for lunch with a colleague and we ordered a supreme roman style pizza. I like the sweetness of the sauce. The ingredients are fresh and crisp. The dough is made from scratch and you can taste the butter flavoring that makes it so delicious. Should I mention that they serve salads and soups too? Check out my slice for yourself.

If you want to see to see a gallery that shares more of what they make, LOOK HERE. I know. Now you are really hungry right?

The students involved should be proud. This is an opening we have been anxiously awaiting through the winter months here at our Lake Shore Campus. Thank you for not disappointing!

What makes it so unique to top it off is that this is the fourth business for Loyola Limited: all student-run operations. Likewise, this makes Felice’s the first and only student-run and managed pizzeria in the U.S. If you want to learn more about the operation or where the name comes from, be sure to check out the background and don’t miss your chance to grab a slice for yourself during your upcoming campus visit!

John Felice would be proud! Molto bene! Grazie!

I get asked this question by students probably more often than you think. Typically the inquiry is for an article running in a high school newspaper or for a paper being written on the use of social media. Sometimes a student just really wants to know.

How does the world of social media impact college acceptance?

Does it?

Better yet, did you ever think it might?

It could…

First, let me be up-front with a disclaimer. I only offer my opinion given what I have encountered in my own 18-year tenure in college admissions, or from stories/opinions shared by colleagues. Second, social media has only really come into play at a high level in the last five years or so, at least in the world of college admissions. More and more students are starting to consider whether the persona they project in a “private” setting plays a role as they prepare for the college admission process.

Colleges and universities recognize that a top way to reach students (prospective or current) is via social media channels like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs (hint, hint), etc. Schools aim to inform students about campus events, and let future students know about application deadlines and upcoming open houses. We also use social media to share information about unique opportunities that students can take advantage of at Loyola, such as undergraduate research projects or study abroad programs.

From an admission perspective, it is an opportunity to reach students (and parents) earlier in the college selection process, but also later, after students have been admitted. Our Loyola Class of 2016 Facebook page for admitted students pushes out updated content on a regular basis, featuring contributions from current students, faculty, and staff. The 2016 page also allows our office to respond to any questions or concerns that are specific to our admitted students, such as inquiries about housing applications or our upcoming Loyola Weekend event. In short, social media is quick, timely, and effective.

So, do admission officers look at your Facebook page? Do they Google you to see what comes up? Does this factor into an admission decision? The direct answer is that there is no possible way for an admission office to screen every possible move you make via social media. At Loyola, we have nearly 19,000 applicants for Fall 2012 right now, and I don’t realistically think it would be possible or practical for us to consider every student’s social media activity. However, as a colleague of mine likes to point out, students need to know that when a transgression is brought to the attention of an admission office, it has to be considered. My general advice is to never put yourself in a position that would cause an admission office to question your character and/or judgment. Social media outlets are “public” venues; your profile picture can be seen by everyone. Hopefully, nothing negative comes up that draws our attention to what you post. Likewise, think to yourself, “What if an admission office saw this?  Would this make an admission officer have second thoughts about me as a candidate?”

Think twice before posting anything online, because you never know who will eventually see it. Take advantage of the different privacy settings to make sure you are sharing content only with people you are comfortable with. Your social media profiles are ultimately a reflection of you as a person, and that content may be viewed by parents, teachers, coaches, college administrators, and even by the person who will interview you for your dream job someday. You always want the impression left by your social media presence to be a positive one.

This time of year, we hear stories of Carnival from all over the world. As I enjoyed a piece of king cake yesterday, I started to think about the many parades and various celebrations going on leading up to Fat Tuesday. If you haven’t been to a Mardi Gras parade before, you would find that it is a true celebration marked by music, colorful costumes, themed floats, and yes, the throws.

The throws are the trinkets that are tossed to the crowd from the various Mardi Gras Parade floats. Some throws are pretty standard (i.e.: stuffed animals, beads, etc.) while others can be collectors’ items, such as the doubloons (medallions) that change from year to year.

Assuming you went to a parade this year, what was your Mardi Gras experience like?

• Was there something new this year that everyone wanted to catch?
• Was there a theme on a float that caught your eye? Did it make you look twice?
• Was there one prized possession, or throw, that you will likely keep around for 10+ plus years and tell others about the day you caught it?
• What was it that made you realize, “I really want THAT throw?”

I think there are a lot of similarities between Mardi Gras and the college admission process.

Yes, it’s a stretch, but think about it. You have been to a lot of parades (i.e. campus visits, open houses, overnights). You have listened to a lot of music (i.e. admission directors, current students, tour guides, bloggers). And each parade (or college), offers something unique and different than the others you have seen. There are also different throws from each school (admission awards, scholarships, academic programs, internship opportunities, location, etc.).

Did you catch the throw you wanted yet? In other words, do you know what your top choice school(s) is? Are your friends looking to go to the same school? Did you get admitted to your first choice school? Do you now prefer a school that you didn’t think was at the top of the list initially because of a visit or a choice of major offered?

The colors of Mardi Gras: purple, green, and gold have significance. Green stands for faith. Have some faith in the process. It isn’t over yet, but I assure you the right choice (throw) is out there for you.

Last week, I shared some helpful hints about the FAFSA and the financial aid process in general. Now it’s time to address the part of paying for college that so many students and parents really wonder about…SCHOLARSHIPS.

Let’s talk about the money you don’t have to pay back.

Let’s talk about your chance to be recognized for your hard work.

By now, high school seniors know that each college or university has a different application process with different deadlines. Likewise, each school has a different scholarship process with new deadlines. Seniors should take some time now and think about which schools are beginning to round out some of the “top choices” on their list. Look at the schools where you know your admission status. If you are admitted, you want to be sure you are doing all you can to put yourself in the best position for any scholarship consideration.

Here are some scholarship tips:

Tip #1: Each year, we hear and see the figures about scholarship money that is available but goes unclaimed. This is true. You must first know “it” (scholarship money) exists but you must also be proactive about seeking out opportunities that fit your qualifications.

Please note that my opinion varies from those who tell you to apply for everything. I don’t know that frequency necessarily always helps to reach the goal. I suggest doing your research and aiming to complete applications for scholarships that are really applicable to you as an individual. For example, if your dad’s company has a scholarship supporting students who will pursue an engineering degree at College XYZ and you only want to study English at College ABC, I don’t recommend it. Certainly your father can inquire further about these parameters, but it is not likely to change.

Tip #2: Many colleges and universities, Loyola included, award merit scholarships at the time of admission or shortly thereafter. Merit scholarships are based on your academic achievement i.e.: some combination of your standardized test scores, GPA, and/or class rank. At Loyola, the awards range from $9,000 to $17,000 annually and are renewable each year based on maintaining a certain GPA.

People often ask, “What if I didn’t receive a scholarship?” If you didn’t receive a scholarship, you likely do not qualify for merit-based funds at that particular school (or the school doesn’t offer academic scholarships). Remember, each school has different admission criteria and they also have different merit criteria. And, don’t forget you can always look at other options for earning scholarship dollars.

Hint: Make sure that the schools you applied to have your most up-to-date academic transcript on file as well as any new test score information for consideration.

Tip #3: When you begin gathering your acceptance letters and scholarship offers, take a moment and be proud of your achievements. These letters acknowledge your hard work in the form of admission to a particular college or university and in some cases, in the form of a scholarship.

Students and parents often forget that not every student who applied was granted admission to a particular school and certainly not every student admitted was granted a scholarship.

Tip #4: You were admitted. You were awarded scholarships. You are now comparing the offers. STOP, or at least, PAUSE.

Before you do this, take a few minutes and think back to when you started the college selection process. What was important to you? What was non-negotiable?

Keep these things in mind as you begin to compare scholarship awards and likewise, the colleges or universities you are considering. In other words, the bottom line, while very important, needs to be looked at relative to the right choice for you. The goal is not to get in the door the first semester, but rather to do well and graduate in four years while having an experience that prepares you for your “next step.”

Besides, you likely don’t have all of the financial information yet anyway. Until you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you won’t know if you qualified for any additional funds (some may include additional grants or scholarships). Be sure to compare your complete aid package within the context of the total cost of attendance as well.

But, for now, you are back to comparing scholarship offers. Students often ask about the chance of increasing a scholarship. Please realize that schools put their best offer on the table up-front. An award is given in recognition according to that school’s academic standards, not as a step toward negotiation. Also note, it is a challenge for any college or university to work with limited funding (state, federal, and institutional) to support all the students looking to enroll for a particular term.

Tip #5: There are opportunities to earn scholarships throughout your undergraduate career. You may or may not have been awarded a scholarship at the school where you plan on attending, but it doesn’t mean that it can’t change in the future. Many colleges and universities work to save funds that can assist continuing students who might have additional need and/or have excelled within their academic program. There are also outside scholarships available only to students in their sophomore or junior years for example.

Note: Last January, I posted the following comments. I thought it was important to share this information once more for this year’s high school seniors and their parents.

It is that time of year when newly admitted students search for more information about scholarships and other available funding to make their college choice a reality for this coming fall. Understandably, families are faced with the difficult discussions about how to finance a son or daughter’s college education, and in many cases, multiple children.

Here are the “Quick Five” tips to consider when you hear the acronym “FAFSA” and reasons to submit it.

Tip #1: For families less familiar with the college admission process, FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and the key word is FREE. It costs nothing but your time. You should never pay anyone to fill this out for you and certainly financial aid offices at any college or university are happy to provide individual guidance. This is your opportunity to see if you qualify for additional scholarships, grants, loans, or a work-study job on campus.

Tip #2: Keep in mind that the results from the FAFSA are linked to a specific student, and much like a Social Security Number, these results follow the student from school to school, whether in-state or out-of-state, and regardless of whether the institutions are public or private. Each institution reviews the results to see what that college or university is able to offer. The results are made available via the Student Aid Report (SAR) and can be sent to any number of institutions a student is considering by simply using the school’s code. At Loyola, the code is 001710.

Tip #3: Ensure you do your best to meet the priority deadline for filing. At most institutions like Loyola, you will see that the date is generally around March 1. Filing by March 1 gives our Financial Aid Office the chance to ensure you have your results (a financial aid package) for review by the May 1 National Candidate’s Reply Date.

Tip #4: Don’t assume you won’t be eligible. Every year, I hear from families who assume they won’t qualify or explain that they went through this with an older child and they didn’t qualify before; it is a different year with different circumstances. The real answer is you don’t know what you might be eligible for until you apply. This year, Loyola welcomed 1,981 freshman students, with 95% of them receiving some form of financial aid. We also award more than $85 million in scholarships and grants each year.

A few things to remember: first, at Loyola we award merit scholarships to eligible admitted students, but we also have additional scholarships. Second, many students filing the FAFSA demonstrate need, which may serve as a way for a university to award some additional scholarships or grants that have a need component. Third, if you are reviewing college options and determine that there is still a need for more funding but you never filed the FAFSA, this puts you at a disadvantage. Admission and Financial Aid Offices can’t assist with a “want” but are happy to assist families to discuss options, and there are many more options if the college or university actually has a FAFSA on file for that student. Sometimes there are even special circumstances which may be reviewed.

Tip #5: Perhaps the most important reason to file the FAFSA is to trigger a conversation about college financing between parents and the student. I am amazed at the number of students who go through the college admission process and never have the “talk” with their parents about what the family can contribute, what he or she is expected to contribute, and ultimately that college is an investment. College-bound seniors often don’t know the truth about the family circumstances when it comes to money, and at times those discussions happen too late.

The FAFSA provides a mechanism to promote a discussion about finances. Students often wish they knew more, but out of respect for their parents it is unusual that they will ask or start the discussion. Keep in mind that a student is much more apt to maintain a high level of commitment to his or her degree program when they know what sacrifices are being made.

In the end, colleges and universities aim to do the best they can as stewards of the limited funding available. Universities feel the impact of the economy as well.

Here at Loyola, we also know that it is important to ensure that the students who enroll will graduate, and we don’t want financial hardship to interfere with that goal. Accordingly, we started the Loyola Guarantee in fall 2009 to assist students in the most difficult position due to the economy, but the Guarantee also helps students whose needs are less drastic. Through 2011, Loyola has committed more than $1 million to this fund and has helped more than 600 Loyola students continue their education.