Freshman – College Admission at Loyola

I remember when I got my acceptance letter from Loyola in the mail. It was during my winter break in December when I received a huge envelope from the university. It was thrilling because it was implied that getting an impressive and fancy envelope from Loyola meant getting accepted; there was no need to open the mail and read the letter to see whether or not I got to be a Rambler.

The anxiety of applying and waiting for a decision from colleges is over and now, you can finally breathe (a little better- the tedious part is over and complete). So you got admitted into Loyola, what next?

Of course, if you do consider on making the final decision to attend Loyola University Chicago (Decision Day is May 1st, 2017), you should be on the look out for emails and physical mail coming from us. There will be a series of administrative things to get yourself enrolled here, which will be quite simple and easy. Financially, the Financial Office will look on your FAFSA that you may have done, take into account any scholarships you have been awarded, and other contributing factors to determine what you owe the university. Personally, I believe this is important because money is earned through time and hard work; it does not grow on trees, as we all know. Keep track of certain dates and remember that there is a commitment fee to officially put your name into Loyola’s list of people enrolled.

Next step is to sort out living arrangements. Soon, LOCUS (your online Loyola Hub for everything) will be available to you to figure out which dorm buildings are available, what accommodations each building has (laundry room, living room, kitchen, etc…), and more. My best advice to those who plan to live on campus is to attend a tour and view the dorm rooms in-person to have a better idea. To those who live within good distance from Loyola and plan to commute instead, there is an “opt-out” option in LOCUS. Commuters, understandably have less to when figuring out living arrangements on LOCUS.

I know this may be a little bit far in advance, but a requirement for ALL freshman is to attend orientation. There are a variety of dates during the summer that you can pick, so it may be best to look at them and plan for the summer to make sure your vacation to wherever does not interfere with the orientation date session you have chosen. My advice would be to choose the earlier dates for a couple of reasons. (1) You get it done and out of the way. (2) You register for classes earlier than those who have orientation later in the summer (which means you may get the classes at the time you want and teacher that you need before they get filled up and closed). (3) It is not that hot in late May or in June… weather is quite nice, especially with the lake breeze and blue skies.

Click here for more Freshman requirements.

If possible, get acquainted with the campus and/or even meet some staff or students. The more you get in touch with LUC, the more comfortable you will be when it comes time to being an actual student. You will make the transition to college seamless if you start going around campus and know some people already.

Most importantly, I recommend you conclude your senior year of high school on a good note. Even though you got accepted to LUC, we still ask that you still do well in your studies and we will check to see if you ended this semester off on a good academic note. At the same time, have fun and enjoy your time as well. Create those memories because obviously, high school won’t be like college and college won’t be like high school. 🙂

If you have more questions, feel free to comment below or contact me at clam3@luc.edu.

Life at Loyola

By Meredith Simmons | January 22, 2016

Hello to anyone reading this! I’m Meredith Simmons and I’m a Freshman here at Loyola, this is my first post as a LUC admissions blogger so introductions are necessary. I am a marketing major and I grew up in Northwest Indiana about an hour outside the city. I love reading, music and exploring the city. I chose Loyola because I love Chicago and wanted to go to school in the city.

As we enter the second semester of the school year I want to reflect upon my first semester as a Loyola student, and really as a college student! It’s so hard to judge what life is going to be like as a college student. I think that everyone has a preconceived idea of what college will be. Some imagine the classic University from the movies, others imagine fast paced city living, for me I was really unsure of where I wanted to be after high school. I was torn between the fear of missing out on a “normal” college experience if I didn’t go to a big state school and the fear of missing out on the opportunities and excitement of living in the city. I found the perfect balance here at Loyola.

I didn’t know, of course, when I first applied to Loyola, that I would end up loving it as much as I now do (or even that I would end up a Loyola student at all). The decision was difficult, but Loyola became the best option for me. Though, I knew that I would be fine where ever I ended up, my decision to go to school in the city was the best decision I had made in a while. The first semester absolutely flew by, and I know everyone says that, but it’s true.

The adjustment to college classes took me a few weeks. I was truly scared that I wouldn’t adapt well to my new schedule, I think that’s a common fear for anyone starting college, but it didn’t take long for me to find the right balance of fun and work. Going into second semester I have already formed my study habits and found my favorite study spots. You can find me doing homework at Metropolis Coffee Co. or the second floor of Damen any weekend.

Overall I am very happy with my choice to come to Loyola. Everyday I find new reasons to be happy, whether it be with the amazing friends I’ve made or discovering new parts of the city. If you’re a senior in high school considering Loyola, I urge you to visit and take some time to get a feel for the amazing community and location that Loyola has to offer in addition to the phenomenal academic opportunities.

I can’t wait to continue sharing my journey as a Loyola student and am so grateful for the opportunity to write about it for you! See you next time!

-Mere

How To Survive Freshman Year

By | April 13, 2015

I think it is safe to say that I know enough, as a freshman, that I can give realistic points on how to effectively complete your first year of college here at Loyola.

YOU CAN’T DO EVERYTHING ALONE. Sometimes you have to be dependent on others to get the classwork and studying done. Not only do you save time off of your hands, but you get to hear other people’s input on class topics to get a new and different perspective. Studying alone isn’t fun or effective either. There are tons of study groups (at the tutoring center at Sullivan), teachers usually have available times for office hours, and the students here at Loyola are, in general, very approachable for help and support.
START OFF EASY. Sign up for 4-5 classes (so around 15 or so credit hours). Don’t go overboard with 18 credits during your first semester and/or take too many rigorous, challenging classes. Instead, take a couple of classes that pertain to your intended major and add some fun core classes. Freshman year is about adjusting to college life and succeeding. There is no need to push yourself to the limits yet- not at this point do you need to worry about doing that.
STAY ORGANIZED. Get binders, folders, tabs….anything to help you get to any paper or classwork quickly and effectively. I cannot say enough on how easy it is to get messy and lazy by not putting things in the right places.
FIND YOUR BALANCE. Find time to dedicate to academics, but also find time to dedicate to your social life, religious life, personal life, and health. You want to be well-rounded. All these things lead to happiness and can help you significantly in respect toward your overall well-being.
BE YOURSELF. The only way you are only to survive college is if you become comfortable with yourself. People, here at Loyola, are open and amicable. They will accept you for who you are if you are true to your own self- be genuine! There is no need to worry about fitting in and whatnot- you will spontaneously find people who are like you. From then, onward, things will look good and you would have soared past freshman year in a jiffy.

Almost a Sophomore

By | March 31, 2015

With just a little over a month left of school, I can say I am almost finished my first year of college. So much has happened here at Loyola. I have created so many memorable experiences, both good and bad.

Hopefully when the fall semester begins and I become a sophomore, I will learn from my mistakes from freshman year and do better. Academically, I now know that I must not push my personal limits on how many classes I enroll in per semester. With many classes, it is extremely hard to balance each class out alongside its homework, projects, and quizzes/exams. Also, because I am a commuter, I intend to enroll in classes that do not carry over past 3:30 or 4:00pm. (Currently I have a class that ends at 4:40 and I always find myself exhausted and tired).

Besides academics, I must remember to take care of myself. If I am not well, then the outcome of the things I do will not be so good. With that being said, I want to aim for 7-8+ hours of sleep per day, a good, full breakfast, have some time for relaxing, and some time to socialize. If I accomplish these things, I know my mind and body will be in the right place and I will be able to be more active and productive towards myself and society.

What I Learned Freshman Year

By | October 3, 2014

Moving away to college is one of the most intimidating, exciting, nerve-racking adventures you will ever have. There are so many wonderful opportunities to lose yourself in pure awe of Chicago, find yourself while taking challenging classes, and being yourself in every experience. But I hate to break it to you, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, you are bound to make a mistake or two in year one. So buckle up, because you are in for quite the trip. To help you on your journey take note of what I learned freshman year.

You can’t study like you did in high school. I didn’t always buy it when people told me, “One hour of class means three hours of homework!” This certainly isn’t always the case, but if you’re spending less than two hours on homework you might want to read your syllabi again to see what you are forgetting to do. Reading fifty pages, writing a two page essay, and prepping a study guide for your exam next week are all in a night’s work so staying on top of your schedule is key.

Everyone knows you’re a freshman. This is one thing I didn’t learn until the very beginning of this year, because as soon as you walk on campus as an upperclassman it becomes painstakingly obvious who belongs in the freshman class. You can do your best to look like you know what you’re doing, but the lanyard on your neck and class schedule in hand are dead giveaways. Since every already knows you’re new here don’t be afraid to ask “freshman questions” like, “Which one is Cuneo?” or “How do I print in the IC?” We’ve all been there, embrace it. Next year be sure to return the favor.

No parents, no bedtime. In college you have the luxury of scheduling your classes at any time you see fit. But trust me when I say that an 8 a.m. class is so much earlier in college than it was in high school. You no longer have the help of your parents to get you to bed at decent time. Which means plenty of students are still studying in the wee hours of the morning. Keep that in mind before you schedule early morning classes all week.

Making friends is awkward for everyone. Whether you came to Loyola knowing 10 people from high school or not knowing a soul, you want to meet cool, new people in college. However, introducing yourself to strangers is awkward. Once you get passed the “Name, major, where are you from?” questions you might get a little stuck. Trust me when I say that everyone is nervous about making good impressions. Just approach your fellow classmates and ask them about their favorite movies or if they know any fun things to do in the city. Whether they become your best friend or you never see them again, people will appreciate you mixing up the average we-just-met conversation.

It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to walk into the wrong classroom, it’s okay to take the redline the wrong direction, it’s okay to make some awkward first impressions, it’s okay to cry when you miss your family, and it’s okay to eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s in one sitting. Be prepared to mess up a few times, but shrug it off when you do.

College is a time to learn and grow academically, emotionally, and socially. Honestly, freshman year will be a bit of a mess, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Go get ‘em Ramblers!

Registration Week

By | November 7, 2012

I couldn’t let registration week pass without a small posting about it. This is always an important, hectic time of year that will shape everything about the spring 2013 semester. Seniors are scrambling to make sure they have all their required classes in order to graduate and crossing their fingers for a spot in a class with 3 seats left.

It is during this time when being organized, informed and aware are the most important. Loyola has numerous resources to aid students with their academic questions such as daily walk-in advising hours.

Aside from this, I would encourage prospective students and new freshmen starting in fall 2013, to browse Loyola’s various websites and become as aclimated with the resources available and other various events going on here at LUC. Doing so will enlighten you more than you think and will be especially helpful during stressful times!

Last Week of Summer!

By | August 23, 2012

So this week is the week when all the freshmen are moving in, so as I walked to work this morning, I got to witness many eager new students with their parents unloading their cars to move into their dorm rooms. Their expressions got me thinking about what I was like as an incoming freshman versus how I am now, about to start my junior year.

For one thing, I’m calmer and more collected than I was when I came in to school. Back then, I was hyper and excited and worried- about my classes and teachers, about my family and old friends, about the new friends I wanted to make, and overall about the person I wanted to be. I wanted to make a good first impression, and I’ll admit that I wasn’t very successful at it. I made mistakes with how I approached people, but with trial and error and time, I grew into my college self.

Freshman year was full of experimentation, with friends and with interests. Not all of it was good. But overall, my freshman taught me so much about my new self.

After a crazy first year of college, I came back from the summer eager to begin my second year. It was a tough year all around, and it taught me as many important lessons as my first year.

One lesson that I learned was that all of the friends that you make your first year won’t be there the second year, and that you need to pick your friends wisely. The keepers aren’t the ones who are free to go out with you on Friday night or who are all fun and games. Though having a few of those people around is awesome, and even essential, the best of friends are those who will listen when you are having a bad day, who put you in your place when you are out of line, and who are by your side. Whether you’ve been apart for months for the summer or too close together in a small apartment.

This lesson was crucial for me during my sophomore year, and it was the main year I got to formulate my relationships with friends and see people for who they are, whether good or bad.

I’m going into my junior year now with the best knowledge of who I am and whom I want in my life. My goals now are clearly defined, and I’m confident that though this semester is going to be very challenging, it’s going to be one of my most memorable ones. I look back at my freshman self and the journey I went through to get to where I am today, and I’m proud of myself. Though I made many stupid mistakes and had to overcome hard trials, I wouldn’t change anything about my college experience thus far.

So therefore, I welcome myself, as well as the incoming freshmen and returning students, back to Loyola for what I hope to be the best school year yet!