Loyola – Page 4 – College Admission at Loyola

Bulls game

By Stephanie Rodriguez | December 15, 2014

I really wanted to share with all my fabulous experience at the Bulls game. Last Saturday, they played against Golden State. I bought these tickets for my boyfriend and I. The pictures show how close we were, row 6! Yes, the tickets were expensive, but so worth it! However, you can find cheaper tickets and be up higher. I’ve done this, but it’s still so much fun. There were so many people from Loyola University Chicago! I saw many friends. This is definitely the place to be, whether you’re a Bulls fan or not. The environment is amazing. I didn’t get to snap a picture of the one and only Scottie Pippen who was there, too! Now that finals are almost over…relax and have some fun! It is right off the Western stop. Enjoy!

Grateful for this City, Grateful for this School

By | November 29, 2014

Thanksgiving is quite obviously a time to give thanks. I could go on and on about all the things I am grateful for, but I wanted to give a little extra thanks to the city and school I’ve come to know and love over the past year.

CHICAGO, Thank you for:

The skyline. It always brings a smile to my face and usually a jaw drop. Whether I catch a glimpse from the Lake Shore path during the day or when it’s all lit up at night, I’m certainly grateful for the view.
Free things to do. Zoos, concerts, parades, or tours, Chicago knows how to keep college kids happy, and we are all thankful to be able to enjoy the city without having to spend money.
Lake Michigan. Whoever decided to build a city on the shores of Lake Michigan has all my gratitude. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of running on Lake Shore Path or driving on Lake Shore Drive.
The food. This is one city that knows how to eat—deep dish, popcorn, hotdogs, plus cuisine from nearly every nation—I won’t get bored of all the options Chicago offers.
The parks. I love getting to spend time wandering through Chicago’s parks, especially along the lake or downtown. They don’t qualify as full blown state parks, but a little controlled nature still works for me.

LOYOLA, Thank you for:

My professors. Even in classes as large as 200 students I have felt cared for by my professors. All of them have their quirks, but always teach me more than the required material.
U-Passes. Including CTA all access U-Passes in our tuition is something all of us are definitely grateful for. Our campuses put us in the perfect position to explore the city and not having to buy tickets every time we use public transit is a huge blessing.
Lake Michigan. Well, I had to put this one on the thankful list twice because I could not be happier that our Lake Shore Campus bumps right into the lake shore. Our location makes for the most beautiful sunrises and calming study spots on the north-side of the city.
The students. At first I was a little intimidated by a student body of 10,000 undergrad, but I have come to really love it. I’m glad to go to school with a diverse range of students who all come from different places and are interested in different things. But amidst all these people, I have found people I really click with. I know some of these are friendships I will cherish for a long time.
Two campuses. I love having both a city campus and a “typical college campus”. Coming to the city I didn’t want my school to just be skyscrapers on a city block. Loyola provides more than what I was looking for–a spread out campus on the lake and some pretty cool skyscrapers downtown, and I couldn’t be happier.

A great way to give back…

By Stephanie Rodriguez | November 26, 2014

In T-minus 3 hours, Thanksgiving Day will be here. This beautiful holiday is a great reminder for all of us. However, this shouldn’t be the only day that you should be thankful for everything you’ve done, accomplished, and/or seen. Every day should be Thanksgiving Day, but sometimes we get so caught in our “busy lives” that we forget to be thankful.

This is why I found it appropriate to talk to you guys about a soup kitchen that I’ve been attending to, on and off, for the past four years. The Church, St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, holds these soup kitchens every Tuesday and Friday. Volunteers, like myself, usually get there in between 4:30-5pm to set up the tables and chairs, prepare the meals, and pass out the food. Once the doors open at 5:30pm, other volunteers start passing the drinks (like juice, milk, water, or soda) to those that are already eating.

This is such a rewarding experience because you’re opening the doors to the homeless so they can eat a full dinner, even if it’s only twice a week. There are as many as 170 people who come every Tuesday and Friday! You can already imagine how many volunteers are needed for these soup kitchens to happen. It’s amazing that we are able to serve so many people; Thanks to all of those who donate because without the food donations these soup kitchens wouldn’t be possible!

As Thanksgiving is approaching, I want you to think about a recent experience in which you have felt live you’ve given back. If you can’t think of one, it is okay because maybe it’s time that you do; this volunteer opportunity can change that!

For more information: click the link.

GRE Greatness

By Stephanie Rodriguez | November 19, 2014

I am NOT trying to scare you. I know that many people detest talking about “the future plans.” Are you applying to medical school? Did you take the GRE? What about the subject GRE? What grad school are you going to? So, what are you doing after graduation? Did you ask for your recommendation letters? Did you take the MCAT? The DAT?

I know, I know. I hate it, too. We all had our future planned out, and then we got to college. It changed and that’s OK. With that being said, I do want to help out those who PLAN on taking the GRE (even if you don’t know why you’re taking it). I would give tips on the MCAT, but as of 2015 they are changing the format of the MCAT, so my tips would not pertain to anyone anymore…womp, womp.

The GRE is more laid back than the MCAT, however. It’s almost like an ACT/SAT on steroids. Here ya go:

REVIEW THE EASY STUFF. Yes, easy stuff like algebra and geometry from high school.
VOCABULARY. Do you remember all of those AP English vocabulary flashcards? Review that, too. The GRE likes to throw in big, adult words; you’ll thank me later!
PRACTICE. I’m just stating the obvious! Everyone knows this one, but it’s an important one.
WORK ON YOUR WEAKNESS. You know what it is, so work 10x harder. Own it.
STAY COOL. If you need to take it again, then do it. However, make it worth while.

You’ll be glad when it’s all over. Just remember: “If it was easy, then everyone would do it.”

Latin American Student Organization

By Stephanie Rodriguez | November 16, 2014

Did you know that Hispanics are the largest minority at Loyola University Chicago? Among Loyola’s diverse campus, the student body consists of so many cultures that you’d be surprised! Freshman year, I was lucky enough to live in the international floor (by luck), and I met so many students from all over the world. This encouraged me to search for more people of my culture, and so I decided to become part of an organization that reminded me a little bit more of home.

I joined the Latin American Student Organization (a.k.a. LASO) my freshman year. It was very relieving to joke around and listen to some music that made me feel more at home. My absolute favorite activity was and continues to be the Poetry Jam! It’s a great atmosphere and people from Northwestern, UIC, and other universities and colleges come to recite their poems. Also, I love how on certain occasions we would take trips to nearby Mexican Restaurants and order a bunch of tacos…yum!

I can ramble (no pun intended) about LASO FOREVER! However, actions speak louder than words, so you just have to check it out for yourself. Again, I owe LASO a lot for allowing me to meet some of my closest friends. If you’re of Hispanic decent, and even if you’re not, you have to check out this organization! If you’re interested check out the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/lasoluc.

They just had the annual Latin Ball which was SO much fun! For more pictures, click on the link above.

To & From Loyola

By Stephanie Rodriguez | November 8, 2014

This has been my first year commuting and so far, I have to say that I have a lot of respect for all of those commuters out there! Not only is it work, but it is a commitment. We all want to get to school on time, but driving to the city, let alone taking a taxi, would take too much time because of TRAFFIC.

Therefore, I want to share my two fastest ways to get to Loyola from Union Station (sorry to my Ogilvie station people). There are roughly 2.7 million people in Chicago, you’re running late and you want to get to school on time for a quiz. Which way do you take? Do you take the blue line to the red line, just the red line, or the brown line to the red line?

All the choices.

I used to get on Clinton and transfer on Jackson’s red line stop and take it to Loyola, but after a while I got tired of walking underground. My new favorite way to get to Loyola is to walk down Adams and get on the Quincy stop on the brown line. Then, I transfer to the red line on Fullerton, or if I forget, on Belmont. The scenery is better than having staring contests with strangers. Plus, the time it takes to get there is about the same.

However, the only downside is that the brown line seems to stop more often than the blue line. Either way, I’ll take the city view over the underground route any day.

What is your favorite route? Please do share, I love to explore and find new ways to get to Loyola!

Loyola’s recent PhD graduate…

By Stephanie Rodriguez | October 26, 2014

Have you met Dr. Binaku?

Katrina Binaku, also known as Dr. Binaku, graduated last spring from Loyola University Chicago and received her PhD in Chemistry. She was my General Chemistry Teacher Assistant freshman year. She was always very helpful and nice, and I was lucky enough to bump into her last week. She told me about her dissertation and work experience at Loyola, but was very relieved to be done. A PhD, the highest degree awarded by a graduate school, is not an easy breeze. Through her experience and her research at Loyola, she had to spend endless evenings and nights running experiments that sometimes worked and sometimes didn’t. Chemistry is a lot of trial and error, and while it may be frustrating, Dr. Binaku expressed how rewarding it is!

As an undergraduate student she worked in industry, but decided on Loyola’s graduate program and worked alongside Dr. Shmeling, a Loyola professor. Therefore, it comes to no surprise that she joined the Loyola team and is now a laboratory instructor for all the freshman laboratories. Her smile and amazing personality make her an outstanding instructor, and I’m so glad to have witnessed her growth from a graduate student to a professional instructor. I am sure you will see more of Dr. Binaku and her future research. Keep an eye out…

Tips for First Generation Students

By Stephanie Rodriguez | October 25, 2014

You’re the first one to go to college and you’re clueless, but it’s OK. I, too, am a first generation student at Loyola University Chicago. I am also an only child and I did not have any close relatives attending college in 2010; it was difficult, but I did it! Here are some tips that worked for me!

REACH OUT EARLY. This is the most important and this is why it’s my first tip! Talk to your counselor/advisor asap. If you know you’re major advisor, talk to him or her as well. You need to make sure you’re on track so you don’t end up doing a fifth year. It’s a huge transition from high school, so make sure you’re aware of your options and you know what to do.
INVOLVE YOUR FAMILY. As a first year, I thought I could do it all myself. However, I still talked to my parents about their opinion(s) on which classes to take, even though I was the first one to go to college. Don’t try to do everything yourself, involve your parents and siblings and try to explain things to them so they understand and can help you out.
JOIN ORGANIZATIONS, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, GO WORK OUT, ETC. The goal here is to make friends. You did it in high school, do it again! You’ll meet many people and who knows, if you meet someone in your major they’ll be able to give you advice on professors, classes, homework, etc.
GO TO OFFICE HOURS. Meet with your professors if something doesn’t make sense, or if something does make sense! Let them know about your issues, or likings about the class and introduce yourself. They’re there to help; take advantage of it.
BE PATIENT. Sometimes it’s difficult for your family to understand that you have work to do, or that you can’t go home as often as you’d like because you’re swamp with papers/exams. Talk to them and explain what the classes entail and require from you. With time, they will understand and get the hang of it.
MAKE FRIENDS. Meet other people who are also first generation students. There will be days when you don’t know where to run and it’s always nice to have someone there.

These continue to work for me! MAKE THE BEST OUT OF YOUR UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE.

Medical Brigades

By Stephanie Rodriguez | October 16, 2014

Are you on the pre-med track, or anything health care related? Well, have you heard of Loyola’s Global Brigades?

Here you will find all the information on this wonderful opportunity for you, and Loyola peers, to go abroad and shadow doctors, pharmacists, dentists, work triages, and much more!

Click on the link BELOW to see my personal experience from my 2012 Panama Global Brigade!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQvWBETFW90&feature=youtu.be

Loyola keeps winnin’

By Stephanie Rodriguez | October 13, 2014

It’s difficult to not sound cliche every time I have to answer the question: Why did you choose Loyola? First, let me take you to 2007. I remember that year perfectly because I had my list of universities I wanted to apply to. Loyola was the first one down on the list. My mother’s good friend had two sons who had just graduated from Loyola and she always talked to me about it. Always. Among DePaul, U of I, UIC, Saint Louis University, Iowa State University and Northwestern, I knew Loyola stood out the most to me, but I wasn’t sure as to why just yet…

It wasn’t until my senior year of high school when I received all of the acceptance letters that I started feeling overwhelmed. I took it one step at a time and decided to visit the campuses. You know how they say don’t judge a book by its cover? I had to. No other campuses compared to Loyola’s breathtaking views. Needless to say whenever I mentioned Loyola to anyone they always “oohed” and “aahed.” It’s prestige made it that much better.

I had finally realized why Loyola stood out to me the most. I always wanted to be a city girl, but still be close to home. I wanted a prestigious education, but at a reasonable price. I wanted a beautiful campus, but still feel at home. I wanted to meet people, but make lifetime friends. I wanted to challenge myself as a student, but find myself as a person. I knew Loyola would make all of this happen and it did. It also made me realize that it’s OK to sound cliche when you appreciate your education THIS much.