Loyola University Chicago

[Anonymous]

I am looking for schools that are more in the likely category for my kid, and I came upon Loyola University Chicago. The campus looks amazing (right on the water, just like Northwestern) and is in a safe area close to Chicago, which is a city that I have visited a few times and absolutely love (great mix of friendly people, Broadway shows, amazing museums, restaurants, etc.). Does anyone here have any experience with this school? Is it not popular just because of its low ranking? I can't figure out why their graduation rate is so low either...

[Anonymous]

I know a few graduates. A lot of students from the metro Chicago area who end up staying in the area after graduation. It’s a good launching pad and nice Jesuit atmosphere.

[Anonymous]

Popular for premed. Especially heavy female ratio. Usually gives a merit discount.

In the past, Loyola Chicago had rolling admission, though that seems to be taking longer in more recent years; not sure about the current admission season.

[Anonymous]

Smallish area of a large city. It's not a college "town" where the college dominates the entire area. students have the city to go out if they want things to do/city life. Many students were local or from the state that could still be.

[Anonymous]

we toured when we were there to see Northwestern and UChicago. I'm from Chicago so it's probably more top of mind to me than most people on the east coast.

it's a great school, much better looking than in my day because they removed a building and created a central "quad" area (more colleges should think about buildings they can remove). Substantial merit, really nice location, and Chicago is the best. It's very well thought of in the area.

There's no doubt it mostly a regional private school, like Loyola Maryland I suppose. Some kids will go home on weekends, but most won't. Great pre-med, super abroad programs (they have a Rome program that's been around forever).

If you're chasing merit and okay with a lot of kids who will stick around Chicago, it's a nice option.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for posting. I have it on our list for our B+\A- sporty kid looking for urban settings. Also considering St Joes Philly, Loyola Md, Marquette

[Anonymous]

Thank you for starting and would love to hear more, it's on my child's list to visit when in Chicago, I always heard good things. Same with Marquette (different city, of course, but not too far away).

[Anonymous]

You might also consider DePaul.

[Anonymous]

If you have an engineering kid, the types available are limited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for posting. I have it on our list for our B+\A- sporty kid looking for urban settings. Also considering St Joes Philly, Loyola Md, Marquette

Great thoughts. We have a friend at Loyola Chicago right now. She's kind of artsy and felt that they had a lot of great course offerings and nice facilities. And she loves the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Popular for premed. Especially heavy female ratio. Usually gives a merit discount.

In the past, Loyola Chicago had rolling admission, though that seems to be taking longer in more recent years; not sure about the current admission season.

We have a neighbor who transferred from Loyola. She thought it was tough to make friends. I think she wished she went to a "football" school because going to the games is an activity. She said it was easier for boys because there were so few of them that they had to stick together.

[Anonymous]

I am from Chicago and had a number of friends attend there. I would choose Loyola in a heartbeat over DePaul. No knock on DePaul. But a nice learning environment at Loyola.

[Anonymous]

I worked at Loyola Chicago for years, and we looked at it for my son. The campus is beautiful, and it's a really supportive environment. Son wanted engineering in the end, so it wasn't a great fit. However, I would have gladly sent him to Loyola.

[Anonymous]

We visited it with my son. Main campus is beautiful, right on the lake in a good neighborhood. He ultimately decided not to apply because it was a little bigger than he wanted and the business school is across town. He intends to be a business major and he didn’t want to travel between campuses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am from Chicago and had a number of friends attend there. I would choose Loyola in a heartbeat over DePaul. No knock on DePaul. But a nice learning environment at Loyola.

Our daughter went to DePaul and I agree that Loyola has a nicer campus. DePaul’s buildings are integrated into the city and there isn’t any clearly defined campus feel.