Loyola: The Big Picture
Loyola is a great city school. Located on the north-side of Chicago, its kind of in a deteriorating neighborhood (Roger's Park), but that can give you street cred... Campus is pretty safe however. There are tons of things to do around Campus also there is the L stop really close to the campus making the entire city your playground. The U-Pass is a great tool for exploration. It comes with tuition and you get full use of the CTA, Chicago Transit Authority (trains and busses). The school has many programs to be a part of, and its a pretty good size. The faith aspect is awesome here. It welcomes all faiths, but at the same time no authority forces Mass attendance, or to worship at all. Basically, its here for the taking if you're interested in developing that aspect of your life - which I recommend.
Loyola Academic Life
The classes are usually reasonable sized. Lectures are bigger than classes, but the professors really are the teachers. I have been taught two class sessions with a TA, and thats because the professor was in China for a week. The professors are usually top ranked school graduates. For example my history professor went to Princeton. They're really intelligent and they look at the bigger picture in life. The size also means good face time with professors, which can really benefit your grade. College is a game of what professor you have and how much you get to know him. Personality can make or break you. The professors at Loyola are almost all really interesting and ready to help you or just talk about anything with you. The academics here are difficult, but you'll be well prepared for exams. If you go to class, you'll know your stuff. They often teach bigger life goals and are focused on making you the best person you can be. A Loyola degree is a respected one.
Loyola's Student Body
The school is made up of a variety of different types of people. Its a diverse place. Muslims are a big population of this Catholic school. That just goes to show you how welcoming it is. People of all lifestyles are accepted and welcomed. The student body is really cool too. There is always someone to relate to. Whether you find some to hang out with at a local bar or a ministry event, people generally are really nice. I don't see to many jackasses. We had a little racist incident at a anti-racist rally. BUt keep in mind one student made the news paper for being racist. The two or three dozen people rallying for racial equality were secondary news. The point is that there are way more welcoming people than the one asshole who waved a toy gun at a rally and ran away. The other questions are money and status. Many people come from money here, but there are tons of people with financial aid. Loyola is good giving away money. No one waves hundred dollar bills at other students. If you have money you use it, if you don't you can have fun here without it. Loyola is welcoming to all financial status.
Loyola Student Activities + Social Life
There are tons of opportunities for students to be a part of action here. The org-fair is twice once each semester. Keep in mind when signing those sheets at the org fair that students are going to email you and call you obnoxiously until you tell them you said you WERE interested in the program, now you're not. The Greek life here is minimal, but if you want to do it you can find it. There are a couple of Frats. Chicago has an anti-brothel law so sororities is a little harder. If you're not into drinking there is an entire city to find things to do. Downtown is very accessible. The thing about Chicago is that it kind of shuts down past 10 if you don't have an ID (real or fake; they don't card hard).
Loyola Naked Truth
Loyola is a great school. I'd recommend it to anyone. I am not a college town guy. I love the city and the busyness. I like to take the train to the downtown campus in the mornings. I feel like my life is starting, and I don't have to wait four years to begin. If the city isn't for you, then Loyola can still be the right place because Lakeshore Campus is pretty much a real campus, not like DePaul which is pretty much a neighborhood. At Loyola you get the best of both worlds, College campus and City campus. The atmosphere is really welcoming and you will become a great person here.
