Loyola University Chicago Top Questions

All the professors are great. Some are definitely more challenging than others, but i feel that is to make us better students

The Loyola CORE curriculum aims to help students learn about a variety of topics so they can be well-rounded individuals when they enter the work place. Most of the teachers are great, very knowledgable, and always willing to meet with you both in and outside of class! One of my teachers even offers his office hours at Starbucks or Argo Tea if that fits our schedule better!

I love my classes and my teachers. If you use ratemyprofessors.com you can't guaruntee getting a teacher you like. I have no complaints about my classes.

Academics at Loyola are up to you to decide if they are good or not, up to par or not, as good and or bad as 'x' school's or not. I can't pretend to know all that much about it. I am lazy and don't go to many classes, especially if they are boring. Thus some of my professors do not know me by name, but you see, that is my point. You have a say in the academics at any school. They can only be as good as you make it. I'm a physics and maths major. I take mainly science and math classes. From those classes I can say the students are competitive, you need to try to succeed but that doesn't mean I spend all my hours studying away (nor that I'm failing either) far from it in fact. I won't say Loyola is Easy or Hard, its as hard as you make it. While many people breezed through their freshmen writing seminar, I struggled. (I'm a bad writer but I can whiz through your Diff EQ homework) Everyone is going to have their easy and their hard classes. If you haven't realized yet this is important, Loyola has a Core Class system that is different than a lot of schools. So you were hoping to never take another English or Science class again? Good luck with that one. There is a very diverse Core system here where you have to take classes in English, Science, History, Anthropology, THEOLOGY (yes this is a religious school, note I didn't say Catholic, and hesitate to say Jesuit) and various other subjects. There is not much getting around the core system except for AP credit or the like. That being said, its my contention that you need to take classes outside your major to get a well rounded education. You need to be able to write well, thus history and English classes will hep you do so. You need to learn about the world, about other religions (not to be religious but to be intellectual). I think over all you will find it intellectually stimulating. Challenge yourself, if you go through school and take only math and science and nothing else and afterwards you have not died of boredom.... more power too you, but I think most of us will find their History of Ireland course a nice change from their day to day routine in their major. Loyola has a great class selection in most everything. I personally feel it could use some extra classes in Theology not geared towards Christianity.... I mean hey, I have been in a Catholic or Jesuit School since Kindergarten, I'd like to learn about other religions past the 101 level classes... There are good teachers and bad teachers here. That is all opinion. Some you will get to know very well, others not. I mentioned above in "Loyola the Big Picture" that no one is going to hold your hand in college so if you don't get to know your professors, you could be to blame? bu some professors just don't have time to get to know all 100 of their chem 101 students. You will find that as you get into higher level classes its easier to get to know your professors. They just seem to care more about their 300 levels rather than 100 level ... Sucks for the freshmen? Well I don't think this makes Loyola distinct... I imagine it is similar at all other schools.

When it comes to finding the best teachers at Loyola, you should definitely do your research on who's good or not. A good place to start is www.ratemyprofessors.com and just ask around with the new people you meet throughout the year. Loyola has a good biology department and there are a lot of biology professors that are available.

Yes, my Professors know my name. I ran into my philosophy of ethics Professor who I have not seen in three years, and she ran up to me with a huge smile and said hello, addressed me by my name and asked how I was doing, I was very impressed. Also, my past Accounting Professor, who has many students, says hello to me everytime I see him and knows me by name. Also, the security gaurds at the front desk of the Baumhart campus, especially Paul, addresses me by name and a smile everytime I come in. It makes me feel like I am very welcomed. Students at Loyola study a lot. However, like I mentioned before, this may just be the type of people that I have come to know.

The professors are really great at Loyola. Even in a room full with a hundred students, teachers still attempt to learn everyone's name. This semester, all my teachers know my name and it feels really good to know that their willing to take that extra effort and learn everyone's name. My favorite class thus far would have to be French because we always have a lot of fun in that class and we laugh everyday. The teacher is very knowledgeable and always tries to make us smile. My least favorite class would have to be Accounting because no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't understand it. Class participation varies from class to class. If everyone is comfortable with each other, then there is a lot of participation, but otherwise, teachers have to make people participate by making it part of their grade. The majority of students at Loyola major in biology and most students go on to medical/pharmacy/dental schools, so I would say there is a sense of competition on campus since a lot of people are trying to get into medical school.

The classes at loyola are not easy. After you talk to friends at state schools you begin to realize that Loyola is more demanding to thier students. But that's where the respect comes from. The good thing is that the classes are mostly only about 30 students, so the professors will get to know you and work closely with you. Small classes mean more class discussion and interaction between students, however, your going to get put on the spot sometimes against your will. The school claims that the core requirements for classes are meant to better you as a whole person for life, but sometimes you feel like they are just trying to make you take more classes and pay more money. Classes vary. The curriculum is not based at all off of religious affiliation from the school. There are summer trips and field work that is offered.

One nice thing about the classes at Loyola is the size of the classes. Most classes offered here are from 20-40 people, which allows for a great environment to ask more questions and develop a better student/teacher relationship. Loyola has large lecture classes as well, so it’s the best of both worlds. Sometimes the core curriculum that the school requires you to do can get a bit tedious, but there are a lot of interesting classes to choose from, so its not all that bad.

The classes for the most part as small and the professors genuinely care. They are always available during office hours and are open to questions. For the most part the classes are challenging, but if you go to class and take decent notes, they are easy to pass.