ELINA
I love that Loyola is just north of downtown Chicago. I didn't want to be in a cornfield school, so I got the perfect location! Lots of bars, music clubs, museums, cafes, restaurants, you name it.
I'm not happy about all the construction going on at school. As soon as they finish one project, they're on to the next, leaving all of us disappointed that we still have to look at ugly construction areas and walk around them, causing us to be late to class
Great social life on campus too. There are so many organizations to get involved with - the arts, music, social service, religious, green initiatives, political. You name it, we've got it. There are also a lot of lectures from all the different schools available for all students (example: professor talking about the biology of clams. free pizza served.)
I'd say the school is just right. To get from one side of campus to the next, it takes only 5 minutes. Except sometimes during construction. There is lots of public transportation to and from our two main campuses - Lake Shore and Water Tower Campus. There's a reliable school shuttle that takes 20 minutes, and the CTA train and bus that take about 35 minutes. Be careful in the morning, because Lake Shore Drive gets caught up in traffic!
There isn't too much school pride, probably because we're in the city (and we're a big commuter school), and we don't have a football team. But we still sell Loyola gear and people buy it!
The school administration is very flexible and listens to its students. I've always been helped in the financial office or the office of business affairs (my school). The President of the University really cares about giving the most to the students. AND we've been named the #1 Most Ethical School in the U.S. !
Syed
My overall opinion for this school is good. The best thing i consider about this school is the size. It is different from other schools because of the amount of students enrolled and the overall campus size. I feel that unlike large universities, here at Loyola, you are not simply a number but have some significance to this school. You can be anywhere from a class senator to the lead dancer of the Asian dance team here without digging deeper into the school and trying to rise above everyone else.
When I tell others that I go to this school, they react with awe. Many say I am lucky that Loyola is a great school.
Most of my time on campus is either spent either in the beautiful Library overlooking the lake or the gym where I play basketball with friends.
Sadly there is no major "college town" at or even near Loyola which is one of the few things I dislike about this school.
I believe the school administration is very friendly and approachable. Many students such as myself has had dinner with the President of our school, Also, it is not uncommon to see the president walking around campus during the day shaking hands with and talking to various students.
The biggest recent controversy on campus is the ongoing construction which has closed off many routes in the campus making student take long paths to class and causing the campus to look less appealing.
Unfortunately, this school does not have much pride. Not many students go to the games held on campus whether it be basketball, volleyball, etc. Also, Loyola University apparel isn't always seen on campus as many people wear other school apparel.
The one thing unusual about this school is the location. Sometimes the area surrounding the campus gets very dangerous as reported by campus safety officers and other students.
An experience I will always remember from this school is the dinner I attended with the president after I had won the spring class senator elections.
The most frequent complaints from students involve the biggest controversy on campus; the construction, which blocks off many paths around campus and makes it harder and longer for students to get to class.
Avery
I think the academics of Loyola are great. The professors are all very helpful and seem to care a lot about all of their students. However, there are some things that could be improved at this school. First off, I wish Loyola had more school spirit and was a little better at sports. I feel this would bring together a closer community because right now it feels like it's lacking in that department. It is a completely different college experience and feels a little more like grad school than undergrad, which isn't a terrible thing. I think I am slightly bias too towards Loyola because it is not a good fit for me because of the people and the atmosphere, and I am transferring next year.
Elyssa
The best thing about Loyola is the location!! It has that "university campus" feel, yet it is just an 'el' ride from downtown Chicago. It is just the right size with about 16,000 students. It's big enough to constantly be meeting new people, yet small enough to have an average of 20 students in your classes. One thing I would change would be the cost of tuition (but that could go for any school). I spend most of my time on campus in our amazing Information Commons which is an all-glass building that overlooks the lake...it is an awesome place to study and relax. When I tell people I go to this school, they react with positive remarks. There is enough school pride to go around. An unusual thing about this school is the amount of construction that is underway right now, they are building new everything! The one experience I will always remember is studying abroad at the John Felice Rome Center, a Loyola campus in Rome, Italy...best experience of my life!
Elyssa
The best thing about Loyola is the location!! It has that "university campus" feel, yet it is just an 'el' ride from downtown Chicago. It is just the right size with about 16,000 students. It's big enough to constantly be meeting new people, yet small enough to have an average of 20 students in your classes. One thing I would change would be the cost of tuition (but that could go for any school). I spend most of my time on campus in our amazing Information Commons which is an all-glass building that overlooks the lake...it is an awesome place to study and relax. When I tell people I go to this school, they react with positive remarks. There is enough school pride to go around. An unusual thing about this school is the amount of construction that is underway right now, they are building new everything! The one experience I will always remember is studying abroad at the John Felice Rome Center, a Loyola campus in Rome, Italy...best experience of my life!
Elyssa
The best thing about Loyola is the location!! It has that "university campus" feel, yet it is just an 'el' ride from downtown Chicago. It is just the right size with about 16,000 students. It's big enough to constantly be meeting new people, yet small enough to have an average of 20 students in your classes. One thing I would change would be the cost of tuition (but that could go for any school). I spend most of my time on campus in our amazing Information Commons which is an all-glass building that overlooks the lake...it is an awesome place to study and relax. When I tell people I go to this school, they react with positive remarks. There is enough school pride to go around. An unusual thing about this school is the amount of construction that is underway right now, they are building new everything! The one experience I will always remember is studying abroad at the John Felice Rome Center, a Loyola campus in Rome, Italy...best experience of my life!
Deena
Loyola is a great school for academics and the curb appeal of LUC has really brought in many students. I love the fact that Loyola is a city school but apart from that, we do get a campus environment in our Loyola "bubble." You can definitely get the feel how much our administration cares for the students are how they are willing to work the students to better improve the University. It is not a college town nor do we get a college town feel but the campus itself creates a separate environment from the hectic city life. Although Loyola is a Divison 1 school with athletics, the school can use a spirit booster.
jake
People usually respond with an emphatic 'Good school!' response when I tell them I go here. This school is just a little on the small side for my tastes since I would like to see even more activity and student organizations here. However, 10,000 undergrads is hardly a "small" school. There are very few things I would change about this place, but if I had to pick one thing I would change about Loyola it would be the school spirit. On the weekends a noticable number of students go home or flock to other neighborhoods to go to the bars, museums, concert venues, or other universities since Rogers Park doesn't have very much to do. I feel this wouldn't be the case if we had a major sports program and a good bar scene in the area.
Patrick
I loved Loyola's Atmosphere. Going to a public school, Loyola was so unbelievably warm and inviting. I did not find a single mean or not nice person at Loyola.
Heather
Even though there are a lot of students who come from well off families, there are also students who have most of their tuition paid by scholarships because he or she did extremely well academically and/or athletically. Also, this is not the easiest school to get into, Loyola is raising their standards for this coming year so as to ensure a population of people who naturally have a drive to excel in school overall. Nearly everyone is incredibly nice, sometimes too nice, but one cannot complain about that! A plethora of intelligent individuals roam the Loyola campus, so prepare to be in awe yet make sure you become friends with everyone, even the "smart" ones. Oddly enough, people accept all types of people here: well off or not, smart or almost there, and lazy or highly productive!