Loyola University Chicago Top Questions

I think that it is so important to visit all the schools that you are considering. You can't know what a school is really like until you visit it. Go to a class, take a tour of the campus, spend the night with a student; that is what helped me pick my school because you get to live like a real student for a day and you can hear about the campus from a real student. It is also important to know what you want in a school. I am an RA and I had a couple of residents transfer at semester because Loyola wasn't what they wanted because they didn't really know what they wanted until they got here. Spend some time really thinking about what is important for you: sports, school spirit, service, greek life, city, suburb, big school, small school. Once you know what you want, it makes picking your perfect school so much easier.

I looked at a number of colleges that I was indifferent to. Once I stepped on the campus of the school that I currently attend, I knew this was where I wanted to go. It sounds silly, but trust your instinct. Here was the place where I felt most at home and could imagine myself. Talking to people while you are on campus for a visit is a must! This doesn't mean just your tour guide. Eat lunch in a cafeteria, and get a feel for the students. Also, once you have narrowed down your choice of schools to 2 or 3, I recommend an overnight stay. This way, you can experience not just what they want to sell you on when you go on a tour, but also what a day in the life of a typical student is like. The overnight stay is what sold me on my school. It gave me a chance to see what a typical evening was like which made me much more comfortable in my selection.

Start early in the college process. Parents should help and support their children in this process because it can be overwhelming and difficult. Don't chose an instition if you don't feel good about it. Follow your heart and know that the outcome will be rewarding.

Visit the university, you will see that you will love being here for four years!

Start looking early. I think it is never too early to start looking at universities, because just stepping onto the campus can make or break your decision, whether or not it has what the particular student might be interested in. I would be advised on tour leaders, because they can potentially make or break the experience. I would also go during a nicer season, like spring or fall because you won't find it dreadful to walk around campus and actually find out what's going on. There were a few schools I saw during the winter and it was awful. I would also not recommend going to a school based on the path you think your going to chose as a junior or senior in High School. I changed my mind 4 times, and was so happy to have as many options as I did. You can always transfer, that's important to keep in mind, that your decision is never set in stone. Don't be afraid to make new friends, everyone is in the same boat.

Really shop around and look for a place that will challenge the student to step out of their comfort zone and really allows them to grow, achedemically, and moraly into a person that will succeed and be happy in life.

Don't choose a college/university just because of their reputation, but instead if you believe you can do well at that specific institution. You need to go somewhere where you can succeed.

Do your research. Visit the school. Talk to current students. Spend the night in the dorms. Go to a lecture.

do everything to get involved

- Make sure to let your kids choose what school they wish to go to and remind them that if it does not work out they are always able to transfer - Remind them to really give their school a chance and get invovled on campus - Make the most out of your college experience because it is only a small part of your life