Loyola University Chicago (LUC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

With campuses spread across the third most populous city in the United States, as well as study abroad programs in two of the world’s oldest and most storied national capitals, Loyola University Chicago combines its traditional roots with modern education and culture.

Founded in 1870 as St. Ignatius College, the university has since grown to encompass three city campuses, including one in the Miracle Mile section of downtown Chicago and another on the shores of picturesque Lake Michigan. Study abroad programs at the university’s John Felice Rome Center or its Beijing Center for Chinese Studies provide students opportunities to see the world from the viewpoint of a global community, while those who remain stateside have ample prospects for internships at any of Chicago’s many Fortune 500 companies.

In their free time, Loyola students can explore all Chicago has to offer, from culturally enriching visits to art museums to educational trips at landmarks such as the Sears/Willis Tower to sailing excursions on the lake. Sports fans can take in a Cubs or a White Sox baseball game in the spring or cheer at a Bears game during football season. Basketball fans can follow the Bulls, and hockey aficionados can watch the Blackhawks in the winter.

Despite its goal of preparing students to live and work in the modern world, Loyola has not forgotten its roots. One of only 28 Jesuit Catholic colleges and universities in the U.S., Loyola University Chicago is, according to its mission statement, “a diverse community, seeking God in all things and working to expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice and faith.”

Loyola’s promise of “preparing people to lead extraordinary lives” begins with adhering to the five characteristics of a Jesuit education:

Commitment to excellence;
Faith in God and the religious experience;
Service that promotes justice;
Values-based leadership; and
Global awareness.

Loyola University Chicago celebrates Ignatian Heritage Week each February in honor of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, which established the university. However, though the university is steeped in its Jesuit Catholic roots, a belief in “a home for all faiths” means the university community encourages each student to celebrate his or her personal faith and to respect and learn from the faiths of others. This belief goes hand-in-hand with Loyola’s commitment to global solidarity.

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Information Summary

Ranks 12th in Illinois and 364th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	89.0
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$61,328
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	30 / 1310
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	85% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	17,007

Academics

Loyola’s approach to academics is not about teaching students to memorize dates and facts. Rather, the university seeks to provide its students with the ability to think both critically and creatively. Programs are meant to challenge students’ minds while helping them make the most of their talents and discover their callings.

The majority of Loyola’s faculty members have earned the highest possible degrees in their respective fields. And with a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, students can receive more personal attention from these knowledgeable instructors than can be expected at many other large universities.

With more than 70 undergraduate majors and 140 graduate, professional and graduate certificate programs from which to choose, Loyola students have no shortage of options. Majors are eclectic, including traditional degree programs such as law, medicine, political science and literature, and also reflecting the university’s Jesuit heritage in disciplines such as theology, religious studies and human services. In addition, Loyola University Chicago underscores its commitment to a modern, global community with such academic offerings as Black World Studies, Women’s Studies, and Gender Studies. Students may minor in such globally conscious fields as Islamic World Studies or Urban Studies.

The university as a whole has been accredited by the North Central Association, one of six peer professional groups located throughout the U.S., since 1995. Additionally, individual schools have earned accreditations of their own from various academic organizations.

Loyola University Chicago has received numerous accolades for its academic programs, including being named the 117th best national university on U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 list. The magazine has consistently ranked Loyola among the top universities in the country, with its Graduate School of Business once ranking eighth nationwide due to its highly regarded part-time MBA program. The university’s School of Business Administration earned a top national ranking for ethics from Business Week in 2009, and the history department has garnered praise from both The National Research Council and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing was the first baccalaureate nursing program in Illinois and consistently receives top marks for its undergraduate and graduate programs.

Rooted in tradition though it may be, Loyola Chicago has embraced the growth of online educational programs, offering students the opportunity to earn several master’s degrees and certificates via the internet. Prospective online students can choose from master’s programs in pastoral studies, religious education, health law, public health or bioethics. Two master’s degrees from the highly regarded Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing are available online, as well as numerous certificate programs.

Students who wish to step away from the computer and experience learning in a different cultural setting can take advantage of Loyola’s own campuses in Rome and Beijing. Others may choose to study in one of the six countries that are included in the university’s eight reciprocal exchange programs.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Acceptance to Loyola University of Chicago is competitive, with 78.1 percent of undergraduate students admitted. Admission is on a rolling basis, with priority given to applicants who submit applications by the beginning of December.

Applications submitted by that date are given first consideration for both general acceptance and any scholarship opportunities. Only students admitted by February 1 may be considered for merit scholarships.

In addition to official transcripts and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or college counselor, applicants must submit official copies of ACT or SAT scores, as well as a personal statement or essay. Transfer students need to submit all relevant information regarding transfer credits, and international students must take the TOEFL exam or the IELTS and complete a Declaration and Certification of Finances form.

Graduate students may be required to submit GRE scores, and certain fields of study may carry other special admissions requirements.

Prospective students can apply online or choose to download and print the application form.

Financial Aid

Loyola University of Chicago is a private university with students from all 50 states and more than 80 nations. A great majority of those students receive some type of financial aid. All students who intend to apply for financial aid must submit a FAFSA form, which can be filled out on paper or online.

There are a number of federal loans available for students in need of financial assistance, including the Direct PLUS Loan, Stafford Loan, and Perkins Loan. There are also campus-based loans, such as loans specifically intended for students who have been admitted to the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. Grants are available through both state and federal organizations, including the State of Illinois Monetary Award Program Grant and the Federal Pell Grant Program, and there are scholarships available from both Loyola University and outside sources.

Loyola students who need financial assistance might also opt to participate in the Federal Work Study program or other form of student employment, and veterans may be eligible for financial help through the federal Department of Veteran Affairs. Loyola University Chicago does not take part in state-funded veterans grant programs, which are available only at public universities.

Students who have questions or need help applying for financial aid may contact the Student Services Hub at the university’s Lake Shore campus.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 1890th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Illinois.

Students

With its three campuses located across Chicago, it’s no surprise that Loyola University enrolls a large number of commuter students. In fact, 60 percent of the university’s more than 10,000 undergraduate students live off-campus.

Of the 40 percent of undergraduate students who choose to live on-campus, some opt for traditional dormitory life, either alone or with up to three roommates. Others reside in learning communities, groups of 20 to 100 students with shared majors and/or interests, housed in the Simpson Living Learning Center and taking some classes together. These learning communities are designed to foster relationships and to help new students make friends more quickly. Loyola currently has five learning communities for first-year students, including the Health Science Learning Community and the International Learning Community, and two upper-class learning communities.

Upperclassmen not in a learning community may live in any of several apartment-style residence halls. Graduate students, as well as some upperclassmen, are housed in Baumhart Hall and Terry Student Center, a facility that features its own food court, chapel, and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Residence halls are equipped with air conditioning, cable television. and internet access.

When they aren’t studying, Loyola students enjoy plenty of on-campus activities to occupy their time. Music lovers can check out public recitals of the university’s jazz chamber ensemble at the Kathleen Mullady Theatre or take dance lessons at the fine arts complex.

Those craving another type of cultural experience can visit the university’s own museum of art or take a trip to Vernon Hills to visit the Cuneo Museum and Gardens, an estate in the northern suburbs donated to the university by the Cuneo family, longtime benefactors, in 2009 and now overseen and preserved by Loyola. Movie buffs might enjoy such events as the Asian American Film Festival, sponsored by the Asian and Asian American Studies Program. Loyola Chicago boasts more than 175 student organizations, from improv comedy troupes and Japanese anime clubs to cooking clubs and debate societies.

The university also houses 11 Greek fraternities and 10 sororities with a combined membership of 850 students.

Fraternities:

Alpha Kappa Psi
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Psi Lambda
Beta Alpha Psi
Delta Sigma Pi
Kappa Alpha Psi
Lambda Upsilon Lambda
Omega Delta Phi
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Chi
Sigma Pi

Sororities:

Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Chi Omega
Delta Phi Lambda
Gamma Phi Omega
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Lambda Theta Alpha
Phi Sigma Sigma
Sigma Lambda Gamma

Keeping informed of what’s happening at Loyola University Chicago is easy, with the plethora of student media organizations on campus. Campus radio station WLUW broadcasts on 88.7 FM. The student newspaper, The Loyola Phoenix, keeps students up-to-date with news from Loyola and Chicago itself. Inside Loyola keeps readers informed of on-campus happenings, and igNation offers videos, podcasts, and a blog. With wi-fi internet access available in all public areas, online news sources can be viewed from almost anywhere on campus.

For Loyola University students interested in a service job in Chicago to help pay for education, StateUniversity.com recommends visiting Shiftgig.com. Create a profile and find the service industry job that is most convenient for you.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Chicago is a sports town, and Loyola students are no exception. The Rambler Rowdies is a booster organization comprising students who avidly support the campus’s respective basketball programs. The Rambler men have a storied tradition, winning the NCAA Division I tournament in 1963 and reaching the tournament’s Sweet Sixteen round in 1964 and 1985. More recently, the Ramblers have held their own in Horizon League competition. The 2010-11 women’s basketball team reached the quarterfinal round of the league championship tournament.

The Ramblers have turned out several notable athletes, including former professional basketball players Mike Novak and Jerry Harkness and Olympic runner Tom O’Hara.

Though Loyola hasn’t fielded a football team since 1930, the university still takes pride in being the only NCAA Division I school with the nickname “Ramblers,” a name bestowed by members of the media on the university’s football team back in 1926 because of the team’s extensive cross-country travelling.

Today, Loyola may not have a football team, but it does feature six men’s athletic teams and seven women’s teams.

Loyola Ramblers Men’s Teams

Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Track and Field
Volleyball

Loyola Ramblers Women’s Teams

Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Track and Field
Volleyball

The team colors are maroon and gold, and the mascot is the LU Wolf.

Along with its competitive sports teams, Loyola also offers a variety of intramural sports leagues, including indoor soccer, 5-on-5 basketball, racquetball, and table tennis. Leagues may be men’s, women’s, or co-ed. Loyola also holds flag football, dodgeball, badminton, and indoor soccer tournaments for both male and female students.

Bibliography

Loyola University Chicago. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. Masterson, Kathryn. “Loyola University Chicago Receives Property and Cash Valued at $50 Million.” The Chronicle of Higher Education (2009). Print.

Petrakis, John. “Asian American Festival Expands Cultural Role.” Chicago Tribune 8 Sept. 1998. Print.

“Best Colleges, 2011 Edition.” US News & World Report. Web. 22 Apr. 2011.

“Business Week Lists of Top Undergraduate Business School Programs – Best Business Ethics, Law.” Corporate Compliance Insights: Compliance Online Journal for Compliance Professionals. Web. 22 Apr. 2011.

Loyola University Chicago