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I began my journey at Loyola University Chicago in the summer of 2003 when I moved from Hoffman Estates, Illinois. I was born and raised in Evanston but had to move to the Northwest suburbs. Before I arrived as a freshman, I didn't know what to expect but I was looking forward to living close to Lake Michigan and living next to Evanston. Within the first few weeks of living in Mertz dormitory, I met many people and played a big part in re-forming the Loyola chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon. From the point I landed on the campus, I already had a group of awesome gentlemen that would party and get me acquainted with many other people at Loyola not even affiliated with the fraternity. Soon, I learned to network and I was drawn into the campus life. However, Loyola is unlike many campuses in America, let alone Chicago. The campus life exists in a realm in and of itself at Loyola but once you step out of the campus, the city consumes you. Also, having the easy access to the "red line" made traveling around the city easy. Public transit can get you downtown in 25 to 35 minutes, not to mention all the other places in Chicago.

Now that I have been in alumni status for a little over a year, I can look back and say that "I was very satisfied with my experience at Loyola University Chicago." I can say that because the campus is like it's own separate entity with the two campuses in Rodgers Park and by the Magnificent Mile; but right outside of those campuses is everything else in Chicago. I've now been living in Chicago for almost six years, and for the four of those years when I attended Loyola it was an unforgettable experience. I would elaborate but I want to close this article leaving up to the future students that decide to attend this awesome university. The big city can change your perspective of how you experience your education, the choice is yours, and there are too many things that can help facilitate what you wish to achieve.

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My experiences at Loyola Chicago were pretty good. I spent my sophmore year at the Loyoal campus in Rome, Italy. Spending time abroad is simple at LUC: since the program is through Loyola there is no need to worry about transfering credits, and since you don't need to buy the CTA student pass, it's actually cheaper than a semester in Chicago. Classes there are not as easy as you might believe, especially some of the "on-site" classes where you meet your professor at various spots around the city. These art history classes are hard, but well worth it.

I lived off campus my last three years (I was on the 5 year plan), both in the neighborhood around the main campus in Roger's Park, and in Wrigleyville. I absolutely loved living in Chicago, the different neihborhoods have very distinct feelings and appearances. I typically stayed near the Red Line CTA train lines, but I ventured around downtown, into the Loop, and in the west a fair deal, too.

The great thing about Chicago is diversity. There is an endless amount of things to do. The problem is that it can be overwhelming, and I often found myself not even trying to experience something new, but staying around the neighborhood and going to the same bars, restaraunts etc. Of course there is something to be said for familiarity, and in a big city where it's easy to feel overwhelmed and lost, it's nice to have home area where you feel comfortable.

School at LUC was pretty good, I guess. I double majored in History and Accounting, so I got a pretty good feel for both the Liberal Arts and Business schools. The business school is pretty laid back, nobody wears suits or anything, in fact lots of people wore sweats and hoodies. It is right downtown by the Hancock building, off Michigan avenue, so even if you're not a business student, I'd recommend taking a class down there (they offer econ and other lib. arts classes from time to time) just to experience what it's like going downtown during the days. The northshore campus for Lib arts is beautiful, nice buildings, scenery etc. The classes are solid, and you get what you want as far as difficulty goes. The upper level history and polisci classes were pretty involved, though not overwhelming if you can prioritize and skim-read your way through class. Most teachers like to pretend you are not taking any other classes and load up on you for reading and essays/exams, especially in the weeks before midterms and finals.

I felt like my degrees have been helpful to me in finding a job. The history department at LUC has recently gotten some national press as a front runner for strong history degrees. I'm an accountant now, but I really enjoyed almost all of my history classes.

Overall I thought LUC was a great place to go to school. I did not partake in many of the campus life aspects (I transfered to LUC halfway through my Freshman year), but there were lots of sporting events, game nights, social nights, club presentations/events etc going on in the union. I did join a Fraternity (SAE) and had a great time with it, very laid back. I wasn't hazed or pressured to devote all of my time to the fraternity, which was good, since I also had a job, a girlfriend, and was a member of the Rugby Team (which won a few regional matches and traveled to New Orleans my junior year).

If you're thinking about LUC, I'd say it's definately worth a second look. It's a strong school educationally speaking with lots to offer students on campus. Off campus it's in a neat part of town (even if it's not the best), with easy access to the entire Chicago area via the El Trains.

I made quite a few friends through LUC (some of whom persuaded me to post this) and even though I now live out of state I try to keep in contact with many of them, and always look forward to my next visit.

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Looking back, my overall college experience at Loyola University is nothing but positive. I loved going to school there and as an alum, I'm proud to say I graduated from Loyola when asked where I went to school. I had so many wonderful memories of my time in Chicago, on and off campus. I think the university is a wonderful balance of city and neighborhood, conservative and liberal, religious and secular. Whether you are a partier, studier, fratter, stoner, meathead, atheist, churchgoer, out-of-stater, commuter, involved, uninvolved or whatever else you think of yourself as, you can find a home in Loyola. Because that's the great thing about this school - they are all there. I mean don't get me wrong, this is a medium sized Jesuit school in the Midwest we're talking about here, but in terms of medium sized Jesuit schools there is a pretty good mix of students. The school gives you plenty of opportunities to get involved in student activities if that's what you're into, there are lots of student groups and alliances for lots of stuff, and if there isn't one for whatever pops your cherry, then just step on up and start one yourself. If you're big into church, Loyola makes it easy to get involved in that or if you just wanna go to mass every week they have a really good student service in the evenings. But if you're not really into all that - don't worry! I had a helluva time my four years there and I wasn't involved in jack * It's great - you're in a great intellectual environment in a great college community in a great big city and you can do pretty much whatever you want with it! My overall advice for Loyolans or potential Loyolans: Take advantage of downtown - either taking a couple classes down there or just taking the time to explore the city.

Travel abroad - I did a semester and Loyola University Rome Center and it was the time of my f'ing life. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it and Loyola makes it really easy do. I've heard nothing but good things about Loyola's other satellite campuses abroad as well; Don't get all bitter that we don't have school spirit blowing out of our ears - if you need that as part of your college experience, this isn't the place for you. Go to Notre Dame and revel in that * Here, we unite as a student body in our delightful LACK of school spirit. Well, that and Hamiltons.

Visit Loyola

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The Loyola experience is rich melody of city life and higher education. Located in northern Chicago directly on the banks of Lake Michigan, the school provides students with the opportunity to live and study in a diverse neighborhood with a small school feel. While the sports teams are division 1-A, they are not very successful on the national level. But, they often lead their league and the basketball and volleyball games are exciting. The education I received at Loyola is widely well respected. In fact, as time passes, saying you went to Loyola Chicago is beginning to be more and more impressive. While the campus is small, painfully small at times, it does have its advantages. It is very advanced, a brand new Science Building with state of the art facilities, a wonderful gym facility, and an administration willing to invest make the campus unique. Also, it's free bus trips to the Water Tower Campus (a building located two blocks from Michigan Ave) and the "El" stop across the street, access to the plethora of entertainment in Chicago is readily and easily accessible.

Immediately around Loyola's campus lies Roger's Park. Home to Hamilton's Bar and Grill and the Oasis, there are plenty of places to eat and drink. A little father to the north, there is the town of Evanston. A small town of classy bars and good restaurants, anything you need can be found in this area. Within twenty minutes, a student can find or get anything they need. If you can brave the wind and cold of winter, Loyola provides a particularly good opportunity to some individuals.

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