CHS juniors and seniors met up in the Bodley Hall on an early Wednesday morning. The students were excited to explore different colleges as application season hits its peak. Loyola University Chicago lies on the border of Lake Michigan and provides a scenic outdoorsy environment while also being right next to the big city of Chicago.
The school offers a liberal arts style of education, allowing students to explore many different paths not always driven by major. Along with that, the university offers many clubs and activities that connect the diverse student body. Students are drawn to many aspects, but especially to the location and the environment that the school provides. Evelyn Stanfield, a CHS junior, felt especially drawn to the campus.
“It’s probably like the number one college that I want to go to on my list, mostly because I just love Chicago as a city,” Stansfield said.
Olivia Kreger, another junior at Community, felt the school would be a good fit due to the advanced nursing and medical program, which aligns with Kreger’s interests beyond high school.
“A lot of it is nursing and STEM-based, specifically medicine, which is something I’m specifically interested in,” Kreger said. “So it’s definitely looking like a good choice for me.” The high acceptance rate and access to financial aid are also big factors that make this school even more appealing to many students.
Kreger has attended a total of six college visits just this year. She acknowledges the lucky opportunity to speak with admissions officers in advance of college applications. This tool allows students to have a more well-rounded understanding of different colleges.
“You can ask very specialized questions, or even questions that would be hard to find online if they’re more like personalized to you,” Kreger said. “And I also think it’s just a good way to make connections with the school.”
Kate Groves, a senior at CHS, has been looking into Loyola long before this visit.
“I heard about it over the summer when some people that I knew went, and then I was recommended to it by a counselor,” Groves said. “I started doing some research, and then I was like, ‘Oh, this is something that I would be really interested in.’” Even though she already applied, the college visit helped to solidify her decision to give it a try. The face-to-face aspect of these visits also contributes to getting a more confident feel for the school.
“I usually do like virtual visits with specific colleges, just because I can’t make it to the Community in-person ones,” Groves said. “Just like, to have a human interaction with somebody was really rewarding.”
Loyola University Chicago offers a diverse education with various programs available to fit every student’s needs, along with having the perfect balance between rural and city life. The opportunity for CHS students to be able to speak with college representatives in small settings is something that many students appreciate and utilize.
