Frequently Asked Questions
- What are some of the benefits of participating in the program?
- What is my commitment?
- How long is the Bridge to Loyola program?
- What does the summer component entail?
- Am I required to live on campus during the summer program?
- What does the program entail during the academic year?
- Are there additional costs associated with the program?
- Will I have someone to help me select the appropriate classes I need?
- Will participation in the program affect taking courses towards my major?
- Is it a disadvantage to participate in the Bridge to Loyola program?
- Will participating in Bridge to Loyola program prolong my time at Loyola?
What are some of the benefits of participating in the program?
The Bridge to Loyola program addresses some of the issues students struggle with most as they transition from high school to college. Students benefit from participation in the program through community engagement, academic preparation, relationships with faculty and staff, and friendships with fellow students before the Fall Semester begins. Through the program, we offer students a realistic expectation of the academic rigor of college and assist in fully equipping students with the skills needed to be successful at Loyola University Chicago.
What is my commitment?
Students must attend the Discover Loyola orientation on July 12-13, and successfully complete the three-week summer program. The three-week summer program includes a full schedule, typically from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., that includes a three-credit-hour college course, academic success workshops, study groups, service-learning opportunities, and social activities. All program students must also enroll in UNIV 101, the required First Year Seminar, in the Fall Semester and UNIV 102, the Loyola Seminar, in the Spring Semester.
How long is the Bridge to Loyola program?
The Bridge to Loyola program is a full-year program that begins with a three-week summer session. Students remain involved in programs and College Success Strategies seminars during their first year. Students are encouraged to remain active with the program through their second year as mentors to the freshmen in the program.
What does the summer component entail?
The summer component is a comprehensive program that includes a three-credit-hour academic course that counts as credit toward graduation College Success Strategies workshops, on- and off-campus programming, service-learning, small group activities, and opportunities to develop relationships with faculty and staff. These program components help students make the most of their education at Loyola University Chicago. Attendance and participation is mandatory. The summer program begins July 13 with Discover Loyola (the new student orientation) and concludes August 2 at 5 p.m. with the closing banquet.
Am I required to live on campus during the summer program?
Yes, part of the summer component is that you live on campus and participate in the activities and programming in the evenings. Should you have questions or concerns, please contact Ed Gricius at 773.508.7714 or egricius@luc.edu.
What does the program entail during the academic year?
Students take a regular freshmen course load of 14-17 credits, which includes dedicated sections of the required First Year Seminar course (UNIV 101) taught by the students’ academic advisors. As additional support and benefit from full-time faculty, we also offer additional classes that students can take together, such as Biology 101 and the College Writing Seminar. You can take classes with the students you meet during the summer and continue your study groups throughout the year.
Are there additional costs associated with the program?
The fee for the program is $4,300. The breakdown is as follows:
- Tuition: $2,025 ($675 per credit hour for three credits)
- Required Loyola activity fee: $50
- Required Loyola summer technology fee: $30
- Housing: $770
- Meal Plan: $400
- Program fee: $1,025 (covers student activity and technology fee for summer term and programming costs and benefits of program throughout the summer and the first academic year)
Will I have someone to help me select the appropriate classes I need?
Absolutely! Academic advisors will help you select and enroll in classes during orientation. You will also develop a relationship with your academic advisor who serves as one of your instructors in the program. Your academic advisor will advise you during your first two years at Loyola.
Will participation in the program affect taking courses towards my major?
The Bridge to Loyola program does not interfere with taking classes towards your major. In some cases, seats are reserved for you in major courses (i.e. Biology 101 for biology majors). All first year students are required to take the UNIV 101 course in the Fall Semester. The UNIV 102 course counts as elective credit toward your graduation requirements.
Is it a disadvantage to participate in the Bridge to Loyola program?
Students state that the best part of the program is that they get to know the campus and the Chicago community early, learned what to expect from college-level classes, and made lots of friends! Many of the students in the program said they felt more prepared to start classes in the fall and more comfortable navigating campus.
Will participating in Bridge to Loyola program prolong my time at Loyola?
Your additional preparation and active involvement with the program will actually better prepare you to graduate on time. Your academic advisor will also help you explore major choices and develop a four-year plan during the UNIV 101 First Year Seminar.
- What are some of the benefits of participating in the program?
The Bridge to Loyola program addresses some of the issues students struggle with most as they transition from high school to college. Students benefit from participation in the program through community engagement, academic preparation, relationships with faculty and staff, and friendships with fellow students before the Fall Semester begins. Through the program, we offer students a realistic expectation of the academic rigor of college and assist in fully equipping students with the skills needed to be successful at Loyola University Chicago.
- What is my commitment?
Students must attend the Discover Loyola orientation on July 12-13, and successfully complete the three-week summer program. The three-week summer program includes a full schedule, typically from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., that includes a three-credit-hour college course, academic success workshops, study groups, service-learning opportunities, and social activities. All program students must also enroll in UNIV 101, the required First Year Seminar, in the Fall Semester and UNIV 102, the Loyola Seminar, in the Spring Semester.
- How long is the Bridge to Loyola program?
The Bridge to Loyola program is a full-year program that begins with a three-week summer session. Students remain involved in programs and College Success Strategies seminars during their first year. Students are encouraged to remain active with the program through their second year as mentors to the freshmen in the program.
- What does the summer component entail?
The summer component is a comprehensive program that includes a three-credit-hour academic course that counts as credit toward graduation College Success Strategies workshops, on- and off-campus programming, service-learning, small group activities, and opportunities to develop relationships with faculty and staff. These program components help students make the most of their education at Loyola University Chicago. Attendance and participation is mandatory. The summer program begins July 13 with Discover Loyola (the new student orientation) and concludes August 2 at 5 p.m. with the closing banquet.
- Am I required to live on campus during the summer program?
Yes, part of the summer component is that you live on campus and participate in the activities and programming in the evenings. Should you have questions or concerns, please contact Ed Gricius at 773.508.7714 or egricius@luc.edu.
- Are students in the Bridge to Loyola Program permitted to participate in Learning Communities?
Due to the overlapping academic and co-curricular requirements of Bridge to Loyola and Learning Communities, students are not permitted to participate in both in the first year at Loyola. Students may participate in an Upperclass Learning Community after their first year if they are interested in doing so.
- What does the program entail during the academic year?
Students take a regular freshmen course load of 14-17 credits, which includes dedicated sections of the required First Year Seminar course (UNIV 101) taught by the students’ academic advisors. As additional support and benefit from full-time faculty, we also offer additional classes that students can take together, such as Biology 101 and the College Writing Seminar. You can take classes with the students you meet during the summer and continue your study groups throughout the year.
- Are there additional costs associated with the program?
The fee for the program is $4,300. The breakdown is as follows:
- Tuition: $2,025 ($675 per credit hour for three credits)
- Required Loyola activity fee: $50
- Required Loyola summer technology fee: $30
- Housing: $770
- Meal Plan: $400
- Program fee: $1,025 (covers student activity and technology fee for summer term and programming costs and benefits of program throughout the summer and the first academic year)
- Will I have someone to help me select the appropriate classes I need?
Absolutely! Academic advisors will help you select and enroll in classes during orientation. You will also develop a relationship with your academic advisor who serves as one of your instructors in the program. Your academic advisor will advise you during your first two years at Loyola.
- Will participation in the program affect taking courses towards my major?
The Bridge to Loyola program does not interfere with taking classes towards your major. In some cases, seats are reserved for you in major courses (i.e. Biology 101 for biology majors). All first year students are required to take the UNIV 101 course in the Fall Semester. The UNIV 102 course counts as elective credit toward your graduation requirements.
- Is it a disadvantage to participate in the Bridge to Loyola program?
Students state that the best part of the program is that they get to know the campus and the Chicago community early, learned what to expect from college-level classes, and made lots of friends! Many of the students in the program said they felt more prepared to start classes in the fall and more comfortable navigating campus.
- Will participating in Bridge to Loyola program prolong my time at Loyola?
Your additional preparation and active involvement with the program will actually better prepare you to graduate on time. Your academic advisor will also help you explore major choices and develop a four-year plan during the UNIV 101 First Year Seminar.