Chicago Center

1. Program Information
2. Program Photo Album
3. How to Apply
4. Frequently Asked Questions

Questions regarding Loyola’s Chicago Center program should be directed to Dr. Patrick Boyle, Vice Provost for Academic Centers and Global Initiatives.

THE CHICAGO CENTER PROGRAM AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY

Where Chicago and the U.S. are the classroom 

Program Description

Offers qualified undergraduate and graduate students an excellent introduction to American life & culture in a semester of study at one of the top universities in the United States. During the semester, students can take up to 5 undergraduate courses including a customized integrative seminar on Chicago and the U.S.. Besides on-campus classes and activities, there are also two excursion trips to two other major cities in the U.S. during the semester as part of the immersion experience.  

Intended Students

Undergraduate or graduate students from outside the U.S. with at least a sophomore standing, and a minimum GPA 2.8. The program also requires that students take the TOEFL 550 or TOEFL iBT 79, or students that have an IELTS score of 5.5 for conditional admission with some ESL required, or 6 for full admission.

Program Dates

Spring semester (Jan 11th – May 15th, 2013)

Fall semester (Aug 13th – Dec 17th, 2013)

Spring semester (Jan 10th - May 13th, 2014)

Application Deadline

Fall semester (2013): Apr 20th, 2013

Spring semester (2014): Nov 15th, 2013

Tuition

$11,600 per student for Fall 2013 (payable in advance of beginning the semester)

*tuition for Spring 2014 subject to change

Included in the program tuition: 
Tuition for 5 courses for a semester; A customized integrative seminar course; On-campus double or triple occupancy housing; Partial meal plan; Orientation in Chicago; Two excursion trips: trips include transportation, hotels, several meals, and admissions fees; and Special gatherings and banquets.

NOT included in the program tuition: 
Visa application fee; Airfare; Textbooks; Special class fees; Food; Vaccinations; Weekend field trips in the city; Personal expenses and souvenirs; Optional travel; and Health insurance (required). Estimate of these expenses:

Airfare: $1,800
Textbooks: $300
Food: $1,000
Insurance: $300
Weekend field trips in Chicago: $150
Special class fees: for example, Communicaton course - $15, French course - $50, Art course - $50 

Housing

Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus, Chicago, IL.  Space permitting, students will have the option of an American roommate if available.

Course Options

Students are automatically enrolled in a seminar course on Chicago (UNIV 120) that is specifically designed for the Chicago Center program. During the seminar, students mix classroom dialogue with field trips around the city in an effort to accomodate diverse learning styles. In addition, students in the program may take up to four Loyola undergraduate courses and can choice any courses for which they meet the requirements. Some examples of courses chosen by Chicago Center students this semester include:

Excursion Trips

There are 2 trips provided every semester. Examples of previous trips are listed below. (Trips are subject to change)

Spring:

“The City that Never Sleeps”: New York - March

Theatre, music, history, art, culture and so much more - New York City has it all! On this NYC trip, students will explore the “city that never sleeps” from towering architectural achievements like the Empire State Building, to the lights of Times Square and Broadway, and the beauty of Central Park.  They will also learn more about the city’s diverse cultures by experiencing distinct neighborhoods like Chinatown and Soho, and explore the history of the city at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

"The Heart of the South":New Orleans - May

A perfect example of America's cultural diversity, New Orleans mixes a history of Spanish, Native American, French, African traditions into something new, vibrant, and amazing. On this trip students will be able to sample the food, music, and fun of life in "The Big Easy." Starting with the history in the French Quarter, the city's oldest neighborhood and home to the Saint Louis Cathedral, students will experience the famous Metairie Cemetery, see the work of Picasso and Degas at the New Orleans Museum of Art, and take in the city's famed garden district. 

Fall: 

“Democracy in Action”: Washington, DC - August

Washington, DC, the nation's capital, is the quintessential "living classroom," a city in which senators, congressmen, judges, and other policitans live and work. On this trip students will go "inside the beltway" to experience American government and politics in action by visiting the U.S. Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court. They will also take in the monuments and museums that make the city a cultural center including the Smithsonian museums, the largest museum and research complex in the world, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Archives.

“Lights, Cameras, and Culture!”: Los Angeles - October

The city of Los Angeles is the undisputed entertainment capital of the world, with more than a dozen major studios like Universal, MGM, Paramount, and Warner Brothers all claiming the city as home. On this trip, students will get a behind the scenes look at the "city of angels" as they stroll the Walk of Fame, visit Warner Brothers studios, and make their own music at the Grammy Museum. They will also build their cultural knowledge by visiting Southern California  landmarks like the Griffith Observatory and the L.A. County Art Museum, which boasts over 100,000 artifacts from the ancient to the contemporary.  

Academic Certification

Students in this program will be given a Program Certificate upon successful completion of all courses for the semester.  A transcript, with grades will be provided upon request.

Student Life

Throughout the semester Chicago Center students will have opportunities to interact with American students and faculty in a number of different ways. Before the semester begins each participant is assigned an American host student who introduces them to life at Loyola and acts as a resource and point of contact. During the semester Chicago Center students meet and engage with Loyola's diverse student body and staff through the wide variety of courses offered. Outside the classroom, Chicago Center students are also encouraged to take advantage of Loyola's many on campus activities. These include opportunities to watch great D-1 sporting eventing like soccer matches and basketball games, as well as the chance to become part of student clubs and societies. With over 200 registered or sponsored student organizations for everything from dance and acapella singing, to community service, cultural awareness, and political action, Loyola offers many ways to get involved. Partnering with the Chicago Center, the International Club and International Living and Learning Community also work to create events that connect Chicago Center students to the larger campus.

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How to Apply

Students need to fill out the application form (download), and provide with it the additional documents indicated on the form. These can be sent to the coordinator at your home institution or directly to Tami Renner (chicagocenter@luc.edu) in PDF format.

Application Deadline

Fall semester (2013): April 20th, 2013

Once Accepted

For Fall 2013 semester, students will arrive on campus August 13th and recieve orientations, tours, and a English placement test if the student does not have a TOEFL score already. (Note: Please consult with Loyola staff prior to purchasing your air tickets.)

• What are my housing and roommate options?

  Students will have double or triple occupancy housing in a standard undergraduate dormitory. There are American students in the same building but not necessarily as roommates.  We cannot guarantee American roommates, but we will try to address all requests.

• What are the costs associated with the program?

  Students need to show that they have the amount that is charged for the program. For Fall 2012, the program fee is $11,000. However students will likely incur many additional personal expenses (such as flights, food, insurance, and class fees) and are thus required to show that they have at least $12,000 in financial resources for Spring 2012. Estimate of additional personal expenses:

  Airfare: $1,800
  Textbooks: $300
  Food: $1,000
  Insurance: $300
  Special class fees: for example, Communicaton course - $15, French course - $50, Art course - $50

• What kind of visa do I get for this program?

  We will be issuing the I-20 which allows students to obtain the F-1 non-degree student visa.

• If I want to stay and travel in the U.S. after the term, how long is my visa good for?

  Students have a 60 day grace period after their program. They can stay and travel in the U.S. during that time, but they cannot re-enter once they leave.

• Is health insurance required? And what kind of health insurance should I have?

  All students are required to have health insurance. Loyola offers insurance which is not covered in the cost of this program. If you already have health insurance that will cover your study in Chicago, you may waive out of Loyola's Student Health Insurance by providing proof of the other coverage. Once accepted into the program, students may choose to opt out of Loyola's insurance. If so, please follow the instructions: 

  1. Log on to LOCUS (you will be provided with an account on LOCUS once admitted to the program);
  2. Click on "Student Health Insurance" in the "Campus Finances" section;
  3. Submit the electronic waiver by October 1st for Fall semester (February 28th for Spring semester) and the insurance charge will be waived from your account.

  Students who fail to provide insurance will be charged $1,115 for Loyola insurance.

• How should I submit my application?

  Students need to fill out the application form (download), and provide with it additional documents indicated on the form. These can be sent to the coordinator in your local university or directly to Tami Renner (trenner@luc.edu) in PDF format.

• Can I apply to this program without a TOEFL score?

  Students who are not able to provide TOEFL score can still apply to the program, but are required to take a English Language Placement test in Chicago at the orientation to decide what ESL (English as Second Language) courses he/she might have to enroll in before registering for any other Loyola academic courses.

Any other questions regarding Loyola’s Chicago Center program should be directed to Dr. Patrick Boyle, Vice Provost for Academic Centers and Global Initiatives.