First-Year Orientation Checklist
Program Hours
All first-year students are required to attend the entire orientation session.
Summer 2025 Orientation:
Two-day sessions: The two-day, first-year orientation sessions throughout June and July will begin with Check-in at 8:00 AM. Student and family programming will begin with concurrent sessions in the morning and then continue through the afternoon. Student programming will conclude around 9:30 PM on Day 1. Programming for families/guests will end by 5:30 PM on Day 1. Student and family programming will continue into Day 2 and will end formal programming around 1:30 PM.
Please plan your travel accordingly - we recommend that orientation attendees do not book flights out of Chicago before 5:00 PM on Day 2 to account for Chicago traffic.
One-day sessions (commuter students only): The one-day, first-year orientation sessions (June 11 and July 2) begins with Check-in at 8:00 AM. Programming will begin at 9:15 AM. Student and family/guest will have different, parallel programming that will continue until the conclusion of the session at 5:00 PM. Please note: these one-day sessions for commuter students do NOT have an overnight component.
Required Packing List:
- Bedding items and toiletries - Bring bedding items such as pillows, sheets, towels, and toiletries for your overnight stay (excluding 1-day commuter student sessions) in the orientation residence hall. These items will NOT be provided to you.
- A reusable water bottle - Many activities will take place outdoors so having a water bottle to stay hydrated is important! Plastic water bottles will not be provided. Learn more about Loyola University Chicago's single-use plastic Bottled Water Ban.
- Comfortable clothing, socks, shoes - There will be walking outside to and from different buildings on Lakeshore campus so plan to dress appropriately for summer in Chicago. Summer in Chicago brings a variety of weather conditions and temperatures. Activities will take place indoors and outdoors. Evening activities outdoors may require a sweatshirt or light jacket.
At check-in, students will receive their nametag containing the orientation schedule, a folder, pen, and small drawstring backpack to carry around their orientation materials. You can also bring your immunization paperwork to give to the Wellness Center at check-in or the resource fair at the end of the day.
Check-In Time & Location
Check-in begins at 8:00 AM in the Damen Student Center on the Lake Shore Campus. Meals will be provided to all participants during the program. Students will receive their personalized schedules and parking validation (if required) at check-in.
How do I get there?
Orientation sessions are held on the Lake Shore Campus in Rogers Park, Chicago. The City of Chicago has a wide variety of transportation options at your disposal that will get you to our campus quickly and safely.
Parking
Orientation participants can park in the Main Parking Structure (P1), which is accessible from the main campus entrance at the corner of W Sheridan Rd and N Kenmore Ave. Please navigate to 1100 W. Sheridan Road. Please pull a ticket to enter the garage. You will receive parking validation at check-in. Please park before attempting to check-in for orientation. Signage and Orientation staff will help guide you to check-in in the Damen Student Center.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is available through the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Loyola University Chicago is served and can be accessed by two Red Line stations. The Loyola Station on the CTA Red Line of the 'L' train is across the street from campus and a 10-15 minute walk to Sullivan Center for Student Services. The Granville Station on the CTA Red Line is near the corner of Granville Ave. and Winthrop St. It is also approximately at 10 minute walk to Sullivan Center for Student Services.
Taxi or Rideshare
Taxi and rideshare options are also available for transportation to campus. You can get dropped-off at 6333 N Winthrop Ave, Chicago, IL 60660.
Airports
Generally speaking, give yourself approximately 2 hours of travel time to or from campus and the Chicago airports (ORD and MDW). Chicago traffic can be unpredictable, so give yourself plenty of time to arrive on campus and make it to check-in between 8:00-10:00 AM.
More information about visiting campus is available on the Campus Transportation website.
Program Hours
All first-year students are required to attend the entire orientation session.
Summer 2025 Orientation:
Two-day sessions: The two-day, first-year orientation sessions throughout June and July will begin with Check-in at 8:00 AM. Student and family programming will begin with concurrent sessions in the morning and then continue through the afternoon. Student programming will conclude around 9:30 PM on Day 1. Programming for families/guests will end by 5:30 PM on Day 1. Student and family programming will continue into Day 2 and will end formal programming around 1:30 PM.
Please plan your travel accordingly - we recommend that orientation attendees do not book flights out of Chicago before 5:00 PM on Day 2 to account for Chicago traffic.
One-day sessions (commuter students only): The one-day, first-year orientation sessions (June 11 and July 2) begins with Check-in at 8:00 AM. Programming will begin at 9:15 AM. Student and family/guest will have different, parallel programming that will continue until the conclusion of the session at 5:00 PM. Please note: these one-day sessions for commuter students do NOT have an overnight component.
Required Packing List:
- Bedding items and toiletries - Bring bedding items such as pillows, sheets, towels, and toiletries for your overnight stay (excluding 1-day commuter student sessions) in the orientation residence hall. These items will NOT be provided to you.
- A reusable water bottle - Many activities will take place outdoors so having a water bottle to stay hydrated is important! Plastic water bottles will not be provided. Learn more about Loyola University Chicago's single-use plastic Bottled Water Ban.
- Comfortable clothing, socks, shoes - There will be walking outside to and from different buildings on Lakeshore campus so plan to dress appropriately for summer in Chicago. Summer in Chicago brings a variety of weather conditions and temperatures. Activities will take place indoors and outdoors. Evening activities outdoors may require a sweatshirt or light jacket.
At check-in, students will receive their nametag containing the orientation schedule, a folder, pen, and small drawstring backpack to carry around their orientation materials. You can also bring your immunization paperwork to give to the Wellness Center at check-in or the resource fair at the end of the day.
Check-In Time & Location
Check-in begins at 8:00 AM in the Damen Student Center on the Lake Shore Campus. Meals will be provided to all participants during the program. Students will receive their personalized schedules and parking validation (if required) at check-in.
How do I get there?
Orientation sessions are held on the Lake Shore Campus in Rogers Park, Chicago. The City of Chicago has a wide variety of transportation options at your disposal that will get you to our campus quickly and safely.
Parking
Orientation participants can park in the Main Parking Structure (P1), which is accessible from the main campus entrance at the corner of W Sheridan Rd and N Kenmore Ave. Please navigate to 1100 W. Sheridan Road. Please pull a ticket to enter the garage. You will receive parking validation at check-in. Please park before attempting to check-in for orientation. Signage and Orientation staff will help guide you to check-in in the Damen Student Center.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is available through the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Loyola University Chicago is served and can be accessed by two Red Line stations. The Loyola Station on the CTA Red Line of the 'L' train is across the street from campus and a 10-15 minute walk to Sullivan Center for Student Services. The Granville Station on the CTA Red Line is near the corner of Granville Ave. and Winthrop St. It is also approximately at 10 minute walk to Sullivan Center for Student Services.
Taxi or Rideshare
Taxi and rideshare options are also available for transportation to campus. You can get dropped-off at 6333 N Winthrop Ave, Chicago, IL 60660.
Airports
Generally speaking, give yourself approximately 2 hours of travel time to or from campus and the Chicago airports (ORD and MDW). Chicago traffic can be unpredictable, so give yourself plenty of time to arrive on campus and make it to check-in between 8:00-10:00 AM.
More information about visiting campus is available on the Campus Transportation website.