​Rome Start

It's the same degree in the end. It just has a slightly different beginning

Rome Start is a unique program for students attending high school outside of the United States and for select American high school students with an international interest.

Admitted students will spend the first year of their Loyola experience studying at our Rome Center campus in Italy. After that, students will complete their undergraduate degree at our campuses in Chicago. Rome Start is a great way for students to add a global perspective to their education while earning a renowned Loyola degree.

Admission to the Rome Start program includes admission to Loyola University Chicago. The application for admission also serves as an application for Loyola's merit scholarships, which can be used both in Rome and in Chicago.

1. Complete and submit the online application. Be sure to select the "Rome Start" application.

2. Submit your essay. One essay of 500 words or less is required. Please include information in your essay that describes your international experience or global interest that you feel prepares you for the Rome Start program.

3. Send official transcripts from all previous high schools and colleges to Loyola. If you are not enrolled in an American school, an International Baccalaureate (IB) School, or an Italian high school, you may be required to submit a transcript evaluation. Contact Educational Perspectives or Educational Credential Evaluators. Your evaluation is required to be reviewed for admission, which may lengthen the processing time needed to make an admission decision.

4. Confirm that Loyola has received your letters of recommendation. Please consider submitting a letter from a counselor or teacher who can attest to your interest in receiving an international education.

5. Test scores. 

Loyola has a test optional admission policy. Students may still choose to submit SAT and/or ACT scores as part of their application for admission. Students who do not submit scores will not be penalized, and may still qualify for merit scholarships. Loyola does superscore results, meaning the admission office is reviewing the highest subscore from each section of the exams. If a student does choose to submit scores, we recommend sharing all test results.

Loyola’s code for the SAT is 1412, and our ACT code is 1064.

6. English Proficiency: Some applicants may be asked to submit English proficiency scores. TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English and Duolingo English Test results are accepted. Please send official results from the testing agency. The minimum score for entry on the TOEFL is a 79, 6.5 for IELTS, 53 for PTE and 120 for Duolingo. 

To request additional information about Rome Start, complete this online profile. Admission to Loyola University Chicago and the Rome Start program operates on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to submit your application early.

• December 1 is the priority deadline for admission. Applications submitted before this date are given priority consideration for both admission and scholarship opportunities.
• February 1 is the deadline for Loyola’s merit scholarship consideration. Applicants must be admitted prior to February 1 in order to be eligible for merit scholarships.
• All candidates are required to finalize enrollment plans by May 1.
• Participation and enrollment requires successful completion of the Italian student visa process*

For more information about the Rome Start program, visit Rome Start.

*Non-citizens may also need to complete the student visa process to enter the US for start of their second year. Contact internationaladmission@luc.edu for more information.