loyola university maryland supplemental essays

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Loyola University Maryland Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Loyola University Maryland's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Loyola University Maryland and build a strong application.

School location: Baltimore, MD

Admissions Rate: 83.5%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Loyola University Maryland is 83.5% . For every 100 applicants, 84 are admitted.

This means the school is lightly selective . The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet Loyola University Maryland's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.

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Loyola University Maryland GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.66

The average GPA at Loyola University Maryland is 3.66 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.66, Loyola University Maryland requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Loyola University Maryland hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Loyola University Maryland will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Loyola University Maryland SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1270

The average SAT score composite at Loyola University Maryland is a 1270 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Loyola University Maryland Competitive for SAT test scores.

Loyola University Maryland SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1185, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1350. In other words, a 1185 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1350 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Loyola University Maryland ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Loyola University Maryland likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 29

The average ACT score at Loyola University Maryland is 29. This score makes Loyola University Maryland Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 26, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 33.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 26 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, from our research, Loyola University Maryland is understood to superscore the ACT . We couldn't confirm it directly from the school's admissions website, but multiple sources confirm that the school does superscore the ACT. We recommend you call their admissions office directly for more information.

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that Loyola University Maryland receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, Loyola University Maryland will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Loyola University Maryland forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 26, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Loyola University Maryland considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average . Aim for a 1185 SAT or a 26 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

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• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
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There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Loyola University Maryland here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $60
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 3
• Social Studies 2

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 15 April 1
• Yes November 15 January 15

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 4501 Baltimore, MD 21210-2699
• Phone: (410) 617-2000 x2000
• Fax: (410) 323-2768
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Loyola University Maryland, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Loyola University Maryland.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Loyola University Maryland. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Loyola University Maryland, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Loyola University Maryland, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Loyola University Maryland is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Application Procedures

Application materials and deadlines.

Prospective applicants may apply for admission via the Loyola online graduate application system ( www.loyola.edu/graduate ) along with a $60 application fee. This fee is non-refundable and is not applied toward tuition, if admitted.

Official transcripts from all degree-granting universities attended must be submitted as part of an application for graduate study. The program committees reserve the right to request official transcripts from all universities where an applicant attended but did not complete a degree.  All foreign transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved international academic record evaluation service (visit the International Academic Records page for a list of approved services). Applicants may not submit a request for advanced standing or course waivers without providing an official transcript for the coursework in question.

Official English language examination scores are required for applicants who have not earned (or will not be earning) a bachelor's or higher degree from a college or university where English is the sole language of instruction. For additional details and a list of accepted English language exams, visit the English Language Examination Requirements page,  www.loyola.edu/admission/graduate/international#EnglishReqs .

In addition to the materials listed above, Loyola graduate programs have specific application requirements and deadlines (Note: Application material requirements listed below are subject to change). For up-to-date information about these application requirements and deadlines, prospective students applying to Loyola's graduate programs should refer to the admission information provided on the graduate program website. Links to each graduate program website are provided below.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their completed application, along with all necessary supplemental materials, is received by the applicable deadline.  Applications and supplemental materials received after the stated deadline may not be reviewed. All required admission materials should be submitted as instructed on the website. 

Applicants must affirm that the information they have provided on their application form and all other admission application materials is complete, accurate, and true to the best of their knowledge. Applicants must agree to submit other materials that are required for their admission application and understand that furnishing false information on any part of their admission application may result in cancellation of admission or registration or both. Application materials, once submitted, become the property of Loyola University Maryland and cannot be returned.

Admission Decisions

It is the policy of department admission committees to give promising applicants the opportunity to undertake graduate work. A careful examination of an applicant's qualifications precedes every admission decision. Admission committees look for previous academic achievement by considering an applicant's undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate records. The University reserves the right to request additional documentation if deemed necessary for admission purposes.

The number of acceptable candidates may exceed the number of spaces available, and the decision of the admission committee is final.

Applicants accepted for graduate work will be notified in writing. If warranted, admitted applicants will be informed of any undergraduate prerequisite or foundation courses that must be completed before commencing graduate work. New students are responsible for discussing any special needs they may have with their advisor. Individuals who may qualify for advanced standing will be granted credit at the time of initial enrollment.

Registration is permitted only after admission to a program or acceptance as a nondegree student (see  Academic Regulations and Policies   ).

Admission offers are valid only for the specific graduate program and academic start term to which the applicant has been admitted.  Admitted applicants seeking to change their graduate program or their start term should contact the Office of Graduate Admission for additional information prior to accepting their admission offer. Applicants who are admitted and accept an offer of admission but do not enroll in the term to which they were admitted will be withdrawn as a student at the university and will need to subsequently reapply for admission.

Loyola College of Arts and Sciences

Communication.

Master of Arts (MA) in Emerging Media Postbaccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Health Communication

Master of Arts (MA)

Application Deadlines

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/emerging-media/admission/apply , for application deadlines.

Application Materials

In addition to university application requirements, applicants may be required to submit the following:

• The admission committee reserves the right to request official transcripts from universities where an applicant attended but did not complete a degree. Please note that not submitting all transcripts where courses have been completed could impact course waivers.
• Two professional/academic letters of recommendation.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/emerging-media/admission/apply , for additional information.

Postbaccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Health Communication

Data science.

Master of Science (MS) in Data Science

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/data-science/graduate/admission , for application deadlines.

• One professional/academic letter of recommendation.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/data-science/graduate/admission , for additional information.

Forensic Science

Master of Science (MS) in Forensic Pattern Analysis

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/forensic-studies/forensic-pattern-analysis/admission , for application deadlines.

• 1-3 academic/professional letters of recommendation

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/forensic-studies/forensic-pattern-analysis/admission , for additional information.

Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Professional Counseling Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology

Master of Science (MS)

Refer to the program website ,  www.loyola.edu/academics/psychology/admission/requirements, for application deadlines.

Admittance to the master's program in psychology is contingent upon passing a criminal background check.  Each student recommended for admission into the program will be required to obtain, pay for, and pass a criminal background check. These background checks are routinely required by the Loyola Clinical Centers, schools, hospitals, and other agencies that participate in the clinical education of Loyola students. Failure to pass a criminal background check may make a student ineligible to complete requirements and result in revocation of the student's acceptance into the graduate program. Additional information regarding the criminal background check process will be included in the acceptance letter.

An interview (by invitation only) is requested of all finalists for the CPC program. Interviews occur approximately four weeks after the application deadline.

• Three professional/academic letters of recommendation and recommendation form.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/psychology/admission/requirements , for additional information.

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Degree requirements include 131 credit hours for students entering the first year of study (MS-PsyD). In addition to a one-year, full-time internship, all students are required to complete comprehensive examinations and a doctoral dissertation.

Admittance to the doctoral program in psychology is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Each student recommended for admission into the program will be required to obtain, pay for, and pass a criminal background check. These background checks are routinely required by the Loyola Clinical Centers, schools, hospitals, and other agencies that participate in the clinical education of Loyola students. Failure to pass a criminal background check may make a student ineligible to complete requirements and result in revocation of the student's acceptance into the graduate program. Additional information regarding the criminal background check process will be included in the acceptance letter.

An interview (by invitation only) is requested of all finalists for the PsyD program. Interviews occur approximately eight weeks after the application deadline.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/psychology/admission/requirements , for application deadlines.

• admission committee reserves the right to request official transcripts from universities where an applicant attended but did not complete a degree. Please note that not submitting all transcripts where courses have been completed could impact course waivers.

Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences

Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology

Admittance to the master's program in speech-language pathology is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Each student recommended for admission into the program will be required to obtain, pay for, and pass a criminal background check. These background checks are routinely required by the Loyola Clinical Centers, schools, hospitals, and other agencies that participate in the clinical education of Loyola students. Failure to pass a criminal background check may make a student ineligible to complete requirements and result in revocation of the student's acceptance into the graduate program. Additional information regarding the criminal background check process will be included in the acceptance letter.

Once the deposit is made, students are required to present documentation indicating immunity to communicable diseases. A tuberculin skin test is also required. Health history and immunization forms will be sent after admission notification.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/speech/graduate/apply , for application deadlines.

In addition to the electronic CSDCAS application, applicants must submit the following materials directly to CSDCAS. 

• Personal Essay. A personal statement of interest must be submitted specifically addressing why you wish to enroll in Loyola University Maryland's graduate program in speech-language pathology.
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Please note that fall grades are required (via transcript or Academic Update). All foreign transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved international academic record evaluation service. Visit the International Academic Records page for a list of approved services.
• Three academic/professional letters of recommendation. Three letters of recommendation are required and only the first three received will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Please only submit letters from faculty, supervisors, and other professionals who are able to discuss your ability to succeed in a graduate program in speech-language pathology, including academic and personal characteristics that may contribute to your achievement.
• Prerequisite Course Information Form. This form is required for all applicants who have not completed an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology or communication science disorders. Only prospective students who do not have a speech or communication science disorders degree and include a completed Prerequisite Course Information Form and all other required documents will be considered for admission.
• International Student Supplemental Forms (required only if a student visa is needed - sent to Loyola directly).

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/speech/graduate/apply , for additional information.

Master of Theological Studies (MTS) Master's Plus Postbaccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Theology and Ministry

Master of Theological Studies (MTS)

Refer to program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/theology/graduate/apply , for application deadlines.

• Two letters of recommendation
• Optional résumé
• Optional writing sample that emphasizes a student's theological interests and research.

Refer to program website,  www.loyola.edu/academics/theology/graduate/apply , for additional information.

Master's Plus

• Two professional/academic letters of recommendation

Postbaccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Theology and Ministry

• Optional Résumé

School of Education

Education specialties, curriculum and instruction for social justice.

Master of Arts (MA) in Curriculum and Instruction for Social Justice - Thematic

Master of Arts (MA) in Curriculum and Instruction for Social Justice - Teach English Language Learners

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/curriculum-instruction/apply , for application deadlines.

• The admission committee reserves the right to request official transcripts from universities where an applicant attended but did not complete a degree.  Please note that not submitting all transcripts where courses have been completed could impact course waivers.
• Optional professional/academic letters of recommendation

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/curriculum-instruction/apply , for additional information.

Educational Leadership

Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership

Certificate in Administration and Supervision (Post-Master's Certificate)

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/educational-leadership/apply, for application deadlines.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/educational-leadership/apply, for additional information.

Educational Technology

Master of Education (MEd)

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/educational-technology/apply , for application deadlines.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/educational-technology/apply , for additional information.

Kodály Music Education

Postbaccalaureate certificate (pbc) in kodály music education.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/kodaly-music-education/apply , for application deadlines.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/kodaly-music-education/apply , for additional information.

• One professional/academic letters of recommendation

School Counseling

Master of Arts (MA) Master of Education (MEd) Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) Master's Plus

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/school-counseling/apply , for application deadlines.

• Two professional/academic letters must be completed on our school counseling recommendation form.
• An interview (by invitation only) is requested of all finalists for the MEd program.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/school-counseling/apply , for additional information.

Montessori Education

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/montessori/med/off-site-partners/apply , for application deadlines.

• Three professional/academic letters of recommendation
• Copy of Montessori Training Diploma for the Post-Diploma program/Master's of Montessori Education program

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/montessori/med/off-site-partners/apply , for additional information.

Teacher Education

Master of Education (MEd), Literacy Teacher for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations Master of Education (MEd), Reading Specialist Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners (TELL)

Literacy/Reading (MEd)

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/literacy-reading/apply , for application deadlines.

• Optional professional/academic letter of recommendation
• Evidence of Maryland certification or eligibility for Maryland certification is required for literacy program applicants

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/literacy-reading/apply , for additional information.

Teaching English Language Learners Certificate (TELL)

Refer to the program website ,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/tell-teaching-english-language-learners/apply , for application deadlines.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/tell-teaching-english-language-learners/apply , for additional information.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Elementary (Grades 1-6) Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Secondary (Grades 7-12) Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Secondary (Grades PK-12)

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/mat/apply , for application deadlines.

• Official transcripts from  all  postsecondary colleges or universities attended
• One professional/academic letter of recommendation and the MAT recommendation form
• Qualifying test scores. Test scores are required only for applicants with an overall GPA below 3.0 in the most recent degree program. Please see the program website for qualifying tests and test scores. 

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/school-education/academics/graduate/mat/apply , for additional information.

Sellinger School of Business and Management

Master of accounting (macc).

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/sellinger-business/academics/graduate/master-accounting/admission , for application deadlines.

• One professional/academic letter of recommendation

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/sellinger-business/academics/graduate/master-accounting/admission , for additional information.

Professional's Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Refer to the program websit e ,  www.loyola.edu/sellinger-business/academics/graduate/part-time-mba/admission , for application deadlines.

• One professional letter of recommendation

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/sellinger-business/academics/graduate/part-time-mba/admission , for additional information.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/sellinger-business/academics/graduate/masters-plus , for application deadlines.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/sellinger-business/academics/graduate/masters-plus , for additional information.

Emerging Leaders MBA

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/sellinger-business/academics/graduate/full-time-mba/admission , for application deadlines.

• Two professional/academic letters of recommendation.  At least one reference must be academic.
• Candidates who meet the minimum admission requirements and complete all documentation will be invited to interview (via Skype/phone) with the program manager as the last step in the admissions process.

Refer to the program website,  www.loyola.edu/sellinger-business/academics/graduate/full-time-mba/admission , for additional information.

Admissions -->

Personal statement (essay) topics.

• meet our staff

Tell us about yourself

The purpose of the essay portion of the Loyola application is to give you the opportunity to make a personal statement and to demonstrate your creativity and ability to organize and express your thoughts.

In 500 words or less, write about one of the following topics. Please note: these prompts are the same as the Common Application Essay Topics :

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

You will be prompted to include your essay when completing the online application. Please type your essay and include it as a part of your  Application for Undergraduate Admissions . If emailing, mailing or faxing your essay, include your name , birthdate , and the date on the essay. This essay will be used as an important document in scholarship consideration.

Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address: Loyola University New Orleans, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Campus Box 18, New Orleans, LA 70118

Fax: (504) 865-3383

To learn more, call 1-800-4-LOYOLA or  schedule your visit online .

• 504-865-3240 or 1-800-456-9652
• Thomas Hall, 1st Floor | 6363 St. Charles Avenue | New Orleans, LA 70118
• Admissions Intranet | Contact Us

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the University of Maryland Essays 2023-2024

The University of Maryland does not have traditional supplemental essays, but it does have six required “complete this sentence” prompt. Your answers to these questions will need to be within 650 characters, but you’ll have plenty of space to reveal unique and distinctive parts of your personality to the admissions committee.

Make sure you give yourself enough time to craft thoughtful responses to these prompts, as you want to take full advantage of every opportunity you have to share something about yourself with the admissions officers. This unique kind of prompt presents a great opportunity to showcase something that might not be found elsewhere in your application.

Considering how competitive college admissions have become in just a few years, the more your responses stand out to admissions officers, the better your chances of admission will be.

Want to know your chances at UMD? Calculate your chances for free right now.

University of Maryland Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt 1: If I could travel anywhere, I would go to… (650 characters)

Prompt 2: The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was… (650 characters)

Prompt 3: In addition to my major, my academic interests include… (650 characters)

Prompt 4: My favorite thing about last Thursday was… (650 characters)

Prompt 5: Something you might not know about me is… (650 characters)

Prompt 6: Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms. This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation. We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences. In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity. (650 characters)

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to… (650 characters)

This is a very straightforward prompt. A strong response will identify a place, and share a little bit about why you’ve picked this particular place.

Keep in mind that your response should be unique to you and should teach your reader something about your personality or interests. If your answer sounds like something any random person might say, you need to work on specificity. Here are some examples to show you what we’re talking about.

Generic response: “Rome, because I’ve always wanted to see the Colosseum.”

Personal response: “Rome, because I’ve studied Latin since middle school. My father, a classics professor, spent so many happy hours teaching me how to read the works of Ovid, Virgil, Cicero, and the other greats, in their original language. Whenever we happen to pass by old churches or college buildings, we stop to read their insignias and mottos, which are most often in Latin. All these fond memories make me feel deeply connected to the Greco-Roman world, and I think that seeing historic sites like the Colosseum in person would augment the reading I’ve done and enrich my understanding of classical antiquity.” (598 characters)

The first response is very generic because just about anybody you ask would probably love to see the Colosseum. The second response answers the crucial question— why? —which should be at the core of your response. Your particular reason for choosing the place you choose is where your personality and individuality will shine through.

Obviously, the source of specificity will depend on you and your personal experiences. If you haven’t studied Latin (or if you studied it but didn’t like it), this response clearly wouldn’t work for you. Think about what truly interests you, then narrow your thinking down to places that are integral to that interest. For example, if you’re really invested in country music and its history, you might be particularly interested in visiting Nashville, the epicenter of that genre.

Finally, remember that this place doesn’t have to be a city. You could also say something like “The Pro Football Hall of Fame” or “Abbey Road Studios.” In fact, you even have the freedom to be a little more creative with your place in history. You might want to travel to a different time period entirely. The prompt posits that you can travel anywhere , but doesn’t specify that it has to be somewhere modern. Perhaps you love early R&B and disco music. You might want to travel to Detroit in the 1960s, when Motown Records was beginning to dominate those genres.

A word of caution: If you are going to get extra creative and pick a different time period, be sure to avoid generic clichés. For example, writing that you want to travel to the future—to give your future self advice, or to drive a flying car, or to see where climate change has gone, etc.—is a cliché and won’t contribute much to your application.

In terms of location, you probably shouldn’t go much bigger than a city. Saying something like “The United Kingdom” or “China” may make you sound clueless, as countries are too large and diverse to understand in their entirety with just one trip. Aiming for something too broad detracts from the specificity that a strong response to this kind of essay requires.

Rather than settling for a generic response, think about the main reason you personally want to go to this place, and narrow your response from there. Instead of “The United Kingdom,” you could write “The Scottish Highlands,” and instead of “China,” you could write “The Great Wall of China.”

The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was… (650 characters)

If you haven’t done research before, don’t worry. Most high school students haven’t done a serious research project, and nowhere does the prompt say that the research has to be yours.

Your response should show your reader that you are informed about the research that goes on at places like the University of Maryland. Of course, research is not the only thing universities do, but being surrounded by cutting-edge researchers in a wide range of fields is an opportunity that is difficult to find outside of a university campus.

We don’t mean to say you have to cite some dense, obscure study on molecular neuroscience. If that’s what you’re interested in, great! As long as your response is genuine, your chosen topic is fair game. Don’t make the mistake of writing about some deep scientific research if that isn’t what piques your interest, but be careful not to write about something too trivial either.

That being said, research is done in a vast array of subjects, so there’s no pressure to write about any one topic over another. Below are some examples of facts from a variety of fields that would work just as well as something from a hardcore STEM study.

• Consistent physical exercise throughout life correlates with better mental health in old age.
• Sea turtles use magnetoreception to find the same breeding grounds each year.
• The Egyptian pyramids have passages leading up from the burial chamber, which ancient Egyptians believed the dead pharaoh could climb through to join the gods in heaven.

Given the 650 characters you’re allotted, you should also share a short explanation of why you find this particular fact so interesting. For example, for the aforementioned sea turtle fact, you could write:

“[The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was…] sea turtles find the same breeding grounds each year with magnetoreception. Magnetoreception is a sense that allows turtles (and other animals) to perceive Earth’s magnetic field. Learning this fact made me truly appreciate nature’s diversity—turtles have an entire sense that we lack! This newfound appreciation created by one fact I just stumbled upon inspired me to embark on an exploratory journey that culminated in an internship at a local environmental center.” (467 characters, excluding the prompt’s characters)

Try to avoid picking a fact that is so long that you don’t have space to elaborate. 650 characters isn’t the largest amount of space, but simply stating your fact probably shouldn’t take up most of it. That being said, you don’t necessarily have to elaborate at a level as deep as the above example to have an excellent response. You may have a strong and thorough response with just 300 characters or so.

In addition to my major, my academic interests include… (650 characters)

The key phrase here is “in addition to my major.” Remember that you should use these supplemental prompts to share information about yourself that your reader cannot find elsewhere in your application.

So if your intended major is neuroscience, your answer here shouldn’t be “biology.” That is technically a different academic interest, but it doesn’t really tell your reader anything new. If they know you want to major in neuroscience, they can already safely assume you have at least some interest in biology.

Remember that your reader also has your high school transcript and activities list. Maybe math isn’t your intended major, but if you’ve taken AP math classes and done math camps during your high school summers, writing about math won’t be sharing something new with your reader. Your personal experiences already strongly indicate that you’re interested in math.

Your response also shouldn’t just be a list of other interests you have. A laundry list of interests won’t give the admissions committee any sense of why you’re interested in these things. The “why” is where your personality shines through. Without it, your reader won’t really have anything to take away from your response.

Now that we’ve covered what you shouldn’t do, let’s talk about how you should approach this prompt. As noted above, you want to pick an interest that is genuinely different from the things already seen in the rest of your application. As long as you’re honest, there’s no right or wrong way to do this. UMD wants to see that you’re academically inclined and intellectually curious, not that you’re only interested in one particular thing.

The second part of your response is the why . Say you’re a prospective history major and the other area you’re interested in is sports psychology. Your response might read something like this:

“[In addition to my major, my academic interests include…] sports psychology, because I was raised a diehard Miami Heat fan, and I’ve always wondered what helps some players thrive under pressure while others fold. I think that the field is interesting as it explores not only how players play, but also how they act in their personal lives in the spotlight. Even to those not interested in sports, the field is very useful in that its findings can be extrapolated and applied to society at large. After all, everyone wants to be able to perform at an optimal level.” (507 characters, excluding the prompt’s characters)

Alternatively, say you’re a prospective engineering major and you also have an interest in music theory. A strong response would be:

“[In addition to my major, my academic interests include…] music theory, because I’ve always wanted to know how movie and television composers use sound to enhance the emotional content of a scene. I’ve always been fascinated by the ways music is used to complement cinema. There are videos online in which a song is changed or removed from a scene, and something that simple can have a profound impact on the scene. I have been teaching myself guitar for four years, and even though I’m competent on a technical level, my theoretical understanding is lacking.” (501 characters, excluding the prompt’s characters)

These responses share interests that are not only not distinct from their respective majors, but that are also probably not discussed anywhere else in the application. It’s an unfortunate reality that college applications often capture only a thin slice of who you are while leaving out things like sports fandom, which may be a huge part of your personality and identity. If you can share one of those things here, your response will be all the better for it.

My favorite thing about last Thursday was… (650 characters)

Only you know what you did last Thursday, so the best advice we can give here is to not overthink your answer. Most people don’t do anything revolutionary on an average Thursday. UMD doesn’t expect you to have cured cancer on a normal day of the week. What they do expect is that you can engage with—and bring energy to—seemingly mundane situations. This is a useful skill that will help you thrive in college and beyond.

In order to address this prompt successfully, all you really have to do is describe the situation and give your reader some sense of what made it your favorite part of the day. Bear in mind that you don’t have to write about last Thursday literally. Think of something eventful that you took part in recently, but don’t feel restricted to the day mentioned in the prompt. UMD’s use of “last Thursday” is figurative. You can write about any average day that didn’t happen too long ago. No one is going to check that your event happened on a Thursday.

Here are some examples of weak and strong responses to this prompt.

Weak: “getting dinner with my friend.”

Strong: “having a picnic at dinnertime with my friend and watching the sunset. There’s nothing like munching on a DIY vegan charcuterie board and drinking sparkling cider at the golden hour. My friend and I grew up together and are as close as sisters. For years we did everything together, from shopping to cooking and from learning to swim to learning to drive. She and I used to hang out a lot before she moved, so I feel lucky whenever I get to spend quality time with her on an otherwise average day.” (495 characters)

For this particular prompt, even a few extra details—like those that are included in the strong example—can go a long way. Most people enjoy getting dinner with friends, but the strong response shows the reader why , for you personally, this particular dinner was so meaningful.

As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, 650 characters is more than you might assume. Take advantage of the space you have to make your response as personal as possible, but also don’t write more than you need to just to reach the limit. Based on the rest of your application, the admissions committee has some understanding of what you’re like in the classroom or on the basketball court. Now show them what you’re like on a regular old Thursday.

Something you might not know about me is… (650 characters)

A prompt this open-ended can be overwhelming at first. But as we advised with the previous prompt, don’t overthink your answer! This fun fact doesn’t have to be anything crazy or an attempt to impress the admissions committee—that’s what the rest of your application is for. Just share something unique to you that isn’t already discussed elsewhere in your application.

This last part about being unique is key—if your answer to Prompt 3 (the one about academic interests) was something about liking astronomy, your answer here shouldn’t be something about stargazing every night. Remember that you only have so many opportunities to share information about yourself with the admissions committee, so take advantage of each one.

That being said, you have free rein to write about pretty much anything! Below are some examples of potential topics you could respond to this prompt with. Your response also may look nothing like these, which is completely fine. We just want to get your mental gears turning by giving you a sense of what a good response might begin with.

Something you might not know about me is…

• I can do a double backflip off a diving board.
• I have every word to Taylor Swift’s album Reputation memorized.
• For my eighteenth birthday, I went skydiving and passed out in the air.
• I’ve won my fantasy football league three years in a row.
• Every New Year’s Day, my dad cracks the ice on the pond near our house and my family does a polar plunge together.

Since you have a longer character count, you should elaborate on your fun fact, whatever it may be. For example, a hypothetical student might extend the above skydiving example and write something like this:

“[Something you might not know about me is…] for my eighteenth birthday, I went skydiving and passed out in the air. As a child, I saw a show about skydiving and became so infatuated with the idea that it became the one thing I had to try. My parents were not thrilled but agreed that I could try when I was 18. The time finally came, and the plane ascended with me finally on it. I was signed up for a tandem jump where I was tethered to an instructor. We jumped, and some combination of excitement, dread, and altitude made me pass out, so I missed most of the experience! By the time I came to, we were near the ground already, so I definitely need to try this experience again someday.” (644 characters, excluding the prompt’s characters)

You might not use all 650 characters to respond to this prompt, and that’s okay. Don’t try to reach the character limit and end up rambling or writing something confusing. For example, imagine if the backflip example above read like this:

“[Something you might not know about me is…] I can do a double backflip off a diving board. One time I was at the pool and kept making the lifeguard nervous every time I did it. It ended up being fine though, because it’s a skill I had gotten really good at by then.” (221 characters, excluding the prompt’s characters)

By the end of this response, a reader might not even remember what the original fun fact was, even though it’s only 221 characters.

Finally, the examples above hopefully show that your fun fact can be just that—fun. You don’t have to be super serious with every single supplemental essay prompt you come across. A more lighthearted response can actually be a good thing—college applications are generally quite dry, so it can be a good idea to remind your reader that you’re more than a GPA and a Common App essay you’ve revised 43 times.

Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms. This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation. We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences. In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity. (650 characters)

This is one instance of the very common diversity prompt . When colleges have a diversity prompt, they want to know about your own personal background and how it has influenced your worldview and perspectives.

In June 2023, the United States Supreme Court struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. The ruling, however, still allows colleges to consider race on an individual basis, which is one reason many schools are now including diversity prompts as one of their supplemental essay prompts. If you feel that your racial background has impacted you significantly, this is the place to discuss that.

In general, such a common prompt can be approached with a traditional answer. You might consider answering this prompt with what you think is the most important part of your identity, then a small discussion about how that aspect of diversity is relevant to you and your general life experiences.

Such a response might be written about one of the following scenarios:

• Using your fluency in another language to help members of a specific community.
• Interpreting a text in class differently from your classmates because of your ethnic culture.
• Having a friend of a different background who has changed your perspective on something important (this speaks to the “been inspired” part of the prompt).
• Having an illness or disability that helps you view accessibility through a different lens than your peers.
• Being part of a niche interest group/fandom and trying to represent the group faithfully when talking to people who aren’t members of it.

Simply listing things that generate diversity should be avoided. Sure, diversity includes different ethnicities/races, gender identities, sexual orientations, countries of origin, and languages, but writing that laundry list out doesn’t contribute much to your application.

Also, bear in mind that the traditional markers of diversity aren’t the only ones you can discuss. There are other aspects of identity that contribute to a diverse campus, including socioeconomic classes, hometowns, illnesses/disabilities, and even interests or hobbies.

Diversity encompasses all the aforementioned attributes, but you should strive for individuality and specificity in your response. This prompt, like all the others, is an opportunity to showcase your unique life perspective. You don’t want to waste this opportunity by writing down some bland dictionary definitions. Think of what diversity means to you and what you consider to be a particularly significant aspect of diversity. From there, think of personal anecdotes or stories about how that aspect of diversity has contributed to your growth or development as a person.

Where to Get Your University of Maryland, College Park Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your UMD essays? After rereading your essays over and over again, it can be difficult to gauge where your writing needs improvement, especially since these prompts are so short. We created our free Peer Essay Review tool to help students like you  get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Essay Questions

The essay is just one of the 24 factors we use as part of our holistic application review.

The essay provides you with the opportunity to showcase aspects of your personality and experiences that fit well with the University of Maryland (UMD) community. When considering your approach to your essay, take time to think about your answer, making it creative and succinct.

Please answer one of the following essay questions. Make sure to include the question itself at the start of your essay. Your essay should be no more than 650 words; the question will not be included in the essay total word count.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Please answer the following question. Students who have been out of school for several years or who have a personal circumstance that affected performance, may wish to address that situation in their essay. Your answer should be no more than 300 words.

• Please describe your past academic experiences and your reasons for wishing to enroll at UMD at this point in your academic career.

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Loyola Marymount University (LMU) 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide 

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1  essay of 500 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Leadership

An LMU education forms ethical leaders compelled to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. How do your personal experiences and educational goals align with this mission? (500 words)  

This is your opportunity to not only show admissions that you’re dialed in and paying attention to what’s going on in society, but also demonstrate your creativity and vision. Take a little time to brainstorm issues that you consider to be some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Once you’ve identified one that you’d like to write about, think about the role you see yourself playing in addressing or solving it. Maybe you’re pursuing a major in Environmental Sciences because you hope to help combat global warming and prevent associated climate disasters. Or perhaps you’re pursuing a major in Criminology and Justice Studies because you hope to play a role in dismantling the prison industrial complex. Remember that LMU wants to know how your past and their education will aid you in addressing this societal challenge, so don’t skimp on how your experiences relate to this mission and how your LMU experience (courses, professors, clubs, the school’s Jesuit orientation) will set you up for success.

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2023-24 University of Maryland (UMD) Supplemental Essays – Prompts and Tips

September 8, 2023

With more than 56,000 applicants per year, you might think that the University of Maryland—College Park admissions committee would want to create a fast-paced assembly line for application reviews that is 99% based on the hard numbers like GPA and SAT scores. Yet, in addition to those important data points and the 650-word Common App essay, prospective Terrapins are  also asked to complete six short “Complete this Sentence” University of Maryland supplemental essays as part of a genuinely holistic admissions process. Today, we’ll explore the UMD supplemental essays.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into the University of Maryland—College Park? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Maryland: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

As the University of Maryland becomes more selective—the acceptance rate was just 34% last year—applicants need to find ways to stand out from the competition. Fortunately, these six short answer essays provide just such an opportunity. Below are the UMD supplemental essays for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address each one.

UMD Supplemental Essays – 2023-24 Prompts

Applicants must complete each of the following fill-in-the-blank responses in 650 characters (not words!) max each:

1) If I could travel anywhere, I would go to… (650 characters)

There’s nothing wrong with simply naming a popular and/or exotic city if you wish, but don’t feel like that is your sole option with this essay. For example, you could travel to see a particular painting in an art gallery in Finland. You could travel through time to have a conversation with 19th century women’s right’s hero Elizabeth Cady Stanton. You could travel to Montana’s Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument to dig for dinosaur fossils alongside paleontologists. There is no shortage of ways to create an answer that contains more depth and meaning than simply saying “Paris, because it has beautiful architecture.”

2) The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was… (650 characters)

“But wait, I’m a 17/18-year-old who has done some experiments in Chemistry class, but I didn’t exactly win a Nobel Prize for learning how to safely use a Bunsen burner.” Applicants sometimes panic when they first read this question. However, the only expectation is that you cite a finding from someone else’s research that you found meaningful and enlightening. If you aren’t interested in the hard sciences, that’s perfectly fine! There is plenty of research that takes place outside of the STEM realm. Some ideas include:

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UMD Supplemental Essays (Continued)

3) in addition to my major, my academic interests include… (650 characters).

Note the operative phrase here—“In addition to my major.” This is a chance to talk about one or more of your academic passions that are a) an extension of your major b) separate from your major or c) part of an interdisciplinary connection between your major and another discipline.

Of course, the second key word here is “academic” so you’ll want to make sure that the subject or subjects you wish to discuss are at least somewhat related to an area that could be studied in college. Use this prompt to showcase your diverse interests and intellectual passions and remember that “academic” in a college setting means more than just straight subjects like high school biology, geometry, or world history. In a collegiate setting, there are academic offerings in psychology, art, criminal justice, philosophy, artificial intelligence, and hundreds of other expansive and intriguing options so don’t feel overly-constrained!

4) My favorite thing about last Thursday was… (650 characters)

You could look back at your Google Calendar or old texts in a quest to uncover whether last Thursday was the day you reheated beef stroganoff for dinner or whether that was the night you ordered Uber Eats from Chipotle while studying for a Calculus final. However, there is another way to reimagine the question which removes “last Thursday’s” random and limiting presence altogether. Instead, change the question to, “What is something that has happened to me recently that may have seemed small/everyday-ish, but truly mattered to me and communicates something about my character/personality?”

Think of this prompt as a chance to show off your skills of observation and reflection. Even in 650 characters, try to paint a picture of your appreciation for one of life’s small moments.

5) When I think of diversity, I think of.. (650 characters)

Try to avoid going the stale “the dictionary definition of diversity is…” route. Get personal and share what being a part of a diverse community means to you. Remember, diversity can apply to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, and gender. Even diversity of thought and political ideology are on the table here. The goal is to sincerely communicate your feelings toward being a member of a diverse Terrapin campus. In fact, 47% of current undergraduates identify as students of color.

6) Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms.  This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation.  We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences.  In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity.  (650 characters)

Remember, diversity can apply to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, and gender. Even diversity of thought and political ideology are on the table here. The goal is to think about your experiences and observations in this realm—is there a particular situation, challenge, or aspect of your own (or someone else’s) identity that has enabled you to learn or grow in this area? Perhaps you’ve learned how to advocate for yourself or someone else, been exposed to a new way of thinking, learned how to have difficult conversations, educated others, or been inspired by a peer’s story. Bottom line: there are many possible options here, and UMD wants to understand how you would contribute to and/or support diverse spaces on campus.

How important are the UMD supplemental essays?

The essays at the University of Maryland are an “important” factor in their evaluation process, alongside class rank, recommendations, talent/ability, first-generation status, and state residency. This ranks higher than factors such as extracurricular activities, legacy status, race/ethnicity, or work experience.

Want personalized assistance with your UMD supplemental essays?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UMD supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

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Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Loyola University Chicago

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Want to see your chances of admission at Loyola University Chicago?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

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Undergraduate admission

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​Requirements

Your previous education.

To apply to Loyola University Chicago, you'll need the following:

Submit your application.  The application is your chance to tell us more about yourself and your extracurricular activities. You may complete either the co-curricular activities section of your chosen application or by sumbitting a resume after you've completed the application. You can fill out the application for Loyola in the following ways:

• Using our free  online application - This application is Loyola specific and recommended for students who are not applying to other schools, or cannot access other systems.
• Using the  Common App - Recommended for students who are who are applying to several Common App schools.

There is no preference or advantage gained by using any particular application type.

Official transcripts.  All freshman applicants are required to submit an official transcript from their secondary school. We are able to receive documents through all major electronic transcript delivery systems, and this will be the fastest method to send your records. Transcripts may be sent electronically by school officials via  [email protected] . In the event you must send paper records, please have your transcripts sent directly to:

Loyola University Chicago Undergraduate Admission Office 1032 W. Sheridan Road Sullivan Center, Room 150 Chicago, IL 60660 If you were homeschooled at any point during high school please complete  this form  in addition to sending any traditional transcript you may have.

• Submit at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor.  You may send an e-mail request from our online application, or you can download a  Counselor Recommendation Form .
• 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.

Optional items:

• An essay on the topic of your choice, or the Common Application options
• A resume of your achievements and extracurricular activities at school or in your community

If you are an international student, you may also be required to submit the following:

• TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English, Duolingo English Test scores
• The International Conditional Admission Program (ICAP) is available for students who have demonstrated sufficient academic ability but who need additional English language preparation. Applicants who qualify will be referred to the program based on the strength of their application

For admission consideration, it's recommended that freshman applicants complete the following high school courses:

• English courses : 4 years
• Math courses : 3 years
• Science courses : 3 years
• Social science courses : 3 years
• Foreign language courses : 2 years

*Students interested in applying into Engineering Science should have completed 4 units of mathematics, including 1 of pre-calculus by their high school graduation.

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Spring 2024 Newsletter

This semester the Modern Languages and Literatures Department has organized many events. We had the annual events such as The Regina Ann Haig International Film Series ,  The Hanna Geldrich-Leffman Colloquium on Language, Literature and Society and Tea Time Talks . The Italian section held the 2024 Italian Week . The Arabic section and Spanish section also held amazing cultural events. Three of our ambassadors organized three wonderful Ambassador projects and our student clubs had many exciting events.

Italian Week 2024 Innovatori Italiani: Italian Innovators from the Renaissance to Today

Italian Mass Feb. 19  

"Ford vs. Ferrari" Film Screening Feb. 21  Student viewed the film Ford vs. Ferrari, which intersected with the theme of Italian Innovators.

“The Ferrari Phenomenon: An Italian Story” Lecture by Matt Lallo   Feb. 22  Independent scholar Matt Lallo came to Loyola to talk about his love for, and work on, Ferrari cars.

The Regina Ann Haig International Film Series

Barrikade  Feb. 26  Prof. Jennifer Holt presented the German film "Barrikade", a documentary film about forest occupiers, who were protesting the destruction of this forest.

Demain March 19 Prof. Kelly Keenan selected and presented this film about a group of French environmentalists who traveled the world to highlight grassroots efforts to protect the environment.

Still Life April 17 Dr. Yu Zhang-Stearns presented the Chinese language film "Still Life" about two people on a search in a region destroyed by the building of a dam and focused on the survival of those left in its wake.

Hanna Geldrich-Leffman Colloquium on Language, Literature and Society: "Global Foodways"

April 10th 2024

Three speakers presented on the intersections of food politics, cultural identity, and cultural output.

• 1pm- Dr. Ignacio M. Sánchez Prado, Washington University, “Cultural Density beyond Authenticity: Reflections on the Idea of the Taco”
• 2pm- Dr. Jennifer Lin LeMesurier, Colgate University, "Gut Feelings: The Racial Rhetoric of Asian Food in America" 
• 4pm- Dr. Priya Wadhera, Adelphi University, “Hunger: A User's Manual for Post-War France"

Tea Time Talks

"Who Creates Knowledge? Midwives in New Spain,"  Dr. Yolopattli Hernandez-Torres Feb. 19

"Coming of Age in Catholic School: A Rereading of Monique Wittig and Simone de Beauvoir," Kelly Keenan March 25

"Coaching a Foreign Language in the New Normal," Dr. Inas Hassan April 15

Modern Languages and Literatures Ambassador Projects

MLL Spanish Book Drive and Letter Writing Dec. 6  Organized by Jasmine Diaz-Martinez All levels of Spanish were invited to write letters for children to accompany books donated for the Spanish Book Drive.

My Living Language Video Series The My Living Language Video Series, created by Liberty Diaz, highlights members of the Loyola community who learn and use Modern Languages outside of the classroom. The two part video series can be viewed here : Part 1 and Part 2

  Cultures Through Languages April 17 Organized by Rain Kesler Students learned about the connections between language and culture and tested their knowledge with a Kahoot

Arabic Section events

Arabic Movie Screening event: Black/White Feb. 26

Arabic Calligraphy Workshop March 18 The calligraphy session has lasted one hour, the students  met the guest speaker via Zoom at LLC venue at MLL department. The session included an engaging 5 to 7 minutes presentation by the artist, followed by a hands-on demonstration workshop. The artist taught the students one writing in the Thuluth style (a popular Arabic calligraphical style) Tasting "Tamr & Coffee - Date & Coffee" April 19 Students learned about this popular Arabic snack & its taste.  

Spanish Section Events

El gato y la gaviota March 20 Theatre performance of the play, El gato y la gaviota, in Spanish by the Teatro de la Luna company.

Aula de Flamenco - Introduction to Flamenco April 19 Members of the D.C. based organization TorcuArt gave an introduction to flamenco and a lively musical demonstration of different rhythms with guitar, voice, and castanets.

Student Club Events

French club.

French Club Movie Night - L'Atlantique Feb. 15 The film L’Atlanqitue was shown. Students were able to see a movie set in a Francophone country, Senegal. The film was shown in the native language, Wolof, with subtitles in English.

French Club Paint Night March 13 We had paint by number kits for students to paint. The scenes that they were painting were French inspired, including the Eiffel Tower, a French Castle, and famous French paintings.

French Club Picnic Social April 17 We provided French snacks and cheeses to students on the quad and encouraged them to interact with one another while enjoying the food. This allowed for engagement with other French students as well as French culture.

Italian Club

Feb 15 Students gathered to learn about Carnevale in Italy and make their own masks.

Italian Stereotypes and Superstitions April 9 Students learned about various Italian superstitions and stereotypes, and why they are important.

It alian Food Tasting Event April 25 Students learned about the history of Italian food and various regional cuisines, then sampled many different desserts (cakes, cookies, cannoli, etc.).