Decoding Loyola University Chicago ACT Scores and Admission Requirements

Loyola University Chicago, a large, 4-year, private university situated in the urban heart of Chicago, Illinois, offers a wide array of academic programs, including certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. With its campuses nestled alongside Lake Michigan and in the city's Gold Coast neighborhood, Loyola provides students with access to countless opportunities for career development, internships, service, culture, recreation, and entertainment. The university's global reach extends to centers in Rome, Beijing, and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as over 100 study abroad options in 60 countries.

Understanding Loyola's Admission Landscape

For prospective students eyeing Loyola University Chicago, understanding the admission requirements is crucial. These encompass several factors, with ACT scores playing a significant role for many applicants. Although Loyola University Chicago hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores, 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. Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Loyola University Chicago 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.

Acceptance Rate: A General Overview

The acceptance rate at Loyola University Chicago stands at 81.4%, indicating that the university is lightly selective. This means that a significant portion of applicants are admitted, provided they meet the school's academic standards.

GPA: A Key Academic Factor

GPA is a very important academic factor. The average GPA at Loyola University Chicago is 3.74, which requires you to be above average in your high school class. Successful applicants generally have a mix of A's and B's, with a leaning toward A's. Students can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes.

ACT Scores: What You Need to Know

The average ACT score at Loyola University Chicago is 29. Half the applicants admitted to Loyola University Chicago who submitted test scores have an ACT score of 27 and 31. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges.

ACT Score Range and Percentiles

A closer look at the ACT scores reveals the following:

25th Percentile: 24
75th Percentile: 30

In other words, a 24 places you below average, while a 30 will move you up to above average.

This indicates that the middle 50% of admitted students scored between 24 and 30 on the ACT. Aiming for a score within this range significantly increases your chances of admission.

Strategic ACT Testing

When sending ACT scores to colleges, students have control over which tests they submit. This allows students to take the ACT multiple times and only send their highest score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 24 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can.

Superscoring 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). We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore.

Read also: Applying for Loyola Scholarships

ACT Essay Section

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. Loyola University Chicago considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.

SAT Scores: An Alternative Consideration

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. The 25th percentile SAT score is 1210, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1370.

Holistic Review: Beyond Test Scores

While standardized test scores and GPA are important, Loyola University Chicago employs a holistic admission review process. This means that admissions officials consider a variety of factors, including:

Coursework difficulty
Extracurricular activities
Letters of recommendation
Personal statementsRecommendation are considered important for admissions officials at Loyola University Chicago.

Application Essentials

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.

Application Deadline

The application deadline at Loyola University Chicago is rolling. Spring - Rollingbeginning Aug.

Read also: Academics at Loyola University

Additional Considerations

Campus Life and Opportunities

Loyola University Chicago offers a vibrant campus life with over 125 student clubs, activities, and organizations. Students have ample opportunities to connect with others, make lifelong friendships, and engage in a richer college experience. Students take classes primarily at the Lake Shore Campus, nestled alongside Lake Michigan on Chicago's north side, and at the Water Tower Campus located in the city's famous Gold Coast neighborhood. Medical students benefit from the University's clinical partnership with the Loyola University Health System and Trinity Health. Our Health Sciences Campus, located in suburban Maywood is home to Loyola's Stritch School of Medicine, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, and the Graduate School's biomedical programs.

Global Engagement

Loyola's reach also extends around the world. The John Felice Rome Center in Italy, the Beijing Center in China, and the Vietnam Center in Ho Chi Minh City along with more than 100 other study abroad options in 60 countries, offer students the chance to engage with the global community and economy.

Academic Programs

Loyola's 11 schools and colleges offer more than 80 undergraduate majors and more than 140 graduate, professional, and graduate-level certificate programs. Nineteen programs integrate coursework from multiple disciplines to give students an opportunity to explore and synthesize topics from a variety of viewpoints. Our distinguished faculty are leaders in their fields. They integrate research and practical experiences into the classroom. Ninety-two percent hold the highest academic degrees in their respective fields. Small classes emphasize student-to faculty interaction and partnership opportunities in service learning and research. An undergraduate degree at Loyola takes four years (120 credit hours) to complete and includes undergraduate major requirements, the Core Curriculum, and electives. At Loyola, some of the most impactful learning takes place outside of the classroom. Students routinely give back to the community while exploring their interests and may earn academic credit for their service.

Financial Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that your Loyola education is accessible.

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