Loyola University Chicago

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International Admission

   Welcome! We're pleased that you're interested in Loyola University Chicago. To make your application process as smooth as possible, we're providing the following information to guide you, your family and your advisors. To get the information you need, please scroll through the sections below, or click on an area of interest above.

If you have any more questions or need specific help, please feel free to contact us:

Undergraduate Admission Office
Loyola University Chicago
6525 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60626
Phone: 800.262.2373
E-mail: admission@luc.edu

We look forward to working with you and welcoming you to Loyola University Chicago!

Lori A. Greene
Director, Undergraduate Admission Office

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   Who is considered an international student?

  • An international student does not have United States citizenship, or is not a permanent resident of the United States.
  • Any student who is "in process" to receive U.S. permanent residency (obtain Green Card), or who may live in the country without appropriate immigration documentation, is considered by Loyola as an international student.
  • Those who are seeking student status (F-1 or J-1).
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The Office of Undergraduate Admission reviews each application individually and thoroughly. Your writing sample, counselor recommendation, student activities, grades and standardized test scores are all considered to determine if Loyola will be a good academic match for your strengths and abilities.

The freshman class entering in Fall 2007 had middle 50% ACT ranges between 22-27, middle 50% range on the SAT Verbal between 540-640, middle 50% range on the SAT Math between 520-640, and an average GPA of 3.68.

International students also must meet our TOEFL minimum score of 550/213/79-80 on the written, computer-based or Web-based exam.

The following units or courses are suggested for admission to Loyola University Chicago. While these items are not required (except for English), students completing a college-preparatory curriculum in high school, like the one depicted below, show greater evidence of future success at Loyola.

  • Four years of English (required)
  • Three to four years of math
  • Three years of social science
  • Two or more years of foreign language
  • Three to four years of natural or physical science
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   International Freshman Admission

  1. Complete all sections of this application.
  2. The application fee of $25.00 is waived when you complete the application online.
  3. Please send your official secondary school academic records to: Undergraduate Admission, Loyola University Chicago, 6525 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626-9901. Allow 4-6 weeks for your application to be reviewed. In some cases, records may need to be translated and/or evaluated by an outside agency.  If this applies to your record, Loyola will contact you about the process and any fees involved.  Your evaluation is required to be reviewed for admission, which may lengthen the processing time needed to make an admission decision.
  4. If your native language is not English and/or if your primary language of instruction has not been English, you will be required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. Exceptions will be made on an individual basis.

    The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized English language proficiency examination that measures the ability of nonnative English speakers to use North American English as needed at the university level.  The TOEFL is administered by the College Board. Students may write TOEFL/TSE Services at Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, USA, or visit www.toefl.org.

    Loyola will also accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).  Visit www.ielts.org for more information.
     
  5. SAT or ACT scores are required for undergraduate admission.
     
  6. You must complete the Declaration and Certification of Finances Form (PDF) and submit it with proof of financial resources showing your ability to cover expenses for your first academic year at Loyola University Chicago. You can download the form as an Adobe Acrobat file.
  7. Upon admission, candidates must submit a deposit by May 1 to reserve a place in the class. Please be advised that our class may fill prior to May 1. Enrollment deposits are refundable until May 1.

Important dates for international freshmen

  • December 1
    Priority Processing deadline: Students must have submitted a complete application packet by this date for freshman scholarship consideration.
  • Early January
    Spring Semester classes begin
  • February 1 
    Priority Processing deadline for Freshman Admission Application.
  • May 1
    An enrollment and housing deposit of $450 is required for resident students for freshman applicants to reserve a place in the class and in a residence hall.  Deposit for non-resident students is $200. Enrollment deposits will not be refunded after this date.
  • Late August
    Fall Semester classes begin
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   International Transfer Admission
A transfer applicant is one who has completed at least 20 acceptable semester hours at another university in the United States or has the equivalent of 20 semester hours taken at a foreign university. If you have not earned 20 acceptable semester hours, please follow the admission requirements for a freshman applicant.

  1. Complete all sections of this application.
  2. The application fee of $25.00 is waived when you complete the application online.
  3. Send your secondary school academic records and transcripts from all universities to: Undergraduate Admission, Loyola University Chicago, 6525 N. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626-9901. Allow 4-6 weeks for your application materials to be reviewed. In some cases, records may need to be translated and/or evaluated by an outside agency.  If this applies to your record, Loyola will contact you about the process and any fees involved.  This will require additional processing time before an admission decision can be given. If you are transferring from a non-US university, Loyola will require a catalogue match evaluation of your university transcript.
  4. If your native language is not English and/or if your primary language of instruction has not been English, you will be required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. Exceptions will be made on an individual basis.

    The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized English language proficiency examination that measures the ability of nonnative English speakers to use North American English as needed at the university level.  The TOEFL is administered by the College Board. Students may write TOEFL/TSE Services at Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, USA, or visit www.toefl.org.

    Loyola will also accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).  Visit www.ielts.org for more information.
  5. You must complete the Declaration and Certification of Finances Form (PDF) and submit it with proof of financial resources showing your ability to cover expenses for your first academic year at Loyola University Chicago. You can download the form as an Adobe Acrobat file.
  6. The SAT 1 or the ACT is required (although there is no minimum score) to provide an evaluation of academic potential. The SAT 1/ACT requirements may be waived for transfer students (20 units or more of transferable credits).
  7. Transfer applicants with completed files will be notified of acceptance decisions on a rolling basis approximately four weeks after all credentials have been received.

Important dates for international transfers

  • November 1
    Priority Processing Deadline for Spring Semester Transfer Applicants & Scholarships
  • Early January
    Spring Semester classes begin
  • June 1
    Priority Processing Deadline for Fall Semester Transfer Applicants & Scholarships 
  • Late August
    Fall Semester classes begin
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Resources for International Students

   ICAP & ESL

International Conditional Admission Program (ICAP) & ESL

We offer ICAP to applicants who have demonstrated their academic abilities in the classroom, but may need additional English language preparation and support in order to succeed in the undergraduate core curriculum of Loyola.  ICAP admission is offered to applicants who have met all admission criteria except English language prficiencey on the standardized tests.  The minimum scores for ICAP eligibility are TOEFLiBT 69 (523 paper-based) or IELTS 5.5

ICAP students must meet the following conditions in order to matriculate into their undergraduate degree program:

  • Minimum 1 semester of full-time ESL student in Loyola's ESL program
  • Minimum final grade of B in all ESL program classes
  • Passing score on exit exam

A combination of course-work and exit exam scoring will be used to determine a student's readiness for degree work in the following semester.  If final grades and/or exit testing indicate further language study is needed, the ICAP student will be allowed to continue in ICAP for another semester.  Applicants who do not meet the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score requirements for ICAP are welcome to apply to the ESL Program directly at http://www.luc.edu/esl.

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Forms and Evaluation

Form I-20

Our Office for International Programs issues a Form I-20 after an international student has been admitted to Loyola University Chicago and has provided proof of financial access and sponsorship for his/her first year at Loyola. The amount needed to issue a Form I-20 for 2005-2006 is $38,943. This amount covers any and all expenses related to enrolling at Loyola: tuition, fees, room and board, books, travel, health insurance and miscellaneous expenses. This amount does not vary, even if a student is living with a relative. Students may complete the Declaration and Certification of Finances Form and attach appropriate bank statements, or the student may have their sponsor(s) write letters stating support and attaching appropriate original bank statements. Bank statements cannot be dated more than 6 months prior to the issuance of the I-20. Both the letters of support and bank statements must be in English, and preferably, the amounts converted into U.S. dollars. Students may fax these letters to the Office for International Programs at 773.508.7125.

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Scholarships

Financial Assistance/Scholarships

Universities in the United States are generally unable to offer financial assistance to international students since financial aid funds are obtained, in part, from the United States federal government. As such, these funds are only awarded to citizens, eligible non-citizens or permanent residents of the United States, as their tax dollars have supplied the funds.

Loyola University Chicago, in the interest of maintaining a truly diverse and international population, has several ways in which financial assistance is offered to students and their families.

Academic Scholarships

To apply for Freshman Scholarships, students must submit a complete application for admission, along with all supporting transcripts, test scores, etc., by December 1 for the following Fall semester. Find out more about additional scholarship opportunities.

Transfer Scholarships are offered on a competitive basis to transfer applicants who have a minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 scale and have at least one year of transferable coursework from another university. Applicants must also meet the TOEFL minimum of 550/213. To apply, students must submit a complete application for admission, along with all supporting transcripts, test scores, etc., by April 1 prior to the Fall semester.

These scholarships are renewable, provided students maintain a cumulative GPA between 3.0-3.4, depending on scholarship level, and enroll as a full-time student during the Fall and Spring semesters.

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   Work and Payment Options

Part-time work on campus

For more information, please visit the Office for International Programs:
http://www.luc.edu/oip

Monthly payment options

For more information, please visit the Office of the Bursar:
http://www.luc.edu/bursar/payment.shtml

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   For More Information

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
    Internet: www.toefl.org
    Address: TOEFL/ETS
    P.O. Box 6154
    Princeton, New Jersey
    08541-6154, USA
    Phone: 609-771-7100 or
    (800) GO TOEFL
    Fax: 609-731-7500
    E-mail: toefl@ets.org Cable: EDUCTESTSVC,
    Princeton, NJ, USA
    Loyola Code: 1412

  • SAT 1 (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
    Internet: www.collegeboard.org
    Address: SAT - College Board ATP
    CN 200 P.O. Box 6200
    Princeton, New Jersey
    08541-6200, USA
    Loyola Code: 1412

  • ACT (American College Test)
    Internet: www.act.org
    Address: ACT - ACT Records
    P.O. Box 451
    Iowa City, Iowa
    52243-0451, USA
    Loyola Code: 1064

Applicants who are outside the United States also may contact any of the following to obtain information about these tests: American/international school counseling offices, U.S. Embassies/Consulates, Bi-national Centers, Fulbright offices, or Sylvan Learning Centers.

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